BackgroundDuring the postpartum period, women are vulnerable to depression affecting about 10 to 20% of mothers during the first year after delivery. However, only 50% of women with prominent symptoms are diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most widely used screening instrument for PPD . The main objectives of this study are to assess whether an EPDS score of 9 or more on day 2 (D2) postpartum is predictive of a depressive episode between days 30 and 40 postpartum (D30-40), to determine the risk factors as well as the prevalence of PPD in a sample of Lebanese women and to determine a threshold score of EPDS predictive of PPD.MethodsA sample of 228 women were administered the EPDS on D2. An assessment for PPD was done on D30-40 during a telephone interview.ResultsOn D2, the average score on EPDS was 7.1 (SD = 5.2) and 33.3% of women had an EPDS score ≥ 9. On D30-40 postpartum, the average score was 6.5 (SD = 4.7) and 19 women (12.8%) presented with PPD. A positive correlation was shown between scores on EPDS on D2 and D30-40 (r = 0.5091, p < 0.0001). A stepwise regression shows that an EPDS score ≥9 on D2 (p < 0.001) and a personal history of depression (p = 0.008) are significantly associated with the diagnosis of PPD on D30-40.ConclusionThe EPDS may be considered as a reliable screening tool on as early as D2 after delivery. Women with EPDS score ≥ 9 and/or a positive personal history of major depressive disorder should benefit from a closer follow-up during the rest of the post-partum period.

BackgroundMotherhood is a demanding part of any women’s life. Female interns could encounter difficulties during selection for residency program according to their plans of conceiving. Our aim is to explore the influence of female gender on the selection process of residency programs.MethodA cross sectional study was conducted in 2016 at a University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Female residents and chief of departments were interviewed about the impact of the timing of motherhood during residency on the interview for admission. The questionnaire reviewed concerns among female Lebanese medical residents as well as the head of departments revolving around the choice of opting for motherhood and the decision of integrating into a residency program while juggling motherhood responsibilities.ResultsEighty nine female residents and 22 head of department agreed to participate in this study. During the interviews for residency acceptance, 29 residents (34.5%) were directly asked about their family and motherhood plans; 9% of them did not reveal their intention. 35% of the residents thought that this subject could affect the program directors’ decision. 47% of residents felt that having pregnant colleagues would add to their workload, and almost half of them (46%) believed that pregnant colleagues showed less productivity. 45% of program directors stated that it was an important factor taken into consideration during the interview, and 68% believed that residents tended to choose their specialty according to their life priorities.ConclusionPregnancy during residency training represents major challenges for female residents and their program directors. Rules and laws designed to set a balance between career and personal life are required to improve women’s ability to participate equally in the workforce.

Purpose:To evaluate ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the viable twisted adnexa. Materials and Methods:Ten patients underwent US and MR studies before surgical detorsion. Corrected cross-sectional area of the ovary was defined as cross-sectional area minus areas of cysts and follicles superior to 1 cm. On T2-weighted images, signal intensity of the stroma was graded as type 1 when it was equal to that of urine and type 2 when it was less than that of urine but markedly more than the contralateral side. Results:The tube was twisted in six cases and the ovary in nine cases. All adnexa were viable. The largest ovarian cross-sectional area and the largest corrected ovarian cross-sectional area of the twisted ovary were significantly larger than those of the contralateral ovary (P ϭ 0.043 for US; P ϭ 0.012 and 0.017, respectively, for MR). These ovaries contained types 1 and 2 hyperintensity in six cases and only type 2 hyperintensity in three cases. Tubal thickening was seen on MR in five cases. Conclusion:Tubal thickening, enlargement of ovarian stroma as reflected by the corrected cross-sectional area, and hyperintensity of this stroma on T2-weighted images probably related to edema were useful findings in these viable torsions.