Recombinant FSH (r-FSH) used for ovarian stimulation can currently be self-administered either by a conventional syringe or by a pen device. This randomized controlled trial compares the efficacy and convenience of a new, more sophisticated and fully automated injection device (Softinject(TM)) with the conventional syringe for r-FSH self-administration. A total of 300 women needing ovarian stimulation for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection were randomized to the automated injector or the conventional syringe group. Patients of both groups had ovarian stimulation with follitropin alpha after pituitary desensitization with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. State anxiety score, overall pain score and pregnancy rate were chosen as the main outcome measures. Patients in the automated injector group showed lower state anxiety (P < 0.01) and overall pain (P < 0.01) scores and a comparable pregnancy rate per started cycle as compared with the conventional syringe group. They needed lower doses of r-FSH (P < 0.05) and their stimulation was shorter (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the use of a fully automated injector for r-FSH self-administration reduces pain and stress as compared with the conventional syringe. This device can be used for any subcutaneously administered drug employed in ovarian stimulation.

Use of a fully automated injector for self-administration of follitropin alpha in an IVF/ICSI programme

Greco, Ermanno;
2005-01-01

Abstract

Recombinant FSH (r-FSH) used for ovarian stimulation can currently be self-administered either by a conventional syringe or by a pen device. This randomized controlled trial compares the efficacy and convenience of a new, more sophisticated and fully automated injection device (Softinject(TM)) with the conventional syringe for r-FSH self-administration. A total of 300 women needing ovarian stimulation for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection were randomized to the automated injector or the conventional syringe group. Patients of both groups had ovarian stimulation with follitropin alpha after pituitary desensitization with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. State anxiety score, overall pain score and pregnancy rate were chosen as the main outcome measures. Patients in the automated injector group showed lower state anxiety (P < 0.01) and overall pain (P < 0.01) scores and a comparable pregnancy rate per started cycle as compared with the conventional syringe group. They needed lower doses of r-FSH (P < 0.05) and their stimulation was shorter (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the use of a fully automated injector for r-FSH self-administration reduces pain and stress as compared with the conventional syringe. This device can be used for any subcutaneously administered drug employed in ovarian stimulation.
2005
Anxiety
Automated injector
Follitropin α
Ovarian stimulation
Pregnancy rate
Recombinant FSH
Self-administration
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14245/11729
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 5
social impact