Laura Simoila1, Erkki Isometsä2, Mika Gissler3, Jaana Suvisaari4, Eila Sailas5, Erja Halmesmäki6, Nina Lindberg7. 1. Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Psychiatry, P.O. Box 590, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: laura.simoila@hus.fi. 2. Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Psychiatry, P.O. Box 590, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: erkki.isometsa@hus.fi. 3. National Institute for Health and Welfare, Information Services Department, Mannerheimintie 166, 00270 Helsinki, Finland; Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Lemminkäisenkatu 3, 20520 Turku, Finland; Karolinska Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine, Alfred Nobels allé 23, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden. Electronic address: mika.gissler@thl.fi. 4. National Institute for Health and Welfare, Mental Health Unit, P.O.Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: jaana.suvisaari@thl.fi. 5. Kellokoski Hospital, 04500 Kellokoski, Finland. Electronic address: eila.sailas@hus.fi. 6. Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.O. Box 140, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland; Femeda-Clinic, Kalevankatu 9A, 00100 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: erja.halmesmaki@kolumbus.fi. 7. Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Forensic Psychiatry, P.O. Box 590, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: nina.lindberg@hus.fi.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to investigate, in women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, the number and incidence of induced abortions (= pregnancy terminations performed by a physician), their demographic characteristics, use of contraceptives, plus indications of and complications related to pregnancy termination. METHODS: Using the Care Register for Health Care, we identified Finnish women born between the years 1965-1980 who were diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder during the follow-up period ending 31.12.2013. For each case, five age- and place-of-birth- matched controls were obtained from the Population Register of Finland. Information about births and induced abortions were obtained from the Medical Birth Register and the Induced Abortion Register. RESULTS: The number and incidence of induced abortions per 1000 follow-up years did not differ between cases and their controls. However, due to fewer pregnancies, cases exhibited an over 2-fold increased risk of pregnancy termination (RR 2.28; 95% CI 2.20-2.36). Cases were younger, were more often without a partner at the time of induced abortion, and their pregnancies resulted more often from a lack of contraception. Among cases, the indication for pregnancy termination was more often mother-to-be's medical condition. Induced abortions after 12weeks gestation were more common among cases. However, cases had no more complications related to termination. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of induced abortions among Finnish women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder is similar to the general population, but their risk per pregnancy over two-fold. They need effective, affordable family planning services and long-term premeditated contraception.
BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to investigate, in women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, the number and incidence of induced abortions (= pregnancy terminations performed by a physician), their demographic characteristics, use of contraceptives, plus indications of and complications related to pregnancy termination. METHODS: Using the Care Register for Health Care, we identified Finnish women born between the years 1965-1980 who were diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder during the follow-up period ending 31.12.2013. For each case, five age- and place-of-birth- matched controls were obtained from the Population Register of Finland. Information about births and induced abortions were obtained from the Medical Birth Register and the Induced Abortion Register. RESULTS: The number and incidence of induced abortions per 1000 follow-up years did not differ between cases and their controls. However, due to fewer pregnancies, cases exhibited an over 2-fold increased risk of pregnancy termination (RR 2.28; 95% CI 2.20-2.36). Cases were younger, were more often without a partner at the time of induced abortion, and their pregnancies resulted more often from a lack of contraception. Among cases, the indication for pregnancy termination was more often mother-to-be's medical condition. Induced abortions after 12weeks gestation were more common among cases. However, cases had no more complications related to termination. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of induced abortions among Finnish women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder is similar to the general population, but their risk per pregnancy over two-fold. They need effective, affordable family planning services and long-term premeditated contraception.
Authors: Laura Simoila; Erkki Isometsä; Mika Gissler; Jaana Suvisaari; Erja Halmesmäki; Nina Lindberg Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2019-02-14 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Kristina Edvardsson; Elizabeth Hughes; Beverley Copnell; Ingrid Mogren; Don Vicendese; Richard Gray Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 3.240