Review of validation studies of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Abstract

Citation Index Expanded (ISI) from the period 1987-2000. For sensitivity and specificity of the EPDS presented in each study, 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Positive and negative predictive values were estimated assuming prevalences of postpartum depression ranging from 5% to 20%. Results: Eighteen validation studies were identified. The study design varied between studies. The sensitivity and specificity estimates also varied: 65-100% and 49-100%, respectively. The confidence intervals were estimated to be wide. Our estimates suggest a lower positive predictive value in a normal population than in the validation study samples. Conclusion: Most studies show a high sensitivity of the EPDS. Because of the differences in study design and large confidence intervals, uncertainty remains regarding the comparability between the sensitivity and specificity estimates of the different EPDS versions.

Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in an Iranian sample

“…Our study of the Persian version of EPDS suggested that the best cutoff scores for major depression and combined depression were 12=13 and 11=12, respectively (Table 1). In studies by Cox et al (1987), Boyce et al (1993), Lee et al (1998), and others (Eberhard-Gran et al 2001), the same cutoff score (i.e., 12=13) has been recommended. It must be mentioned that in this cutoff, 4.7% of the cases remained undiagnosed and 12.1% were falsely labeled as major depressives.…”

Planning perinatal psychiatry services for Ireland

“…Given that rates of depressive disorder in primary care settings have been reported as being 4 . 8 % to 9.2%, 5 it seems that rates of depression in pregnancy are higher than rates in the non-pregnant female population, whilst rates of postpartum depression approximate the general average in women of reproductive age. 6 In relation to the former, significant specific predictors for antenatal depression are an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, low social support, low income and history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).…”

Fanger opp deprimerte

“…EPDS brukes ikke til å diagnostisere fødselsdepresjon, men gjennom opplaering og trening kan den enkelte helsearbeider oppdage, støtte og eventuelt viderehenvise kvinner med risiko for å utvikle fødselsdepresjon. (2,3,12,19,20).…”