Postpartum depression continues to be prevalent, while early detection methods can help prevent this mental health condition. In a recent study, 2,271 antenatal women participated in a study that tested the efficacy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to detect mental disorders and risk factors for mental disorders in new mothers with depressive symptoms. A score of 13 or higher on the EPDS was considered a screen-positive (n=149). The first 150 women fulfilling the criteria to screen negative (=12 on the EPDS) served as the controls. The EPDS is a 10-item self report scale that was developed by Cox et al (1987). Out of the women who screened positive, 126 (86%) were diagnosed during face-to-face interviews with a current mental disorder or risk factor for mental disorders. Screen-positive women were also more often smokers (p<0.001) and were unemployed or on sick leave (p<0.001). Depression and anxiety, along with severe fear of childbirth were more common among the screen-positive women (p<0.001). Screen-positive women also used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) more than controls (p<0.001). There was no difference between groups regarding eating disorders. The findings suggest that the EPDS may useful in detecting symptoms of depression and comorbid mental disorders during pregnancy.
References:
Cox et al. BrJ Psychiatry 1987;150:782-786.
Lilliecreutz et al. Acta Obste Gynecol Scand 2021;00:1-7. Abstract
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