Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: Effects on quality of life and day‐to‐day function

• Published in: Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology 2018-06, Vol.58 (3), p.278-290
• Main Authors: Tan, Amelia, Lowe, Sandra, Henry, Amanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; antiemetics; Antiemetics - therapeutic use; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; hyperemesis gravidarum; Hyperemesis Gravidarum - drug therapy; Hyperemesis Gravidarum - psychology; Metoclopramide - therapeutic use; New South Wales; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - drug therapy; Pregnancy Complications - psychology; Prenatal Care; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; vomiting
• ISSN: 0004-8666; 1479-828X
• DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12714

Aims To investigate the effect of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) on quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living/socioeconomic function in a contemporary Australian setting. Materials and Methods Observational, single centre prospective cohort study using validated survey instruments in pregnant women at 9–16 weeks gestation at a tertiary metropolitan women's hospital in Sydney, Australia. QoL measured by the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12) was compared between those with and without NVP. NVP severity scores were correlated with QoL scores, work patterns and medication use. Results Of 116 participants, 72% had NVP, with no baseline (including mental health) differences between women with or without NVP. As classified by modified Pregnancy‐Unique‐Quantified‐Emesis (PUQE) survey, 42% had mild symptoms, 55% moderate and 1% severe. SF‐12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were significantly lower for those with NVP (P