A case-control study of body mass index and infertility in algerian women (Sidi bel abbes, west of Algeria)

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of obesity and female infertility in Algeria has increased in past decades, and recent study are showing a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of female infertility, suggesting that obesity is a risk factor for infertility. In order to evaluate the risk of infertility associated with BMI, we conducted a case-control study. Materials and methods: The relationship between BMI and female infertility was investigated in a case-control study of 256 infertile cases and 326 fertile control subjects. The BMI of infertile women was compared with the BMI of the control fertile group. Odds ratios (ORs) was calculated as measures of relative risk of infertility associated with BMI. Results: Multiple analyses showed significant association between various measures of BMI and female infertility in this population. An association between BMI and infertility was observed for the overweight (25.00–29.99 kg/m2; odds ratio = 2.23; p = 0.021; 95% confidence interval, 1.52–3.25) and obese group (> 30 kg/m2; odds ratio = 3.26; p = 0.019; 95% confidence interval, 1.62–6.58) compared to the normal weight group. However, no association was found between underweight and infertility (BMI < 20 kg/m2, odds ratio = 0.96; p = 0.063; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–1.63). Conclusion: The present study confirms the results that the previously reported research have shown and affirm that an negative association exist between obesity and overweight with fertility, this association might be influenced by other factors, that’s why larger and more research in the Algerian population are needed.