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. 2011 Sep;4(3):130-7.
doi: 10.4103/0974-1208.92287.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between endometrial thickness and outcome of in vitro fertilization cycles

Mazdak Momeni  1 , Mohammad H Rahbar, Ertug Kovanci
Affiliations

A meta-analysis of the relationship between endometrial thickness and outcome of in vitro fertilization cycles

Mazdak Momeni et al. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the relationship between endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration and pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization cycles.

Design: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and methods: We identified 484 articles using Cochrane library, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase searches with various key words including endometrial thickness, pregnancy, assisted reproductive technology, endometrial pattern, and in vitro fertilization. A total of 14 studies with data on endometrial thickness and outcome were selected, representing 4922 cycles (2204 pregnant and 2718 nonpregnant). The meta-analysis with a random effects model was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software. We calculated the standardized mean difference, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: There was a significant difference in the mean endometrial thickness between pregnant and nonpregnant groups (P<0.001), with a standardized mean difference of 0.4 mm (95% CI 0.22-0.58). The OR for pregnancy was 1.40 (95% CI 1.24-1.58).

Conclusions: The mean endometrial thickness was significantly higher in pregnant women compared to nonpregnant. The mean difference between two groups was <1 mm which may not be clinically meaningful. Although there may be a relationship between endometrial thickness and pregnancy, implantation potential is probably more complex than a single ultrasound measurement can determine.

Keywords: Assisted reproductive technology; endometrial pattern; endometrial thickness; in vitro fertilization; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of selected studies and reasons for exclusion at each step of the systematic search
Figure 2
Figure 2
Difference in means and 95% confidence intervals
Figure 3
Figure 3
Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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