Psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Mexican pregnant women / Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión en mujeres embarazadas mexicanas

Abstract Introduction Anxiety and depression in pregnant women are a public health problem. Their adequate detection requires valid and reliable instruments that are also useful for prevention and treatment. Objective To identify the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a sample of Mexican pregnant women. Method The HADS was applied to 716 pregnant women between 13 and 46 years old (M = 26.55; SD = 6.56) attended in a public hospital in Mexico City. Results With a sample of 358 participants, a parallel analysis indicated a bifactorial structure for HADS, identified by exploratory factor analysis (Factor 1: anxiety, Factor 2: depression). The factors explained 53% of the variance and correlated positively (r = .36). The global internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .81; ordinal α = .93) and by factor (anxiety: Cronbach's α = .79; ordinal α = .88; depression: Cronbach's α = .79; ordinal α = .87) was acceptable. With data from the remaining 358 participants, a confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the structure detected (χ2/gl = 2.72; RMSEA = .06 [IC .05, .08]; GFI = .93; AGFI = .90; TLI = .90; CFI = .92). Discussion and conclusions The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale has adequate psychometric properties to be used in pregnant Mexican women. Its use in routine pregnancy controls would be useful to prevent, detect, and timely treat these conditions.

Resumen Introducción La ansiedad y la depresión en gestantes representan un problema de salud pública. Su adecuada detección requiere de instrumentos válidos y confiables que también sirvan para su prevención y tratamiento. Objetivo Identificar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión (HADS) en una muestra de mujeres embarazadas mexicanas. Método Se aplicó la HADS a 716 gestantes de entre 13 y 46 años (M = 26.55; DE = 6.56), atendidas en un hospital público en la Ciudad de México. Resultados Con una muestra de 358 participantes, un análisis paralelo indicó una estructura bifactorial para la HADS, identificada mediante análisis factorial exploratorio (Factor 1: ansiedad, Factor 2: depresión). Los factores explicaron el 53% de la varianza y correlacionaron positivamente (r = .36). La consistencia interna global (α de Cronbach = .81, α ordinal = .93) y por factor (ansiedad: αde Cronbach = .79, α ordinal = .88; depresión: α de Cronbach = .79, α ordinal = .87) fue aceptable. Con los datos de las 358 participantes restantes, un análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró un ajuste aceptable para la estructura detectada (χ2/gl = 2.72; RMSEA = .06 [IC .05, .08]; GFI = .93; AGFI = .90; TLI = .90; CFI = .92). Discusión y conclusión La Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión posee adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para su empleo en mujeres embarazadas mexicanas. Su uso en controles rutinarios del embarazo sería útil para prevenir, detectar y atender oportunamente estos padecimientos.

External iliac artery Doppler assessment in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of the mean external iliac artery pulsatility index (EIA-PI) as a predictor of adverse obstetric outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: In women attending for first trimester screening at 11 + 0-13 + 6 weeks of gestation, we recorded maternal characteristics and measured EIA mean PI and uterine artery mean PI. We compared EIA mean PI in those that developed preeclampsia (n = 84), gestational hypertension (n = 50) or small for gestational age (n = 444) with those unaffected (n = 3736). Regression analysis was used to first determine which of the factors among the maternal variables were significant predictors of EIA mean PI in the unaffected group and, second, to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: In the unaffected group, EIA mean PI increased with maternal age and decreased with mean blood pressure. Additionally, EIA mean PI was lower in cigarette smokers. Compared with the unaffected group, EIA mean PI was significantly lower in women who develop gestational hypertension or SGA below third centile. CONCLUSION: EIA mean PI in the first trimester is decreased in women who develop gestational hypertension and in those complicated by SGA below third centile. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effects of delayed cord clamping on the third stage of labour, maternal haematological parameters and acid-base status in fetuses at term.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the time in the third stage of labour, differences in maternal hematologic parameters 48h after birth and acid-base status in the umbilical cord between the early cord clamping (ECC) and delayed cord clamping (DCC). STUDY DESIGN: 97 healthy pregnancies at term and a spontaneous vertex delivery at Clinic University Hospital "Virgen de la Arrixaca" (Murcia, Spain), were randomized to ECC group (<10s post-delivery) or to DCC group (2min post-delivery). Duration of the third stage of labour was measured. Samples for acid-base status were taken both from the umbilical artery and vein. Blood samples were taken from the mothers 48h after birth. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found in the time of the third stage of labour (p=0.35). No statiscally significant differences were found between the number of red cells (p=0.25), hemoglobin (p=0.08) or hematocrit (p=0.15) in mothers. Umbilical acid-base status or gas analysis did not show any differences between the two groups CONCLUSIONS: Delayed cord clamping does not affect significantly the time of the third stage of labour. It does not show either any effect on the hematological parameters in the mother 48h after birth.

Umbilical artery Doppler at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical utility of Doppler assessment of the umbilical artery in the second trimester scan for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Singleton pregnancies that had undergone routine anomaly scan at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation with umbilical and uterine artery Doppler measurements. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the ability of umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) to predict small for gestational age and preeclampsia. RESULTS: The final study population comprised 4565 singleton pregnancies. Multiple regression analysis showed significant independent contribution of umbilical artery PI in predicting SGA <10th and SGA <5th centiles (adjusted odds ratios of 2.51 and 3.51, respectively). By using a cutoff of umbilical artery PI >90th centile, the likelihood ratio of SGA <5th centile is 2.3 (95% CI: 1.7-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical artery PI at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation is significantly associated with SGA below the tenth and fifth centiles. A multivariate model combining umbilical and uterine artery Doppler measurements with additional maternal and sonographic characteristics may help predict small for gestational age, particularly those below the fifth centile.