Health-Related Quality of Life and Anxiety Levels in Pregnant Women with and Without Associated Pathologies

Background: Since quality of life encompasses social, psychological, and physical well-being, it is a crucial component of overall health and well-being. The quality of life has a significant impact on both the mother and the unborn child throughout the perinatal period. Both parties suffer when a threat, such as an illness, materialises because it lowers the quality of life. Using the SCL-90-R and SF-36, the current study aims to investigate variations in anxiety levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between pregnant women with and without relevant medical conditions. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study between April 2023 and December 2024. Eligibility criteria were: (a) pregnant women; (b) at least 18 years old; (c) of Romanian nationality residing in Romania; and (d) who signed informed consent and agreed to participate. A Personal Information Form (PIF), the SF-36 Health Survey, and the SCL-90-R questionnaire were used to collect data. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS v26, using non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U, Spearman correlations). Results: Ninety-five of the 212 patients in the study reported having related medical conditions. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the physical or mental components of the SF-36. Nonetheless, the pathological group's anxiety scores were noticeably higher. Particularly in the pathological group, Spearman correlation revealed an inverse relationship between anxiety and SF-36 physical component scores. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological screening into prenatal care, particularly for women with medical comorbidities. Early identification and management of elevated anxiety may help preserve maternal HRQoL and contribute to better perinatal outcomes.