The prevalence, promotion and pricing of three IVF add-ons on fertility clinic websites

REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE

卷:41

Article

van de Wiel, Lucy¹  Wilkinson, Jack²  Athanasiou, Pantelitsa³  Harper, Joyce³ 

[1] Univ Cambridge, Dept Sociol, Cambridge, England

[2] Univ Manchester, Manchester Acad Hlth Sci Ctr, Fac Biol Med & Hlth, Ctr Biostat, Manchester, England

[3] UCL, Inst Womens Hlth, London, England

关键词: Add-ons;    Assisted hatching;    IVF;    PGT-A;    Time-lapse embryo imaging;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.07.021

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Research question: How are IVF clinic websites advertising three common IVF add-ons: assisted hatching, time-lapse embryo imaging and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A)? Design: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 'Choose a fertility clinic' website service was used to identify IVF clinics and their websites. Assisted hatching, time-lapse embryo imaging and PGT-A were examined to determine which websites advertised them, what price they charged and what claims they made in relation to the add-ons. Results: Eighty-seven eligible clinics were identified, with 72 unique websites; 37 (43%) clinics were part of one of nine groups of IVF clinics, of sizes ranging from two to eight clinics in the UK. Time-lapse imaging (TLI) was the most frequently advertised of the three add-ons (67% of clinics), followed by PGT-A (47%) and assisted hatching (28%). Very few websites stated that the effectiveness of the add-on was in doubt or unclear (four, two and one websites for TLI, PGT-A and assisted hatching, respectively), and none raised the possibility that an add-on might have negative effects. Claims of efficacy were often based on upstream outcomes (e.g. implantation, pregnancy). Some claims that PGT-A and TLI improved live birth rates were found. There was substantial variation in pricing. Conclusions: IVF clinic websites provide valuable information for patients seeking fertility treatment so it is key that the information is accurate and complete. There is a need for transparent information on interventions, including uncertainties and risks, to be made available by IVF clinics to support well-informed treatment decisions. The selected add-ons are widely advertised, and there is wide variation in pricing.

【 授权许可】

Free