A randomized clinical trial on the effects of remote intercessory prayer in the adverse outcomes of pregnancies / Ensaio clínico randomizado sobre os efeitos da oração intercessória nos desfechos adversos da gestação

The scope of this article was to investigate whether intercessory prayer (IP) influences the adverse outcomes of pregnancies. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 564 pregnant women attending a prenatal public health care service. The women were randomly assigned to an IP group or to a control group (n = 289 per group). They were simultaneously and randomly assigned to practice prayer off-site or not. The following parameters were evaluated: Apgar scores, type of delivery and birth weight. The mean age of the women was 25.1 years of age (± 7.4), and the average gestational age was 23.4 weeks (± 8.1). The average number of years of schooling for the women was 8.1 years (± 3.1). The women in the IP and control groups presented a similar number of adverse medical events with non-significant p. No significant differences were detected in the frequency of adverse outcomes in pregnant women who practiced IP and those in the control group.

Este artigo tem por objetivo investigar se a oração intercessória influencia os desfechos adversos das mulheres grávidas. Foi realizado ensaio clínico randomizado duplo-cego com uma população de 564 gestantes que frequentavam Serviço de pré-natal de serviço público de saúde. As gestantes foram aleatoriamente designadas para grupo de intercessão ou grupo controle (n = 289 por grupo). Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: índice de Apgar, tipo de parto, peso ao nascer. A idade média das mulheres foi de 25,1 anos (±7,4) e a idade gestacional média foi de 23,4 semanas (± 8,1). A média de anos de escolaridade foi de 8,1 anos (± 3,1). As mulheres que receberam intervenção (Oração intercessória) e grupo controle exibiram um número similar de eventos adversos, com p não significativo. Não encontramos diferença significativa entre os desfechos adversos na gestação entre os grupos que receberam oração intercessória e no grupo controle.

Common mental disorders in mothers vs. infant and obstetric outcomes: a review / Transtornos mentais comuns em mães versus desfechos infantis e obstétricos: uma revisão

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy has been shown to increase women’s vulnerability to mental disorders. Common mental disorders (CMDs) have been studied both in the general population and in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, CMDs have been considered a potential predictor of obstetric and infant outcomes. METHODS: A search was conducted on the PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases to find relevant articles written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. No limit was established for year of publication, but only studies involving human beings were included. RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were selected. There was a consensus among studies that the mean prevalence of CMD during pregnancy is 20%. There was also agreement that the occurrence of CMDs during pregnancy is a predictor of postpartum depression and anxiety disorders and that the disorder remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. As for the positive association between CMDs and obstetric and infant complications, results are still conflicting. In lower-income countries, frequently there is an association between CMD and perinatal changes. It is argued that some confounding factors, such as sociodemographic and cultural differences, health and maternal conditions, and type of instruments used, probably contribute to this lack of consensus. CONCLUSION: We believe that the conflicting results found in the literature are caused by differences in methodology and sociodemographic factors that influence the development of CMDs. Despite these differences, our findings underscore the need for depression and anxiety disorders during pregnancy to be studied and better identified by all professionals who provide antenatal care (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos têm mostrado que a gravidez torna a mulher mais vulnerável a transtornos mentais. Os transtornos mentais comuns (TMCs) têm sido estudados tanto na população geral quanto em mulheres grávidas versus não grávidas. Durante a gravidez, os TMCs são considerados um potencial fator preditivo de desfechos obstétricos e perinatais. MÉTODOS: Uma pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO em busca de artigos relevantes publicados em inglês, espanhol e português. Não foi estabelecido um limite para ano de publicação, mas apenas estudos envolvendo humanos foram incluídos. RESULTADOS: Um total de 25 artigos foram selecionados. Houve consenso entre os estudos de que a prevalência média de TMC durante a gravidez é de 20%. Também houve consenso de que a ocorrência de TMCs durante a gravidez é um fator preditivo de depressão pós-parto e transtornos de ansiedade, e de que o transtorno não vem sendo diagnosticado nem tratado. Com relação à associação positiva entre TMCs e desfechos obstétricos e perinatais, os resultados ainda são conflitantes. Em países de baixa renda, frequentemente se observa uma associação entre TMC e alterações perinatais. Argumenta-se que alguns fatores de confusão, tais como diferenças sociodemográficas e culturais, condições de saúde e maternas e tipo de instrumento usado, provavelmente contribuem para essa falta de consenso. CONCLUSÃO: Acreditamos que os resultados conflitantes encontrados na literatura são causados por diferenças na metodologia e fatores sociodemográficos que influenciam o desenvolvimento de TMCs. Apesar dessas diferenças, nossos achados salientam a necessidade de que a depressão e os transtornos da ansiedade durante a gravidez sejam estudados e melhor identificados por todos os profissionais que prestam cuidados pré-natais (AU)

Subsequent reproductive outcome in women who have experienced a potentially life-threatening condition or a maternal near-miss during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term reproductive consequences that affect women who have experienced potentially life-threatening or life-threatening (near-miss) maternal complications. INTRODUCTION: Although advances have been made in reducing maternal death, few studies have investigated the long-term repercussions of significant events such as severe maternal morbidity and maternal near-misses. These repercussions may be long-lasting and negatively affect quality of life. METHODS: A total of 382 women who had experienced a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related condition within the last five years were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. A control group of 188 women who gave birth without complications was also included. Trained interviewers contacted the subjects by telephone and completed a pre-coded, structured questionnaire on reproductive health. Data were analyzed using odds ratios adjusted for age. The main outcome measures were occurrence and outcome of subsequent pregnancies. RESULTS: The estimated risk of becoming infertile as a result of tubal ligation or hysterectomy was 3.5 times higher in women who experienced a maternal near-miss or severe maternal morbidity during the index pregnancy as compared to controls. Likewise, the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies was five times greater in women who had experienced severe maternal morbidity. However, no differences were found in the occurrence or number of subsequent pregnancies or perinatal outcome. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of a life-threatening or potentially life-threatening maternal condition reduces future reproductive potential and increases the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety among pregnant women with previous adverse pregnancy outcomes / Qualidade de vida, depressão e ansiedade em gestantes com má história gestacional

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death) can affect the quality of life of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life and the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women with and without these antecedents. DESIGN AND SETTING: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in four settings (two high-risk and two low-risk prenatal clinics) in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 240 women were interviewed by a single investigator between the 18th and 24th weeks of gestation: 120 women with prior adverse pregnancy outcomes (group 1) and 120 women with no such history (group 2), matched according to their numbers of living children. Sociodemographic variables were collected and two questionnaires were used: the Short Form-36 quality-of-life questionnaire and the Depression and Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The women in group 1 had lower scores in all the items on the quality-of-life questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were more frequent in group 1 (P < 0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between the Short Form-36 domains and anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Women with histories of recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death seem to have poorer quality of life and more symptoms of anxiety and depression during their subsequent pregnancy, compared with those without such antecedents.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O antecedente de resultados gestacionais adversos (aborto espontâneo recorrente, óbito fetal, prematuridade ou óbito neonatal precoce) pode afetar a qualidade de vida das gestantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a qualidade de vida e a prevalência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em gestantes com e sem estes antecedentes. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Um estudo transversal analítico foi realizado em quatro locais (duas clínicas de pré-natal de alto risco e duas de pré-natal de baixo risco), na cidade de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Duzentas e quarenta mulheres foram entrevistadas por um único investigador entre 18 e 24 semanas de gestação: 120 tinham antecedentes gestacionais adversos (grupo 1) e 120 não tinham tal história (grupo 2), pareadas por número de filhos vivos. Variáveis sócio-demográficas foram coletadas e dois questionários foram usados: o de qualidade de vida (Questionário Short Form-36) e a Escala de Depressão e Ansiedade. RESULTADOS: As mulheres do grupo 1 obtiveram escores mais baixos em todos os itens do questionário de qualidade de vida. Depressão e ansiedade foram mais frequentes no grupo 1 (P < 0,0001). Foi encontrada uma correlação inversa entre os domínios do Short Form-36 e ansiedade e depressão. CONCLUSÕES: Mulheres com antecedente de aborto espontâneo recorrente, óbito fetal, prematuridade ou óbito neonatal precoce parecem ter pior qualidade de vida e mais sintomas de ansiedade e depressão durante a gestação subsequente quando comparadas com mulheres sem esses antecedentes.