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Abstract
Objectives To establish how medically assisted reproduction (MAR) clinics report success rates on their websites.
Setting Websites of private and NHS clinics offering in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the UK.
Participants We identified clinics offering IVF using the Choose a Fertility Clinic facility on the website of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Of 81 clinics identified, a website could not be found for 2, leaving 79 for inclusion in the analysis.
Primary and secondary outcome measures Outcome measures reported by clinic websites. The numerator and denominator included in the outcome measure were of interest.
Results 53 (67%) websites reported their performance using 51 different outcome measures. It was most common to report pregnancy (83% of these clinics) or live birth rates (51%). 31 different ways of reporting pregnancy and 9 different ways of reporting live birth were identified. 11 (21%) reported multiple birth or pregnancy rates. 1 clinic provided information on adverse events. It was usual for clinics to present results without relevant contextual information such as sample size, reporting period, the characteristics of patients and particular details of treatments.
Conclusions Many combinations of numerator and denominator are available for the purpose of reporting success rates for MAR. The range of reporting options available to clinics is further increased by the possibility of presenting results for subgroups of patients and for different time periods. Given the status of these websites as advertisements to patients, the risk of selective reporting is considerable. Binding guidance is required to ensure consistent, informative reporting.
- in vitro fertilisation
- advertising
- success rates
- assisted reproduction
- live birth rate
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Contributors JW designed the study, and undertook the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, drafted the manuscript and gave final approval of the version to be published. All other authors contributed to the design of the study, the interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript and gave final approval of the version to be published. JW is acting as guarantor for the study.
Funding JW is funded by a Doctoral Research Fellowship from the National Institute for Health Research, supervised by AV and SAR. JW is funded by a Doctoral Research Fellowship granted by the NIHR (DRF-2014-07-050.). The NIHR approved a research plan including the present study. The NIHR did not contribute to the design or analysis of the study, nor were they involved in drafting or approving the manuscript. This report is independent research arising in part from a Doctoral Research Fellowship supported by the National Institute for Health Research.
Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research or the Department of Health.
Competing interests JW is funded by a Doctoral Research Fellowship from the National Institute for Health Research, supervised by AV and SAR; AV and JW are statistical editors of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data sharing statement Copies of the data sets compiled and analysed for the present study may be acquired by contacting the corresponding author or at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jack_Wilkinson2.