Medical and psychosocial determinants of risk of postpartum depression: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of risk of maternal postpartum depression during the second month of puerperium. METHOD: In total, 387 postnatal women filled out a questionnaire concerning their health and social status, as well as the following tests: the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Neo Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) Personality Inventory and the Berlin Social Support Scales. After 4-8 weeks, patients responded to another questionnaire with the EPDS and the PHQ-9. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients (12.40%) were found to be at risk of postpartum depression between the fourth and eighth weeks after delivery. Premenstrual syndrome [adjusted odds ratio (ORa)=2.93, confidence interval (CI) 1.30-6.63] and EPDS>12 points during the first week after the delivery (ORa=3.74, CI 1.59-9.04) increased the risk of postnatal depression. A similar role is played by a high result in neuroticism scale of the NEO-FFI (ORa=1.50, CI 1.17-1.92) and a positive family history of any psychiatric disorder (ORa=1.03, CI 1.01-1.06). CONCLUSION: A history of premenstrual syndrome and a higher risk of affective disorder soon after a childbirth are associated with greater chances of depressive symptoms in the second month postpartum. This is also the case if a patient is neurotic and has a relative with a history of any psychiatric disorder. Such women should have their mental status carefully evaluated.