Individualized drug dosing scheme optimizes fertility treatments, better control and more pregnancies
Behind the encouraging results lies the development an easy to use patient assessment chart or "nomogram" that allows doctors to evaluate each patient according to objective criteria, such as age and smoking habits, and determine the best starting dose of fertility hormone.
Dr Popovic-Todorovic and her colleagues at the Rigshospitalet report: "This is the first clinical trial conducted in 'standard' patients which investigates the use of individual starting doses." Dr. Popovic-Todorovic, who received her doctorate degree on May 21st from Copenhagen University based on the study, used the nomogram in a prospective, randomized trial involving 267 patients. A control group received the standard dose while the second group received a variable dose of medicine determined by the results of the nomogram.
During IVF treatment for infertility, the majority of clinics use a "standard dose'" of fertility drug for a '"standard patient". Now, the findings of this study suggest that results can be improved if tailor-made doses based on individual patient characteristics are applied. Patients in the tailor-made group administered their fertility hormone with the Puregon Pen®, which allows simple variable dosing with just the turn of a dial.
Not only did this study show improved pregnancy rates in the individual dose group but also found that these patients needed fewer dose adjustments as the course of drug treatment went on. The key to the improved results was a less variable response by the ovaries to the effect of the drugs. "The incidence of patients with inadequate responses was reduced," said Dr Popovic-Todorovic.
Factors built into the nomogram included the patient's age, smoking habits, ovarian volume and the number of growing follicles (early egg cells) evident in the ovary. All these factors are known individually to have some effect on the outcome of IVF.
"The nomogram," said Dr Popovic-Todorovic, "is a bedside tool which is both easy and fast to use. The data obtained from this trial justifies the tailor-made starting dose approach."
For media inquiries
Mrs. Monique Mols
monique.mols@organon.com
References:
1. B. Popovic-Todorovic, et al. A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing an individual dose of recombinant FSH based on predictive factors versus a 'standard'dose of 150 IU/day in 'standard'patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Human Reproduction Vol 18, No. 11: 2275-2282, 2003
2. B. Popovic-Todorovic, et al. A prospective study of predictive factors of ovarian response in 'standard'IVF/ICSI patients treated with recombinant FSH. A suggestion for a recombinant FSH dosage nomogram. Human Reproduction Vol 18, No. 4: 781-787, 2003
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Schema de dozaj individualizat de droguri optimizeazã tratamente de fertilitate, mai bine de control ºi de mai multe sarcini - Individualized drug dosing scheme optimizes fertility treatments, better control and more pregnancies - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate