Long-term health-related quality-of-life and psychosocial outcomes after uterus transplantation: a 5-year follow-up of donors and recipients.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the outcomes regarding health-related quality-of-life, mood, and marital relationship of recipients and donors 5 years after uterus transplantation (UTx) and uterus donation? SUMMARY ANSWER: Both recipients and donors generally demonstrated long-term stability regarding psychosocial outcomes but with negative deviations associated with unsuccessful outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: UTx is the first infertility treatment for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. The procedure can be performed with either a uterus donation from a live donor (LD), typically a close relative, or from a deceased, multi-organ donor. There are many potential stressful events over several years after UTx both for recipients and for LDs and these events may have impacts on quality-of-life and mental well-being. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This, prospective observational cohort study includes the nine recipients and LDs of the first human UTx trial. They were assessed in 2017-2018 by questionnaires 5 years after UTx. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The nine recipients (ages 32-43 years) and their respective LDs (ages 44-67 years) were either related (n = 8) or friends (n = 1). Eight recipients had congenital uterine absence and one was hysterectomized due to cervical cancer. For two recipients, UTx resulted in early graft failures, while six of the other seven recipients gave birth to a total of eight babies over the following 5 years. Physical and mental component summaries of health-related quality-of-life were measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Mood was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Relationship with partner was measured with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Comparisons were made between the values after 5 years and the values before uterus donation/transplantation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Five years after primary UTx, the majority of recipients scored above the predicted value of the general population on quality-of-life, except for two women, one of whom had a viable graft but no live birth and one recipient who was strained by quality-of-life changes, possibly related to parenthood transitions. Regarding mood, only one value (anxiety) was above the threshold for further clinical assessment. Recipients showed declining satisfaction with their marital relationships, but all reported scores above the 'at risk for divorce' threshold at the time of the final assessment in our study. The LDs were all found to be stable and above the predicted value of the general population regarding mental components of quality-of-life. Three LDs showed declined physical components, possibly related to older age. Only one LD reported a value in mood (anxiety) that would need further assessment. The marital satisfaction of LDs remained stable and unchanged compared to baseline values. Notably, the two recipients with early graft failures, and their related LDs, regained their mental well-being during the first years after graft failure and remained stable after 5 years. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The restricted sample size and the single-centre study-design are limitations of this study. Additionally the study was limited to LD UTx, as opposed to deceased donor UTx. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study shows that both LDs and recipients had acceptable or favourable quality-of-life outcomes, including mood assessment, at the 5-year follow-up mark, and that failure to achieve a live birth negatively affected these modalities both for LDs and recipients. Moreover, an important finding was that LDs and recipients are not reacting with depression after hysterectomy, which is common after hysterectomy in the general population. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funding was provided by the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Handlanden Hjalmar Svensson Foundation, Swedish Governmental ALF Grant, and Swedish Research Council. There are no conflicts of interest to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01844362.

Health-related quality of life after robotic surgery for endometrial cancer: a prospective longitudinal one-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore how patients treated for endometrial cancer (EC) with robotic surgery are affected in symptoms of anxiety and depression and HRQoL in the long term. METHODS: Women scheduled for primary robotic surgery for EC were included (n = 64), in this single-center study. Socioeconomic variables were obtained at baseline. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancers Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), its module for EC (EN24), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9) were followed prospectively from baseline to 2 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The number of patients scoring above the clinical threshold for anxiety decreased from 17 (27.0%) at baseline to 4 (7.0%) at 2 weeks (p = 0.012). Depressive symptoms were reported in 20% of patients at baseline and did not change significantly during the one-year follow-up (p = 0.58). A significant decrease in Global health status was seen at 2 weeks (from 69.8 to 62.7; p = 0.048), with return to baseline levels after 3 months (68.5; p = 0.32) and stable at 1 year. Unemployment, low income, and adjuvant therapy correlated with lower Global health status at 3 months. CONCLUSION: The significant proportion of patients with anxiety symptoms preoperatively reduced prompt after surgery, while the proportion with depression remained constant, indicating that the primary treatment has no long-term negative effect on patients' mental health. At 3 months, there is no obvious remaining negative impact on patients' HRQoL, and these results are consistent after 1 year.

[Psychological aspects of infertility]. / Psykologiska aspekter av ofrivillig barnlöshet­.

The group of people who undergo infertility treatments is multifaceted and affected in different psychological aspects. In general, individuals cope relatively well with this life situation. Risk for decreased quality-of-life is associated with miscarriages and/or long time to pregnancy. Women often report more signs of anxiety and depression during the period of treatment compared to men. Psychological support is needed to be able to handle strains caused by treatment and/or childlessness per se; such as marital strains, impaired mental well-being, and negative consequences on sexuality. Psychological support is also wanted for those who will have to adjust to continued childlessness.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation: emerging psychosocial issues in hand, face, and uterine transplant.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Currently, several research approaches warrant further attention, given the influence of psychosocial and bioethical issues on the success of upper extremity (UETx), face (FTx), and uterine transplantation (UTx). This review will highlight recent results of psychosocial and bioethical research in the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), discuss most recent findings, provide information to guide future research approaches, and address the importance of a multicenter research approach to develop international standards. RECENT FINDINGS: Previously published reports have tried to identify psychosocial factors that are essential to predict psychosocial outcomes and guide posttransplant treatment after VCA procedures. These issues in VCA are receiving more attention but we are still at the beginning of a systematic investigation of these domains. This review article summarizes the emerging psychosocial issues in UeTx, FTx, and UTx by including recent literature and current clinical practice. SUMMARY: Even though different VCA procedures address different domains leading to specific psychosocial issues, common aspects impacting all forms of VCA would benefit of further coordination. These domains include clinical resources, public attitude and perception, bioethical considerations, adherence and rehabilitation, motives for VCA, information needs and multidisciplinary communication, body image, domains of quality of life, coping strategies, and follow-up care.

Reproductive, obstetric, and long-term health outcome after uterus transplantation: results of the first clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate reproductive, obstetric, and long-term health of the first completed study of uterus transplantation (UTx). DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Nine live donor UTx procedures were conducted and seven were successful. Donors, recipients, and children born were observed. INTERVENTION(S): In vitro fertilization was performed with embryo transfer (ET) of day 2 or day 5 embryos in natural cycles. Pregnancies and growth trajectory of the children born were observed. Health-related quality of life, psychosocial outcome, and medical health of donors and recipients were evaluated by questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The results of in vitro fertilization, pregnancies, growth of children, and long-term health of patients were reported. RESULT(S): Six women delivered nine infants, with three women giving birth twice (cumulative birth rates of 86% and 67% in surgically successful and performed transplants, respectively). The overall clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) per ET were 32.6% and 19.6%, respectively. For day 2 embryos, the CPR and LBR per ET were 12.5% and 8.6%, respectively. For day 5 embryos, the CPR and LBR per ET were 81.8% and 45.4%, respectively. Fetal growth and blood flow were normal in all pregnancies. Time of delivery (median in full pregnancy weeks + days [ranges]) by cesarean section and weight deviations was 35 + 3 (31 + 6 to 38 + 0) and -1% (-13% to 23%), respectively. Three women developed preeclampsia and four neonates acquired respiratory distress syndrome. All children were healthy and followed a normal growth trajectory. Measures of long-term health in both donors and recipients were noted to be favorable. When UTx resulted in a birth, scores for anxiety, depression, and relationship satisfaction were reassuring for both the donors and recipients. CONCLUSION(S): The results of this first complete UTx trial show that this is an effective infertility treatment, resulting in births of healthy children and associated with only minor psychological and medical long-term effects for donors and recipients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02987023.

Uterus Transplantation: Lessons Learned From a Psychological Perspective.

Uterus transplantation has gained increasing acceptance as a medically viable treatment to achieve pregnancy in women with absolute uterine infertility or loss of uterus. Over 20 live births have occurred worldwide since the first successful live birth in Sweden in 2014. However, the psychological and emotional impact on women who seek uterus transplant, their partners, and the women who donate their uterus is a critical area to explore. This paper will discuss issues related to recipient and donor selection, parenting posttransplant, and consideration of unanticipated outcomes including uterus transplant failure and inability to achieve pregnancy.

A survey of ovarian reserve and quality of life in female survivors of pediatric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood cancer is rare; the incidence in Sweden is approximately 16 new cases/100 000 children each year. Reduced reproductive function and fertility are well-known side effects of cancer treatment. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been shown to correlate well with antral follicle count in healthy women but is currently not recommended as the primary surveillance modality for evaluation of premature ovarian insufficiency in this patient group. Psychological wellbeing related to fertility could affect quality of life and should be included in long-term follow-up. The aim of the study is to present the baseline data from inclusion for a prospective follow-up study of fertility surveillance where both medical and psychological aspects of fertility in female childhood cancer survivors are considered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: These are the first results from this longitudinal follow-up cohort study. Female adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer in Western Sweden were included from January 2016 to December 2018, a total of 54 participants. Median age at inclusion was 21 (15-29) years and median age at cancer diagnosis was 10 (1-17) years. AMH levels, antral follicle count, and data on fertility were recorded at inclusion and will be prospectively followed up. The study includes questionnaires and interviews concerning quality of life. This study is planned to continue until the participants reach the age of 40 years. RESULTS: Eighteen of 54 (33%) participants had AMH levels below 1.0 µg/L and were considered to have high or very high risk of infertility. Median AMH level was 2.50 µg/L. Six women had immediate need of oocyte cryopreservation. Psychological assessment showed that more than one-third of participants (n = 20) had elevated anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of female survivors of pediatric cancer in the study had high risk of low ovarian reserve, measured by a combination of AMH and antral follicle count, and many had signs of anxiety. The longitudinal study could contribute to better knowledge in the changes of AMH over time for this patient group. Psychological follow-up with questionnaires and interviews evaluating signs of depression and anxiety may serve as a model for future screening programs.

Striving for motherhood after uterus transplantation: a qualitative study concerning pregnancy attempts, and the first years of parenthood after transplantation.

STUDY QUESTION: How do women experience attempts to become pregnant, and the first years of motherhood, after uterus transplantation (UTx)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women who try to become pregnant after UTx experience the general strains typically associated with infertility and childlessness, such as failure of embryo transfer (ET), and specific worries about graft survival but when they become mothers they essentially feel like other mothers, with the associated rewards and stresses. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: UTx has proven to be a successful treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Although UTx seems to have a positive effect on self-image there is a lack of knowledge about how women who have received uterine grafts experience pregnancy attempts, pregnancy itself and the first years of motherhood. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This prospective cohort study included the seven participants in the first UTx trial who had experienced surgically successful grafts. Pregnancy was attempted using ET 12 months after transplantation. Structured interviews were performed once a year for 5 years after transplantation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Six of the seven participants (mean age 29.3 years at UTx) had AUFI owing to the congenital absence of the uterus, while the seventh woman had undergone a hysterectomy. Post-transplantation, yearly interviews (2013-2018) were performed, comprising a total of 34 interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: All seven participants achieved pregnancy during the study period and six became mothers. Experiencing the previously unimaginable was classed as an overarching theme with the following underlying themes: The yoke of childlessness; Going through the impossible and Motherhood as surreal and normal. The results showed that the women who try to achieve motherhood after UTx generally describe their situation as manageable and present strains comparable to other women undergoing infertility treatments. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The fact that all participants came from one centre is a limitation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: There are real psychological strains in motherhood after UTx, such as the concern the women expressed relating to health of the child and the effects of immunosuppressants. These findings are in line with those of other women who became pregnant after transplantation of organs other than the uterus. The results show that extra psychological support and attention should be given to those with repeated pregnancy failures or unsuccessful outcomes. In the cases where women became mothers, attention needs to be given to the possible worries connected to the UTx, but in other respects, they should be treated like any mother-to-be. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funding was received from the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. A.L.F. grant from the Swedish state under an agreement between the government and the county councils; Swedish Research Council. The authors have no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01844362.

A New Beginning: Young Women's Experiences and Sexual Function 18 Months After Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Female patients expect improved quality of life, including sexual health and regain of fertility after bariatric surgery. Little has been published on to the extent to which patients' expectations are met by the weight loss after surgery. AIM: To explore how women perceive the effects of bariatric surgery on quality of life, focusing on sexual health and fertility. METHODS: A qualitative study based on thematic analysis, supported by questionnaire data. Interviews following a semistructured guide were conducted with childless women (n = 11) aged 25-34 years recruited from a university-affiliated Swedish bariatric center. The interviews took place 18 months after surgery in the participants' homes or at the hospital and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed with a thematic approach. Questionnaires were filled in at the time of the interviews and compared with preoperative data using a Wilcoxon test for paired data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants described experiences related to female sexual health after bariatric surgery. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaires were administered preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: "A new beginning" was identified as the master theme, with 3 underlying subthemes: "Being worthy of love," "Exploring sexuality," and "Considering parenthood." The participants described a transformation into being more comfortable with themselves that affected all areas of life, including sexual life. These findings were supported by lower scores for depression, 6.5 vs 2, and improved total Female Sexual Function Index scores, median 23.3 preoperatively and 29.1 postoperatively, P = .012. CONCLUSIONS: Improved body image and enhanced self-esteem play important roles in improved sexual functioning in women after bariatric surgery. Nilsson-Condori E, Järvholm S, Thurin-Kjellberg A, et al. A New Beginning: Young Women's Experiences and Sexual Function 18 Months After Bariatric Surgery. Sex Med 2020;8:730-739.

Psychosocial outcomes of uterine transplant recipients and partners up to 3 years after transplantation: results from the Swedish trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychosocial outcomes of recipients and their partners 2 and 3 years after entering this first clinical uterus transplantation study. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Nine women with absolute uterine factor infertility and their male partners participated. INTERVENTION(S): Psychosocial evaluations using questionnaires focusing on health-related quality-of-life, mood, relationship, and fertility-related quality-of-life were conducted at 2- and 3-year follow-up after transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Scores were obtained on the validated questionnaires 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Fertility Quality of life measuring health-related quality-of-life, mood, relationship, and infertility-associated life quality, respectively. RESULT(S): There was a reversible decrease (at year 2) in the physical component of SF-36 concerning recipients, but not in partners. Negative deviations in the mental component of SF-36 were seen in four recipients, and in two of their partners at year 3, possibly related to the fact that live birth had not been achieved yet among three of these women. Childlessness also seemed to be related to reporting elevated anxiety scores. Most recipients and partners stated high satisfaction with marital relationship both at inclusion and at follow-up. CONCLUSION(S): The results of the present study show that even if the baseline psychosocial characteristics of the women to undergo transplantation and their partners were stable and equal or better compared with norm populations, graft failure and failure to achieve parenthood will pose psychological strains on couples in the period up to 3 years after transplantation. Psychological counseling should be offered past 3 years for recipients and their partners. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01844362.

Uterus transplantation: joys and frustrations of becoming a 'complete' woman-a qualitative study regarding self-image in the 5-year period after transplantation.

STUDY QUESTION: How is a women's self-image affected by uterus transplantation (UTx)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women experienced receiving a uterus in both positive and negative ways, but in general, their self-image was positively affected; regardless of whether they have given birth to a child or not, recipients describe themselves as being 'back to normal' after the hysterectomy to remove the transplanted uterus. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: UTx has repeatedly proved to be a successful treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility. However, there has been no previous qualitative long-term research into the self-image of women undergoing UTx. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This complete, prospective cohort study included the nine recipients of the first UTxs performed in Sweden mostly in 2013. Interviews took place in the 5 years following surgery. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Eight out of the nine recipients had congenital absence of the uterus, a characteristic of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, and one recipient lacked a uterus after a radical hysterectomy due to cervical cancer. The mean age of participants was 31.5 years at inclusion and at this time they all lived in stable marital relationships. Post-transplantation, interviews were performed annually for 5 years, comprising a total of 43 interviews. The interview followed a semi-structured guide. All interviews (median duration of around 25 minutes) were recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analysed by thematic approach. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The joys and frustrations of becoming a 'complete' woman are seen as a master theme, which influences the three underlying subthemes, a changed self-perception, a changed body and a changed sexuality. Each of these subthemes have three underlying categories. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The small sample size is a limitation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The results provide information that will be helpful in pre-operative screening procedures and in the psychological support offered both to women who experienced successful and unsuccessful outcomes following UTx. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funding was received from the Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science; the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; an ALF grant from the Swedish state under an agreement between the government and the county councils; the Swedish Research Council; a Ferring Pharmaceuticals scholarship in memory of Robert Edwards; and the Iris Jonzén-Sandblom and Greta Jonzén Foundation. The authors have no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01844362.

Patient acceptance and outcome of mental health screening in Swedish adults with cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: Anxiety and depression are common among adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), and the International Committee on Mental Health in CF (ICMH) recommends annual screening for mental health problems. We implemented screening according to the recently published guidelines and assessed the results from the first year, as well as the patients' attitude to annual screening METHODS: Adult patients attending Gothenburg CF-center from Feb 2015 to Dec 2016 completed the GAD-7 (anxiety) and PHQ-9 (depression) forms at the time of their annual review. In addition, questions regarding the screening process and instruments used were asked. RESULTS: All invited patients (n = 100, 52% males, 2% lung transplanted), with a median age of 28 years (range 18-65), agreed to participate. In general (83%), the patients were positive to screening on an annual basis. No significant differences in total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were found when comparing men and women. Patients younger than 30 years of age reported more symptoms of anxiety compared to older patients (p = 0.02). There were 21 (21%) patients with scores > 10 for GAD-7 and/or PHQ-9 indicating at least moderate anxiety or depression. Scores > 10 were reported by 15 patients on GAD-7, 15 patients on PHQ-9, and 9 patients reported scores above 10 on both measures. CONCLUSION: The patients considered annual check-ups for mental health issues important. Although the screening results are reassuring, the group is heterogenic and younger individuals should be given extra attention. Follow-up over longer time will provide more robust data.

Parental reactions, distress, and sense of coherence after prenatal versus postnatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: A diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring triggers psychological distress in parents. Results of previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the psychological impact of a prenatal versus a postnatal diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the time of diagnosis on levels of parental distress. METHODS: Pregnant women and their partners with a fetus diagnosed with complex CHD, parents of children with postnatally diagnosed CHD, and pregnant women and their partners with uncomplicated pregnancies were invited to participate. Data were collected during pregnancy and 2-6 months after delivery using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. RESULTS: During pregnancy, the prenatal group scored lower sense of coherence compared to controls (p=0.044). Postnatally the prenatal group scored lower on sense of coherence compared to the postnatal group and controls (p=0.001; p=0.001). Postnatally, the prenatal and postnatal groups had higher levels of anxiety compared to controls (p=0.025; p=0.0003). Life satisfaction was lower in the prenatal group compared to that in the postnatal group and in controls (p=0.000; p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: Parents with a prenatal diagnosis of CHD in offspring report a low sense of coherence already during pregnancy which decreased further at follow-up. The same group reported a lower satisfaction with life compared to parents of a child with postnatal diagnosis of CHD and parents of a healthy child. This motivates further efforts to improve counselling and support during pregnancy and for parents after a prenatal diagnosis.

To Get Back on Track: A Qualitative Study on Childless Women's Expectations on Future Fertility Before Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In Sweden, 4700 women seek bariatric surgery annually, many of those being nulliparous. Anovulation is common among obese women, but bariatric surgery is not considered a treatment for infertility. The aim of this study was to explore the motives of women in fertile age for seeking bariatric surgery and their expectations on future fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with childless women (n = 12) aged 20 to 35 years. Interviews were conducted 1 to 3 weeks prior to surgery, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: "To get back on track" was identified as a master theme with 3 underlying subthemes, with the following headings: "A better me," "A fertile me," and "A pregnant me." The participants were hoping that weight-loss would make them feel more content with themselves, break isolation, and make it easier to find a partner. The participants considered fertility to improve after bariatric surgery, mainly based on stories from other patients of bariatric surgery. Having a child was expressed to be of great importance to them. CONCLUSIONS: Even though obese young women do not seek bariatric surgery for fertility reasons alone, there is a general perception of enhanced fertility after surgery, which is regarded as positive and important.

Donors' health-related quality-of-life and psychosocial outcomes 3 years after uterus donation for transplantation.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the effects on donors' health-related quality-of-life, mood and marital relationship 2 and 3 years after uterus donation for transplantation? SUMMARY ANSWER: Overall, uterus donors were relatively stable regarding health-related quality-of-life, mood and marital relationship after donation, although slight negative deviations existed in a few participants, presumably associated with older age or with continued non-pregnancy outcomes from the donation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Uterus transplantation has recently proved to be a successful treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility. However, there is no previous research on health-related quality-of-life and long-term psychosocial outcomes of donors. The present cohort of nine donors represents the cases of the first clinical uterus transplantation study, which took place in Sweden. Long-term follow-up studies of health-related quality-of-life in other living donors, such as of kidneys and livers, suggest that donors have above average quality-of-life prior to donation and that this typically continues during the years after donation. In our previous 1-year report on psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes, we found that two out of nine donors showed decreased health-related quality-of-life at 6 and 12 months post donation. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This complete, prospective cohort study included the nine donors of the first uterus transplantation trial, which took place in Sweden in 2013. Donors were assessed by questionnaires 2 and 3 years after surgery for uterus donation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The nine donors (aged 39 to 62 years) were all a close relative or friend of their recipient. Physical and mental component summaries of health-related quality-of-life were measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Mood was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Relationship with partner was measured with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The physical and mental components of the SF-36 were generally above the mean scores for a normative population. At Year 3, the two oldest donors (above 60 years of age at surgery) showed clear negative deviations in the physical component. The mental component summary of SF-36 was essentially unaltered overall at Year 2, but slight negative deviations were seen in three donors at Year 3. These three donors were among the four with unsuccessful pregnancy outcomes for the recipients following donation. Scores of anxiety and depression (mood) were within normative values for all donors at Year 2, but one donor presented with increased (worse) values for both variables at Year 3. Two donors showed signs of relationship distress during the follow-up period and another had divorced during this period. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The small sample size is a limitation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The present study suggests that live uterus donation does not in general negatively influence health-related quality-of-life, mood and relationship in a 2 to 3-year perspective follow-up. Longer follow-up studies, including larger number of donors and in different cultural settings, are needed. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The Jane and Dan Olsson Foundation for Science; the Wallenberg Foundation; an ALF grant from the Swedish state under an agreement between the government and the county councils; the Swedish Research Council; a Ferring Pharmaceuticals scholarship in memory of Robert Edwards; and the Iris Jonzén-Sandbloms and Greta Jonzéns Foundation. The authors have no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01844362.

Preoperative psychological evaluation of uterus transplant recipients, partners, and living donors: Suggested framework.

Uterus transplant has become a real option for women with uterine-factor infertility to become pregnant and give birth. The screening before uterus transplant consists of a multidisciplinary evaluation and includes the potential recipient, living donor, and, to some extent, the recipient's partner and future co-parent. The psychological evaluation has evolved from broad-based screening in the first uterus transplant trial, where the aim was to find suitable candidates for a novel experimental procedure with an unknown outcome, to a more directed screening with specific psychological domains for a complex infertility treatment with promising results. This report outlines a consensus by investigators with pioneering experience in the field of the key factors and suggests a framework for psychological evaluation of recipients and their partners as well as for live uterus donors before uterus transplant. We identify the main areas of particular value to the recipient screening (general psychological health, factors associated with infertility, and medication adherence), the partner (general psychological health and factors associated with infertility), and the living donor (psychological health and motivation to donate, especially in the case of the nondirected donor).

Is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) more of a strain regarding satisfaction with marital quality for male or female partners? A three-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Men and women with a hereditary genetic disease are faced with different options when they plan to become parents. One is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) which is a combination of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic analysis of the embryo before implantation. The present study focuses on how men and women planning for PGD experience the quality of marital satisfaction when they apply for treatment and again, three years later. METHODS: The study was a prospective cohort study where all couples (n = 22) applying for PGD during 2010 and 2011 were eligible. Nineteen women and 17 men (i.e. 17 couples and two women) participated. Participants answered several questionnaires (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Parental Stress Questionnaire) before PGD treatment, and again three years later. RESULTS: Women who underwent PGD rated the quality of their marital relationship similarly to that of first-time parents and IVF couples, whereas men rated the marital quality somewhat lower than the contrasts groups. Satisfaction with marital quality was stable over the three-year period although men were less satisfied than women on both occasions. At year three, there was a significant correlation between martial satisfaction and parental stress in men, and between martial satisfaction and anxiety and depression in women. DISCUSSION: Men are equally, or more, affected by their situation than their female partners, with consequences for satisfaction with marital quality. For this reason they should be included in any counselling offered.

Experiences of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) in Sweden: a Three-Year Follow-Up of Men and Women.

Men and women with a hereditary genetic disease are faced with different options when they wish to become parents. One is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) which is a combination of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic analysis of the embryo before implantation. The present study focused on men and women's psychological experiences of PGD three years after applying for PGD. Nineteen women and seventeen men (i.e. seventeen couples and two women) participated. The interviews were analysed by thematic method. It is better to have tried was identified as a master theme, under which came three underlying sub-themes, which had the following headings: Practical experience of PGD, Psychological experience of PGD and Goals of PGD. The results show that men and women three years after PGD are still psychologically affected by their experience. The men and women raised concerns that their relationship had been affected, both positively and negatively, and feelings of anxiety and depression still remained. Healthcare services should recognize the heterogeneous nature of the group being studied and therefore the need for counselling can arise at different times and in relation to different areas, regardless of the outcome of the PGD.