Rural, Resident Fertility Clinic Patients Have Little Insight Into Their BMI or Implications of Obesity on Fertility [27P]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal weight and its effects on health and fertility are poorly understood by patients. We aimed to evaluate differences in knowledge of abnormal weight and its effect on fertility between patients seen for infertility and general gynecology (GYN) at a rural, resident-run clinic. METHODS: Participation in this 12-question survey-based analysis of weight/fertility knowledge was offered to patients seen in our rural, resident-run clinic. Survey assessed knowledge of abnormal weight and its effect on fertility, yielding a “Fertility Knowledge Score” and “Physician Education Score.” Visit number, age, visit type, and body mass index (BMI) were collected via chart review. The mean correct scores of both groups of patients (infertility and GYN) were compared using 2 sample T-test and Chi-squared test. RESULTS: Surveys for 44 infertility patients and 51 GYN patients were included. Infertility patients had higher mean BMI (37.5) than gynecology patients (32.9), (p=0.0263); 91% of fertility patients and 80% of GYN patients were overweight/obese. Infertility patients (p=0.0239) and patients with higher BMI (p=0.0112) reported discussing weight/BMI with a physician more often. There was no difference in survey scores between new and established patients overall or when these scores were analyzed by patient weight. CONCLUSION: Both infertility and GYN patients have little insight into their own BMI, with no change over visits. BMI is higher among infertility patients. Though, infertility patients have high general knowledge of effects of abnormal weight on fertility. This suggests we are not effectively discussing individual implications of weight/BMI despite large numbers of overweight/obese patients under our care.