Self-Reported Depression among Chinese Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Focusing on Associated Risk Factors.

(1)

Background

To investigate whether women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) have a higher prevalence of self-reported depression than healthy controls and to assess the associated risk factors for RPL women self-reporting the symptom of depression. (2)

Methods

A cross-sectional study investigating 247 women with histories of RPL and 193 healthy women was performed in Southwest China. The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to measure self-reported depression, and the prevalence of self-reported depression was compared between the two groups. Sociodemographic data for the two groups and clinical information for the RPL group were collected by questionnaires. (3)

Results

The prevalence of self-reported depression was higher in the RPL group than in the control group (45.3% vs. 30.1%, p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses indicated that the statistical difference in the prevalence of self-reported depression was significant in the subgroups of women in the first trimester of gestation, age ≥ 36 years, BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2, working hours ≤ 8 h/day, university and higher education, and urban residence. Multivariable logistic analysis indicated that age ≥ 36 years, >2 times of spontaneous miscarriages, and no history of live birth were independent risk factors for RPL women self-reporting depression. (4)

Conclusions

A higher prevalence of self-reported depression was observed in RPL patients than in healthy women. The psychological status for RPL patients with age ≥ 36 years, >2 times of spontaneous miscarriages, or without a history of a live birth needs to be further addressed.