Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38961556›Full record

SynthesisActa obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica2024

Optimizing intrauterine insemination: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of clinical treatment add-ons.

Elpiniki Chronopoulou, Andrea Gaetano-Gil, Sadaf Shaikh, Claudia Raperport, Bassel H Al Wattar, Gabriel Ruiz-Calvo, Javier Zamora, Priya Bhide

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Optimizing outcomes in intrauterine insemination: A narrative synthesis of two decades of clinical research (2000-2024).International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2026
    Review
  3. Therapeutic effect ofRSC advances · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Elpiniki ChronopoulouThe Center for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH), London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-5714-1395
Andrea Gaetano-GilClinical Biostatistics Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
Sadaf ShaikhCREATE Fertility, London, UK.
Claudia RaperportLondon North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
Bassel H Al WattarInstitute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
Gabriel Ruiz-CalvoClinical Biostatistics Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
Javier ZamoraClinical Biostatistics Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
Priya BhideWomen's Health Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-0871-6508

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIntrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the most widespread fertility treatments. However, IUI protocols vary significantly amongst fertility clinics. Various add-on interventions have been proposed to boost success rates. These are mostly chosen arbitrarily or empirically. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness and safety of add-on interventions to the standard IUI protocol and to provide evidence-based recommendations on techniques used to optimize the clinical outcomes of IUI treatment. MATERIAL AND

methodsSystematic review and meta-analyses were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A computerized literature search was performed from database inception to May 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included reporting on couples/single women undergoing IUI with any protocol for any indication using partner's or donor sperm. A meta-analysis based on random effects was performed for each outcome and add-on. Three authors independently assessed the trials for quality and risk of bias and overall certainty of evidence. Uncertainties were resolved through consensus. Primary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) or live birth rate (LBR) per cycle/per woman randomized. Registration number PROSPERO: CRD42022300857.

resultsSixty-six RCTs were included in the analysis (16 305 participants across 20 countries). Vaginal progesterone as luteal phase support in stimulated cycles was found to significantly increase LBR/OPR (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.72, I

conclusionsThe findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that vaginal luteal phase progesterone support probably improves LBR/OPR in stimulated IUI treatments. In view of moderate/low certainty of the evidence more research is needed for solid conclusions. Further research is also recommended for the use of endometrial scratch and ovarian stimulation. Future studies should report on results according to subfertility background as it is possible that different add-ons could benefit specific patient groups.

Indexed as

Insemination, ArtificialPregnancy RateFemaleHumansPregnancyRandomized Controlled Trials as Topicadd‐onsbed restinseminationIUIprogesteronescratch

Identifiers

PMID38961556
PMCPMC11426219

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.