Is gestational hypertension associated with affective temperaments?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Gestational hypertension (GH) is a significant pregnancy complication.
• Limited research explores the connection between GH and psychological disorders.
• Affective temperaments represent a potential, understudied factor in GH development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between affective temperaments and gestational hypertension.
• To determine if specific temperaments, like anxious temperament, correlate with GH.
• To evaluate psychological distress levels in women with GH.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing women with GH to healthy pregnant women.
• Utilized the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) to assess affective temperaments.
• Employed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure psychological distress.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher anxious temperament scores were observed in women with GH compared to controls.
• Anxious temperament scores (≥9) were independently associated with an increased risk of GH (OR=2.768).
• Women with GH exhibited significantly higher mean scores for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusions:

• Affective temperaments, particularly anxious temperament, may play a role in the development of gestational hypertension.
• Anxious temperament is a potential risk factor for GH and associated cardiovascular risks during pregnancy.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering psychological factors in managing GH.