Clin Exp Reprod Med.  2011 Mar;38(1):37-41. 10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.37.

Comparison of follitropin beta administered by a pen device with follitropin beta administered by a conventional syringe in patients undergoing IVF-ET

• Kang HJ
• Kim CH
• Ahn JW
• Lee HA
• Kim SH
• Chae HD
• Kang BM

• KMID: 1805487
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2011.38.1.37

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness and convenience of a pen device for the self-administration of follitropin beta with a conventional syringe delivering follitropin beta solution in patients undergoing IVF-ET.
METHODS
GnRH agonist long protocol was used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in all subjects. A total of 100 patients were randomized into the pen device group or the conventional syringe group on the first day of COS. Local tolerance reactions were assessed within 5 minutes, at 1 hour and at 3 hours after each injection. On the day of hCG injection, patients were asked to rate their overall pain and convenience experienced with self-injection on a visual anlaogue scale (VAS).
RESULTS
There were no differences in patients' characteristics between the two groups. The duration of COS was significantly shorter in the pen device group than in the conventional syringe group. Patients included in the pen device group needed a significantly smaller amount of follitropin beta. However, no differences between the two groups were found in IVF results and pregnancy outcome. The incidence of local pain within 5 minutes, at 1 hour and at 3 hours after the injection was significantly lower in the pen device group. VAS scores indicated that injections using the pen device were significantly less painful and more convenient.
CONCLUSION
The pen device for self-administration of follitropin beta is less painful, safer and more convenient for the patients, and can be more effective because of the shorter duration and smaller dose of follitropin beta when compared with the conventional syringe.

Keyword

Ovulation Induction; In Vitro Fertilization; Injections, Subcutaneous; Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Beta Subunit; Human

MeSH Terms

Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Incidence
Injections, Subcutaneous
Ovulation Induction
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Recombinant Proteins
Syringes
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Recombinant Proteins