This single-center cohort study developed a nomogram to predict clinical pregnancy following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in 218 infertile patients. The population was split into a training cohort (n=154) and a validation cohort (n=64). The model assessed endometrial ultrasound parameters before FET, including thickness, resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic velocity (S/D), uterine peristalsis direction, and frequency.
Endometrial thickness (ET), RI, S/D, uterine peristalsis direction, and frequency were identified as independent predictors. The odds ratios were: ET OR = 1.315 (P = 0.037); RI OR = 0.014 (P = 0.027); S/D OR = 0.531 (P = 0.047); UP direction OR = 0.598 (P = 0.022); UP frequency OR = 0.653 (P = 0.039). The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination with an AUC of 0.828 and satisfactory calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow P = 0.91).
No adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability data were reported. Key limitations include the single-center design, modest sample size, and uncertainty about whether the validation cohort was truly external or temporal. The practice relevance is that the nomogram provides a non-invasive tool for individualized decision-making to predict pregnancy possibility after FET.
This is a prediction model study identifying associations; it does not establish causation. The model requires further validation in larger, preferably external, cohorts before widespread clinical adoption.
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ObjectiveTo develop and validate a multivariable logistic regression prediction model integrating ultrasound-based determinants influencing clinical pregnancy outcomes following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and to establish a clinically applicable prediction model integrating morphological and functional endometrial parameters.MethodsThis study conducted uterine endometrium ultrasound evaluations on 325 infertile patients before transplantation. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 107 infertile women were excluded, and 218 patients were included in the subsequent analysis. To ensure robust model evaluation and adhere to TRIPOD guidelines, the 218 participants were randomly split into a training cohort (n=154, ~70%) for model development and an validation cohort (n=64, ~30%) for performance assessment. Baseline characteristics, hormone levels, and ultrasound parameters were compared between the two groups. Univariate analysis, collinearity diagnosis, and multivariate logistic regression was utilized to determine independent predictors and construct a nomogram. A nomogram model was constructed in the training cohort and validated in the independent validation cohort, supplemented by1,000 bootstrap iterations. The performance of the model was assessed through discrimination, calibration, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curves (CIC).ResultsMultivariate analysis identified endometrial thickness (ET; OR = 1.315, P = 0.037) on the day before transfer, resistance index (RI; OR = 0.014, P = 0.027), systolic velocity/diastolic velocity (S/D; OR = 0.531, P = 0.047), uterine peristalsis (UP) direction (OR = 0.598, P = 0.022), and UP frequency (OR = 0.653, P = 0.039) as independent predictors of pregnancy outcomes. The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.828) and satisfactory calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow P = 0.91). DCA shows that the model has a net clinical benefit in the probability range of 10% to 80%, and the CIC plot confirmed excellent concordance between predicted and observed pregnancy probability.ConclusionThe developed nomogram exhibits strong performance and clinical utility in predicting the possibility of pregnancy following FET, providing a non-invasive and practical tool for individualized clinical decision-making.