Objective
To analyze the related factors of natural pregnancy outcome in infertile women after four-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (4D-HyCoSy) examination by Cox regression analysis.
Methods
A total of 388 infertile female patients who underwent 4D-HyCoSy examinations in the Ultrasound Imaging Department of Hubei Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from March 2015 to October 2023 were selected. Based on the patency of the bilateral fallopian tubes, patients were classified into types Ⅰ to Ⅵ. Based on the natural pregnancy outcomes within 12 months post-examination,patients were divided into a coneeption-success group (246 cases) and a conception-failure group (142 cases). Cox regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with successful natural pregnancy.A scoring system for successful natural pregnancy following 4D-HyCoSy examinations had been established,categorizing the conception-success patients into low-score group (0-6 points), medium-score group (7-12 points), and high-score group (13-18 points). The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to calculate cumulative pregnancy rates and time to pregnancy, and the Log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.
Results
The cumulative natural pregnancy success rates for types Ⅰ to Ⅵ within 12 months were 32.99%(128/388), 6.19%(24/388), 10.57%(41/388), 8.76%(34/388), 3.61%(14/388), and 1.29%(5/388), respectively. Type Ⅰ showed significantly higher rates than other types (χ2 =88.43, 57.22,68.87, 112.03, 137.17, all P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between types Ⅱ,Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, or types Ⅴ and Ⅵ (χ2=4.84, 3.52, all P>0.05). The cumulative natural pregnancy rates for the periods of 1-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-9 months, and 10-12 months were 19.59%(76/388),19.85%(77/388), 12.89%(50/388), and 11.08%(43/388), respectively. The cumulative pregnancy rate from 7 to 12 months was significantly lower than that from 1 to 6 months (χ2=21.41, P<0.01). Cox regression analysis revealed that the results of tubal patency, duration of preparation for pregnancy, and type of infertility were significant risk factors affecting natural conception. Compared with type Ⅵ, the type Ⅰ, Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ had increased success rate of natural pregnancy after 4D-HyCoSy examination (HR=6.1, 95%CI: 2.5-14.9, P<0.01; HR=5.1, 95%CI: 2.0-13.4, P=0.001; HR=3.3, 95%CI: 1.3-8.4, P=0.012; HR=2.9, 95%CI: 1.1-7.4, P=0.028). Compared with primary infertility patients, secondary infertility patients had an increased success rate of natural pregnancy after 4D-HyCoSy examination (HR=2.3, 95%CI: 1.5-3.4, P=0.030). The success rate of natural pregnancy after 4D-HyCoSy examination in infertile women with preparation time <2 years was higher than that in infertile women with preparation time ≥2 years (HR=3.0, 95%CI: 2.1-4.2, P<0.01). The cumulative natural pregnancy rates over 12 months of low, medium, and high-score infertility groups were 20.00% (16/80), 63.16% (108/171),and 89.05% (122/137), respectively. The comparison of cumulative successful conception rates among the three groups showed statistically significant differences (χ2 = 40.60, 104.00, 26.90, all P<0.01).
Conclusions
For women with infertility, a 4D-HyCoSy examination can be conducted early to guide the subsequent treatment plan. The natural pregnancy success rate is lower in the low-score group, and it is recommended to promptly pursue assisted reproductive technology. The medium and high-score groups may opt for natural conception.