Association of severe postpartum hemorrhage and development of psychological disorders: Results from the prospective and multicentre HELP MOM study

Objective

Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading preventable cause of worldwide maternal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for psychological disorders following PPH are currently unknown. HELP-MOM study aimed to determine the incidence and identify risk factors for psychological disorders following PPH.

Methods

HELP-MOM study was a prospective, observational, national, and multicentre study including patients who experienced severe PPH requiring sulprostone. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of psychological disorders (anxiety and/or post-traumatic disorder and/or depression) following PPH, assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months after delivery using HADS, IES-R, and EPDS scales.

Results

Between November 2014 and November 2016, 332 patients experienced a severe PPH and 236 (72%) answered self-questionnaires at 1, 3, and 6 months. A total of 161 (68%) patients declared a psychological disorder following severe PPH (146 (90.1%) were screened positive for anxiety, 96 (58.9%) were screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder, and 94 (57.7%) were screened positive for post-partum depression). In multivariable analysis, the use of intra-uterine tamponnement balloon was associated with a lower risk to be screened positive for psychological disorder after severe PPH (OR = 0.33 [IC95% 0.15−0.69], p = 0.004, and after propensity score matching (OR=0.34 [IC95% 0.12−0.94], p = 0.04)). Low hemoglobin values during severe PPH management were associated with a higher risk of being screened positive for psychological disorders. Finally, we did not find differences in desire or pregnancy between patients without or with psychological disorders occurring in the year after severe PPH.

Discussion

Severe PPH was associated with significant psychosocial morbidity including anxiety, post-traumatic disorder, and depression. This should engage a psychological follow-up. Large cohorts are urgently needed to confirm our results.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT02118038.