The unique challenges of managing depression in mid-life women

Throughout most of their lives, women are at a greater risk of becoming depressed than men. Some evidence suggests that this heightened risk is associated with increased sensitivity to the hormonal changes that occur across the female reproductive lifecycle. For some women, the peri-menopause and early post-menopausal years may constitute a “window of vulnerability” during which challenging physical and emotional discomforts could result in significant impairment in functioning and poorer quality of life. A number of biological and environmental factors are independent predictors for depression in this population, including the presence of hot flashes, sleep disturbance, history of severe premenstrual syndrome or postpartum blues, ethnicity, history of stressful live events, past history of depression, body mass index and socioeconomic status. This paper explores the current knowledge on the complex associations between mood changes and aging in women. More specifically, the biological aspects of reproductive aging and their impact on mood, psychosocial factors, lifestyle, and overall health are reviewed. In addition, evidence-based hormonal and non-hormonal therapies for the management of depression and other complaints in midlife women are discussed. Ultimately, this article should help clinicians and health professionals to address a challenging clinical scenario: a preventive and effective strategy for the management of depression in the context of the menopausal transition and beyond.     

Antenatal Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression at 20 Weeks Gestation in a Japanese Sample: Psychosocial Perspectives from a Cohort Study in Tokyo

Background

Prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) is high (Western countries, 10–15%; Japan, 17%). PND can cause parenting impairment and affect family health (e.g. child behaviors, cognitive development and physical health). This study aimed to reveal the risk factors of PND during the pregnancy period in a Japanese sample, and to identify the psychosocial risk factors of PND that should be appended to existing obstetric interview sheets. A cohort study with a Japanese sample was conducted.

Methods

All 14 obstetrics hospitals in the Setagaya ward, Tokyo, Japan, participated in this study. Pregnant women who booked their delivery between December 2012 and May 2013 were enrolled. Data used for this study were collected at 20 weeks gestation, a few days and one month postnatal. The questionnaires consisted of psychosocial factors and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). To identify PND risk factors, multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 1,775 women participated in this study. Eventually, the data of 1,133 women were used for the multivariate analyses. The demonstrated significant risk factors include EPDS score, primipara, “a perceived lack of family cohesion”, “current physical illness treatment” and “current psychiatric illness treatment”.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of mental health screening using psychological measures during the pregnancy period. In addition, family environment, parity, physical and psychiatric illness should be paid attention by professionals in maternal and child health. The results also suggest that mothers’ feelings of developing their families should be supported.     

产后抑郁发病因素的综合研究

目的：研究产后抑郁可能的心理社会因素,为提高围产保健水平提供一些理论与实践的依据。方法：自拟一般资料调查表等4种表格收集有关的心理,社会,环境因素及产科因素;用Edinburgh(EPDS)抑郁量表分≥10分为界,筛查产后抑郁,共298例完成了产后第3天评定,127例完成了产后第42天的评定,测定38名产妇临产前与产后72小时的雌二醇,孕酮及催乳素水平。结果：产后抑郁的发病率为23．15％,家庭支持等社会心理因素以及雌二醇的变化幅度和产后抑郁密切相关,结论：产后抑郁的发生具有一定的心理,社会与生物学因素,妊娠,分娩与产褥期良好的社会,家庭支持是减少产后抑郁障碍的有力措施。     

Early lactation performance in primiparous and multiparous women in relation to different maternity home practices. A randomised trial in St. Petersburg

Background

Research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has revealed that depression is associated with inflammation manifested by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines.

Discussion

The old paradigm described inflammation as simply one of many risk factors for depression. The new paradigm is based on more recent research that has indicated that physical and psychological stressors increase inflammation. These recent studies constitute an important shift in the depression paradigm: inflammation is not simply a risk factor; it is the risk factor that underlies all the others. Moreover, inflammation explains why psychosocial, behavioral and physical risk factors increase the risk of depression. This is true for depression in general and for postpartum depression in particular. Puerperal women are especially vulnerable to these effects because their levels of proinflammatory cytokines significantly increase during the last trimester of pregnancy – a time when they are also at high risk for depression. Moreover, common experiences of new motherhood, such as sleep disturbance, postpartum pain, and past or current psychological trauma, act as stressors that cause proinflammatory cytokine levels to rise. Breastfeeding has a protective effect on maternal mental health because it attenuates stress and modulates the inflammatory response. However, breastfeeding difficulties, such as nipple pain, can increase the risk of depression and must be addressed promptly.

Conclusion

PNI research suggests two goals for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression: reducing maternal stress and reducing inflammation. Breastfeeding and exercise reduce maternal stress and are protective of maternal mood. In addition, most current treatments for depression are anti-inflammatory. These include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive therapy, St. John's wort, and conventional antidepressants.     

Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Postpartum Weight Retention

For some women, pregnancy may increase the risk of future obesity with consequences for health and well‐being. Psychosocial factors may be partly responsible for this. The aim of this study was to examine the association between psychosocial factors during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) at 6 and 18 months. A total of 37,127 women in The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC; 1996–2002) participated in four telephone interviews before and after delivery. They gave information about their experience of distress, depression and anxiety, social support, and psychosocial burdens during pregnancy. PPWR was defined as retention ≥5 kg at 6 and 18 months postpartum according to a woman's prepregnancy weight. The associations were examined by use of logistic regression and presented as odds radios with 95% confidence intervals. Women who were more likely to feel depressed/anxious or distressed during pregnancy had a higher risk of PPWR at 6 months (1.35 (1.27; 1.44) and 1.30 (1.22; 1.38)) and 18 months (1.34 (1.24; 1.45) and 1.32 (1.23; 1.42)). Likewise, women who felt burdened by their economy or working situation had a higher risk of PPWR as did women with the lowest incomes or less education. Women who reported a high level of distress or depression/anxiety both during pregnancy and in the first 6 months of motherhood had the highest risk of PPWR 18 months postpartum (1.54 (1.39; 1.71) and 1.49 (1.32; 1.69), respectively). Feeling distressed, depressed, or anxious during pregnancy was associated with higher PPWR as was personal and economical burdens. Adverse psychosocial characteristics may be a common determinant of weight retention after childbirth.     

Postpartum depression: Etiology,treatment and consequences for maternal care

This article is part of a Special Issue “Parental Care”. Pregnancy and postpartum are associated with dramatic alterations in steroid and peptide hormones which alter the mothers' hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axes. Dysregulations in these endocrine axes are related to mood disorders and as such it should not come as a major surprise that pregnancy and the postpartum period can have profound effects on maternal mood. Indeed, pregnancy and postpartum are associated with an increased risk for developing depressive symptoms in women. Postpartum depression affects approximately 10–15% of women and impairs mother–infant interactions that in turn are important for child development. Maternal attachment, sensitivity and parenting style are essential for a healthy maturation of an infant's social, cognitive and behavioral skills and depressed mothers often display less attachment, sensitivity and more harsh or disrupted parenting behaviors, which may contribute to reports of adverse child outcomes in children of depressed mothers. Here we review, in honor of the “father of motherhood”, Jay Rosenblatt, the literature on postnatal depression in the mother and its effect on mother–infant interactions. We will cover clinical and pre-clinical findings highlighting putative neurobiological mechanisms underlying postpartum depression and how they relate to maternal behaviors and infant outcome. We also review animal models that investigate the neurobiology of maternal mood and disrupted maternal care. In particular, we discuss the implications of endogenous and exogenous manipulations of glucocorticoids on maternal care and mood. Lastly we discuss interventions during gestation and postpartum that may improve maternal symptoms and behavior and thus may alter developmental outcome of the offspring.     

Internet and Computer-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression in Youth: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Outcome Trials

Background

Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents are undertreated. Computer- and Internet-based cognitive behavioral treatments (cCBT) may be an attractive treatment alternative to regular face-to-face treatment.This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether cCBT is effective for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression in youth.

Methods and Findings

We conducted systematic searches in bibliographical databases (Pubmed, Cochrane controlled trial register, PsychInfo) up to December 4, 2013. Only randomized controlled trials in which a computer-, Internet- or mobile-based cognitive behavioral intervention targeting either depression, anxiety or both in children or adolescents up to the age of 25 were compared to a control condition were selected. We employed a random-effects pooling model in overall effect analyses and a mixed effect model for sub-group analyses. Searches resulted in identifying 13 randomized trials, including 796 children and adolescents that met inclusion criteria. Seven studies were directed at treating anxiety, four studies at depression, and two were of a transdiagnostic nature, targeting both anxiety and depression. The overall mean effect size (Hedges’ g) of cCBT on symptoms of anxiety or depression at post-test was g=0.72 (95% CI:0.55-0.90, numbers needed to be treated (NNT)=2.56). Heterogeneity was low (I²=20.14%, 95% CI: 0-58%). The superiority of cCBT over controls was evident for interventions targeting anxiety (g=0.68; 95% CI: 0.45-0.92; p < .001; NNT=2.70) and for interventions targeting depression (g=0.76; 95% CI: 0.41-0.12; p < .001; NNT=2.44) as well as for transdiagnostic interventions (g=0.94; 95% CI: 0.23-2.66; p < .001; NNT=2.60).

Conclusions

Results provide evidence for the efficacy of cCBT in the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth. Hence, such interventions may be a promising treatment alternative when evidence based face-to-face treatment is not feasible. Future studies should examine long-term effects of treatments and should focus on obtaining patient-level data from existing studies, to perform an individual patient data meta-analysis.     

Women’s Longitudinal Patterns of Smoking during the Pre-Conception,Pregnancy and Postnatal Period: Evidence from the UK Infant Feeding Survey

BackgroundAn understanding of women’s longitudinal patterns of smoking during the pre-conception, pregnancy and postnatal period and the factors associated with these patterns could help better inform smoking cessation services and interventions.MethodsLatent class analysis (LCA) was used to empirically identify women’s smoking patterns in a sample of 10,768 mothers from the 2010 UK Infant Feeding Survey. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with these patterns.ResultsLCA identified five distinct smoking patterns during the pre-conception, pregnancy and postnatal period: “non-smokers” (74.1% of women); “pregnancy-inspired quitters” (10.2%); “persistent smokers” (10.1%); “temporary quitters” (4.4%); and postnatal quitters (1.1%). Smoking patterns varied markedly according to socio-demographic variables and parity. After adjusting for these variables, mothers who lived during pregnancy with a partner who smoked were more likely to be temporary quitters (aOR 2.64, 95% CI 1.74–3.99) or persistent smokers (aOR 3.32, 95% CI 2.34–4.72) than pregnancy-inspired quitters. Mothers who lived during pregnancy with someone else other than a partner who smoked were more likely to be persistent smokers (aOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.38–3.97) or postnatal quitters (aOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.07–8.24) than pregnancy-inspired quitters. Mothers given information on how their partner could stop smoking if they lived during pregnancy with a smoking partner were less likely to be persistent smokers (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.27–0.65) than pregnancy-inspired quitters.ConclusionHealth professionals should ask about smoking at every opportunity, and refer women who self-report as current smokers to an evidence based smoking cessation service.     

Characteristics of Effective Collaborative Care for Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of 74 Randomised Controlled Trials

Background

Collaborative care is a complex intervention based on chronic disease management models and is effective in the management of depression. However, there is still uncertainty about which components of collaborative care are effective. We used meta-regression to identify factors in collaborative care associated with improvement in patient outcomes (depressive symptoms) and the process of care (use of anti-depressant medication).

Methods and Findings

Systematic review with meta-regression. The Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group trials registers were searched from inception to 9th February 2012. An update was run in the CENTRAL trials database on 29th December 2013. Inclusion criteria were: randomised controlled trials of collaborative care for adults ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of depression or mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Random effects meta-regression was used to estimate regression coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between study level covariates and depressive symptoms and relative risk (95% CI) and anti-depressant use. The association between anti-depressant use and improvement in depression was also explored. Seventy four trials were identified (85 comparisons, across 21,345 participants). Collaborative care that included psychological interventions predicted improvement in depression (β coefficient −0.11, 95% CI −0.20 to −0.01, p = 0.03). Systematic identification of patients (relative risk 1.43, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.81, p = 0.004) and the presence of a chronic physical condition (relative risk 1.32, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.65, p = 0.02) predicted use of anti-depressant medication.

Conclusion

Trials of collaborative care that included psychological treatment, with or without anti-depressant medication, appeared to improve depression more than those without psychological treatment. Trials that used systematic methods to identify patients with depression and also trials that included patients with a chronic physical condition reported improved use of anti-depressant medication. However, these findings are limited by the observational nature of meta-regression, incomplete data reporting, and the use of study aggregates.     

Psychosocial Health Problems Associated with Increased HIV Risk Behavior among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are marginalized, hidden, underserved and at high risk for HIV in Nepal. We examined the association between MSM sub-populations, psychosocial health problems and support, access to prevention and non-use of condoms.

Methods

Between September-November of 2010, a cross-sectional survey on HIV-related risk behavior was performed across Nepal through snowball sampling facilitated by non-governmental organizations, recruiting 339 MSM, age 15 or older. The primary outcomes were: (a) non-use of condoms at least once in last three anal sex encounters with men and (b) non-use of condoms with women in the last encounter. The secondary outcome was participation in HIV prevention interventions in the past year.

Results

Among the 339 MSM interviewed, 78% did not use condoms at their last anal sex with another man, 35% did not use condoms in their last sex with a woman, 70% had experienced violence in the last 12 months, 61% were experiencing depression and 47% had thought of committing suicide. After adjustment for age, religion, marital status, and MSM subpopulations (bisexual, ta, meti, gay), non-use of condoms at last anal sex with a man was significantly associated with non-participation in HIV interventions, experience of physical and sexual violence, depression, repeated suicidal thoughts, small social support network and being dissatisfied with social support. Depression was marginally associated with non-use of condoms with women. The findings suggest that among MSM who reported non-use of condoms at last anal sex, the ta subgroup and those lacking family acceptance were the least likely to have participated in any preventive interventions.

Conclusions

MSM in Nepal have a prevalence of psychosocial health problems in turn associated with high risk behavior for HIV. Future HIV prevention efforts targeting MSM in Nepal should cover all MSM subpopulations and prioritize psychosocial health interventions.     

Effectiveness of the Antenatal Psychosocial Health Assessment (ALPHA) form in detecting psychosocial concerns: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundA pregnant woman''s psychological health is a significant predictor of postpartum outcomes. The Antenatal Psychosocial Health Assessment (ALPHA) form incorporates 15 risk factors associated with poor postpartum outcomes of woman abuse, child abuse, postpartum depression and couple dysfunction. We sought to determine whether health care providers using the ALPHA form detected more antenatal psychosocial concerns among pregnant women than providers practising usual prenatal care.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted in 4 communities in Ontario. Family physicians, obstetricians and midwives who see at least 10 prenatal patients a year enrolled 5 eligible women each. Providers in the intervention group attended an educational workshop on using the ALPHA form and completed the form with enrolled women. The control group provided usual care. After the women delivered, both groups of providers identified concerns related to the 15 risk factors on the ALPHA form for each patient and rated the level of concern. The primary outcome was the number of psychosocial concerns identified. Results were controlled for clustering.ResultsThere were 21 (44%) providers randomly assigned to the ALPHA group and 27 (56%) to the control group. A total of 227 patients participated: 98 (43%) in the ALPHA group and 129 (57%) in the control group. ALPHA group providers were more likely than control group providers to identify psychosocial concerns (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–3.0; p = 0.02) and to rate the level of concern as “high” (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.1–20.2; p = 0.03). ALPHA group providers were also more likely to detect concerns related to family violence (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.9–12.3; p = 0.001).InterpretationUsing the ALPHA form helped health care providers detect more psychosocial risk factors for poor postpartum outcomes, especially those related to family violence. It is a useful prenatal tool, identifying women who would benefit from additional support and interventions.The psychosocial health of a pregnant woman and her family is a significant predictor of intrapartum, newborn and postpartum outcomes.^1,2,3,4 A critical review of the literature has identified an association between antenatal psychosocial risk factors and the poor postpartum outcomes of woman abuse, child abuse, postpartum depression and couple dysfunction.⁵Clinicians have indicated that a practical tool to help them systematically collect and record prenatal psychosocial information would be helpful.⁶Although specific and often well-validated tools are available to predict or detect child abuse, woman abuse or depression,^7,8,9,10 clinicians are unlikely to use them because of time constraints.¹ Other forms aid in collecting more comprehensive antenatal psychosocial data,^11,12,13,14 but they are not evidence-based, and were developed to predict obstetric or newborn rather than psychosocial outcomes.In contrast, the Antenatal Psychosocial Health Assessment (ALPHA) form (Appendix 1) was designed to identify antenatal psychosocial risk factors for poor postnatal psychosocial outcomes. It incorporates 15 risk factors found through critical literature review⁵ to be associated with woman abuse, child abuse, postpartum depression and couple dysfunction.¹⁵ These risk factors are grouped intuitively by topic, with suggested questions, into 4 categories: family factors, maternal factors, substance use and family violence. The ALPHA form has been field-tested by obstetricians, family physicians, midwives and nurses,^15,16 who have found using it to be feasible and useful.¹⁵ Pregnant women appreciate and feel comfortable with the psychosocial enquiry.¹⁵ The ALPHA form was developed as a screening tool to help providers systematically identify areas of psychosocial concern. Once feasibility was established,¹⁵ the next step was to determine whether using it in regular practice would increase the number of concerns identified.We sought to determine whether health care providers using the ALPHA form detected more antenatal psychosocial concerns in their pregnant patients than clinicians practising usual prenatal care. A secondary objective was to determine women''s and providers'' satisfaction with the ALPHA form.     

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials of strategies to promote adherence to tuberculosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of strategies to promote adherence to treatment for tuberculosis. IDENTIFICATION: Searches in Medline (1966 to August 1996), the Cochrane trials register (up to October 1996), and LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud) (1982 to September 1996); screening of references in articles on compliance and adherence; contact with experts in research on tuberculosis and adherence. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomised or pseudorandomised controlled trials of interventions to promote adherence with curative or preventive treatment for tuberculosis, with at least one measure of adherence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for estimates of effect for categorical outcomes. RESULTS: Five trials met the inclusion criteria. The relative risk for tested reminder cards sent to patients who defaulted on treatment was 1.2 (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.4), for help given to patients by lay health workers 1.4 (1.1 to 1.8), for monetary incentives offered to patients 1.6 (1.3 to 2.0), for health education 1.2 (1.1 to 1.4), for a combination of a patient incentive and health education 2.4 (1.5 to 3.7) or 1.1 (1.0 to 1.2), and for intensive supervision of staff in tuberculosis clinics 1.2 (1.1 to 1.3). There were no completed trials of directly observed treatment. All of the interventions tested improved adherence. On current evidence it is unclear whether health education by itself leads to better adherence to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Reliable evidence is available to show some specific strategies improve adherence to tuberculosis treatment, and these should be adopted in health systems, depending on their appropriateness to practice circumstances. Further innovations require testing to help find specific approaches that will be useful in low income countries. Randomised controlled trials evaluating the independent effects of directly observed treatment are awaited.     

Relation between place of residence and postpartum depression

Background:

The relation between place of residence and risk of postpartum depression is uncertain. We evaluated the relation between place of residence and risk of postpartum depression in a population-based sample of Canadian women.

Methods:

Female postpartum respondents to the 2006 Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (n = 6126) were classified as living in rural (< 1000 inhabitants or population density < 400/km²), semirural (nonrural but < 30 000 inhabitants), semiurban (30 000–499 999 inhabitants) or urban (≥ 500 000 inhabitants) areas. We further subdivided women living in rural areas based on the social and occupational connectivity of their community to larger urban centres. We compared the prevalence of postpartum depression (score of ≥ 13 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) across these groups and adjusted for the effect of known risk factors for postpartum depression.

Results:

The prevalence of postpartum depression was higher among women living in urban areas than among those living in rural, semirural or semiurban areas. The difference between semiurban and urban areas could not be fully explained by other measured risk factors for postpartum depression (adjusted odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.42–0.84). In rural areas, there was a nonsignificant gradient of risk: women with less connection to larger urban centres were at greater risk of postpartum depression than women in areas with greater connection.

Interpretation:

There are systematic differences in the distribution of risk factors for postpartum depression across geographic areas, resulting in an increased risk of depression among women living in large urban areas. Prevention programs directed at modifiable risk factors (e.g., social support) could specifically target women living in these areas to reduce the rates of postpartum depression.Postpartum depression is an internationally recognized health concern for women and their families. Depression during the perinatal period is associated with serious negative consequences for both mother and baby, particularly if the depression is untreated.¹ Outcomes among women include impaired functioning, poor quality of life and death.² Outcomes for infants include developmental delay, poor growth, malnutrition and illness.^3–5 Numerous risk factors for postpartum depression have been identified; low levels of social support and history of depression are among the variables most consistently associated with postpartum depression.^6–8 However, previous reports are inconsistent as to whether geographical size or location is associated with the risk of postpartum depression.⁹ In Canada, about 30% of the population lives in rural or remote areas, a large proportion live in several large urban areas, and the remainder live in smaller urban settings.¹⁰ To design appropriate supports and services for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression among Canadian women, it is important to identify and target geographical variation in the risk of postpartum depression.Our primary objective was to compare the risk of postpartum depression among Canadian women living in rural and urban areas. Our secondary objective was to identify factors that could explain any associations between place of residence and risk of postpartum depression. We used multiple definitions of rural and urban locations to more accurately reflect differences between communities and to account for the level of social and occupational connectivity of smaller areas to more urban areas.     

Association of postpartum depression with weight retention 1 year after childbirth

Objective: To examine the extent to which early postpartum depression is associated with weight retention 1 year after childbirth. Methods and Procedures: In a prospective cohort study of 850 women enrolled in Project Viva, mothers reported depressive symptoms on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at midpregnancy and 6 months postpartum. A score >12 indicated probable depression. We assessed associations of antenatal and postpartum depression with risk of substantial weight retention (at least 5 kg) 1 year after childbirth. Results: Seven‐hundred thirty‐six women (87%) were not depressed during or after pregnancy, 55 (6%) experienced antenatal depression only, 22 (3%) experienced both antenatal and postpartum depression, and 37 (4%) experienced postpartum depression only. At 1 year, participants retained a mean of 0.6 kg (range ?16.4 to 25.5), and 12% retained at least 5 kg. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, after adjustment for weight‐related covariates, maternal sociodemographics, and parity, new‐onset postpartum depression was associated with more than a doubling of risk of retaining at least 5 kg (odds ratio (OR): 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 6.09). Antenatal depression, either alone or in combination with postpartum depression, was not associated with substantial weight retention. Discussion: New‐onset postpartum depression was associated with substantial weight retention in the first postpartum year. Interventions to manage depressive symptoms may help reduce excess weight retained postpartum and aid in the prevention of obesity among women.     

芳香疗法联合产后康复按摩对产褥期心理状态的改善作用

目的:探讨芳香疗法联合产后康复按摩对产褥期产妇心理状态的改善作用。方法:将2010年8月至2012年8月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心分娩的产妇204例随机分为对照组及实验组,其中对照组99例,采取常规产后处理,实验组105例,给予产后康复精油按摩治疗。应用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)及症状自评量表(SCL-90)对两组产妇在产前两天及产后一周的心理状态进行测评,将所得数据与全国常模相比,并进行组间比较。结果:实验组与对照组产前心理状况无显著性差异(P0.05);两组产妇产前SCL-90测试结果在抑郁、焦虑等因子得分显著高于全国成人常模,差异有统计学意义(P0.01),产后实验组与对照组相比,抑郁倾向明显减少,焦虑得分明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:分娩对产妇的心理状态会产生明显影响,芳香疗法联合产后康复按摩能明显改善产妇的产褥期心理状态。     

Emotion Reactivity Is Increased 4-6 Weeks Postpartum in Healthy Women: A Longitudinal fMRI Study

Marked endocrine alterations occur after delivery. Most women cope well with these changes, but the postpartum period is associated with an increased risk of depressive episodes. Previous studies of emotion processing have focused on maternal–infant bonding or postpartum depression (PPD), and longitudinal studies of the neural correlates of emotion processing throughout the postpartum period in healthy women are lacking. In this study, 13 women, without signs of post partum depression, underwent fMRI with an emotional face matching task and completed the MADRS-S, STAI-S, and EPDS within 48 h (early postpartum) and 4–6 weeks after delivery (late postpartum). Also, data from a previous study including 15 naturally cycling controls assessed in the luteal and follicular phase of the menstrual cycle was used. Women had lower reactivity in insula, middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in the early as compared to the late postpartum assessment. Insular reactivity was positively correlated with anxiety in the early postpartum period and with depressive symptoms late postpartum. Reactivity in insula and IFG were greater in postpartum women than in non-pregnant control subjects. Brain reactivity was not correlated with serum estradiol or progesterone levels. Increased reactivity in the insula, IFG, and MFG may reflect normal postpartum adaptation, but correlation with self-rated symptoms of depression and anxiety in these otherwise healthy postpartum women, may also suggest that these changes place susceptible women at increased risk of PPD. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neurobiological aspects of the postpartum period, which might shed light on the mechanisms underlying affective puerperal disorders, such as PPD.     

Association between suicide attempts and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Objective To establish whether an association exists between use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and suicide attempts.Design Systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Data sources Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration''s register of controlled trials (November 2004) for trials produced by the Cochrane depression, anxiety, and neurosis group.Selection of studies Studies had to be randomised controlled trials comparing an SSRI with either placebo or an active non-SSRI control. We included clinical trials that evaluated SSRIs for any clinical condition. We excluded abstracts, crossover trials, and all trials whose follow up was less than one week.Results Seven hundred and two trials met our inclusion criteria. A significant increase in the odds of suicide attempts (odds ratio 2.28, 95% confidence 1.14 to 4.55, number needed to treat to harm 684) was observed for patients receiving SSRIs compared with placebo. An increase in the odds ratio of suicide attempts was also observed in comparing SSRIs with therapeutic interventions other than tricyclic antidepressants (1.94, 1.06 to 3.57, 239). In the pooled analysis of SSRIs versus tricyclic antidepressants, we did not detect a difference in the odds ratio of suicide attempts (0.88, 0.54 to 1.42).Discussion Our systematic review, which included a total of 87 650 patients, documented an association between suicide attempts and the use of SSRIs. We also observed several major methodological limitations in the published trials. A more accurate estimation of risks of suicide could be garnered from investigators fully disclosing all events.     

Prenatal ultrasound screening: false positive soft markers may alter maternal representations and mother-infant interaction

Background

In up to 5% of pregnancies, ultrasound screening detects a “soft marker” (SM) that places the foetus at risk for a severe abnormality. In most cases, prenatal diagnostic work-up rules out a severe defect. We aimed to study the effects of false positive SM on maternal emotional status, maternal representations of the infant, and mother-infant interaction.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Utilizing an extreme-case prospective case control design, we selected from a group of 244 women undergoing ultrasound, 19 pregnant women whose foetus had a positive SM screening and a reassuring diagnostic work up, and 19 controls without SM matched for age and education. In the third trimester of pregnancy, within one week after delivery, and 2 months postpartum, we assessed anxiety, depression, and maternal representations. Mother-infant interactions were videotaped during feeding within one week after delivery and again at 2 months postpartum and coded blindly using the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) scales. Anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher at all assessment points in the SM group. Maternal representations were also different between SM and control groups at all study time. Perturbations to early mother-infant interactions were observed in the SM group. These dyads showed greater dysregulation, lower maternal sensitivity, higher maternal intrusive behaviour and higher infant avoidance. Multivariate analysis showed that maternal representation and depression at third trimester predicted mother-infant interaction.

Conclusion

False positive ultrasound screenings for SM are not benign and negatively affect the developing maternal-infant attachment. Medical efforts should be directed to minimize as much as possible such false diagnoses, and to limit their psychological adverse consequences.     

Selenium intake and status of postpartum women and postnatal depression during the first year after childbirth in New Zealand – Mother and Infant Nutrition Investigation (MINI) study

BackgroundSelenium (Se) plays an important role in selenoproteins as an antioxidant, and is involved in thyroid function, mental health and child development. Selenium is low in the local food supplies in NZ. Low selenium intake has been reported in women of childbearing age and postmenopausal women, however, there is little research relating to breastfeeding women and their infants.PurposeThe study investigates maternal and infant selenium intake and status during the first year postpartum, and possible relationships to postnatal depression and anxiety.Basic proceduresThe Mother and Infant Nutrition Investigation (MINI) study is an observational longitudinal cohort study. In total 87 breastfeeding mother-infant pairs were recruited and followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Maternal selenium intake was estimated from a four-day diet diary (4DDD). Selenium concentrations were measured in maternal spot urine, breastmilk and plasma; and infant spot urine samples. Postnatal depression was screened by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire.Main findingsMedian maternal selenium intake was 62 (50, 84) μg/day, with 56 % below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of 65 μg/day. At 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum, median maternal urinary selenium:creatinine ratios were 29.0 (22.4, 42.0), 29.5 (23.1, 28.4), and 30.9 (24.3, 35.3) μg/g; median infant urinary selenium concentrations (IUSC) were 8 (6,13), 11 (6, 15), and 24 (10, 40) μg/L; median breastmilk selenium concentrations (BMSC) were 13 (11, 14), 11 (9, 11) and 12 (11, 13) μg/L; 18 %, 11 % and 14 % of women reported probable minor depression based on the EPDS scores equal or above 10. Estimated median infant selenium intake at 3 and 6 months were 9 (8, 11) and 8 (7, 10) μg/day with 85 % and 93 % below the Adequate Intake of 12 μg/day. Median maternal plasma selenium was 105.8 μg/L at 6 months postpartum. Minor depression at three months postpartum was significantly different across tertiles of plasma selenium concentrations (p = 0.041).Principle conclusionsSuboptimal selenium intake was observed among breastfeeding mothers and their infants in the MINI study. Potentially, some women had insufficient selenium status. Relation between selenium status and risk of postnatal depression and anxiety was inconclusive.Further research is required to explore effects on maternal thyroid function and infant neurodevelopment among women with inadequate selenium intake and status.