Family Practice Advance Access originally published online on June 5, 2009
Family Practice 2009 26(4):269-274; doi:10.1093/fampra/cmp029
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Epidemiology and management of infertility: a population-based study in UK primary care
a Centre for Primary and Community Care, School of Health Natural and Social Sciences, University of Sunderland, Priestman Building, Green Terrace, Sunderland SR2 3PZ
b Coquet Medical Group, Amble Health Centre, Percy Drive, Amble, Northumberland NE65 0HD
c NHS Fife, Lynebank Hospital, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 4UW
d Newcastle Fertility Centre at LIFE, BioScience Centre, International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP, UK
Correspondence to Scott Wilkes, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AA, UK; E-mail: scott.wilkes{at}newcastle.ac.uk
Received 2 October 2008; Revised 15 April 2009; Accepted 26 April 2009.
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Abstract |
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Background. Our current knowledge of the epidemiology of infertility is limited and outdated. Health care provision for infertility in the UK attracts public interest because of restrictions on access to services.
Objective. To describe the incidence, prevalence, referral patterns and outcomes of infertile couples, presenting in general practice in UK.
Methods. A population-based retrospective observational outcome study of infertile couples from general practices in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, UK (population 1 043 513). Outcome data at 1 year were collected on all couples who presented to their GP between the 1st January 2005 and 30th June 2006 with a fertility problem.
Results. Thirty-four per cent of general practices in the study area contributed data (population 404 263). The incidence of infertility was 0.9 couples per 1000 general population. The average age of women was 31 years, and the average time attempting conception was 18 months. Treatment end points for half of all couples were in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Over half of the couples in the study were not eligible for National Health Service (NHS) fertility treatment on social criteria. At 12 months, 27% of all couples in the study achieved a pregnancy spontaneously and a further 9% with treatment.
Conclusions. Infertile women present to their GP later in life compared with 20 years ago, and after a shorter period of infertility. Half of the couples required treatment with IVF or ICSI. Adopting the British Fertility Society recommendation of allowing couples, where one or both partners has a child in a previous relationship, will result in an additional 26% of infertile couples becoming eligible for NHS fertility treatment.
Keywords. Epidemiology, family practice, infertility, primary care.
Wilkes S, Chinn DJ, Murdoch A and Rubin G. Epidemiology and management of infertility: a population-based study in UK primary care. Family Practice 2009; 26: 269–274.