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Family caregiver role and premenstrual syndrome as associated factors for postnatal depression

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to identify sociodemographic, psychopathological, and obstetric risk factors associated with postnatal depression (PND) and their relative weight. A cross-sectional two-stage design was used. All consecutive women receiving a routine check-up 6 weeks postpartum at Obstetric Services during a 1-year period were included. In the first stage, women completed the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS). In the second stage, mothers with EPDS scores ≥9 and a randomized sample of 16% with EPDS <9 were explored through a structured clinical interview to diagnose DSM-IV PND (major and minor depression). Variables were entered into stepwise regression models. A total of 1,201 women were recruited and did the EPDS; 261 women with EPDS scores ≥9 and 151 with EPDS scores <9 were selected. Three hundred and thirty-four women agreed to be interviewed and 100 were diagnosed with PND. Family caregiver role (defined as women who have to take care of handicapped or ill relatives) was associated with a 4.4-fold increase in risk for major PND (OR: 4.39, 95%CI: 1.10-17.38). Premenstrual syndrome was identified as an independent risk factor for major and minor PND (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.03-3.18). Moreover, previous depression, poor partner relationship, and lower social support were also confirmed as risk factors for PND. Both family caregiver role and premenstrual syndrome should be considered for inclusion in the rating scales of pregnant women at risk for PND.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grant no. 7/98 from the Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales, Instituto de la Mujer, Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unitat de Psiquiatría Perinatal i de Recerca de Gènere, Hospital Clínic Universitari de Barcelona, seu Maternitat, c/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Lluïsa Garcia-Esteve, Purificación Navarro, Anna Torres & Estel Gelabert

  2. Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Carlos Ascaso & Jaume Aguado

  3. IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain

    Carlos Ascaso

  4. Psychiatry Department, Neurosciences Clinic Institute, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain

    Rocío Martín-Santos

Authors
  1. Lluïsa Garcia-Esteve
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  2. Purificación Navarro
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  3. Carlos Ascaso
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  4. Anna Torres
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  5. Jaume Aguado
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  6. Estel Gelabert
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  7. Rocío Martín-Santos
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Correspondence to Lluïsa Garcia-Esteve.

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Garcia-Esteve, L., Navarro, P., Ascaso, C. et al. Family caregiver role and premenstrual syndrome as associated factors for postnatal depression. Arch Womens Ment Health 11, 193–200 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0012-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0012-y

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