Publications
The main E-Freeze trial results have now been published. The trial was conducted in 18 clinics across the United Kingdom from 2016-2019, 619 couples participated. Couples were allocated to either having an immediate fresh embryo transfer or freezing all embryos and having a transfer at a later date. The trial's aim was to find out which of these two types of embryo transfer gave a higher chance of having a healthy baby. E-Freeze found no evidence to suggest that freezing all embryos followed by embryo transfer at a later date leads to a higher chance of having a healthy baby. There were also no differences between groups in live birth, miscarriage rates and pregnancy complications. Fresh embryo transfer was less costly both from a healthcare and patient perspective. Results from E-Freeze therefore do not lend support to a policy of routine freezing for everyone, given that there was no evidence to suggest improved success rates but there are additional costs and delays associated with frozen embryo transfer. Details on the results can be found in the main publication. A summary of the results are also available in the E-Freeze results podcast and infographic.
E-Freeze Trial Results Publication
Date published: 2022
Maheshwari A, Bell JL, Bhide P, Brison D, Child T, Chong HY, Cheong Y, Cole C, Coomarasamy A, Cutting R, Hardy P, Hamoda H, Juszczak E, Khalaf Y, Kurinczuk JJ, Lavery S, Linsell L, Macklon N, Mathur R, Pundir J, Raine-Fenning N, Rajkohwa M, Scotland G, Stanbury K, Troup S, Bhattacharya S. Elective freezing of embryos versus fresh embryo transfer in IVF: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in the UK (E-Freeze). Human Reproduction. 2022;37(3):476-87.
E-Freeze NIHR HTA Full Final Report
Date published: 2022
Maheshwari A, Bari V, Bell J L, Bhattacharya S, Bhide P, Bowler U, Brison D, Child T, Chong HY, Cheong Y, Cole C, Coomarasamy A, Cutting R, Goodgame F, Hardy P, Hamoda H, Juszczak E, Khalaf Y, King A, Kurinczuk JJ, Lavery S, Lewis-Jones C, Linsell L, Macklon N, Mathur R, Murray D, Pundir J, Raine-Fenning N, Rajkohwa M, Robinson L, Scotland G, Stanbury K, Troup S. Transfer of thawed frozen embryo versus fresh embryo to improve the healthy baby rate in women undergoing IVF: the E-Freeze RCT. Health Technology Assessment. 2022;26(25):1-142.
https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/AEFU1104/#/abstract
E-Freeze Statistical Analysis Plan Publication
Date published: 2020
Bell JL, Hardy P, Greenland M, Juszczak E, Cole C, Maheshwari A, Bhattacharya S, Linsell L. E-Freeze - a randomised controlled trial evaluating the clinical and cost effectiveness of a policy of freezing embryos followed by thawed frozen embryo transfer compared with a policy of fresh embryo transfer, in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a statistical analysis plan. Trials. 2020;21(1):596.
E-Freeze Protocol Publication
Date published: 2019
Maheshwari A, Bhattacharya S, Bowler U, Brison D, Child T, Cole C, Coomarasamy A, Cutting R, Harbottle S, Hardy P, Juszczak E, Khalaf Y, Kurinczuk JJ, Lavery S, Lewis-Jones C, Macklon N, Raine-Fenning NJ, Rajkohwa M, Scotland G, Troup S. Study protocol: E-freeze - freezing of embryos in assisted conception: a randomised controlled trial evaluating the clinical and cost effectiveness of a policy of freezing embryos followed by thawed frozen embryo transfer compared with a policy of fresh embryo transfer, in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Reproductive Health. [journal article]. 2019;16(1):81.