Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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VOLUME 15 , ISSUE 1 ( January-February, 2023 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

A Comparative Study of Peripartum Mental Health Disorders between COVID-19-infected and Non-infected during the Pandemic

Reena De, Rudraprasad Acharya, Saranya Sasikumar, Pattianchi T Sangma

Keywords : COVID-19 anxiety scale, COVID-19 infection, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, Peripartum anxiety, Peripartum depression, Peripartum mental health disorders

Citation Information : De R, Acharya R, Sasikumar S, Sangma PT. A Comparative Study of Peripartum Mental Health Disorders between COVID-19-infected and Non-infected during the Pandemic. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2023; 15 (1):12-18.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10006-2175

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 19-04-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: This study was done to compare the prevalence of mental health disorders between COVID-19-infected and non-infected mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objective was to find out the risk factors and long-term outcome of peripartum depression (PPD). Material and methods: This was an observational and comparative study using a questionnaire-based direct interview, conducted in a tertiary hospital. After judging the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 842 subjects were selected between September 2020 to December 2020. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and COVID-19 anxiety scale (CAS) was used for evaluation of the mental health. Subjects with PPD were followed up for a year. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 24.8 ± 3.9 years, 142 (16.8%) were confirmed COVID-19 positive. Overall, 317 (37.6%) had possible PPD (EPDS ≥14) and 763 (90.6%) had peripartum anxiety (EPDS anxiety subscore ≥4). While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of PPD (32.6% vs 39%, p = 0.12), peripartum anxiety was higher among COVID non-infected subjects (91.6% vs 86.6%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, COVID-19-related anxiety was higher among COVID-19-infected compared to the non-infected [17 (10–28) vs 15 (8–25), p = 0.00]. In multivariate analysis, medical comorbidities (p = 0.000), history of psychiatric illness (p = 0.002), domestic violence (p = 0.032) and obstetric complications (p = 0.000) were significant risk factors for PPD. Among the subjects who had PPD, only 35% still had depression after a year. Conclusion: This study provides an in-depth analysis of PPD and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk factors, and the long-term effects. Clinical significance: It highlights the importance of routine screening for perinatal mental health disorders and early psychiatric consultation when required.


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