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Stress, anxiety, and depression of both partners in infertile couples are associated with cytokine levels and adverse IVF outcome
Author(s) -
Haimovici Florina,
Anderson Janis L.,
Bates Gordon W.,
Racowsky Catherine,
Ginsburg Elizabeth S.,
Simovici Dan,
Fichorova Rai.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12832
Subject(s) - anxiety , depression (economics) , infertility , psychopathology , pregnancy , medicine , clinical psychology , obstetrics , psychology , psychiatry , gynecology , biology , genetics , economics , macroeconomics
Problem Psychiatric disorders and stress in women have been associated with poor IVF outcome. We hypothesized that both partners in the infertile couples are emotionally affected, and cytokines in both may link psychological to reproductive outcome. Method of Study Forty‐five IVF couples completed questionnaires and visual analog scales for stress and psychiatric disorders and had cytokines measured in serum, semen, cervicovaginal, and follicular fluids. Multivariable analyses, t tests, maximum likelihood estimates, Spearman correlation, and data mining were applied. Results Psychopathology was found in 72% of the couples. Female and male stress were associated with stress, anxiety, and depression in the respective partner, and with a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth. Lower serum TGF ‐β and higher cervicovaginal IL ‐6 and IL ‐1β were associated with stress. In data decision trees, cytokines in relation to stress and depression in both partners were found indicative of IVF failure. Conclusion Infertile couples may benefit from psychiatric evaluation and treatment of both partners.