Abstract
Objective
We have conducted a longitudinal observational study in order to evaluate the prevalence
and the incidence of depressive and anxious symptoms in women and men seeking infertility
treatment and to analyze associated factors or risk factors for these kinds of disorders.
Study design
A total of 1000 consecutive couples that visited our center for the first time were
asked to join this study. Depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-rating
Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) and Zung Anxiety Scale (ZAS) questionnaires. A second
assessment was planned at the time of β HCG dosage (or at the moment of cycle suspension).
A standard questionnaire was used to investigate socio-demographic information and
the psychological aspects of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
The fertility history and outcome of IVF treatment were collected from patients’ medical
records.
Results
14.7% of women had anxious symptoms and 17.9% depressive symptoms, whereas 4.5% of
men had anxious symptoms and 6.9% depressive symptoms. Women with depressive and anxious
symptoms were younger, more often had an anxious partner and had a longer history
of infertility. Men with depressive and anxious symptoms more frequently had a temporary
job, they had an anxious partner and they were more frequently at the first in vitro
fertilization (IVF) cycle.
The incidence of depressive and/or anxious symptoms was 18.5% in women and 7.4% in
men. Age and previous IVF treatments seem not to be associated with incidence of depressive
or anxious symptoms.
Conclusion
Both the prevalence and incidence of depressive and/or anxious symptoms in couples
undergoing IVF treatment were worthy of note and should not be underestimated. More
attention must be paid to psychological aspects in young women and in couples with
a long history of infertility or previous failure treatments. Having an anxious partner
was associated with anxious and depressive symptoms. For this reason, both males and
females might benefit from psychological intervention, which could also help them
to be supportive to each other.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 19, 2011
Accepted:
April 30,
2011
Received in revised form:
March 22,
2011
Received:
November 27,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
