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The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle and emotional state in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: Results of an Italian survey.

Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: cinzia.fatini@unifi.it.

Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction. 2021;(8):102079
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Abstract

PURPOSE On March 8, 2020, the Italian Government implemented extraordinary measures to limit viral transmission of COV-19/SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle and emotional state in women planning infertility treatments. BASIC PROCEDURES We performed a quantitative research study using a web-based survey, in 140 women referred to Assisted Reproductive Technologies Center. MAIN FINDINGS We observed changes in body weight during lockdown in 80 % of women, and a significant increase in BMI in comparison to that observed before (p=.001). We observed a high percentage of non-adherence to the Mediterranean pattern during lockdown due to higher frequency of consumption of sweet/pastries, cheese and meat, rather than fruit, vegetables and legumes. Before lockdown 36.4 % women were snack consumers while during lockdown 55 % (p=.002). By considering individuals' attitude to snack consumption, we observed an increase related to boredom (p=<.0001) and anxiety (p=.05) during lockdown. Increased levels of anxiety and sadness were observed in about 30 %, and of boredom in 25 %. The percentage of women worried about their planning infertility treatment was more than 50 %. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS Quarantine-related restrictions strongly influenced lifestyle psychological behavior leading to an increased burden of cardiovascular disease.