Fertility of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization by age

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by age. Methods: In a retrospective study, data were retrieved for patients with PCOS (Rotterdam 2003 criteria) and individuals with tubal factor infertility who underwent IVF at a center in Seoul, South Korea, between January 2003 and August 2012. IVF outcomes were compared by age group (A: 30-32 years; B: 33-35 years; C: 36-38 years; D: 39-41 years). Results: The analysis included 307 women with PCOS and 364 with tubal factor infertility. There was a significant difference between women with PCOS and those with tubal infertility factor in the live birth rate in group B (41.3% vs 28.6%, P=0.038) and in group C (40.4% vs 15.1%, P= 0.002). Among women with PCOS, no significant differences in number of retrieved oocytes were observed between the age groups (18.8 +/- 9.6, 19.1 +/- 10.0, 17.7 +/- 7.5, and 17.0 +/- 13.8). However, the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in group D than in group C (47.2% vs 18.8%, P= 0.042). Conclusion: Fertility in patients with PCOS was maintained until age 38 years using IVF. Thereafter, the pregnancy rate decreased, although the number of oocytes retrieved by IVF remained stable. (C) 2016 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.