Psychiatric Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Women in the United States

Abstract

CONTEXT Psychiatric disorders and substance use during pregnancy are associated with adverse outcomes for mothers and their offspring. Information about the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders and substance use in this population is lacking. OBJECTIVE To examine sociodemographic correlates, rates of DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders, substance use and treatment-seeking among past-year pregnant and postpartum women in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n = 43,093). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of 12-month DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders, substance use, and treatment seeking. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the 12-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders between past-year pregnant (25.3%), postpartum women (27.5%), and non-pregnant women of child-bearing age (30.1%), except for the significantly higher prevalence of major depressive disorder in postpartum women (9.3%) than in non-pregnant women (8.1%) (OR 1.59, 95% CI=1.15–2.20). Past-year pregnant and postpartum women had significantly lower rates of alcohol use disorders, and any substance use, except illicit drug use, than non-pregnant women. Age, marital status, health status, stressful life events, and history of traumatic experiences were all significantly associated with higher risk of psychopathology in pregnant and postpartum women. Most women with a current psychiatric disorder did not receive any mental health care in the 12-months prior to the survey regardless of pregnancy status. CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy per se is not associated with increased risk of mental disorders, though the risk of major depressive disorder may be increased during the postpartum period. Young, unmarried women with recent stressful life events, complicated pregnancies, and poor overall health were at significantly increased risk of mental disorders during pregnancy. Low rates of maternal mental health care underscore the need to improve recognition and delivery of treatment for mental disorders occurring during pregnancy and the postpartum.

A systematic review and meta-regression of the prevalence and incidence of perinatal depression

“…Seven data points reporting 0% prevalence were not included in analysis; these estimates were from a study reporting estimates from nine locations, six of which used very small sample sizes (<30 women) (Gorman et al, 2004). Three studies included data from the same sample (Le Strat et al, 2011;Mota et al, 2008;Vesga-Lopez et al, 2008); data from only one study was included, on the basis of sample age comparability to estimates from other included studies (Mota et al, 2008). Other potential outliers were kept in the dataset to maximise inclusion provided they had no significant methodological flaws.…”

Depressão pós-parto e percepção de suporte social durante a gestação

“…Desse modo, menor classifi cação socioeconômica e não viver com o companheiro também demonstraram relação signifi cativa com a ocorrên-cia de DPP. Estudos indicam que, independentemente do grau de desenvolvimento do país, a baixa condição socioeconômica das pessoas é um fator de risco para a DPP 15,16 .…”

Risk factors for depression and anxiety among pregnant women in Hospital Tuanku Bainun, Ipoh, Malaysia

“…Estimates of the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy vary according to the criteria used, variable methodologies and population characteristics. Wide variation of prevalence rates has been reported (5-54%) for anxiety (Faisal-Cury and Menezes, 2007;Lee et al, 2007) and 1030% for depression (Teixeira et al, 2009;Vesga-Lopez et al, 2008).…”