The long-term outcome of 946 consecutive couples visiting a fertility clinic in 2001–2003

ObjectiveTo describe the outcome of fertility work-up, treatment, and dropout in a cohort of subfertile couples in a well-defined area in Western Europe.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingMaastricht University Medical Center.Patient(s)Subfertile couples referred by their general physician between 2001 and 2003.Intervention(s)Demographic data, findings of the fertility investigation, and outcome of treatment were entered prospectively into a database. Follow-up was performed until November 2008.Main Outcome Measure(s)Diagnosis, treatment, dropout rate, pregnancy rate, and live-birth rate.Result(s)During the study period, 946 couples were referred, of whom 17% dropped out. Follow-up was complete in 94% of couples. Spontaneous pregnancies occurred in 28% of all couples, and there were 32% treatment-dependent pregnancies. IVF (51% live births in couples treated) and no treatment/expectant management (50%) were the most effective treatments.Conclusion(s)After 5–8 years, 51% of couples referred for subfertility had at least one live birth.