Keywords
postpartum depression - clinical profile - epidemiological profile - prevalence -
risk factors
Palavras-chave
depressão pós-parto - perfil clínico - perfil epidemiológico - prevalência - fatores
de risco
Introduction
Postpartum depression (PPD) refers to a set of symptoms that includes mood, cognitive,
psychomotor, and vegetative changes. Postpartum depression usually starts between
the fourth and eighth week after delivery, a time marked by hormonal and social changes
in family organization and female identity.[1] The prevalence of PPD worldwide is 5 to 20%, while in Brazil it is between 12 and
37%.[2]
[3]
[4]
In the puerperium, abrupt changes in the levels of thyroid and gonadal hormones, oxytocin
levels and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occur. In addition to biological
changes, maternity is marked by important psychological, social, sexual and financial
changes.[3]
[5]
[6] The combination of these factors in the postpartum period characterizes the puerperium
as a period of great vulnerability for the appearance of psychiatric disorders, such
as baby blues and puerperal psychoses, or for the precipitation of anxiety disorders.[6]
In puerperal mood disorders, we have two other categories in addition to postpartum
depression: baby blues (maternity blues, melancholy of motherhood or puerperal dysphoria)
and puerperal psychoses.[1]
[3]
[6]
Baby blues are characterized by milder depression, reaching ∼ 60% of new mothers between
the 3rd and 5th day postpartum, and usually have spontaneous remission. The clinical picture includes
easy crying, affective lability, irritability, and hostile behavior with family and
companions. Women with puerperal dysphoria do not require pharmacological intervention;
the approach is designed to provide adequate emotional support, understanding and
help in caring for the baby.[1]
[3]
[6]
Puerperal psychosis is the most serious mental disorder that can occur in the puerperium
and is a risk situation for the occurrence of suicide or infanticide. It has a prevalence
ranging from 0.2 to 1%, and its onset is usually rapid. Psychotic and affective symptoms
settle in the early days, and include euphoria, irritable mood, logorrhea, agitation
and insomnia, evolving with delusions, persecutory ideas, hallucinations, and disorganized
behavior. Infanticide usually occurs when delusional ideas involve the baby. Since
the picture of puerperal psychosis is severe, hospitalization is usually required.[1]
[3]
[6]
Anxiety disorders may also be exacerbated or precipitated in the puerperium, especially
generalized anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive
disorder.[3]
The factors strongly associated with PPD are: personal history of depression, depressive
or anxious during pregnancy, stressful life events, poor social and financial support,
and conflicting marital relationships. Other likely risk factors are family history
of psychiatric disorders, previous maternity blues episode, low level of schooling,
and low self-esteem. Obstetric complications, premature delivery, difficulty in breastfeeding,
cultural factors, history of sexual abuse or unwanted pregnancies are also associated.[1]
[2]
[3]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
The puerperal depressive disorders affect the mother-child binomial, causing serious
changes in the psychosocial and family dynamics, with significant impairment in the
structure of the psyche of the child.[7]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14] The figure that should be nurturing becomes the figure that neglects and does not
provide the child with the demands that the age requires. In addition, these disorders
cause weariness in the relationship of the puerpera with her relatives and with her
partner, and increase the possibility of auto and heteroaggression.[1]
[2]
[3]
[15]
The diagnosis of PPD is not always easy and unequivocal, since the clinical picture
can be varied in the presentation and intensity of the symptoms and can be neglected
by the puerperium itself and by its relatives.[8]
[9] As one of the diagnostic tools, there is the Postpartum Depression Self-Assessment
Scale. It is a scale with the presence and intensity of depressive symptoms in the
7 days prior to its application, which is quick and simple to use, and has high sensitivity
and specificity.[2]
[8]
[10]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
There are few data on the disease/age or status of patients with PPD in Salvador.
Furthermore, it is known that less than 25% of postpartum women have access to treatment,
and only 50% of PPD cases are diagnosed during clinical exercise.[10] These facts emphasize the importance of approaching the theme, and of reassessing
the need to expand the horizon of research in this area in Salvador, state of Bahia.
This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological clinical profile of patients with
suspected PPD in a reference public maternity hospital in Salvador, Bahia, from June
to September 2017, to determine the prevalence of PPD in the patients studied; to
describe the frequency of factors associated with the development of PPD, and to evaluate
the association between social determinants and PPD in the patients studied.
Methods
This research is a cross-sectional study performed with 151 postpartum women attended
at a reference maternity hospital in Salvador, state of Bahia (Maternidade Climério
de Oliveira [MCO, in the Portuguese acronym]).
Data collection took place through the application of two instruments: the first was
the Postpartum Depression Self-Assessment Scale or Edinburgh Score—it contains 10
questions, each with a maximum score of 3 points ([Appendix A]). The second was a questionnaire to evaluate clinical, social and economic variables,
applied only to postpartum women who reached a score of 10 or more (meaning possible
depression) ([Appendix B]). The questionnaires aimed at selecting women with suspected PPD and to draw the
clinical and epidemiological profile of the latter.
Appendix A Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
Appendix B Questionnaire on clinical and epidemiological characteristics.
For the clinical state, we analyzed: the most prevalent symptoms, personal history
(history of depression or other psychiatric disorders) and the date of the first event
(if any), family history, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) or complications
in relation to the baby (prematurity, malformations etc). For the epidemiological
profile, we analyzed: age, ethnicity/color, place of birth and origin, marital status,
educational level, occupation, pregnancy (planned/unplanned), number of pregnancies,
abortion or not, family income, living conditions and psychosocial conditions (did
the father acknowledge paternity of the child? Is there family support?)
The women who had recently given birth were approached in the ward units of the MCO.
At the initial approach, the Term of Free and Informed Consent or the Term of Assent
for children under 18 years were applied. In that first moment, the researchers got
the phone numbers of the participants, explaining that they would be contacted by
telephone within a period from 4 to 8 weeks for the application of the questionnaires.
Faced with the fact that most symptoms of PPD occur within 4 to 8 weeks postpartum,
it is clear that this is the time interval to undergo the application of the questionnaires
so that they are the more reliable.
The measure was of convenience, and women who delivered their children at the MCO
between May and September 2017 were included. The women who delivered outside the
delimited time period were excluded from the study. The dates were tabulated and analyzed
by Excel Microsoft XP (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA), through tables, as this
is a quantitative research, in addition to having subsidies to the pertinent literature.
All postpartum women with suspected PPD (those who scored ≥ 10 on the Edinburgh Scale)
were sent to the psychiatry services of the MCO, where they were cared for and given
all the necessary care.
This study complies with Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council and
was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Salvador with the
participation of the MCO under protocol no. 2,087,464 and CAAE n° 64729517.0.0000.5033.
Results
Based on the evaluation of the 151 postpartum women attended at the MCO, 30 women
were identified for suspected PPD, which means a prevalence of 19.8%.
Among the 30 postpartum women, the ages varied from 15 to 40 years (average of = 24.43
years), with a higher percentage for the age group from 20 to 24 (46.7Single mothers
(13 ; 43.3%), women with complete fundamental education (15 ; 50.0%), those with black
skin color (14 ; 46.7%), those born in Salvador, BA (18 (; 60%), those residing in
Salvador-BA 25 (83; 3%), housewives (15 ; 50%), women with an average income of up
to a minimum wage (18 ; 60%), women living with husband/partner and children (15 ;
50%), and those living in their own home (15 ; 50.0%) were more prevalent ([Table 1]).
Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of puerperal women with suspected postpartum depression
(PPD)
Characteristics
|
n (%)
|
Age group (years)
|
|
15–19
|
05 (16.7)
|
20–24
|
14 (46.7)
|
25–40
|
11 (36.7)
|
Marital status
|
|
Single
|
13 (43.3)
|
Stable bond
|
12 (40.0)
|
Married
|
05 (16.7)
|
Education
|
|
Never studied
|
01 (3.3)
|
Incomplete fundamental
|
04 (13.3)
|
Complete fundamental
|
02 (6.7)
|
Incomplete high school
|
07 (23.3)
|
Complete high school
|
15 (50.0)
|
Incomplete college
|
01 (3.3)
|
Skin color
|
|
Black
|
14 (46.7)
|
Brown
|
13 (43.3)
|
White
|
02 (6.7)
|
Indigenous
|
01 (3.3)
|
Place of birth
|
|
Salvador, BA
|
18 (60.0)
|
Cities in the countryside of Bahia
|
09 (30.0)
|
Cities in other Brazilian states
|
02 (6.7)
|
Cities in other countries
|
01 (3.3)
|
Place of residence
|
|
Salvador, BA
|
25 (83.3)
|
Cities in the countryside of Bahia
|
05 (16.7)
|
Occupation
|
|
Housewife
|
15 (50.0)
|
Unemployed
|
04 (13.3)
|
Student
|
04 (13.3)
|
Saleswoman
|
02 (6.6)
|
Bar owner
|
01 (3.3)
|
Nanny
|
01 (3.3)
|
Manicurist
|
01 (3.3)
|
Cash operator
|
01 (3.3)
|
Telemarketing clerk
|
01 (3.3)
|
[*]
Monthly family income (minimum wages)
|
|
Up to 1
|
18 (60.0)
|
From 1–3
|
11 (36.7)
|
[**] NI
|
01 (33.3)
|
Lives with
|
|
Spouse/partner and children
|
15 (50.0)
|
Children (only)
|
02 (6.6)
|
Others (father, mother, brother/sister, in-laws, brother or sister-in-law, friends)
|
13 (43.3)
|
Place of residence
|
|
Own house
|
15 (50.0)
|
Rented house
|
08 (26.7)
|
Own apartment
|
03 (10.0)
|
Rented apartment
|
04 (13.3)
|
* Minimum salary in force = R$ 937.00.
** NI = Not informed.
Regarding the clinical characteristics of postpartum women, there was a higher prevalence
of those with only one pregnancy 14 (46.7%), one childbirth 17 (56.7%), no abortion
22 (73.3%), unplanned pregnancy 24 (80%), who had undergone prenatal consultation
30 (100%), and of these, 21 (70%) had ≥ 6.
During the current gestation, 19 postpartum women reported comorbidities (63.3%),
some related to themselves, such as: deep sadness, toxoplasmosis, gestational hypertension,
isthmus-cervical insufficiency, uterine myoma, gestational diabetes, HIV virus complications;
and others related to the newborn: prematurity, jaundice, convulsion, cardiac anomaly
and death.
Only 5 postpartum women had a personal history of psychiatric disorders (16.7%) and
10 reported a family history of psychiatric disorder (33.3%), with depression prevailing
in 9 of them (90%). Of all the patients analyzed, only 1 (3.3%) was being followed
up by a mental health professional and being treated for her condition ([Table 2]).
Table 2
Clinical characteristics of puerperal women with suspected postpartum depression (PPD)
Characteristics
|
n (%)
|
Number of pregnancies
|
|
1
|
14 (46.7)
|
2–4
|
13 (43.3)
|
From 5–7
|
03 (10.0)
|
Number of births
|
|
1
|
17 (56.7)
|
2–4
|
12 (40.0)
|
5–7
|
01 (3.3)
|
Number of abortions
|
|
0
|
22 (73.3)
|
1
|
04 (13.3)
|
2–4
|
04 (13.3)
|
Was the pregnancy planned?
|
|
Yes
|
06 (20.0)
|
No
|
24 (80.0)
|
Did you attend to prenatal care visits?
|
|
Yes
|
30 (100.0)
|
No
|
0 (0)
|
Number of visits performed during prenatal care
|
|
1–5
|
09 (30.0)
|
≥ 6
|
21 (70.0)
|
Did you have problems during the current gestation?
|
|
Yes
|
19 (63.3)
|
No
|
11 (36.7)
|
Do you have a personal history of psychiatric disorders?
|
|
Yes
|
05 (16.7)
|
No
|
25 (83.3)
|
Do you have a family history of psychiatric disorders?
|
|
Yes
|
10 (33.3)
|
No
|
20 (66.7)
|
Regarding the psychosocial factors, there was a predominance of postpartum women who
reported having the father of the child present 24 (80%), receiving family support
17 (56.7%) and presenting prevailing health-related symptoms during pregnancy and
puerperium mental illness 28 (93.3%). Among these symptoms, sadness (33.3%) and tiredness
(10%) predominated ([Table 3]).
Table 3
Psychosocial characteristics of postpartum women with suspected postpartum depression
(PPD)
Characteristics
|
n (%)
|
Is the father present? (acknowledged paternity of the child)
|
|
Yes
|
24 (80.0)
|
No
|
06 (20.0)
|
Is there family support?
|
|
Yes
|
17 (56.7)
|
No
|
09 (30.0)
|
More or less
|
04 (13.3)
|
Are there any prevalent symptoms related to mental health?
|
|
Yes
|
28 (93.3)
|
No
|
02 (6.7)
|
Discussion
There are many risk factors, besides genetic predisposition, associated with PPD,
such as socioeconomic and epidemiological factors, which make PPD a multifactorial
condition. Although its etiology is not clearly known, some factors may contribute
to the precipitation of PPD, among which the following are cited: low socioeconomic
status; non-acceptance of pregnancy; greater number of pregnancies, previous childbirths
and living children; shorter relationship time with partner; history of obstetric
problems; longer skin-to-skin contact with the baby after birth; domestic violence;
little support from the partner; overloading tasks; and conflicting experience of
motherhood.[1]
[2]
[20]
[21]
[22]
The prevalence of PPD found in this study (19.8%) was within the numbers often found
in the literature, which range from 10 to 20% of women, and can start within the 1st week after delivery and last up to 2 years.[1] The prevalence of PPD was high in this study, in agreement with other Brazilian
studies, which makes it a public health problem in the country.
In this research, 46.6% of postpartum women had not finished high school or had not
even started it, and 50% had completed high school. Added to this, there is the fact
that only 1 mother (3.3%) had higher education. These education standards are in agreement
with other analyzed studies and corroborate the idea that low educational level may
contribute to the development of PPD.[22]
[23]
[24]
Some studies still provide a view between age and PPD: younger mothers presented depressive
symptoms more frequently. The present study did not verify statistical relevance related
to the age of the mother, since out of the 30 patients with probable PPD, the majority
(14) were between 20 and 24 years of age, 11 were between 25 and 40 years old and
only 5 patients were between the ages of 15 and 19, considered at greater risk.[18]
[25]
Several studies point out as an important risk factor for the development of PPD an
unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. In the present study, 80% of the deliveries were
not planned, which shows the statistical relevance of this factor.[17]
[23]
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
It was also verified that the majority of the postpartum women that had a precarious
socioeconomic status were more susceptible to the development of PPD, since other
researches affirm that PPD is influenced by poverty-related difficulties.[17]
[30]
[31]
[32] In the present study, 60% of the patients had less than 1 minimum wage as family
income, and 36.7% had 2 to 3 minimum wages. According to the classification of the
Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE, in the Portuguese acronym),
the sample participants fall into the lowest social classes, those being classes D
and E.
Regarding marital status, this research shows a higher prevalence of single mothers,
followed by mothers who are in stable union. Some studies suggest that among the main
risk factors for changes in the postpartum period are the “single” or “divorced” marital
status.[27]
[33]
[34] In other Brazilian studies, there was a predominance of stable union as marital
status. This type of union is characterized mainly by its instability, which can provoke
frequent conjugal conflicts, contributing to the development of depressive maternal
symptomatology, and even favoring carelessness with the baby.[20] In addition, it is important to investigate the quality of marital ties and not
exclusively the presence or absence of a partner.[35]
Within the context of PPD, the importance of understanding and family support in the
postpartum period is emphasized, so that the mother knows that there is nothing wrong
with her. Being accepted as a mother helps a lot to decrease the malaise, contributing
to the recovery from PPD.[7] It contributes to the development of this picture that the expectations placed on
women at the moment are unrealistic: an idealized pattern of mother as a “competent
caregiver,” always controlled, loving unconditionally, being able to handle domestic
tasks, baby care, full-time employment and still meet the demands of the partner.
When the woman realizes that she cannot handle all the demands she has, feelings of
sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, and depression can become present.[36]
Another important category is the complications experienced by women during pregnancy
or with their newborn babies after childbirth. These complications are considered
as precipitants for maternal depression.[11]
[21]
[24]
[32]
[36] In this research, most women with suspected PPD presented some type of problem that
required medical care, such as gestational hypertension, isthmus-cervical insufficiency,
gestational diabetes; and others related to the newborn, such as prematurity, jaundice,
convulsion, cardiac anomaly and death. The relationship between obstetric complications
and PPD is controversial, so there are studies showing positive and negative associations.
In addition to the factors highlighted above, several studies have revealed that previous
history of psychiatric illness or previous psychological problem of the mother, including
the melancholy of motherhood, also predicted the subsequent occurrence of PPD.[24]
[25]
[37]
[38]
[39]
The high prevalence of PPD nowadays reinforces its significance as a public health
problem, requiring prevention and treatment strategies.[40]
[41]
[42] A careful follow-up of mothers, especially those with low incomes, through integrated
actions that take into account the variables associated with depression, can prevent
serious personal and family problems that result from PPD.[15]
Although the experience of postpartum women who have depressive symptoms is still
poorly explored, some studies investigating this theme have been consistent in showing
that depressed mothers commonly report more difficulty in mothering than non-depressed
mothers.[3]
Conclusion
In this research, the following characteristics prevailed among postpartum women who
had scores for suspected PPD: age ˂ 24 years, single civil status or stable union,
low income, low level of schooling, unplanned pregnancy and/or complications with
the newborn. The high prevalence of PPD reinforces its significance as a public health
problem, requiring prevention and treatment strategies. Careful and professional monitoring
of mothers, especially those with risk factors, should be performed to prevent personal
and family problems arising due to PPD. Knowledge of risk factors prepares the health
team for effective intervention and action, with more successful results. It is worth
noticing that those women with lower socioeconomic status may be more susceptible
to the development of PPD, and are more likely to be neglected in their diagnosis,
since they have greater difficulty in accessing health care; prenatal care often represents
the only opportunity for continued care for the women's health. In addition, knowledge
of the signs and symptoms of PPD should be disseminated, so that affected women are
promptly diagnosed and referred for appropriate treatment. The application of the
Edinburgh Score, a simple and rapid scale, should be disseminated in the health network,
since it is ideal for use in the clinical routine by professionals who are not specialized
in the area of mental health, to track mothers who present with depressive symptoms,
thus not burdening specialized services.