Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life in women with pelvic endometriosis

Abstract

Objective To assess depressive symptoms, anxiety and quality of life in women with pelvic endometriosis. Study design A prospective study of 104 women diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms; the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) to evaluate anxiety symptoms; and the short (26-item) version of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) to evaluate quality of life. Results Of the patients evaluated, 86.5% presented depressive symptoms (mild in 22.1%, moderate in 31.7%, and severe in 32.7%) and 87.5% presented anxiety (minor in 24% and major in 63.5%). Quality of life was found to be substandard. Age correlated positively with depressive symptoms, as determined using the BDI ( P = 0.013) and HAM-D ( P = 0.037). There was a positive correlation between current pain intensity and anxiety symptoms, as assessed using the STAI (state, P = 0.009; trait, P = 0.048) and HAM-A ( P = 0.0001). The complaints related to physical limitations increased in parallel with the intensity of pain ( P = 0.017). There was an inverse correlation between duration of treatment and quality of life ( P = 0.017). There was no correlation between psychiatric symptoms and endometriosis stage. Conclusions A rational approach to endometriosis should include an evaluation of the emotional profile and quality of life. That approach would certainly reduce the functional damage caused by the endometriosis.