Protocol changes and anxiety in patients, effects of COVID-19
- After analyzing 1,549 women, only 11 (0.7%) were positive for IgM. The percentage positive in PCR was even lower: less than 0.1%.
- The preliminary results of the first study on the psychological aspects linked to COVID-19 show that the anxiety of patients increases by 32% due to the pandemic and 41% have seen their emotional state affected
We have experienced a health and social situation as unusual as it is historical. Now that it seems that we are all on the way to the new normal, it is time to take stock. IVI has studied the effects of COVID-19 in assisted reproduction patients and we bring you the main conclusions.
The first thing we find is a consequence of the pandemic at an economic, political and social level: the inevitable decline in the birth rate in Spain. And it is that, according to the INE, Spain is one of the European Union countries with the lowest birth rate, whose decline has already risen to 30% in the last decade.
Faced with this situation, on April 27, IVI reopened its doors to continue meeting the demand of women and couples in reproductive treatment or in need of starting it, many of whom cannot delay their processes indefinitely –infertility and time make a bad combination-. Of course, under a clear premise: the safety of your employees and patients.
“To safeguard the safety of our patients and workers at the centers, we previously contacted patients informing them that if they had any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or had been in direct contact with a patient, they should not come to the center and a doctor would contact them . After this first triage, serological tests were performed at the beginning of treatment, ruling out those patients with positive IgM as it meant that they had active disease. In addition, we perform PCR prior to oocyte extraction, embryo transfer or insemination ”, explains the doctor Antonio Requena, IVI Medical Director.
After analyzing 1,549 women, only 11 (0.7%) were positive for IgM. The percentage positive in PCR was even lower: less than 0.1%.
Based on these previous results, IVI has decided, in parallel to the entry into phase 3 of its centers, focus solely on triage of patients, in view of its effectiveness, thus paralyzing the performance of serological tests or PCR. In addition, it will continue to scrupulously maintain the rest of the social prevention measures in all its centers to guarantee the safety of all its processes.
“The truth is the response of our patients is being very positive, which shows the trust that all of them place in our professionals and the techniques and treatments that we offer them. And, since the WHO has not ruled on natural conception, We understand that in reproductive matters it is our responsibility to continue helping to curb the problems associated with a disease such as sterility and the patients who suffer from it, always maximizing prevention, safety and hygiene measures timely ”, concludes the Dr. Requena.
Anxiety and COVID19
Assisted reproduction is already a delicate area where emotions, such as anguish, uncertainty, sadness, guilt or frustration, accompany patients throughout the process. In the current situation, where the pandemic has disrupted all aspects of life in all its spheres, women and couples who face reproductive problems in the hope of being able to become parents with the help of science have seen their plans and illusions affected. in the short and medium term due to a reality that has forced them to stop or postpone their assisted reproduction treatments.
Given the lack of information regarding the incidence of COVID-19 in the reproductive field, and given the social anxiety that this began to arouse, IVI has carried out the first investigation on psychological aspects to analyze the emotional response associated with the suspension of the treatments and general effects of COVID-19.
Preliminary results mainly reflect that anxiety in these patients has increased by 32% compared to previous times and 41% have seen their emotional state affected.
“Addressing the emotional impact on patients who undergo assisted reproduction treatments is of utmost importance, since both psychosocial factors related to stress, such as hostile moods and high levels of anxiety negatively affect the results of the treatments. Stress is believed to impact fertility as it can play an important role during the first trimester of pregnancy and generate an early gestational loss. Hormones linked to stress, such as cortisol, can affect uterine circulation, embryo implantation, and placental function”, comments the Dr. Agustín Ballesteros, director of IVI Barcelona and one of the authors of this study.
Said investigation It has been headed by Dr. Diana Guerra, head of the Psychological Support Unit of IVI Barcelona, Dr. Ballesteros, Dr. Fernando Neuspiller, director of IVI Buenos Aires and Lic. María Villamil, head of the Psychology Unit from the same center. Likewise, it has had the collaboration of the IVI Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Madrid, Bilbao, Pamplona, Ibiza, Mallorca and Lisbon clinics.
It’s about a prospective observational and cross-sectional study, in which a survey has been carried out via email 400 patients who were forced to postpone their treatments due to the closure of the centers due to COVID-19.
Fear of pregnancy due to COVID19?
In relation to fears related to pregnancy, 64.4% of patients answered do not believe that COVID-19 may affect your baby. 83.8% answered not to believe that, if you get pregnant, you can have more risk of getting infected. While 57.5% of patients do not believe that COVID-19 can affect pregnancy.
This study is the product of the patient-centered approach, a philosophy of this group dedicated to assisted reproduction for more than 30 years. To provide the appropriate tools and personalized support, it is necessary to know how the current situation is affecting patients.
“Obtaining information on the fears and difficulties that these patients expressed in the survey will provide professionals with a guide to focus on improving and solving the anxiety manifested., so that they can continue the treatments already started ”, says Dr. Guerra.
For their part, psychological interventions reduce stress and can help improve reproductive outcomes. “It has been shown that cognitive-behavioral treatments for the management of the emotional difficulties that these patients manifest are the most appropriate, reduce the percentage of abandonment, while improving pregnancy rates”, concludes Dr. Guerra.
