Research question

How are IVF clinic websites advertising three common IVF add-ons: assisted hatching, time-lapse embryo imaging and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A)?

Design

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ‘Choose a fertility clinic‘ website service was used to identify IVF clinics and their websites. Assisted hatching, time-lapse embryo imaging and PGT-A were examined to determine which websites advertised them, what price they charged and what claims they made in relation to the add-ons.

Results

Eighty-seven eligible clinics were identified, with 72 unique websites; 37 (43%) clinics were part of one of nine groups of IVF clinics, of sizes ranging from two to eight clinics in the UK. Time-lapse imaging (TLI) was the most frequently advertised of the three add-ons (67% of clinics), followed by PGT-A (47%) and assisted hatching (28%). Very few websites stated that the effectiveness of the add-on was in doubt or unclear (four, two and one websites for TLI, PGT-A and assisted hatching, respectively), and none raised the possibility that an add-on might have negative effects. Claims of efficacy were often based on upstream outcomes (e.g. implantation, pregnancy). Some claims that PGT-A and TLI improved live birth rates were found. There was substantial variation in pricing.

Conclusions

IVF clinic websites provide valuable information for patients seeking fertility treatment so it is key that the information is accurate and complete. There is a need for transparent information on interventions, including uncertainties and risks, to be made available by IVF clinics to support well-informed treatment decisions. The selected add-ons are widely advertised, and there is wide variation in pricing.

中文翻译：

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生育诊所网站上三个 IVF 附加组件的流行、促销和定价。

研究问题

IVF 诊所网站如何宣传三种常见的 IVF 附加组件：辅助孵化、延时胚胎成像和非整倍体的植入前基因检测 (PGT-A)？

设计

人类受精和胚胎学管理局的“选择生育诊所”网站服务用于识别试管婴儿诊所及其网站。对辅助孵化、延时胚胎成像和 PGT-A 进行了检查，以确定哪些网站为它们做广告，它们收取的价格以及它们对附加组件的声明。

结果

确定了 87 个符合条件的诊所，拥有 72 个独特的网站；37 (43%) 家诊所是 9 组 IVF 诊所之一的一部分，在英国的诊所规模从 2 到 8 家不等。延时成像 (TLI) 是三个附加组件中最常宣传的（占诊所的 67%），其次是 PGT-A（47%）和辅助孵化（28%）。很少有网站表示附加组件的有效性存在疑问或不清楚（分别为 TLI、PGT-A 和辅助孵化的四个、两个和一个网站），并且没有一个网站提出附加组件可能具有负面影响的可能性效果。功效的声明通常基于上游结果（例如植入、怀孕）。有人声称 PGT-A 和 TLI 提高了活产率。定价有很大差异。

结论

IVF 诊所网站为寻求生育治疗的患者提供有价值的信息，因此信息的准确和完整至关重要。IVF 诊所需要提供有关干预措施的透明信息，包括不确定性和风险，以支持明智的治疗决策。选定的附加组件被广泛宣传，定价差异很大。