Evaluation of depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia

• Published in: Revista internacional de andrologia Vol. 19; no. 2; p. 73
• Main Authors: Topuz, Bahadir, Ebiloğlu, Turgay, Sarıkaya, Selçuk, Coğuplugil, Adem Emrah, Bedir, Selahattin, Karataş, Ömer Faruk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety - diagnosis; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety - psychology; Azoospermia - diagnosis; Azoospermia - psychology; Depression - diagnosis; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Estradiol - blood; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone - blood; Male; Mental Health; Prolactin - blood; Quality of Life - psychology; Testosterone - blood; Azoospermia no obstructiva; Depresión; Depression; Anxiety; Ansiedad; Calidad de vida; Non-obstructive azoospermia; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1698-0409
• DOI: 10.1016/j.androl.2019.09.005

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of depression, anxiety and quality of life in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients who attended our clinic.
A total of 40 male patients were included in the study troubled with non-obstructive azoospermia. An etiological classification was made according to the hormone levels of the patients. The semen specimen was obtained by masturbation from the patients. Three questionnaires, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Short Form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, were utilized in the study.
The mean age of the patients in the study was 32.75±5.22 years. The patients were classified as follows: 26 (65%) patients were idiopathic, 11 (27.5%) patients were hyper-hypo and 3 (7.5%) patients could not be reached. In this cohort, 62.5% of patients had minimal depression, 27.5% of patients had mild depression and 10% of patients had moderate depression. In addition, 97.5% of patients had minimal anxiety and 2.5% of the patients had mild anxiety. Quality of life scores of the patients were 58.75% for general health status, 70.98% for physical health status, 72.92% for psychological status, 65% for social relations and 66.25% for environmental status.
NOA particularly affects men in terms of biological, psychological and social aspects. In order to evaluate the quality of life and psychiatric conditions patients with azoospermia, various questionnaires may be applied before infertility treatment. Thus, patients who need psychiatric support can be identified.