Costa R. , Pinto T.M. , Conde A. , Mesquita A. , MOTRICO MARTINEZ, EMMA, Figueiredo B.
No
Gen. Hosp. Psych.
Article
Científica
4.1
1.751
01/10/2023
001040855000001
2-s2.0-85164322882
Background: The prevalence of perinatal depression increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be due to changes in the profile of specific depressive symptoms. Aims: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the (1) prevalence and severity of specific depressive symptoms; and on the (2) prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: Pregnant and postpartum women recruited before (n = 2395) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 1396) completed a sociodemographic and obstetric questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). For each item, scores =1 and = 2 were used to calculate the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms, respectively. Results: The prevalence and severity of symptoms of depression were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of specific symptoms increased by >30%, namely “being able to laugh and see the funny side of things” (pregnancy 32.6%, postpartum 40.6%), “looking forward with enjoyment to things” (pregnancy 37.2%, postpartum 47.2%); and “feelings of sadness/miserable” or “unhappiness leading to crying” during postpartum (34.2% and 30.2%, respectively). A substantial increase was observed in the severity of specific symptoms related to feelings that “things have been getting on top of me” during pregnancy and the postpartum period (19.4% and 31.6%, respectively); “feeling sad or miserable” during pregnancy (10.8%); and “feeling scared/panicky” during postpartum (21.4%). Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to anhedonia-related symptoms of perinatal depression to ensure that they are adequately managed in present and future situations of crisis. © 2023
adult; anhedonia; Article; clinical significance; cohort analysis; coronavirus disease 2019; disease severity assessment; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; female; human; longitudinal study; major clinical study; pandemic; patient care; perinatal depression; perinatal period; pregnant woman; prevalence; puerperium