Chronic endometritis in patients with unexplained infertility: Prevalence and effects of antibiotic treatment on spontaneous conception.

PROBLEM

The correlations between chronic endometritis and unexplained infertility are unexplored.

METHOD OF STUDY

We performed a retrospective study on consecutive patients referred to our hysteroscopy service due to unexplained infertility. All women underwent endometrial sampling with histological and cultural examinations. If chronic endometritis was diagnosed, patients received antibiotic therapy, and chronic endometritis resolution was subsequently ascertained by histological examination. We aimed to estimate chronic endometritis prevalence and the effects of antibiotic therapy on spontaneous conception during the year following hysteroscopy.

RESULTS

A total number of 95 women were included. Pooled prevalence of chronic endometritis was 56.8%. Antibiotic therapy resulted in chronic endometritis resolution in 82.3% of patients, while in 17.6% disease was persistent. Women with cured chronic endometritis showed higher pregnancy rate and live birth rate in comparison with both women with persistent disease and women without chronic endometritis diagnosis (pregnancy rate = 76.3% vs 20% vs 9.5%, P < .0001; live birth rate = 65.8% vs 6.6% vs 4.8%, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Chronic endometritis is highly prevalent in patients with unexplained infertility. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic endometritis improve spontaneous pregnancy rate and live birth rate in such patients.