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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

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01-12-2011 | Materno-fetal Medicine

Identification of antenatal depression in obstetric care

Authors: Judith Alder, Nadine Fink, Corinne Urech, Irene Hösli, Johannes Bitzer

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 6/2011

Abstract

Purpose

Detection rates of depression in obstetric care are generally low, and many women remain undiagnosed and do not receive adequate support. In many obstetric settings, screening tools for depression are not applied routinely and there is a great need to sensitize health care professionals for the patient at risk for enhanced levels of depression. The present study aimed at identifying commonly assessed patient characteristics that are associated with antenatal depression.

Methods

One hundred and thirty seven women were screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the beginning of the second trimester at the outpatient department of a Tertiary University Hospital. Women were identified as at high risk for depression if scores were above a cut-off score of twelve. Obstetric history and outcome were extracted from patient files after delivery.

Results

Twenty one percent of the sample screened as depression positive. Logistic regression with backwards elimination showed that the triad of nausea during pregnancy, reports of (premature) contractions and consumption of analgesics during pregnancy significantly predicted high depression scores with a positive predictive value of 84.3%. The relative risk for a depressed pregnant woman to regularly take analgesics during pregnancy was fourfold higher than for non-depressed women.

Conclusions

If depression screening is not part of routine prenatal care, systematic assessment of depression should be targeted for patients presenting with the markers identified in this study.

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Title: Identification of antenatal depression in obstetric care
Authors: Judith Alder
Nadine Fink
Corinne Urech
Irene Hösli
Johannes Bitzer
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-1872-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Identification of antenatal depression in obstetric care

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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