Since health care is becoming more and more patient centered, patient-reported outcomes such as
quality of life (QOL) and health status (HS) are becoming increasingly important.
The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of physical, psychological, and social
domains of QOL and HS in postpartum women, and to assess which factors are associated with QOL and
HS domains postpartum.
A computerized literature search was performed using the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane
databases. Studies were selected if the three domains of QOL or HS were measured in a (sub)group of
postpartum women, by using validated standardized questionnaires.
The methodological quality of the 66 included studies was examined by two independent reviewers.
All three domains of QOL were impaired in postpartum women with urinary incontinence, with even
worse QOL in women with mixed urinary incontinence. Mental QOL was impaired in women with urge
urinary incontinence after cesarean section. Social QOL was decreased in HIV-positive women. HS was
impaired in all three domains in postpartum depressed women. Physical HS was impaired after cesarean
section for at least two months postpartum. Additional supportive interventions from health care social
support were not associated with improved HS.
Urinary incontinence and being HIV-positive seemed to be associated with impaired QOL. Postpartum
depression and a cesarean section seemed to be associated with impaired HS. Prospective longitudinal
research is needed in order to draw valid conclusions regarding postpartum HS and QOL, and the
predictive value of the associated factors