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Preeclampsia and depression: a case–control study in Tehran

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted to determine the correlation between preeclampsia and depression.

Methods

Participants in this study included 156 cases with preeclampsia and 156 controls without any history of preeclampsia who were all newly admitted to antepartum wards, emergency room wards, and labor and delivery wards of the study hospitals (Valieasr, Shariatti, Mirza Koochak Khan, Shahid Akbar Abadi, Baharloo and Arash). They consented and completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, obstetric, delivery and infant information and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess their depression status. Data were analyzed through independent t test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test and multiple regression by SPSS and STATA.

Results

Moderate to severe depression was found in 31.2% of the cases and 24.8% of the controls. Women with no depression in comparison with women with mild depression had a 1.81-fold (95% CI 1.05–3.14; P = 0.03) increased risk of preeclampsia, while moderate to severe depression correlated with a 2.52-fold increase (95% CI 1.05–6.02; P = 0.03) after adjustment of the probable confounding variables.

Discussion

With regard to the high prevalence of moderate to severe depression and its association with preeclampsia, our findings support and suggest efforts for screening depression among pregnant women and appropriate educational studies for mental and psychological problems during pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their thanks to Miss Maryam Vizheh for her comments and Mrs Zahra Rezaei Habibabadi for her assistance with the data collection. We also thank all of the women who took part in the study.

Conflict of interest

This research was financially supported by a grant from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (Grant Number: 88-03-16-9350).

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Correspondence to Roghieh Kharaghani.

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Kharaghani, R., Geranmaye, M., Janani, L. et al. Preeclampsia and depression: a case–control study in Tehran. Arch Gynecol Obstet 286, 249–253 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2260-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2260-3

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