Factors associated with infertility in males and females in Qatar: A case-control study.

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a rising global and regional concern, yet its associated factors remain underexplored in Qatar. This study investigated demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors linked to infertility, aiming to provide insights that can enhance reproductive healthcare strategies and patient outcomes in the region.

Methods: A total of 998,328 eligible individuals from 27 Primary Health Care Centers in Qatar were identified for this case-control study. Data were collected between January 2016 and December 2022. Eligible individuals were aged 18 to 49 years with a documented fertility status. After 1:1 matching by age, gender, and nationality, the final sample included 51,542 participants (25,771 cases, 25,771 controls). Analyses were stratified by gender and nationality.

Results: A total of 16,158 female cases and 9,613 male cases with infertility were identified and matched to fertile individuals. After multivariable logistic regression, in Qatari and non-Qatari females, polycystic ovarian syndrome was associated with higher odds of infertility (odds ratio [OR], 4.34 [95% CI, 3.36-5.61]; p < 0.001) and (OR, 5.54 [95% CI, 4.74-6.47]; p < 0.001), respectively. Uterine polyps showed a strong association in both groups (OR, 3.18 [95% CI, 2.21-4.59]; p < 0.001) and (OR, 6.05 [95% CI, 4.57-8.01]; p < 0.001), respectively. In both male groups, varicocele was associated with higher odds of infertility (OR, 39.46 [95% CI, 22.60-68.90]; p < 0.001) and (OR, 37.75 [95% CI, 26.32-54.16]; p < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, in erectile dysfunction (OR, 4.54 [95% CI, 3.32-6.21]; p < 0.001) and (OR, 6.59 [95% CI, 4.74-9.17]; p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: In females and males, reproductive diseases and other comorbidities were associated with higher odds of infertility in both Qatari and non-Qatari individuals. Future studies should investigate temporal associations and include additional risk factors to guide effective infertility prevention strategies.