Substantiation for the relationship and «closed loop effect» between post-traumatic stress disorder and recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

The objective: to identify and evaluate the changes in immune homeostasis in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) who had posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to establish the relationship between psycho-emotional status, the immune system and the role of chronic stress in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders as a cause of RPL.Materials and methods. An examination of 150 women of reproductive age was carried out, who were divided into three groups: I group (main group) – 100 patients with RPL and PTSD; II group (comparison one) – patients with RPL without PTSD (30 women) and the III group (control one) – 20 patients with PTSD who are planning pregnancy.Indicators of cellular immunity were studied and antiphospholipid syndrome was diagnosed. The electronic database of primary data was created using the Microsoft Excel 2016 spreadsheet program. Statistical data analysis was performed using the Statistica10.0 statistical analysis package.Results. Based on the results of the screening it was found that there are non-specific antibodies to anionic phospholipids, also known as antiphospholipid antibodies, in some patients of the main group. In the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, the number of NK cells (CD3-CD16/56+) doubled, increasing the probability of the pregnancy interruption that had already occurred. There was also an increased number of NK cells (CD3-CD16/56+) in the blood of patients with PTSD compared to the control group – the patients with PTSD who are planning pregnancy.Conclusions. The results of the study confirmed the connection between PTSD and RPL and demonstrated significant immune homeostasis disorders, as well as the structural and morphological changes in the reproductive system.Women with RPL may have PTSD, which affects the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders and RPL. These results lead to more deep understanding of RPL and will help in the development of new preventive and therapeutic measures.