Quality of life in women undergoing medical treatment for early pregnancy failure.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of quality of life, depression, and stress in women undergoing medical management of early pregnancy failure with misoprostal and to assess the relationship of quality of life, depression, and stress to treatment acceptability.


METHODS
Descriptive observational study of women undergoing medical management of early pregnancy failure with misoprostol conducted as part of a multicenter pilot study testing the efficacy of saline-moistened versus dry application of vaginal misoprostol. Data were collected prior to treatment through 15 days posttreatment.


METHODS
Four university-based hospitals.


METHODS
Women (n = 80) < or = 1 weeks pregnant diagnosed with anembryonic gestation or fetal demise.


METHODS
Vaginal misoprostol for medical evacuation.


METHODS
Quality of life (physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social functioning, vitality, and bodily pain), depression, stress, and treatment acceptability.


RESULTS
Women who received medical evacuation demonstrated poorer quality of life than same-age published population norms, scoring 0.25 to 0.78 of a standard deviation below the population mean for four of the five subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should assist patients to minimize and manage physical symptoms during treatment for early pregnancy failure. Women with higher external demands and lower social/tangible support may need greater assistance.
Nansel
Tonja R
TR
Investigator, Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd., Rm. 7B13, MSC 7510, Bethesda, MD 20892-7510, USA. nanselt@mail.nih.gov
Doyle
Faith
F
Frederick
Margaret M
MM
Zhang
Jun
J
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol