Emotional aspects assessed by the DASS-21 scale in pregnant women after in vitro fertilization cycle during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Grant number: 20/14427-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal researcher: Renato Fraietta
• Grantee: Camilla Caetano Alves da Motta
• Home Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to infertile couples because, in addition to the need to postpone the treatment for some, it has brought fear and uncertainty to those who need in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles given the declining age-related fertility. In these women, little is known about anxiety, stress and depression. The present study aims to evaluate these parameters in pregnant women after IVF, during the pandemic of the new coronavirus. Knowing the expressiveness of these psychopathological manifestations and possible predictors of intensification could contribute to the promotion of a healthier pregnancy and mitigation of eventual negative outcomes for the fetus. Objective: To assess the intensity of depression, anxiety and stress in pregnant women after IVF treatment, during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the DASS-21 scale. It is also proposed to investigate the increase in these symptoms when related to chronic diseases, duration of infertility history, age of the pregnant woman and obstetric history. Methods: Prospective cohort including 90 women who obtained clinical pregnancy, evidenced by the presence of fetal heartbeat after embryo transfer under IVF treatment. Patients will be submitted at the end of each trimester of pregnancy by telephone to the DASS-21 questionnaire, an internationally validated scale to track the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Statistical analysis: The comparison between the levels of depression, stress and anxiety between the different groups of women according to a certain characteristic will be executed using the T-test or ANOVA for quantitative analysis and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for qualitative analysis. (AU)