Transferring a poor quality embryo with a good quality embryo benefits
poor prognosis patients: a retrospective study using propensity score
matching
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of transferring a poor quality embryo
(PQE) with a good quality embryo (GQE) on the outcomes in poor prognosis
patients. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting:
University-affiliated hospital. Population: A total of 5,037 FBT cycles
between January 2012 and May 2019. Methods: Single FBT with GQE were
defined as group G and double FBT with GQE plus PQE were defined as
group GP. Propensity score matching was applied to control for potential
confounders. Multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) models
were used to identify the association between the effect of an
additional PQE and outcomes. Main Outcome Measures: Live births and
multiple pregnancies. Results: Group GP resulted in a significantly
higher live birth rate (LBR) than group G in women aged 35 and over and
in women who received over 3 cycles of embryo transfer (ET) (48.1% vs
27.2%, OR:2.56, 95% CI: 1.3-5.03 and 46.6% vs 35.4%, OR:1.6, 95%
CI: 1.09-2.35), while LBR were statistically similar between two groups
in women under 35 and in women who received less than 3 cycles of ET
(48.7% vs 43.9%, OR:1.22, 95% CI: 0.93-1.59 and 48.3% vs 41.4%,
OR:1.33, 95% CI: 0.96-1.85). Notably, group GP were found a consistent
significantly higher multiple pregnancy rate than group G. Conclusions:
The transfer of an additional PQE with a GQE increases live births in
poor prognosis patients. Fundingļ¼None. Keywords: poor quality embryo,
good quality embryo, LBR, poor prognosis patients