Comparison of the quality of life between women undergoing medical and surgical terminations of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the relation between the quality of life, level of depression and some other psychological characteristics of women and the method (pharmacological or instrumental) they chose to terminate their pregnancy up to 49 days of amenorrhoea.

Methods: From Jan 1st, 2019 to Aug 31st, 2020 we prospectively analyzed data obtained by evaluating questionnaires from 106 women with a choice of pharmacological (faUUT) and 105 women with a choice of surgical (iUUT) termination of pregnancy. The questionnaires focused on their quality of life and other characteristics.

Results: Women undergoing faUUT have a statistically significantly higher quality of life (P = 0.001), they are physically (P = 0.003) and mentally (P = 0.027) healthier, they have a higher socioeconomic status, and they are more satisfied with their environment (P = 0.022).

Conclusion: Women with a differently chosen method of termination of pregnancy had a statistically significantly different quality of life as a whole. This difference is statistically significant in the sub-areas of the quality of life: feeling of physical health and mental well-being, satisfaction with the environment, and subjective perception of the quality of life. The result doesnt confirm a statistically significant difference between both groups on the level of depression and their cohabitation.

Keywords: Quality of life; depression; pharmacological termination of pregnancy; quality of life; surgical termination of pregnancy; termination of pregnancy on request.