Can we predict postpartum depression in pregnant women?

Objective: The authors aimed to determine risk factors for postpartum depression (PPD) in this prospective study. Materials and Methods: The study included 285 pregnant women. The first assessment was conducted during pregnancy and a second time at 24 weeks after delivery. The participants were asked to fill out a series of questionnaires, which included psychosocial variables and socio-demographic characteristics, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). After delivery, 276 mothers participated again in the study and filled out a similar series of questionnaires. Results: A significant difference was not found between the socio-demographic and obstetric factors of mothers. A significant relation was found between the BDI score, which is used in antepartum depression evaluation, and EPDS score, which is used on postpartum depression evaluation (rho: 0.433 to 0.645, p < 0.0001). In cases in which BDI score was more than 6 were selected, phenomena in which could develop PPD had 90.3% sensitivity and 45.3% specificity. Conclusions: The authors found that there was a correlation between EPDS score and BDI. The rate of PPD was found to be significantly higher in women, who had a depression history. Patients who have a potential risk of PPD should be evaluated during the postpartum period in terms of depression.