Quality of life and treatment satisfaction assesment in patients with infertility

Abstract

Study question: Do people undergoing study or treatment for infertility perceive alterations in their quality of life? Summary response: A good perception of quality of life was found in the studied population. What is already known: infertility and its treatment can have negative effects on the quality of life, affecting the emotional and social well-being of patients. FertiQuol is an internationally validated psychometric test to measure quality of life in people experiencing infertility. Study design: prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional. Materials and methods: All people who consulted during a period of 6 months were given the FertiQuol questionnaire, printed version in Spanish. The responses were uploaded to the page https://www.fertistat.com/fertiqol/ by team members, to obtain the corresponding psychometric score. The total FertiQuol score, core subscales and treatment were analyzed with their different areas according to gender and in 3 age groups: up to 34 years, 35 to 39 and 40 or more. The responses corresponding to satisfaction with the treatment were analyzed separately. Results: 89 people were included. Total FertiQuol was 75 in women (core subscale 75.4 and treatment 74) and79 in men (core subscale 79 and treatment 75). The differences were not significant when analyzed according to gender and age groups, except for the group of men aged 40 years or older, which was slightly higher. Satisfaction with treatments predominated, and the services offered for emotional care could be improved. Limitations: there could be differences between patients according to diagnosis,number or type of treatment; study carried out in a single private center. Implications of the findings: knowing the perception of quality of life in patients with infertility and their satisfaction with care allows us to develop strategies to improve their well-being.