Summary of the 2008 Annual Report of the German IVF Registry

Journal für Reproduktionsmedizin und Endokrinologie - Journal of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology 2010; 7 (1): 34-38

Volltext (PDF)    Summary    Abbildungen   




Keywords: DIR,  counselling,  data-collection,  ICSI,  IVF,  registry,  report

The German IVF Registry (Deutsches IVF-Register, D·I·R) was founded in 1982 and has since modified its data collection requirements on several occasions [1]. Since 1991 an annual report has been published, nearly all German IVF units are currently using a standardized, computer-based dataset description but are employing various software-tools. These tools have undergone numerous changes. From its inception, the registry collected data cycle by cycle. The report represents a summary of all reported cycles. Due to German legal requirements and internal procedural rules, no data related to specific centers are published [2]. The report is divided into three sections: a patient-based first section comprises responses to common questions, offering comments on the different therapeutic options. It is followed by 32 charts and tables containing the uniform analysis of all reported cycles. The third section focuses on annually varying statistics. Due to the size of the dataset, these statistics also include lifestyle aspects and regional differences. An epilogue, a comment on aspects related to the statistics and data processing, as well as a list of all participating centers have also been included. Since 1997, > 90 % of all ART cycles reported to the system have been entered prospectively (within 7 days after the start of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation). Since 1999, participation in the registry is mandatory in some federal states of Germany and explicitly and strongly recommended in others. Compared to IVF registries of other countries, the German national registry offers more information on reproductive history like risk factors and pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, thromboses, allergic reactions, psychiatric disorders as well as obesity. This information is given for both partners.