Epidemiology of depression among infertile and fertile couples in Shiraz, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND: Depression is considered as one of the main psychological disorders associated with infertility. Depression may play a significant role in the life of infertile individuals, their infertility treatment follow-up and in their hopefulness for the future; it may also influence the intensity and continuousness of the mutual relationship of the affected couple.
AIMS: This study was done to determine the depression rate and make a comparison between infertile and fertile couples with respect to the same.
SETTING AND DESIGN: The depression rate was evaluated between two groups - infertile couples (case group) and fertile couples (control group).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one infertile couples (cases) and 9l fertile ones (controls) were randomly enrolled in our study. Beck depression inventory (BDI) and demographic information were provided.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used Chi-square, t-test; and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to find out significant difference between infertility duration in various couples and its effect on the score of depression.
RESULTS: The BDI mean difference between infertile and fertile couples was significant (P=0.015). It was significantly more among couples with infertility from 1-3 years′ duration compared to those with infertility of 1-year duration or less.
CONCLUSION: Regarding the high rate of depression among infertile couples, it seems necessary to pay more attention to infertility centers that offer psychological and psychiatric services.