The effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent assisted reproductive techniques on the pregnancy outcomes.

Fusun Terzioglu, Rukiye Turk, Cigdem Yucel, Serdar Dilbaz, Ozgur Cinar, Bensu Karahalil

1. Hacettepe University, Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey
2. Kafkas University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Kars, Turkey
3. Ministery of Health Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Research and Training
Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
4. Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Histology-Embryology,
Ankara, Turkey
5. Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Toxicology Department, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety and depression scores of couples who underwent Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) on pregnancy outcomes.

Method:This study was conducted as a prospective and comparative study with 217 couples. The study data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire and the Turkish version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Beck Depression  Inventory (BDI). The questionnaire, STAI and BDI were applied to couples who initiated ART treatment. Couples’ state anxiety  scores were re-evaluated after embryo transfer (ET).

Results: A significant relationship was found between the depression score of women and pregnancy outcome (p < 0.05). It  was determined that anxiety scores for both men and women were higher before the ART procedure, but their anxiety scores  decreased after ET (p < 0.05). Spouses of women with a negative pregnancy outcome had higher trait and state anxiety mean  scores (p > 0.05) and lower depression scores (p <0.05) than spouses of women with a positive pregnancy outcome.

Conclusion:Study results indicated that the anxiety and depression scores of couples who had achieved a positive pregnancy  result were lower than for couples with a negative result. The results of this study will contribute to the health professionals  especially to the nurses who spend the most time with couples in providing consulting services and supporting psychological  status of couples during ART process in Turkey.

Keywords: Infertility assisted reproductive techniques, anxiety, depression, pregnancy outcome