Study of Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Factors Affecting It During Postnatal Period.

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 
 Background: Anxiety disorders remain the commonest mental disorder in general population. Both these disorders are common in pregnant women and postpartum period and are underdiagnosed. There is a paucity of research on mental disorders and their risk factors among women during postnatal period in India. This study aims to estimate the incidence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression and explore the common associated factors among postnatal women in India.
 Aim: The present study aims to study the incidence and risk factors of generalised anxiety disorders among mothers attending the outpatient department clinic (OPD) for vaccination of their children or gynaecology OPD for follow up.
 Methods: Total of 180 women of postpartum period, up to 6 months, was randomly selected and assessed using self-report questionnaire GAD-7 for GAD. General demographic details were obtained via a revalidated proforma. Incidence and risk factors for both these mental disorders were assessed.
 Results: The incidence of GAD was found to be 31.11%. Primigravida mothers scored higher on GAD-7 score than multigravida mothers and incidence of GAD was also higher in primigravidas mothers (p=0.042). There was no significant association between age of mother, socioeconomic status of mother, and sex of the child born, with development of GAD in the postnatal period. Substance abuse in husband was significantly related to development of GAD in women in postnatal period.
 Conclusion: A significant proportion of women had generalised anxiety disorder. Pregnancy for the first time was associated with increased risk of GAD. Substance abuse by husband is significantly associated with development of GAD and depression during postnatal period.

Prevalence of Perinatal Anxiety and Related Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Given that generalized anxiety disorder was reported across 184 studies, we were able to further interrogate the prevalence of this disorder across important subgroups (Figure 3). While investigating generalized anxiety by country income status, we found a higher prevalence among studies performed in lower-middle–income countries (27.6%; 95% CI, 21.6%-33.9%; 59 studies; n = 25 109) compared with low-income countries (24.0%; 95% CI, 15.3%-33.8%; 11 studies; n = 4961). Upper-middle–income countries had the lowest prevalence (19.1%; 95% CI, 16.0%-22.4%; 110 studies; n = 138 496).…”

“…Among these, the pooled point prevalence was 23.9% (95% CI, 20.5%-27.4%; n = 149 485). The prevalence was significantly lower post partum (16.2%; 95% CI, 12.5%-20.3%; 32 studies; n = 17 960; P = .02). Nine studies measured the prevalence of pregnant and postpartum women, with combined results showing a prevalence of 16.4% (95% CI, 5.9%-30.6%; n = 6108).…”

“…Generalized anxiety disorder (including anxiety not specified) was the most commonly reported anxiety disorder, examined by 184 of 203 studies (90.6%) . The pooled point prevalence for generalized anxiety disorder was 22.2% (95% CI, 19.4%-25.0%; n = 173 553).…”

“…Our search identified 10 617 studies; 1231 full texts were reviewed, and of these, 203 studies were included (Figure 1; eTable 2 in Supplement 1). Cumulatively, outcomes were reported for 212 318 perinatal women (from conception to 12 months post birth) from 33 LMICs. The prevalence estimates of 6 anxiety and related disorders were reported: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and adjustment disorder.…”

“…Next, we assessed the prevalence of generalized anxiety by method of assessment. Screening tools were used in 153 studies (17 different questionnaires), and 30 studies used a structured or semistructured diagnostic interview (8 types). One study used both .…”