1
|
Čegar B, Šipetić Grujičić S, Bjekić J, Vuksanović A, Bojanić N, Bartolović D, Jovanović D, Zeković M. Understanding the Male Perspective: Evaluating Quality of Life and Psychological Distress in Serbian Men Undergoing Infertility Treatment. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1894. [PMID: 37763298 PMCID: PMC10532577 DOI: 10.3390/life13091894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The experience of an infertility diagnosis and treatment imposes a profound burden on affected individuals, encompassing not only physical and medical aspects but also a plethora of psychological, social, and emotional factors. By employing a multimodal assessment featuring validated self-report questionnaires, physical measurements, and clinical records, the present study aimed to explore the quality of life and psycho-emotional distress of men undergoing infertility treatment in Serbia, thereby addressing the dearth of research on the underrepresented male perspective in this domain. Findings revealed diverse semen abnormalities among participants (n = 96, average age 37.69 ± 5.72), with significant associations between longer treatment durations and reduced sperm motility. The observed rates of men surpassing predetermined DASS-42 questionnaire thresholds for depression, anxiety, and stress in the analyzed cohort were 13.54%, 11.46%, and 22.92%, respectively. Summary scores in conceptual areas comprised in the SF-36 questionnaire ranged from 49.00 ± 6.25 for the mental health dimension to 90.16 ± 17.75 obtained in the physical functioning subscale. Patients with a longer treatment duration demonstrated lower scores in the role emotional domain, indicative of a less favorable emotional state. Expectedly, inverse correlations were found between the SF-36 mental health score and DASS-42 subscales. By addressing the existing knowledge gap and highlighting the unique needs of infertile men, the finding of this study may contribute to a more inclusive and holistic approach to infertility research and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bojan Čegar
- Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.Č.); (A.V.); (N.B.); (D.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sandra Šipetić Grujičić
- Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Jovana Bjekić
- Human Neuroscience Group, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandar Vuksanović
- Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.Č.); (A.V.); (N.B.); (D.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nebojša Bojanić
- Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.Č.); (A.V.); (N.B.); (D.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Daniela Bartolović
- Center for Medical Biochemistry, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Darko Jovanović
- Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.Č.); (A.V.); (N.B.); (D.J.)
| | - Milica Zeković
- Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|