An assessment of mood in males attending an infertility clinic

This study was undertaken to assess the mood profile in men seeking treatment for infertility and also to investigate if aetiological factors of infertility have any impact on mood. This was a prospective questionnaire study and the setting was the Human Assisted Reproduction Ireland (H.A.R.I.) unit in the Rotunda Hospital. Fifty men participated in the study and were required to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. The results were analysed using an ordered logit regression analysis on the statistical software package DATA DESK 5.0.1. There were no cases of depression in the study population. However, detectable anxiety levels were displayed in 31.9% of men. Those with severe oligospermia had a higher mean anxiety score (8.5) compared with other patient subgroups. Clinically significant anxiety was found in 8.5%; all of these men had a male-factor problem. The study population was relatively small but some interesting trends were observed. A larger trial is warranted to assess if genuine at-risk groups exist.