Association between physical and depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum.

AIM

To examine the relationship between physical symptoms and depressive symptoms among new mothers during the first 6 months postpartum.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study design was used in this study. Participants were recruited in 13 Japanese hospitals between 2012 and 2013. A total of 2709 women (response rate of those invited 71.9%) provided longitudinal data using self-report questionnaires at 5 time points: during the hospital stay and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Also, 37 physical symptoms were measured using a yes-or-no checklist. To examine the association between physical symptoms and depressive symptoms, logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive association between physical symptoms and depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum. Fifteen physical symptoms were associated with significantly increased odds of depression at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months post-partum. These symptoms included: loss of appetite, tiredness/languor, and palpitation/shortness of breath.

CONCLUSION

Multiple physical symptoms after childbirth were associated with depressive symptomatology. Health professionals should assess for postpartum depression when puerperal women report multiple physical symptoms as independent complaints.