Prospective study of the clinical and laboratory parameters of patients in whom ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome developed during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization

Abstract Objective: To compare patient characteristics and clinical and laboratory parameters in patients in whom ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) develops with those in whom it does not develop. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Reproductive medicine unit at a university medical center. Patient(s): All patients undergoing IVF (n = 428) who received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during a 6-month period. Intervention(s): Prospective data collection. Main Outcome Measure(s): Patient characteristics (age, body mass index, medical history, smoking habits) and clinical and laboratory data obtained during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were evaluated in patients who had severe OHSS, any degree of OHSS, or a significant risk of OHSS and compared with the remaining populations. Result(s): Severe OHSS developed in 18 patients (4.2%) and mild or moderate OHSS developed in 7.3%. As a group, all the patients with OHSS were significantly younger, received lower doses of gonadotropins, had ovaries containing a higher number of total and large follicles, had a higher number of retrieved oocytes, and had a higher pregnancy rate than the patients without OHSS. The patients with severe OHSS also had an increased prevalence of allergy (56% versus 21%) and were more likely to ultimately give birth. Conclusion(s): The observed differences may be useful in elucidating the pathophysiology of OHSS and identifying patients who are at increased risk for OHSS.