and fertilisation rate (p=0001) but not for indication (p=008) or age (p=09). The group who stopped treatment had a higher rate of total fertilisation failure, a lower fertilisation rate, and a generally more unfavourable indication for in vitro fertilisation. These results indicate that the assumption of the life table method is not met because patients who decide to stop treatment are likely to have less chance of conceiving by in vitro fertilisation than patients who continue. Few studies

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... ing cumulative pregnancy rates after several cycles of in vitro fertilisation evaluate possible selection bias in the couples who continue treatment. To avoid too high expectations people should be aware of the possibility of such selection, particularly in a study with the objective "to provide reliable prognostic information for couples seeking assisted conception." E R TEVE1LDE