Tool predicts psychological risk following miscarriage

The Kessler 10 (K10) questionnaire can effectively predict psychological symptoms in women following miscarriage, an Australian study finds. Of 100 women post-miscarriage who were screened using the questionnaire, most (81%) had elevated levels of distress initially but were not at increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses at three months. Additionally, all women were significantly more likely to have subsyndromal symptoms at three months compared with the general population. Of note, the baseline K10 score was the only significant predictor of distress at follow-up (P<0.001). Furthermore, a cut-off of 14 on the K10 scale had a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 82% to predict ongoing psychological distress. Writing in the Australian and NZ Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the study authors said the K10 is a short, easily administered and scored instrument that is “effective to identify women at greatest risk of ongoing psychological morbidity following pregnancy loss”. “It provides a useful tool for primary care providers who may have contact with women in the weeks following miscarriage and will ensure the most appropriate use of resources,” they concluded....