Psychological distress in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion: A case-control study

Hajar Adib-Rad; Zahra Basirat; Mahbobeh Faramarzi; Amrollah Mostafazadeh; Ali Bijani

doi:10.4274/tjod.galenos.2019.88899

Psychological distress in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion: A case-control study

Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Sep;16(3):151-157. doi: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2019.88899. Epub 2019 Oct 10.

Authors

Hajar Adib-Rad¹, Zahra Basirat¹, Mahbobeh Faramarzi¹, Amrollah Mostafazadeh², Ali Bijani³

Affiliations

¹ Babol University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health Research, Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Babol, Iran.
² Babol University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol, Iran.
³ Babol University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health Research, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Babol, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate psychological problems in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

Materials and methods: In this case-control study, 115 women with RSA were assigned to the case group and 240 non-pregnant women comprised the control group. The revised version of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R) and the Intolerance of Uncertainty scale (IUS) were used for assessing mental health problems.

Results: The results showed that the mean Global Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90-R and the IUS scores in the case and control groups were 109.10±59.85 and 68.91±22.17, and 82.98±52.99 and 59.19±23.01, respectively. GSI was the strongest predictor of RSA [odds ratio (OR)=6.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.52-11.72]. The chance estimate of RSA was approximately 2.1 times higher in women in rural areas (OR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.16-3.69), and 2 times higher at 12 months after the last pregnancy (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.42-2.78).

Conclusion: Psychological problems are greater after RSA. Therefore, it is suggested that the treatment of RSA emphasizes psychological counseling and psychological management.

Keywords: Recurrent spontaneous abortion; anxiety; depression; intolerance of uncertainty.