What variables predict generic and health-related quality of life in a sample of Brazilian women experiencing infertility?
BACKGROUND
Infertility is a condition associated with impairment in several areas of life. Questionnaires about quality of life (QoL) allow the examination of the impact of health conditions in a broader way, comprehending outcomes beyond symptomatology, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with various aspects of QoL.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using the following: a socio-demographic and clinical data form, the Health Survey Short Form (SF-36) which examines health-related QoL and the WHOQOL-BREF which examines general QoL.


RESULTS
177 women seeking fertility assistance were interviewed. The sample was predominantly composed of women between 30 and 40 years old (64%), who had known about their infertility for <5 years (57%) and who had had no previous attempts at assisted reproduction (79%). Logistic regression indicated the following predictor variables: age (for better general health and physical functioning), previous in vitro fertilization (for lower vitality and poor psychological health scores), previous reproductive tract surgery (for worse general health but higher environment scores), advanced education (for higher vitality, mental health and environment scores, but for worse social relationships) and perception of worse sexual life (for lower overall scores).


CONCLUSIONS
The identification of factors associated with better or worse QoL, in its different domains, is vital in order to propose and test scientifically based interventions on infertile women.
Chachamovich
J R
JR
Assisted Reproduction Service, Embryology and Genetics Laboratory, Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, RS, and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. jurigol@terra.com.br
Chachamovich
E
E
Zachia
S
S
Knauth
D
D
Passos
E P
EP
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome