Role of Markov Modeling Approaches to Understand the Impact of Infertility Treatments

Reprod Sci. 2017 Nov;24(11):1538-1543. doi: 10.1177/1933719117692448. Epub 2017 Feb 12.

Abstract

We are proposing to use Markov modeling type of analysis to understand data generated by treatments for infertility in women receiving ovarian stimulations. We describe the conceptual novelties, need for such an analysis, basics of the proposed methods, and theoretical constructions of various probabilities associated with practical level implementation of the Markov modeling procedures. This method can be adopted to infertility-related data visualizations whenever progression of outcome stages in infertility treatment is recorded. These methods if implemented should be able to enhance the understanding of treatment impacts of gonadotropins, clomiphene citrate, or an aromatase inhibitor at the beginning of treatment cycles of infertile women. This framework will be very useful for infertility treatment practitioners to compute the values of success rates of treatment for total population or population divided by demographic, clinical, and genetic factors. These methods can be continuously updated with newer data and translated into a mobile app to be used by clinical practitioners.

Keywords: infertility data; modeling; probability of conception.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / diagnosis*
  • Infertility, Female / therapy*
  • Markov Chains*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fertility Agents, Female