Relationship between uterine artery resistance and maternal anxiety in 28-32 weeks of pregnancy

Anxiety is a common problem in pregnant women nonetheless in very few cases it becomes the situation that causes pathological conditions. In some researches, progression of anxiety which occurs during pregnancy has been shown to make differences on blood flow measured by Doppler ultrasonography.Association between uterine artery resistance and anxiety is evaluated in our study which was projected for this purpose. This study was designed as prospective in Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and conducted between February 2012 and August 2012.Totally 140 cases which had singleton pregnancy between twenty-eighth and 32th weeks of gestation, had no additional systemic illness and were non-smoker, were analysed in this study. Study data was evaluated by descriptive statistical methods and Spearman?s ranking coefficient for comparison. Mean gestational weeks of cases? was measured as 31.4 (27.4-33) weeks by last menstrual period and 32 (27-33) weeks by ultrasonography. Mean estimated fetal weight was measured as 1936 g (914-2873). Uterine artery resistance (bilateral pulsatility indexes) was measured by transabdominal colored Doppler ultrasonography. Mean pulsatility index was 0.75 (0.33-2.31). Maximum systolic and diastolic flow speed was established as 71.12 cm/sec and 37.86 cm/sec, respectively. Aspect of anxiety was assessed by using Beck?s Anxiety Scale. Anxiety was inspected in thirty-nine individuals and mean anxiety score for all cases wasfound to be 12.51(0-48).There was no statistically significant association between uterine artery resistance and anxiety. Moreover, there was an inverse and a poor association between them (r= -0,184; p=0,030); mean pulsatility index was found to be 0.66 on individuals who had anxiety and 0.78 on individuals who had not.Mean pregnancy duration of follow-up cases was 38.5 weeks. A statistically non-significant and poor association was established between increase of uterine artery resistance and preterm delivery (r= -0,167; p=0,049). So, preterm delivery rates ascend as uterine artery resistance increases.There was a direct and poor correlation between infant birth weight and maternal anxiety (r= 0,195; p=0,021).Based on this information, it is very difficult to make a final decision on maternal anxiety or preterm delivery risk by measuring uterine artery resistance. In conclusion, long term studies consisting of many volunteers are needed on that score.Key Words: Doppler ultrasonography, Uterine Artery Resistance, Maternal AnxietyContact Address: