Hiroko Iwata1, Emi Mori2, Akiko Sakajo2, Kyoko Aoki2, Kunie Maehara2, Koji Tamakoshi3. 1. Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. Electronic address: iwthiroko@faculty.chiba-u.jp. 2. Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. 3. Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are common in postpartum women. The present study aimed to describe changes in the prevalence of depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum, and their association with maternal age and parity. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 3769 women at 13 hospitals in Japan. Depressive symptoms were measured during hospital stay and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum, using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The effects of maternal age and parity were assessed by comparing four groups: younger primiparas (aged <35 years); older primiparas (≥35 years); younger multiparas (<35 years); and older multiparas (≥35 years). Data were analyzed using a mixed between/within-subjects analysis of variance, Cochran's Q tests, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Mean EPDS scores significantly decreased from 1 to 2 months postpartum in all groups. The proportion of women with EPDS scores ≥9 significantly decreased during the same period for primiparas but not for multiparas. Primiparas also had significantly higher EPDS scores than multiparas during hospital stay and at 1 month postpartum. LIMITATIONS: As we used convenience sampling, our study sample was not fully representative of Japanese mothers. This study was also limited by our focus on the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: The first month postpartum represented peak prevalence for depressive symptoms. Primiparity was a risk factor for depressive symptoms only during the first month postpartum. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to postpartum duration and parity when monitoring depressive symptoms.
BACKGROUND:Depressive symptoms are common in postpartum women. The present study aimed to describe changes in the prevalence of depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum, and their association with maternal age and parity. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 3769 women at 13 hospitals in Japan. Depressive symptoms were measured during hospital stay and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum, using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The effects of maternal age and parity were assessed by comparing four groups: younger primiparas (aged <35 years); older primiparas (≥35 years); younger multiparas (<35 years); and older multiparas (≥35 years). Data were analyzed using a mixed between/within-subjects analysis of variance, Cochran's Q tests, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Mean EPDS scores significantly decreased from 1 to 2 months postpartum in all groups. The proportion of women with EPDS scores ≥9 significantly decreased during the same period for primiparas but not for multiparas. Primiparas also had significantly higher EPDS scores than multiparas during hospital stay and at 1 month postpartum. LIMITATIONS: As we used convenience sampling, our study sample was not fully representative of Japanese mothers. This study was also limited by our focus on the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: The first month postpartum represented peak prevalence for depressive symptoms. Primiparity was a risk factor for depressive symptoms only during the first month postpartum. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to postpartum duration and parity when monitoring depressive symptoms.
Authors: Shannon L Gillespie; Amanda M Mitchell; Jennifer M Kowalsky; Lisa M Christian Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2018-07-05 Impact factor: 4.905