Trends in Live Birth Rates Attributable to Assisted Reproductive Technology in British Columbia

Investigators will examine trends in ART use in BC specifically. The use of ART has drastically changed the management of infertility, with worldwide estimates exceeding 1.8 million ART cycles in 2010 alone. Moreover, an excess of six million children have been conceived using ART. Although various countries have published their live birth rates associated with common ART treatment strategies, British Columbia has yet report on its rates. With varying differences in ART practices, whether clinical or laboratory, it is expected live birth rates due to ART to vary depending on region analyzed. Analyzing the live birth rate in BC would not only allow for a benchmark for assessing future improvement, and trends in infertility diagnosis and management, but also allow for comparison to other provinces and countries. The aim of this part of the study is to describe ART cycle contribution to live birth rate in BC from April 2008 to March 2018, which has not been addressed in the literature as of yet. Not only will it give healthcare providers and patients information about this emerging approach to infertility but also provide a impetus for healthy policy makers to adopt a model for partially or fully publicly funded ART, as seen in Ontario and soon Quebec.

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Key information

Conditions

Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

About this study

Perinatal Services BC maintains a current database on live births, antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum outcomes; including details of ART if used to conceive. Live birth rate, for the purposes of this study, will be defined as the birth of at least one live born baby, with the birth of twins or higher order multiples considered as one live birth. The birth rate for ART will be taken as a proportion for birth rate from ART over total birth rate for given calendar year and the overall period of analysis. Data from April 1 2008 to March 31 2018 on autologous ART treatment cycles and outcomes will be extracted from this database, with approval. Overall proportion of ART contributing to live birth rate will be analyzed as well as sub categorical analysis based on age (younger than 30, 30-34 years, 35-39 years, 40-44 years, and 45 years and older). Only nulliparous women will be included in this study.

Moreover, data will be analyzed by calendar year in which baby from ART delivered to evaluate overall trends in ART outcomes. The total live birth rate for all of BC will serve as the denominator.

Although the data will be reviewed and rules interpreted by the principal investigator of this study, a biostatistician will be hired to carry out the necessary statistical analysis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Nulliparous women registered in Perinatal Services BC database with live birth between April 2008 and March 2018

Exclusion criteria

multiparous women
women with missing data in Perinatal Services BC database including gravid, parity, age, date of birth

Treatment and study plan

Assisted Reproductive Technology

Procedure

Assisted reproductive technology includes IVF and IVF+ICSI.

Primary outcomes

Live birth rate

Time frame: Date of delivery

Live birth rate

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2008
Primary completion: 2018
Study completion: 2018
First posted: May 4, 2020
Registry last updated: Dec 13, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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