Critical appraisal:Goodman LR, Balthazar U, Kim J, Mersereau JE 2012
Critical Appraisal
Goodman LR, Balthazar U, Kim J, Mersereau JE. Trends of socioeconomic disparities in referral patterns for fertility preservation consultation. Hum Reprod 2012 Jul;27(7):2076-81 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22552688.
Key Facts
cohort study
To investigate trends of FPC referral patterns by evaluating demographic, socioeconomic and cancer-specific predictive factors associated with FPC.
FPC - fertility preservation consultation
199
Overall referral rates for FPC are low
There appear to be significant discrepancies in referral based on ethnicity, age, parity and cancer type.
One hundred and ninety-nine patients were eligible for FPC and of those, 41 received FPC (20.6%). Women with breast cancer were 10 times more likely to receive FPC compared with other cancer diagnoses [odds ratio (OR) 10.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8– 26.8]. The odds of FPC referral were approximately two times higher for Caucasian women (OR 2.4; 95% CI 0.9–6.2), three times higher for age ,35 years (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.4–7.7) and four times higher in nulliparous women (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.9–11.3). There was no association between BMI, income, distance to our institution, being in a relationship and referral for FPC.
no
Evidence ratings
III-3
High risk of bias | Comments: |
3 | Reason for decision: based on P values |
2 | Additional comments: The point estimate of effect is clinically important |
- Article
- Goodman LR, Balthazar U, Kim J, Mersereau JE. Trends of socioeconomic disparities in referral patterns for fertility preservation consultation. Hum Reprod 2012 Jul;27(7):2076-81 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22552688.
- Assigned to
- User:Antoinette.anazodo
- Topic area
- Guidelines:COSA:Cancer fertility preservation guidelines/Referral to fertility specialists
- Clinical question
Section below only relevant for Cancer Council Project Officer