Postpartum depressive symptoms of Brazilian women during the COVID-19 pandemic measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Abstract

Background : The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to concerns about its potential impact on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women as the general postpartum depression rates increased. Methods : Three postpartum questionnaires (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale – EPDS; Anxiety and Depression Scale – HAD; and a demographic questionnaire about isolation and information acquisition) were used to evaluate the mental health of women with and without COVID-19 and determine the factors associated with depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 12). Results : Data from 184 participants with a mean of 56 postpartum days were analyzed. The rate of symptoms compatible with postpartum depression (PPD) was 38.8%, with a 14.3% positive response to item 10 on the EPDS (suicidal ideation - SI). Listening to the news about COVID-19 averaged 4.45 hours a day. Factors related to PPD were concerns about lack of hospital beds (OR = 2.45), absence of a partner (OR = 2.70), and anxiety symptoms (OR = 10). Factors related to SI were anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.56) and friends as a source of information (OR = 5.60). Limitations : Considering the rapidly changing epidemiological conditions of this pandemic, this study may only be the photograph of an instant. Conclusions : Higher rates of PPD in the Brazilian population are related not only to anxiety but also to an inadequate family environment, kind of information acquisition and concerns about the lack of hospital beds.

Changes in thoughts of self‐harm among postpartum mothers during the prolonged COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan

“…Referral to the psychiatry clinic confirmed the diagnosis of FND, which was most likely due to anxiety-depression. These clinical features are mostly in accord with those of previously reported cases of vaccination-induced FND [3][4][5][6][7] and general FND 1,2 (Table 1).…”

“…1,2 The literature regarding FND after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is quite limited. [3][4][5][6][7] Here, we add the case details of the patients treated at Toho University Hospital, Sakura, Japan, who developed 'neuropathy-mimic' FND soon after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. This was a retrospective study at our hospital in Japan.…”

“…The increased thoughts of self-harm in 2021 and the consistently high score for the EPDS measure of anxiety during the pandemic are consistent with a previous report that suggested that anxiety symptoms could be a predictor of suicidal ideation. 5 While thoughts of self-harm are not the same as suicidal ideation, thoughts of self-harm have been identified as a risk factor and predictor of future suicidal behaviors. 6 Furthermore, a previous study revealed the concurrent validity between the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised measure of suicidality and the score on item 10 of the EPDS in a large sample of postpartum mothers.…”

“…4 A later study, however, identified anxiety symptoms as a predictor of suicidal ideation in postpartum mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 5 Hence, we investigated the long-term effects of the pandemic on self-reported thoughts of self-harm in postpartum mothers until December 2021, using a consecutive database.…”

Análise Das Situações Ginecobstétricas Associadas a Depressão Pós-Parto Em Gestantes E Puérperas Na Pandemia Da Covid-19

“…Ademais, são escassos os estudos que refletem a situação mundial quanto às taxas de DPP durante a pandemia. Todavia, no Brasil, tem-se verificado um aumento de casos de DPP durante a pandemia da COVID-19, por meio de um estudo realizado no Hospital das Clínicas e no Hospital Universitário em São Paulo, no qual das 182 pacientes participantes da pesquisa, 38% tiveram sintomas de DPP (GALLETTA et al, 2022).…”