Using propensity score matching to evaluate the effect of complementary medicine on clinical and embryologic outcomes of in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate associations between using complementary medical therapies (CMTs) and embryologic and clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODS

The present prospective questionnaire-based cohort study enrolled women aged 18-44 years undergoing their first, second, or third IVF cycle using their own oocytes at a large IVF clinic in Israel between February 1, 2013, and July 31, 2015. Clinical and embryologic data were obtained from patient records and patients completed a self-administered questionnaire that included details of any CMTs used to treat infertility. Propensity score matching was used and the proportion of top-quality embryos was compared between CMT users and non-users.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 400 participants and 134 (33.5%) reported using CMT to treat infertility. In an unmatched analysis, reduced endometrium thickness was observed among CMT users (P=0.020); differences were not observed for embryologic or other clinical parameters. Following propensity score matching, reduced endometrial thickness (P=0.046), and a lower proportion (P=0.046) and number (P=0.040) of top-quality embryos were observed among CMT users in comparison with patients who did not use CMTs.

CONCLUSIONS

Using CMTs was associated with inferior clinical and embryologic outcomes; using CMTs during IVF treatment could contribute to adverse outcomes.