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Screening and diagnosing postpartum depression: when and how?

Triagem e diagnóstico de depressão pós-parto: quando e como?

Abstract

Introduction:

Prevalence rates of postpartum depression (PPD) vary widely, depending on the methodological parameters used in studies: differences in study populations, diagnostic methods, and postpartum time frame. There is also no consensus on the ideal time to perform screening, on whether PPD can only be diagnosed in the early postnatal period, or on how soon after a delivery depression may be related to it.

Objective:

To review which instruments have been used over recent years to screen and diagnose PPD and the prevailing periods of diagnosis.

Methods:

Only articles published within 5 years and related exclusively to screening and diagnosis were selected. The sample comprised 22 articles.

Results:

The Edinburgh Posnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was the most common screening tool, used in 68% of the sample (15 articles), followed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (27%, 6 articles), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (18%, 4 articles). Screening time frame was reported in 21/22 articles: 0 to 3 months postpartum in 9 (43%), up to 6 months in 4 (19%), and up to 12 months or more in 8 (38%). In short, 13 articles screened during the first 6 months (59%) while only 8 (36%) screened up to 1 year.

Conclusion:

The most frequent PPD diagnosis tool was the EPDS, but other scales were also used. The most common period for diagnosis was up to 3 months postpartum. However, some researchers diagnosed PPD 12 months or more postpartum. Greater standardization of parameters for investigation of this disease is needed.

Keywords:
Postpartum depression; perinatal depression; postnatal depression; screening; diagnosis

Resumo

Introdução:

A prevalência de depressão pós-parto (DPP) varia consideravelmente dependendo dos parâmetros metodológicos utilizados: diferentes populações, métodos de diagnóstico e o tempo pós-parto considerado. Também não há consenso sobre o momento ideal para a triagem, se a DPP pode ser diagnosticada apenas no período puerperal, e por quanto tempo após o parto a depressão pode ser relacionada a ele.

Objetivo:

Revisar os instrumentos mais usados recentemente para rastreamento e diagnóstico de DPP e os períodos predominantes de diagnóstico.

Métodos:

Foram selecionados apenas artigos relacionados exclusivamente ao rastreio e diagnóstico publicados num período de 5 anos. A amostra incluiu 22 artigos.

Resultados:

A Escala de Depressão Pós-Parto de Edimburgo (EPDS) foi a ferramenta mais frequente, utilizada em 68% da amostra (15 artigos), seguida pelo Inventário de Depressão de Beck (27%, 6 artigos) e o Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (18%, 4 artigos). O tempo de rastreio foi definido em 21/22 artigos: 0-3 meses pós-parto em 9 (43%), < 6 meses em 4 (19%), e ≤ 12 meses em 8 (38%). Treze artigos selecionaram as mulheres durante os primeiros 6 meses (59%), enquanto apenas 8 (36%) o fizeram até 1 ano.

Conclusão:

A EPDS foi o instrumento mais utilizado para o diagnóstico de DPP, mas outras escalas também foram aplicadas. O período mais comum para o diagnóstico foi de < 3 meses pós-parto. No entanto, alguns pesquisadores consideraram o diagnóstico de PPD em ≤ 12 meses após o parto. Há necessidade de maior padronização de parâmetros em relação à investigação desta doença.

Descritores:
Depressão pós-parto; depressão perinatal; triagem; diagnóstico

Introduction

There is a long-standing association between mood swings and the postnatal period.11 Miller LJ. Postpartum depression. JAMA. 2002;287:762-5. Many women experience major changes in mood and/or anxiety.22 Pereira PK, Lovisi GM. Prevalência da depressão gestacional e fatores associados. Rev Psiquiatr Clin. 2008;35:144-53. Postpartum is also considered a time of heightened vulnerability to onset of psychiatric disorders.33 Cantilino A. Por um consenso conceitual e metodológico nas pesquisas em depressão pós-parto. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2010;59:257. Nevertheless, detection and treatment rates for perinatal depression and anxiety are alarmingly low.44 Goodman JH, Tyer-Viola L. Detection, treatment, and referral of perinatal depression and anxiety by obstetrical providers. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2010;19:477-90.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is considered the most important postpartum psychiatric disorder because prevalence rates are elevated, ranging from 10 to 20% in most studies,55 Moraes IG, Pinheiro RT, Silva RA, Horta BL, Sousa PL, Faria AD. [Prevalence of postpartum depression and associated factors]. Rev Saude Publica. 2006;40:65-70. and because of the impact it has on the lives of mothers, their families, and their children.66 Robinson GE, Stewart DE. Psychological aspects of women's health care. In: Stotland NL, Stewart DE, editors. Postpartum disorders. 2nd ed. Washington: American Psychiatry Press; 2001. p. 117-39. Additionally, women who develop postpartum depression are at greater risk of relapses during subsequent pregnancies and of developing a major depressive disorder (MDD) outside the perinatal period.77 Hayes DK, Ta VM, Hurwitz EL, Mitchell-Box KM, Fuddy LJ. Disparities in self-reported postpartum depression among Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women in Hawaii: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2004-2007. Matern Child Health J. 2010;14:765-73.

The prevalence of PPD varies widely because of a lack of uniformity in the methodological parameters used in research, such as differences in study populations, methods of diagnosis, and the postpartum time frame considered.88 Lobato G, Moraes CL, Reichenheim ME. Magnitude da depressão pós-parto no Brasil: uma revisão sistemática. Rev Bras Saude Mater Infant. 2011;11:369-79. These variations can even be observed within the same country. For example, in India rates ranging from 699 Dubey C, Gupta N, Bhasin S, Muthal RA, Arora R. Prevalence and associated risk factors for postpartum depression in women attending a tertiary hospital, Delhi, India. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2012;58:577-80. to 45%1010 Divakar H, Girish N, Gururaj G. Use of Edinborough Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in a private obstetrics setting. J Obstet Gynecol India. 2008;58:41-4. and in Brazil rates from 12 to 37%1111 Lobato G, Moraes CL, Dias AS, Reichenheim ME. Postpartum depression according to time frames and sub-groups: a survey in primary health care settings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2011;14:187-93. have been observed. The reasons for this are not limited to sociocultural characteristics of study populations, but also include differences in the methodologies used in the studies.

Screening tools for health care settings are an important component of recommended depression treatment guidelines and of provision of mental health services.1212 Flynn HA, Sexton M, Ratliff S, Porter K, Zivin K. Comparative performance of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in pregnant and postpartum women seeking psychiatric services. Psychiatry Res. 2011;187:130-4. In their Committee Opinion on screening for perinatal depression, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists1313 Committee on Obstetric Practice. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion no. 630. Screening for perinatal depression. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125:1268-71. recommend seven screening tests that have been validated for use during pregnancy and the postpartum period - the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung SDS) - but they do not provide specific guidance on which are more appropriate in particular settings or on the best time frame for detection of PPD.

The instruments most frequently used to diagnose PPD are the same as those administered to detect MDD: the Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders1414 First MB, Spitzer RL, Gibbon M, Williams JB. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders, Research Version, Non-Patient Edition (SCID-I/NP). New York: Biometrics Research; 2002. and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).1515 Sheehan DV, Lecrubier Y, Sheehan KH, Amorim P, Janavs J, Weiller E, et al. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59:22-33.

There is also no consensus on the ideal time to conduct screening, whether it is only possible to diagnose PPD during the puerperal period, or on how soon after a delivery depression may be related to it.33 Cantilino A. Por um consenso conceitual e metodológico nas pesquisas em depressão pós-parto. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2010;59:257. Timely recognition of maternal distress, both physical and psychological, during the course of pregnancy and in the postpartum period, are important concerns for health care professionals.1616 Zubaran C, Foresti K, Schumacher MV, Amoretti AL, Thorell MR, Müller LC. The correlation between postpartum depression and health status. Matern Child Health J. 2010;14:751-7.

It is necessary to define the most appropriate time and method for detecting PPD, so interventions to reduce this condition's impact on maternal and child health can be developed. This study aims to review which instruments have been used over recent years for screening and diagnosis of PPD, and what are the prevailing periods of time during which this diagnosis has been made.

Methods

This review is part of a broader study based on a protocol that conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) model. The methodological protocol was constructed by one of the authors as part of his master's dissertation and published in the annals of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco.1717 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG; PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ. 2009;339:b2535.,1818 Moraes GP. Revisão sistemática dos parâmetros metodológicos utilizados nos artigos científicos sobre os instrumentos de pesquisa e o tempo relacionados a triagem, diagnóstico e avaliação da depressão pós-parto (dissertation). Recife: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; 2015. For this study, the PRISMA model was not followed rigorously.

Searches were run on three databases, MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS, using the clinical terms postpartum depression, postnatal depression, perinatal depression and puerperal depression in publication titles, plus one of the diagnostic terms screening, diagnosis, diagnostic, evaluation, interview, questionnaire, scale, score, cut-off, or time, in either title or abstract.

Inclusion criteria were original articles published in English during the previous 5 years (up to June 30, 2014) describing studies of female humans and containing at least one of the terms, referring to instruments used in screening, diagnosis, evaluation, or time for assessment of PPD, in the title or abstract. Articles were excluded if they were not original, were review papers (except for meta-analyses), or were case reports. We only included papers in which the main objectives were related to diagnosis and/or screening.

Two reviewers assessed the results of the search, screening titles and abstracts to select articles according to the inclusion criteria. The degree of agreement between them was evaluated using the kappa statistic. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Only one of the authors reviewed the full-text of the articles selected.

Results

The initial search using clinical terms identified 2,057 papers. Of these, 722 had one or more of the diagnostic terms in the title or abstract. After application of exclusion criteria, 372 items remained. After removal of 16 duplicates, a total of 356 abstracts were read by two reviewers and those that did not meet the inclusion criteria for the study were excluded. The result of the Kappa test used to assess the level of agreement between reviewers was 0.72 (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.62-0.82). After disagreements had been discussed, a total of 181 abstracts were included. Of these, the full texts of 5 were not retrieved and 22 were excluded after reading because they did not meet inclusion criteria. The total sample comprised 154 articles.

To fulfill the primary objective, each article was classified according to 6 categories: risk factors and etiology; prevalence; screening and diagnostic instrument validation; prevention and treatment; and consequences. Only items related to screening and diagnosis were used to achieve the objectives defined for this paper. The resulting sample comprised 22 articles (12% of a total sample of 154 papers that was compiled for the original Universidade Federal de Pernambuco publication) (Table 1).

Table 1
Studies and screening tools

The EPDS was the most frequent screening tool, used in 68% of the sample (15 articles), followed by the BDI-II (27%, 6 articles), the PHQ-9 (18%, 4 articles), and the CES-D (9%, 1 article). The PDSS was only used in one study.16 The SCID diagnostic questionnaire was used in 6 studies (27%). Some articles used more than one instrument. Other questionnaires used were the General Health Questionnare-12 (GHQ-12), the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), none of which are specifically for postpartum depression. When using the EPDS, the mean cutoff score was 11.5 (range 10 to 14), while the most frequently used score was 10.

With regard to the time frame for detection of postpartum depression, 21 of the 22 studies defined the screening time frame. Nine studies used from 0 to 3 months postpartum (43%), four from 4 to 6 months (19%), and eight from 7 to 12 months or more (38%). In other terms, 13 articles screened during the first 6 months (59%) while only 8 (36%) conducted screening between 7 months and 1 year. More specifically, in the first of these groups, only 5 out of 13 papers made diagnoses during the first 6 weeks postpartum, considered the upper time limit according to diagnostic manuals.

Discussion

This study shows the importance of the EPDS as the most common instrument for PPD screening. In the early 90s, the BDI was the screening tool most commonly used by researchers to detect PPD.3838 Beck CT. The effects of postpartum depression on maternal-infant interaction: a meta-analysis. Nurs Res. 1995;44:298-304. An important limitation of that instrument, and of all others created for screening depression in general, is the inclusion of several somatic symptoms. At this stage, it becomes difficult to distinguish between normal physiological reactions and symptoms of postpartum depression.3939 Whiffen VE. Screening for postpartum depression: a methodological note. J Clin Psychol. 1988;44:367-71. Because of this, specific instruments to detect PPD have been developed, like the EPDS and the PDSS. The EPDS was developed specifically to avoid over-identification of PPD based on "physical" symptoms such as fatigue, weight and appetite changes, and problems with sleeping that can be suggestive of depression but are a normal part of postpartum recovery.2222 Yawn BP, Pace W, Wollan PC, Bertram S, Kurland M, Graham D, et al. Concordance of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess increased risk of depression among postpartum women. J Am Board Fam Med. 2009;22:483-91. These scales focus on the cognitive and affective features of depression.2525 Lau Y, Wong DF, Chan KS. The utility of screening for perinatal depression in the second trimester among Chinese: a three-wave prospective longitudinal study. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010;13:153-64.

Of all the tools specifically developed to detect PPD, the EPDS40 is the most often used in research. It was developed to help health professionals in selecting community samples of mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.4141 Boyd RC, Le HN, Somberg R. Review of screening instruments for postpartum depression. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2005;8:141-53. It is a self-report instrument containing 10 questions about symptoms of depression present in the preceding 7 days. Each question is rated on a scale of 0 to 3, and total scores can range from 0 to 30.40 The cutoffs selected by the authors of the scale for women after childbirth are 9/10 for possible depression or a minor depressive disorder, and 12/13 for probable depression or MDD. For studies in pregnant women a cutoff point of 14/15 for probable depression is used.4242 Gibson J, McKenzie-McHarg K, Shakespeare J, Price J, Gray R. A systematic review of studies validating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in antepartum and postpartum women. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2009;119:350-64. The EPDS has been used in more than 20 countries for identification of PPD symptoms with significant levels of sensitivity (86%) and specificity (78%) and offers the advantage of being free of charge.4343 Harvey ST, Pun PK. Analysis of positive Edinburgh Depression Scale referrals to a consultation liaison psychiatric service in a two-year period. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2007;16:161-7. It is easy to apply and has good acceptability. It has been recommended for detection of depression, not only after birth but also during pregnancy.4444 Elisei S, Lucarini E, Murgia N, Ferranti L, Attademo L. Perinatal depression: a study of prevalence and of risk and protective factors. Psychiatr Danub. 2013;25:S258-62. Many researchers question using the scale alone for diagnosis of PPD, because even though it is considered a good tool for screening for PPD, it has not been validated as a diagnostic tool.4545 Figueira P, Corrêa H, Malloy-Diniz L, Romano-Silva MA. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for screening in the public health system. Rev Saude Publica. 2009;43:79-84. It is important to bear in mind that the gold standard for diagnosis remains a diagnostic interview performed by a trained professional.1919 Horowitz JA, Murphy CA, Gregory KE, Wojcik J. Best practices: community-based postpartum depression screening: results from the CARE study. Psychiatr Serv. 2009;60:1432-4.

Since it is the most used tool, this review examined the EPDS cutoff scores used in the studies. The cutoff score depends on several factors, including the purpose of use. If the goal is to identify as many cases of possible, lower values should be considered, thereby increasing the instrument's sensitivity. In contrast, if the aim is to find cases close to full diagnosis, the specificity of the instrument must be increased by raising the cutoff score.4242 Gibson J, McKenzie-McHarg K, Shakespeare J, Price J, Gray R. A systematic review of studies validating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in antepartum and postpartum women. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2009;119:350-64. The EPDS is considered a sensitive (96%) screening tool for PPD, but is only moderately specific (82%) (positive predictive value: 23%) when a score of ≥ 10 is used, to provide an indication that further assessment is warranted.2222 Yawn BP, Pace W, Wollan PC, Bertram S, Kurland M, Graham D, et al. Concordance of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess increased risk of depression among postpartum women. J Am Board Fam Med. 2009;22:483-91.,4646 Murray L, Carothers AD. The validation of the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale on a community sample. Br J Psychiatry. 1990;157:288-90. The low cutoff values observed in this review lead to the assumption that the studies included were intended to detect the greatest number of possible cases of postpartum depression.

Another objective of this study was to explore the time frame most frequently used for detection of PPD. In this regard, we observed that almost half of the studies included explored the range of from birth to 3 months postpartum, followed by more than one third of the sample focusing on the range of 7 to 12 months. These findings show that the period of risk for postpartum depression extends beyond the range of the first 4 to 6 weeks that is proposed by the current diagnostic manuals. The findings also indicate that the estimated time for postpartum depression goes well beyond the early weeks from birth up to one year after delivery. This is of great importance to developing screening strategies and specific therapeutic approaches for this type of depression.

A meta-analysis conducted by O'Hara and Swain showed a prevalence rate of postpartum depression of 13%, based on studies that evaluated symptoms from at least 2 weeks after delivery up to 3 months beyond this period.4747 O'Hara MW, Swain AM. Rates and risk of postpartum depression: a meta-analysis. Int Rev Psychiatry. 1996;8:37-54. Gaynes et al. reported that the point-prevalence of major depression alone ranged from 1.0 to 5.9% at different times during the first year after delivery.4848 Gaynes BN, Gavin N, Meltzer-Brody S, Lohr KN, Swinson T, Gartlehner G, et al. Perinatal depression: prevalence, screening accuracy, and screening outcomes. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Summ). 2005;119:1-8. In turn, the results for period prevalence showed that 19.2% (95%CI 10.7-31.9) of new mothers may have major/minor depression in the first 3-months postpartum, with as many as 7.1% (95%CI 4.1-11.7) having major depression. Some other studies have reported that prevalence is higher in the 6 months after birth.4949 Lucero NB, Beckstrand RL, Callister LC, Sanchez Birkhead AC. Prevalence of postpartum depression among Hispanic immigrant women. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2012;24:726-34.,5050 Chaudron LH, Szilagyi PG, Tang W, Anson E, Talbot NL, Wadkins HI, et al. Accuracy of depression screening tools for identifying postpartum depression among urban mothers. Pediatrics. 2010;125:e609-17.

The fourth edition of DSM introduced the "postpartum onset" specifier for women who met the diagnostic criteria for MDD, beginning at up to 4 weeks after birth, and this was not changed in the review of the fourth edition, the DSM-IV-TR.5151 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing; 1994. In the fifth edition, the specifier was changed to "peripartum onset," which could be applied to the current or most recent episode of major depression if onset of mood symptoms occurs during pregnancy or in the 4 weeks following delivery. The diagnosis therefore now includes cases of major depression that have already begun during pregnancy, but the criteria do not extend the postpartum period beyond 4 weeks after birth.

Although the change in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5)5252 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013. encompassing cases of depression beginning in the prenatal period is itself considered a breakthrough, researchers and scholars working on PPD have questioned the short postpartum time covered in the diagnostic manuals, which is very different to what has already become well established in professional practice and in scientific research on the subject.5353 Cox J. Postnatal mental disorder: towards ICD-11. World Psychiatry. 2004;3:96-7. A large group of researchers in the field support extension of the length of time covered in the next revision of the DSM-5,5454 O'Hara MW, McCabe JE. Postpartum depression: current status and future directions. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2013;9:379-407. so that the diagnostic manuals come to reflect what is already being seen in research and clinical practice.

This aspect is of substantial importance since women and health care systems are being encouraged to participate in programs involving depression screening. There is direct and indirect evidence suggesting that screening pregnant and postpartum women for depression may reduce depressive symptoms in women with depression and reduce the prevalence of depression in a given population.5555 O'Connor E, Rossom RC, Henninger M, Groom HC, Burda BU. Primary care screening for and treatment of depression in pregnant and postpartum women: evidence report and systematic review for the US preventive services task force. JAMA. 2016;315:388-406.

This review has some limitations. Regarding the search strategy, for example, the time restriction of the last 5 years limits the number of items identified, but on the other hand it allows recent trends in research on this topic to be observed.

Another potential limitation is the decision to only include original articles, resulting in fewer studies on the subject, but this is justified by the need to use a class of article that is considered the gold standard in terms of scientific methodology.

Another limiting factor refers to the choice of only one language, English. This is because it is the most widely used for scientific communication in different cultures and is the language of scientific publications with the highest impact.

Concerns about the scientific quality of publications make it necessary to use only internationally recognized databases, so this study used MEDLINE (via PubMed), SciELO, and LILACS. The second and third of these could have introduced another search bias, since they are more connected to Latin America.

Conclusions

Despite a significant degree of variation between the studies, the predominant screening tool used was the EPDS. In relation to time of screening, the results indicate that detection of PPD extends far beyond what is currently recommended in the DSM-5, with depressive episodes diagnosed from birth to 1 year after delivery.

This study attempts to highlight the need for greater standardization of parameters in relation to investigation of this disease. Postpartum depression merits special attention to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Therefore, achieving consensus on the duration of the period during which efforts should be made to detect the disorder is very important when new guidelines and strategies for these purposes are being considered and should improve the quality of public health care policies for women.

These results should contribute to progress towards better understanding of this serious disease and therefore to improving care for women during this unique period of their lives, and preventing adverse consequences for mothers and children.

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  • Financial support:

    none.
  • Suggested citation:

    Moraes GP, Lorenzo L, Pontes GA, Montenegro MC, Cantilino A. Screening and diagnosing postpartum depression: when and how? Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017;39(1):54-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0034

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jan-Mar 2017

History

  • Received
    29 Apr 2016
  • Accepted
    02 Aug 2016
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