The Impact of the Economic Recession in Greece on Assisted Reproduction Demand: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Autor: Polina Giannelou, Sokratis Grigoriadis, Agni Pantou, Mara Simopoulou, Maria Fakiridou, Anna Rapani, Terpsithea Vaxevanoglou, Konstantinos Sfakianoudis, Konstantinos Pantos, Evangelos Maziotis, Michael Koutsilieris
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Adult
Infertility
Medicine (General)
Longitudinal study
Financial crisis
Greek economic recession
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
ART demand
Infertility treatment
media_common.quotation_subject
Reproduction (economics)
Patient characteristics
Fertilization in Vitro
greek economic recession
Recession
Article
art demand
03 medical and health sciences
R5-920
0302 clinical medicine
infertility treatment
Pregnancy
medicine
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
030212 general & internal medicine
in vitro fertilization (ivf)
Retrospective Studies
media_common
Ivf treatment
Infertility treatments
Greece
business.industry
financial crisis
030503 health policy & services
1. No poverty
General Medicine
medicine.disease
Economic Recession
8. Economic growth
Female
0305 other medical science
business
Infertility
Female
Demography
Zdroj: Medicina, Vol 55, Iss 10, p 654 (2019)
Medicina
Medicina; Volume 55; Issue 10; Pages: 654
Volume 55
Issue 10
ISSN: 1648-9144
DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100654
Popis: Background and objectives: Since 2009, the decline of the Greek economy has been in the spotlight of the world&rsquo
s financial agenda. This study assesses the economic crisis&rsquo
impact on assisted reproduction demand dynamics. Materials and Methods: Patient records were recruited between 2005&ndash
2017. In 2013 the clinic proceeded with a cost reduction. The studied time-frames were defined accordingly: Period A: Prior to economic crisis, Period B: During the economic crisis-prior to cost reduction, and Period C: During the economic crisis-following cost reduction. Analysis focused on parameters reflecting on patient characteristics, decision to inquire on IVF treatment, embarking on it, and proceeding with multiple cycles. Results: The mean annual number of first visit patients was significantly decreased during Period B (1467.00 ±
119.21) in comparison to period A (1644.40 ±
42.57) and C (1637.8 ±
77.23). Furthermore, Period C in comparison to B and A, refers to women of more advanced age (37.27 ±
5.62 vs 36.04 ±
5.76 vs 35.53 ±
5.28), reporting a longer infertility period (8.49 ±
6.25 vs 7.01 ±
5.66 vs 6.46 ±
5.20), being inclined to abandon IVF treatment sooner (2.78 ±
2.51 vs 2.60 ±
1.92 vs 4.91 ±
2.28). Conclusions: A decline regarding assisted reproduction techniques (ART) demand was noted as anticipated. Redefining the cost of infertility treatments may contribute towards overcoming the troubling phenomenon of postponing pregnancy due to financial concerns.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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