A study on the correlation between endometrial thickness and pattern and embryo implantation in patients undergoing an In Vitro Fertilisation cycle at a local general hospital

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between endometrial thickness and endometrial pattern on the day of ovulation induction and embryo implantation in patients undergoing an In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycle at a local general hospital.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were (a) to collect data about the measurement of the endometrial thickness on the day of ovulation induction in IVF cycles (b) to collect data about the pattern of the endometrium on the day of ovulation induction in IVF cycles (c) to collect data about the level of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) 14 and 16 days after embryo transfer in IVF cycles performed at a local general hospital between the years 2014 and 2018.

Methodology: Data about endometrial thickness and endometrial pattern was collected from the patients’ files. Data on hCG levels was collected from the hospital’s computerized patient information system (i. Clinical Manager, iSOFT 2006). The correlation between endometrial thickness and implantation and the correlation between endometrial pattern and implantation were investigated by means of the Chi-square test. The correlation between endometrial thickness combined with endometrial pattern with implantation was analysed by means of frequency tests.

Results: The main results from this study were: - The frequency studies showed that an endometrial thickness of between 7 to 14mm and a triple-line endometrial pattern favours embryo implantation; - Increased endometrial thickness is positively correlated with embryo implantation in patients over 40 years of age (p=0.006). No significant correlation was observed in patients younger than 40 years of age; and - Triple-line endometrial pattern is positively correlated with embryo implantation in patients over 40 years of age (p=0.007). No significant correlation was observed in patients younger than 40 years of age.

Conclusions From this study it was concluded that an endometrial thickness of between 7 and 14mm together with a triple-line endometrial pattern on the day of ovulation induction favours implantation in IVF cycles. Increased endometrial thickness and triple-line endometrial pattern, as independent prognostic factors, are positively correlated with successful embryo implantation in patients over 40 years of age.