Possible improvement of depression after systematic examination and explanation of live birth rates among women with recurrent miscarriage

We conducted a prospective study to determine whether systematic examinations and provision of explanation regarding the successful birth rates might improve mood or anxiety disorders among childless women with recurrent miscarriages. A total of 305 first-visit patients with a history of 2-12 miscarriages completed a first questionnaire battery, including: 'K6', a new screening instrument for mood and anxiety disorders, the 'Symptom Checklist-90 Revised' (SCL-90-R) and the 'Emotional Impact' questionnaire. Of these, 170 patients who underwent routine examinations and received an explanation about successful live birth rates responded to the second questionnaire. A total of 15.4% of the patients were estimated to suffer from diagnosable depression or anxiety disorders. Patients with high scores on K6 also showed elevated scores on all the subscales of SCL-90-R, including depression and anxiety. The K6 of patients with translocation was significantly higher than that of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. The K6 and depression scores in the 2nd questionnaire survey were significantly lower than those in the 1st survey in the 170 patients. Improvement in depression was found in patients who underwent routine examination and received an explanation.