NEW research presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 40th Annual Meeting in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, highlights significant social disparities in achieving live births following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Women with higher educational and income levels were found to have greater success rates in achieving live births compared to those with lower socioeconomic status.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, analysed data from 68,738 women aged 18-45 who underwent ART treatment between 1994 and 2017. The primary outcome was the likelihood of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment.
Analysis revealed that women with a research education (PhD) were over three times more likely to achieve a live birth compared to those with a primary school education (hazard ratio [HR]=3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.71-3.35). Also, women in the highest income group were twice as likely to achieve a live birth as those in the lowest income group. Unemployed women had the lowest likelihood of success, being one-third less likely to achieve a live birth compared to employed women (HR=0.67; 95% CI 0.64-0.69). These findings were consistent across different age groups and for both childless women and those with children before ART treatment.
Lead author, Rikke Bruun Uggerhøj, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, concluded that socioeconomic status significantly influences the likelihood of achieving a live birth after ART treatment. Women with higher education and income levels had higher success rates, possibly due to their greater likelihood to continue ART treatment after unsuccessful attempts. Uggerhøj expressed surprise that “even in Denmark, where three fresh ART treatments are currently offered free of charge, social inequality impacted the likelihood of initiating second and third ART treatments. This suggests that factors beyond the financial burden alone contribute to these disparities in outcomes.” Overall, the findings underscore the need for policymakers and healthcare professionals to adopt a comprehensive approach to address the multifaceted challenges that affect ART outcomes.
Abigail Craig, EMJ
Reference
Uggerhøj R et al. Social disparities in achieving live birth after initiating ART treatment: a national register-based study among women in Denmark. Hum Reprod. 2024.
