DIFFERENCES IN ANXIETY CONCERNING THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND COVID-19 VACCINE BETWEEN WOMEN UNDERGOING INFERTILITY TREATMENT AND THOSE NOT PURSUING TREATMENT

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people. With the development and administration of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, there is growing evidence to suggest that there has been reduced transmission of the virus. However, the novelty of the vaccine has raised many questions for infertility patients due to the lack of research. This study examines the perceived anxiety level of patients at a fertility clinic in Manhattan who are undergoing infertility treatments, such as Timed Intercourse (TIC), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Understanding the mental state of patients with infertility problems during the COVID-19 pandemic is vital for fertility clinics in their future patient assessments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surveys were administered to approximately 100 patients at a fertility clinic in Manhattan during early April 2021 - a few months after the first Covid vaccine was administered in the USA. The questionnaire asked patients to specify their treatment plan (TIC, IUI, IVF, oocyte cryopreservation, or no infertility problem). The survey included a 20-item Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessing their current state of anxiety. For the STAI score cutoff, <40 = not anxious;40+ = high anxiety. Continuous variables were measured as mean and standard deviation and compared with a two-sample t-test or ANOVA. Categorical variables were compared with a Fisher test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistics were done with R version 4.0.5. RESULTS: There is no statistical significance in which group was more likely to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. However, the ''undecided'' group had the lowest percentage of individuals receiving the vaccine. There is also no statistical significance in the anxiety levels of the different groups of patients. The group with the greatest percentage of anxiety according to the STAI score is the ''undecided'' group. Fear of the COVID-19 virus being greater than the fear of the COVID-19 vaccine is a commonality between all the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The survey found that the greatest cause of apprehension in patients was the virus's unknown effects on their physical health. Majority of the hesitancy in receiving the vaccine was due to the potential side effects posed by the injection on pregnant women and their fetus. Interestingly, patients not in treatment had a trend towards higher fear and anxiety compared to patients undergoing infertility treatment. When broken down even further, patients who are undecided in their treatment are more anxious about both the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine. This indicates that the patient's treatment plan influences their view of the pandemic. IMPACT STATEMENT Women with infertility issues experience tremendous amount of emotional turmoil, which can further interfere with their fertility. Recognizing the root of this population's anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic can assist reproductive endocrinologists in forming treatment plans that integrate management of patient's psychological wellbeing.