Nausea and vomiting in pregnant adolescents: impact on health-related quality of life

Authors : Elif Yilmaz, Betül Tokgöz, Çağanay Soysal, Seda Şahin Aker, Tuncay Küçüközkan

Pages : 390-398

Doi:10.18621/eurj.353985

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Publication Date : 2018-10-04

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Objective: To determine the impact of the presence and severity of nause and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) on health-related quality of life in pregnant adolescents. Methods: Two hundred and fifty adolescent pregnant women were included in this study. The Rhodes test was performed to determine the severity of nausea and vomiting, and the self-reported 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) Scale was administered. The study was divided in t o four g r oups a c c o r d ing to nausea severity (no, mild, moderate, severe) groups and SF-36 s c o re s w e re c ompa r e d a mong t h e gro u ps. Results: Of the 250 pregnant women included in the study, 74.5% of women reported NVP. Low scores on the SF-36 were found for all items with increasing severity of NVP, with the lowest scores in the severe NVP group and the highest scores in the group with no NVP ( p = 0.001). Multivariable analyses showed that severity of NVP was the most important factor for both the physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales. The number of living children was significantly associated with lower PCS scores and being unable to share problems with spouse/relatives was correlated with lower MCS scores. Conclusion: The negative impact of nausea and vomiting on health-related quality of life, emphasises the importance of psychological support and optimal management of NVP in pregnant adolescents. 
Keywords : Adolescent, pregnancy, nausea, vomiting, health-related quality of life