Predictive factors for recovery time in patients suffering from severe OHSS

BACKGROUND To evaluate predictive factors for recovery time from severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). METHODS In a retrospective cohort study, 201 women who were hospitalized for severe OHSS were included. Patients with recurrent OHSS were excluded. All the patients received standardized treatment including intravenous hydration, plasma volume expansion, human albumin, furosemid, subcutaneous heparin, and paracentesis if necessary. The main outcome parameter was recovery time from OHSS. Recovery was defined if a morning hematocrit <40%, rebalance of electrolytes, and serum creatinine <1 mg/dL were reached during the standardized therapy and the patient had not suffered from abdominal pain and discomfort at least for one day without any OHSS-specific infusions or medications. RESULTS Pregnant patients (n=80, 39.8%) revealed a longer median duration until recovery than non-pregnant patients (n=121, 60.2%; 10 days, IQR 7-13, vs. 8 days, IQR 6-10, respectively; p=0.001). In a generalized linear model, presence of polycystic ovary syndrome before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (beta=0.3342 +/- 0.1335, p=0.012) and use of hCG for ovulation induction (beta=0.222 +/- 0.1389, p=0.048) were associated with a longer recovery time in pregnant patients. In non-pregnant patients, none of the tested factors was associated with recovery time. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant patients with severe OHSS needed a significantly longer recovery time than non-pregnant patients. In pregnant patients, presence of polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation induction with hCG were associated with longer recovery times.