Study on correlation among constipation, anxiety and depression of patients with placenta previa

Objective To understand the status of constipation, anxiety and depression among patients with placenta previa and to explore the relationship between them, in order to identify early predictor of constipation. Methods Zung′s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Zung′s Self-Rating Depressive Scale (SDS) were applied among 92 patients with placenta previa. Finally, 83 valid questionnaires were recovered. Results The incidence of anxiety and depression were 50.6%(42/83) and 33.73%(28/83) respectively within 48 hours of hospitalization and the incidence of constipation was 71.08%(59/83) within three days in hospital. The incidence of constipation in emotional disorder group were greater than that in non-emotional disorder group (χ2=11.97, 6.81, P < 0.01). The degree of anxiety and depression were positively correlated with the occurrence of constipation (r=0.48, 0.35, P < 0.01 or 0.05). The correlation of anxiety and constipation was higher. Conclusions The heavier degree of negative emotions, the higher occurrence of constipation in patients with placenta previa during hospitalization. Anxiety can be used as an early predictor of constipation. Key words: Placenta previa; Anxiety; Depression; Constipation; Correlation study