Perceived Emotional Stress and Pre-Eclampsia: A Case-control Study Menon Anirudh K1,*, Kumar Praveen N2, Nagendra Kanchana1 1Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences 2Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences *Corresponding author: Anirudh K Menon, Postgraduate Student, Shree Krishna Krupa ’, 1st main, 2nd cross, Vidyapeetha Post, Doddabele Layout, Kengeri, Bengaluru-560060. E-mail: aniruddhkrishna@outlook.com Mobile: 8861042184
Online published on 15 December, 2017. Abstract Introduction There is lack of consistency in association of psychosocial stress with pre-eclampsia. Women with pre-eclampsia have increased levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone and sympathetic activity. Psychological stress can be reduced by interventions. Objectives To find if perceived emotional stress is associated with pre-eclampsia. Methodology This case-control study recruited 100 pregnant women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and 200 gestational age-matched controls. Perceived emotional stress was assessed using Cohen's PSS-10 instrument. Odds ratio was calculated and Mann Whitney U test was used to compare median PSS scores. Results The median PSS score among cases was found to be 14, while the median PSS score among controls was found to be 13. Statistically significant difference was observed between the scores of cases and controls. Implications Interventions to manage emotional stress during pregnancy may be helpful in preventing the development of pre-eclampsia. Top Keywords Antenatal Care, Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, Eclampsia, Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy Maternal Health, Pre-Eclampsia, Psychological Stress. Top |