Coping style and depression level influence outcome in in vitro fertilization

Objective: To examine the influence of depression levels and coping on IVF outcome in women, taking into account the cause of infertility. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: A university hospital. Patient(s): Ninety-eight women undergoing IVF treatment. Intervention(s): Psychometric tests were administered at the first visit (day 3) of the investigated treatment cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): Achievement of pregnancy. Results: The nonpregnant group reported increased expression of negative emotions. In the subgroup with a female indication for IVF, increased depressive symptomatology (correlated with increased expression of negative emotions) was associated with lower pregnancy rates (PRs), whereas in the subgroup with a male indication for IVF, increased depressive symptomatology (correlated with decreased expression of negative emotions) was associated with higher PRs. Conclusion(s): Expression of negative emotions predicts depression levels and outcome in IVF. The cause of infertility should be taken into account when investigating the relation between psychologic functioning and outcome in IVF. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.