RESEARCH QUESTION : What is the discontinuation rate among patients with remaining cryopreserved embryos in Belgium and what are the reasons for discontinuation? DESIGN : Multicenter, cross-sectional study performed in 11 Belgian fertility clinics (covering 80% of ART population). Patients were eligible (n=1917) in case they underwent an unsuccessful fresh embryo transfer (fresh group) or FET (in between group) and did not start a subsequent FET cycle within one year despite the presence of remaining cryopreserved embryos. Denominator were all patients with embryos cryopreserved during the same period (2012-2017) (n=21329). Data were collected through an online anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS : The discontinuation rate for patients with remaining cryopreserved embryos is 9% (1917/21329). For the final analysis, 304 completed questionnaires were included. The most important checked reasons for discontinuation of FET cycles were psychological (50%) and physical (43%) burden, impact on work (29%), woman's age (25%) and impact on relationship (25%). In 69% of the cases the patient her/himself made the decision to delay FET treatment. In 16% of the respondents, the decision to delay FET was determined by external factors: treating physician (9%), social environment (4%), close family (3%) and society (3%). Suggested improvements by the respondents were psychological support before (41%), during (51%) and after (51%) treatment, as well as lifestyle counseling (44%) and receiving digital information (43%). CONCLUSIONS : The discontinuation rate is remarkably high in patients with remaining cryopreserved embryos, who are considered to have a good prognosis. Respondents stressed the need to better integrate psychological and patient tailored care in our daily ART practice.
Blockeel, Christophe
Blaiberg, Samantha
Delbaere, Anne
Delvigne, Annick
Wyns, Christine
[UCL]
De Neubourg, Diane
