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18-09-2023 | Mood Disorders | Review Article

Risk factors for relapse or recurrence in women with bipolar disorder and recurrent major depressive disorder in the perinatal period: a systematic review

Authors: Laura Alcantarilla, María López-Castro, Maria Betriu, Anna Torres, Cristina Garcia, Eva Solé, Estel Gelabert, Alba Roca-Lecumberri

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 6/2023

Abstract

It is well known that the perinatal period supposes a considerable risk of relapse for women with bipolar disorder (BD) and recurrent major depressive disorder (rMDD), with the consequences that this entails. Therefore, the authors sought to provide a critical appraisal of the evidence related to specific risk factors for this population with the aim of improving the prevention of relapses during pregnancy and postpartum. The authors conducted a systematic review assessing 18 original studies that provided data on risk factors for relapse or recurrence of BD and/or rMDD in the perinatal period (pregnancy and postpartum). Recurrences of BD and rMDD are more frequent in the postpartum period than in pregnancy, with the first 4–6 weeks postpartum being especially complicated. In addition, women with BD type I are at higher risk than those with BD type II and rMDD, and the most frequent presentation of perinatal episodes of both disorders is a major depressive episode. Other risk factors consistently repeated were early age of onset of illnesses, severity criteria, primiparity, abrupt discontinuation of treatment, and personal or family history of perinatal affective episodes. This review shows that there are common and different risk factors according to the type of disorder and to perinatal timing (pregnancy or postpartum) that should be known for an adequate prevention of relapses.

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Title: Risk factors for relapse or recurrence in women with bipolar disorder and recurrent major depressive disorder in the perinatal period: a systematic review
Authors: Laura Alcantarilla
María López-Castro
Maria Betriu
Anna Torres
Cristina Garcia
Eva Solé
Estel Gelabert
Alba Roca-Lecumberri
Publication date: 18-09-2023
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 6/2023
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01370-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Risk factors for relapse or recurrence in women with bipolar disorder and recurrent major depressive disorder in the perinatal period: a systematic review

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