The psychological impact of gestational trophoblastic disease: a prospective observational multicentre cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the short-term psychological consequences of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

Design

A prospective observational multicentre cohort study.

Setting

Nationwide in the Netherlands.

Population

GTD patients.

Methods

Online questionnaires directly after diagnosis.

Main outcome measures

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Distress Thermometer (DT), Impact of Event Scale (IES) and Reproductive Concerns Scale (RCS).

Results

Sixty GTD patients were included between 2017 and 2020. Anxious feelings (47%) were more commonly expressed than depressive feelings (27%). Patients experienced moderate to severe adaptation problems in 88%. Patients who already had children were less concerned about their reproductivity than were patients without children (mean score 10.4 versus 15.0, P = 0.031), and patients with children experienced lower distress levels (IES mean score 25.7 versus 34.7, P = 0.020). In addition, patients with previous pregnancy loss scored lower for distress compared with patients without pregnancy loss (IES mean score 21.1 versus 34.2, P = 0.002).

Discussion

We recommend that physicians monitor physical complaints and the course of psychological wellbeing over time in order to provide personalised supportive care in time for patients who have high levels of distress at baseline.

Conclusions

GTD patients experience increased levels of distress, anxiety and depression, suggesting the diagnosis has a substantial effect on the psychological wellbeing of patients. The impact of GTD diagnosis on intrusion and avoidance seems to be ameliorated in patients who have children or who have experienced previous pregnancy loss.

Tweetable abstract

Patients with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) experience short-term psychological consequences such as distress, anxiety and depression, suggesting that the diagnosis GTD has a substantial effect on the psychological wellbeing of patients. Various patient characteristics affect the impact of GTD diagnosis.

SUBMITTER: Blok LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9292450 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature