OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors that might be associated with miscarriage among women attending an early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU).
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was undertaken. The study was conducted on women attending an EPAU at a large, tertiary hospital. A detailed lifestyle questionnaire was completed. In addition, data from validated psychometric scales were collected. Participants were followed up to determine pregnancy outcome. The relative risk was calculated to estimate the probability of having a miscarriage for all independent variables.
RESULTS: A total sample of 293 women were included in this study. Well-established risk factors for miscarriage were found in this group including advanced maternal age and high-risk pregnancy (i.e. threatened miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage). In addition, lack of emotional wellbeing did contribute to an increased risk of miscarriage. Conversely, presenting with nausea or low-medium energy levels early in pregnancy were associated with a decreased risk of miscarriage. Finally, our results did not find any association between stressful life events, general health and lifestyle factors in this group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that maternal, psychological and obstetric factors may have an influence on miscarriage among women attending an EPAU. The insight of a relationship between emotional wellbeing and miscarriage opens a window for prevention in this area.
目的:本研究的目的是探讨参加早孕评估单位(EPAU)的妇女可能与流产相关的危险因素。
方法:进行前瞻性队列研究。这项研究是针对参加EPAU的女性进行的,三级医院。完成了详细的生活方式问卷。此外,收集了经过验证的心理测量量表的数据.对参与者进行随访以确定妊娠结局。计算相对风险以估计所有独立变量的流产概率。
结果:本研究共纳入293名女性样本。在该组中发现了公认的流产风险因素,包括高龄产妇和高危妊娠(即先兆流产和复发性流产)。此外,缺乏情绪健康确实会增加流产的风险。相反,妊娠早期出现恶心或中低能量水平与流产风险降低相关.最后,我们的结果没有发现压力生活事件之间的任何关联,该组的一般健康和生活方式因素。
结论:我们的研究结果表明,心理和产科因素可能会影响参加EPAU的女性流产。情感健康与流产之间关系的洞察力为该领域的预防打开了窗口。