The impact of non-invasive prenatal testing on anxiety in women considered at high or low risk for aneuploidy after combined first trimester screening

Objective: The aim of this study was to (1) examine the psychological impact of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in women with a high-risk (≥1 : 300) and low-risk (≤1 : 301) result on combined first trimester screening (cFTS) and (2) to examine factors influencing anxiety and decision-making in both risk populations. Method: Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to low (n = 50) and high (n = 63) risk women at the time of NIPT blood draw (point A) and again at least 1 week after receiving their NIPT result (point B). Anxiety levels were measured at these two time points using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Both high-risk and low-risk cFTS groups demonstrated similar intrinsic (trait) anxiety levels (36 ± 10 vs 35 ± 10; p = 0.70). High-risk women had significantly higher levels of state anxiety at point A than low-risk women (42 ± 11 vs 36 ± 11; p < 0.01). Both groups had a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.01), to similar final levels of state anxiety at point B (30 ± 11 vs 29 ± 8; p = 0.61). Conclusion: Women receiving a high-risk result on cFTS have higher levels of state anxiety than their low-risk counterparts. Following a low-risk NIPT result, the anxiety levels in both populations are reduced to similar levels.