Inzidenz von psychischen Erkrankungen wie Depressionen, Angststörungen, Anpassungsstörungen sowie somatoformen Störungen im Kontext von induzierten Schwangerschaftsabbrüchen in Deutschland

The present work has shown how complex the long-term effects of abortion on women's mental health can be. Within the framework of the two studies con-ducted, it was shown that there is a positive correlation between induced abor-tion and the development of three of the four psychiatric disorders investigated over the course of ten years in Germany. Using Cox regression models with more than 35.000 women, it was evident that the incidence of depression and somatoform disorder was higher for women with abortion than in women with live-births. This shows that induced abortions were positively associated with depression, adjustment disorders, and somatoform disorders. In a further case-control study including almost 58.000 women in Germany, it was evident that both a spontaneous termination of a pregnancy and existing infertility in women carry a considerable risk of developing the above-men-tioned four investigated psychiatric disorders. In addition, this analysis was able to show that the strength of the association was dependent on the con-stellation surrounding abortion. The strength of the association between abor-tion and psychiatric disorders varied among a) childless women, b) women whose abortion preceded an uncomplicated birth, and c) women whose abor-tion followed an uncomplicated birth. Surprisingly, women who already gave birth and never had a spontaneous nor an induced abortion, or infertility, also show an increased risk of developing one of the psychiatric disorders. In the present work data from the nationwide Disease Analyser (IQVIA) were used. The data was obtained directly and in anonymized form from the computer systems of practitioners of gynecology and general medicine. The selection of medical practices is based on their nationwide distribution by region and spe-cialty. IQVIA regularly evaluates the quality of the information and its repre-sentativeness for primary care. The study findings shows that extensive and transparent information should be provided after the diagnosis of pregnancy; especially before a planned abortion, so that the women concerned can ultimately make a well-considered decision for their mental health. This is particularly of high importance for those women who are already at high risk of developing depression or other mental illnesses. Further research is needed to examine possible differences in the relationship between abortion and mental health among women without chil-dren and women who already have children. In addition, further research is needed to better understand the role of potential negative influencing factors, such as sexual dysfunction, unfavorable intimate relationship, recurrent urinary tract infections associated with induced or spontaneous abortion, infertility, and the resulting long-term mental health consequences for women. Ultimately, this work reflects sensitivity, commits to transparency, and contrib-utes by shedding light on abortion and its possible long-term consequences on mental health. Evidence shows that the supposedly medically safe and very frequently performed intervention represents an enormous psychological bur-den for many women over the course of many years. In this respect, it can be concluded from the results that there is a need for more transparency, and, above all, more knowledge about the potential consequences of the induced abortion intervention, so that a well-informed patient can make a well-consid-ered decision for herself and her future life.