Abstract
Introduction
Ante-partum depression (APD) is usually defined as a non-psychotic depressive episode of mild to moderate severity, beginning
in or extending into pregnancy. APD has received less attention than postpartum depression. This is a cross-sectional study
carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OG) departments of four different general hospitals in Italy.
in or extending into pregnancy. APD has received less attention than postpartum depression. This is a cross-sectional study
carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OG) departments of four different general hospitals in Italy.
Methods
Women attending consecutively the OG departments for their first ultrasound examination were asked to fill in the Edinburgh
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in its Italian validated version. We used the total scores of the EPDS as a continuous variable
for univariate and linear regression analyses; in accordance with the literature, the item analysis of EPDS was carried out
by classifying the sample as women with “no depression” (scores 0–9), “possible depression” (scores 10–12), “probable depression”
(scores 13+) and “probable APD” (scores 15+).
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in its Italian validated version. We used the total scores of the EPDS as a continuous variable
for univariate and linear regression analyses; in accordance with the literature, the item analysis of EPDS was carried out
by classifying the sample as women with “no depression” (scores 0–9), “possible depression” (scores 10–12), “probable depression”
(scores 13+) and “probable APD” (scores 15+).
Results
The number of women recruited was 1,608. The EPDS assessment classified 10.9 % of the women as possibly depressed, 8.3 % as
probably depressed and 4.7 % probably affected from an APD. EPDS score distribution was associated with nationality (higher
scores for foreigners), cohabitation (higher scores for women living with friends or in a community), occupation (higher scores
for housewives), past episodes of depression and use of herbal drugs. Non-depressed women had significantly lower values on
all ten items as compared with depressed women, however, the pattern of item distribution on the EPDS scale remained similar
across depression severity groups. In all four groups item 4 (anxious depression) attained the highest scores, while item
10 (suicidality) attained the lowest scores.
probably depressed and 4.7 % probably affected from an APD. EPDS score distribution was associated with nationality (higher
scores for foreigners), cohabitation (higher scores for women living with friends or in a community), occupation (higher scores
for housewives), past episodes of depression and use of herbal drugs. Non-depressed women had significantly lower values on
all ten items as compared with depressed women, however, the pattern of item distribution on the EPDS scale remained similar
across depression severity groups. In all four groups item 4 (anxious depression) attained the highest scores, while item
10 (suicidality) attained the lowest scores.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0511-z
- Authors
- Balestrieri Matteo, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Isola Miriam, Department of Medical and Morphological Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Bisoffi Giulia, Biostatistics Office, University Hospital, Verona, Italy
- Calò Salvatore, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University Hospital “Policlinico Consorziale”, University “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Conforti Anita, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Driul Lorenza, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Marchesoni Diego, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Petrosemolo Paola, Section of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Rossi Michela, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Zito Adriana, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University Hospital “Policlinico Consorziale”, University “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Zorzenone Stefania, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Di Sciascio Guido, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University Hospital “Policlinico Consorziale”, University “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
- Leone Roberto, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Bellantuono Cesario, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954