Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that pregnancy does not protect women from mental illness. The aim of this study was to assess
the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and the risks factors for perinatal depression and anxiety. Five hundred ninety
women between 28th and the 32nd gestational weeks were recruited and submitted to a sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological
interview. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were also administered
in antenatal period and 3 months postnatally. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to diagnose mood
and anxiety disorders. Three months after delivery, EPDS was administered by telephone interview. Women with an EPDS score
≥10 were 129 in antenatal period (21.9%) and 78 in postnatal period (13.2%). During pregnancy 121 women (20.5%) were positive
for STAI-Y state and 149 women (25.3%) for STAI-Y trait. The most important risk factors for antenatal depression are: foreign
nationality, conflictual relationship with family and partner, and lifetime psychiatric disorders. The principal risk factors
for postnatal depression are: psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and artificial reproductive techniques. Psychiatric disorders,
during and preceding pregnancy, are the strongest risk factors for antenatal state and trait anxiety. Antenatal depressive
and anxiety symptoms appear to be as common as postnatal symptoms. These results provide clinical direction suggesting that
early identification and treatment of perinatal affective disorders is particularly relevant to avoid more serious consequences
for mothers and child.
the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and the risks factors for perinatal depression and anxiety. Five hundred ninety
women between 28th and the 32nd gestational weeks were recruited and submitted to a sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological
interview. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were also administered
in antenatal period and 3 months postnatally. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to diagnose mood
and anxiety disorders. Three months after delivery, EPDS was administered by telephone interview. Women with an EPDS score
≥10 were 129 in antenatal period (21.9%) and 78 in postnatal period (13.2%). During pregnancy 121 women (20.5%) were positive
for STAI-Y state and 149 women (25.3%) for STAI-Y trait. The most important risk factors for antenatal depression are: foreign
nationality, conflictual relationship with family and partner, and lifetime psychiatric disorders. The principal risk factors
for postnatal depression are: psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and artificial reproductive techniques. Psychiatric disorders,
during and preceding pregnancy, are the strongest risk factors for antenatal state and trait anxiety. Antenatal depressive
and anxiety symptoms appear to be as common as postnatal symptoms. These results provide clinical direction suggesting that
early identification and treatment of perinatal affective disorders is particularly relevant to avoid more serious consequences
for mothers and child.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-011-0249-8
- Authors
- L. Giardinelli, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- A. Innocenti, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- L. Benni, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- M. C. Stefanini, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- G. Lino, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- C. Lunardi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- V. Svelto, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- S. Afshar, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- R. Bovani, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- G. Castellini, Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Florence, Italy
- C. Faravelli, Department of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816