Psychosocial impact of early-onset hypertensive disorders and related complications in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine the psychosocial impact of severe hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: All women ( n = 216) in a prospective study cohort with severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were invited at term age, 3 months, and 1 year postterm to complete the 90- item Symptom Check List ( SCL- 90) questionnaire for assessment of their psychosocial condition. The association of hypothesized determinants was tested by binary logistic analysis. RESULTS: Psychosocial impact decreased over time in all women ( P <.01). Women with an adverse infant outcome had a worse score at term age ( P =.04). The only parameter relating significantly to SCL- 90 score in multivariate analysis was gestational age at inclusion. One year postterm, 72% resumed work and 9% were still on sick leave. CONCLUSION: Severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have a high psychological impact, especially when gestational age at onset of disease is below 30 weeks or if adverse infant outcome occurs