C S Cheung1, C H Chan, E H Ng. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. charleensycheung@hku.hk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychological impact following early miscarriage between women who conceived naturally and women who conceived following assisted reproduction. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Assisted reproduction clinic and general gynaecological unit in a university-affiliated, tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: A cohort of 150 women (75 after natural conception; 75 after assisted reproduction). METHODS: Completed semi-structured interviews using two standard questionnaires [the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 22-item Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R)], at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after a diagnosis of first-trimester miscarriage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores for the two groups of women. RESULTS: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores were significantly higher in the assisted reproduction group than the scores in the natural conception group, at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after miscarriage. Further breakdown of the scores revealed significantly higher hyperarousal symptoms at 4 and 12 weeks in the assisted reproduction group, indicating the traumatic effect of miscarriage to these women. CONCLUSIONS: Following first-trimester miscarriage, subfertile women who conceived after assisted reproduction had higher stress and anxiety-depression levels, and experienced more traumatic impact from the event, than those after natural conception. A timely support and psychological intervention would be beneficial in the management of this group of women.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychological impact following early miscarriage between women who conceived naturally and women who conceived following assisted reproduction. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Assisted reproduction clinic and general gynaecological unit in a university-affiliated, tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: A cohort of 150 women (75 after natural conception; 75 after assisted reproduction). METHODS: Completed semi-structured interviews using two standard questionnaires [the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 22-item Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R)], at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after a diagnosis of first-trimester miscarriage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores for the two groups of women. RESULTS: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores were significantly higher in the assisted reproduction group than the scores in the natural conception group, at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after miscarriage. Further breakdown of the scores revealed significantly higher hyperarousal symptoms at 4 and 12 weeks in the assisted reproduction group, indicating the traumatic effect of miscarriage to these women. CONCLUSIONS: Following first-trimester miscarriage, subfertile women who conceived after assisted reproduction had higher stress and anxiety-depression levels, and experienced more traumatic impact from the event, than those after natural conception. A timely support and psychological intervention would be beneficial in the management of this group of women.
Authors: Lauren P Hunt; A M McInerney-Leo; S Sinnott; B Sutton; R Cincotta; G Duncombe; J Chua; M Peterson Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2017-07-17 Impact factor: 3.412