NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men about to undergo a fertility examination may experience anxiety to a degree that prevents them from attending the scheduled appointment. Now, researchers in Germany have found that a simple informational leaflet can relieve men's distress and increase the likelihood that they will show up for the examination.

Dr. Martin Pook, at the University of Siegen and Dr. Walter Krause at Philipps-University of Marburg designed a 2-page leaflet describing the different components of a fertility workup, including questions that the physician would ask.

The examination, including sonography of the testes and a semen analysis, was described in detail, and reassurance was given that there would be no time pressure for obtaining a semen specimen, which would take place in complete privacy. Any kind of invasive procedure other than taking blood was explicitly ruled out.

As reported in the January issue of Fertility and Sterility, 250 consecutive male patients who were first-time visitors to the andrology clinic were included, half of whom received copies of the leaflet mailed approximately 2 weeks before the visit.

On a 32-point Infertility Distress Scale, completed by 204 attendees, those receiving the leaflet scored an average of 16.6, compared with 18.1 in the control group, a significant difference (p < 0.05).

There were 16 patients who did not attend the andrology clinic within 6 months of the scheduled appointment, 4 in the leaflet group and 12 in the control group (odds ratio 0.31).

A number-needed-to-treat analysis showed that the leaflet would have to be sent to 16 patients for one of them to avoid becoming a nonattendee.

"It is to be hoped that the success of the present study will encourage the development and evaluation of alternative forms of support for infertility patients," Drs. Pook and Krause conclude.

Fertil Steril 2005;83:68-73.

Copyright © 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters Limited content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters Limited. Reuters Limited shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.