Table 2

Comparisons of the annualised relapse rates in the 3 month period before IVF, after IVF and during a control period 1 year before IVF, in several groups of patients

GroupControl period (ARR)Period before IVF (ARR)Period following IVF (ARR)p Value (1/3)p Value (2/3)
MeanMedianRangeMeanMedianRangeMeanMedianRange
All IVF0.68 (n=65)00–40.80 (n=70)00–41.60 (n=70)00–80.040.01
IVF failure0.82 (n=44)00–40.98 (n=49)00–41.96 (n=49)00–80.080.02
IVF success0.38 (n=21)00–40.38 (n=21)00–40.76 (n=21)00–40.560.38
GnRH agonists0.62 (n=45)00–40.75 (n=48)00–41.60 (n=48)00–80.030.03
GnRH antagonists0.63 (n=19)00–40.84 (n=19)00–40.84 (n=19)00–40.771
  • All IVF, when all IVF procedures are taken into account; IVF failure, when there was a failure of IVF to induce a pregnancy; IVF success, when IVF was followed by a pregnancy; GnRH agonists/antagonists, in patients treated with GnRH agonists/antagonists for ovarian desensitisation.

  • Wilcoxon paired tests were performed to compare ARR between the different periods.

  • ARR, annualised relapse rates; GnRH, gonadotrophin releasing hormone; IVF, in vitro fertilisation.