General Obstetrics and Gynecology: ObstetricsThe onset of postpartum depression: Implications for clinical screening in obstetrical and primary care
Section snippets
Subjects
Three hundred fifteen consecutive referrals to the Emory Women's Mental Health Program for evaluation of PPD were screened for study inclusion. Women were included if they presented during the first postpartum year, fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for major depression, had received no psychotropic medication during the current episode, and were able to describe a clear point of the onset of illness.
Procedures
At initial presentation, participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale,12 Beck
Results
Of 315 women screened for participation, 209 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Prospective participants were excluded for taking psychotropic medication (n = 49), primary diagnosis other than major depressive disorder (n = 29), or inability to recall with specificity the time of the onset of this episode of illness (n = 28). The Figure illustrates that of the 209 women included in the study, 24 (11.5%) reported pregnancy onset (mean onset 21.8 ± 12.7 weeks' gestation), 46 (22.0%) reported late postpartum
Comment
All of the participants in this study fulfilled diagnostic criteria for major depression during the first postpartum year; however, one-third did not experience the onset of illness within the first 6 postpartum weeks. The results of the current study are consistent with previous reports of perinatal depression beginning during pregnancy or later than 6 weeks post partum.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Similarly, the higher rate of single mothers in the pregnancy onset group is consistent with previous data
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Cited by (0)
Supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer, Inc., and a National Institutes of Health K23 Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (D.J.N.).
Dr Stowe is a member of the GlaxoSmithKline Advisory Board.