[Use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to detect postpartum depression]

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is a serious, common, treatable condition, with broad repercussions in mother and family life, but frequently under diagnosed. A screening tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) could improve the detection rate of depressive symptoms.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of EPDS in the detection rates for depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. To evaluate the feasibility of routine use of this screening scale in a Family Medicine Center.

Material and methods: The medical records of women attended during 2002, were reviewed to detect the registry of depressive symptoms or request for psychiatric consultations for depression. During 2003, the EPDS was applied to a sample of 110 women. To confirm the postpartum depression diagnosed using the instrument, a structured psychiatric interview was administered to these women.

Results: The medical records of 110 women aged 24+/-7 years were reviewed and the instrument was applied to 110 women aged 26+/-7 years. In the first group, the spontaneous detection rate for depressive symptoms was 4.6% (5/110). In 26.4% of women in whom the instrument was applied, depressive symptoms were found and 15% had a postpartum depression. The application rate of the scale was 88% and the rate of acceptance by mothers was 100%.

Conclusions: The EPDS improves significantly the detection rates of postpartum depressive symptoms, and it is well accepted by health professionals and mothers.