The neglected spectrum of COVID-19 pandemic - postpartum depression among COVID-19 infected South-Indian women - a cohort study.

The study aims to explore the burden of postpartum depression among COVID-19-infected mothers and stressor factors. A single-centre observational cohort study was conducted in South India to evaluate postpartum depression among 106 COVID-19-infected women who delivered from December 2020 to May 2021. Also, stressor factors related to COVID-19 infection were figured out to analyse their role in depression. Almost half of the COVID-19-infected mothers had a global EPDS score ≥ 10 and were at risk of depression during the pandemic. The depressive symptoms were not confined to the immediate postpartum period, but significantly impacted mothers until 6 months following childbirth. SYNOPSIS: COVID-19 infection not only affects the physical well-being but also adversely affects the mental health of the infected persons. Postpartum mothers who require the utmost care and support, are facing social deprivation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This triggers the already fragile mental state of postpartum women and may worsen the level of depression.

Efficacy of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol combination on menstrual cycle regulation and improving insulin resistance in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized open-label study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol in combination (MI + DCI) with combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) on menstrual cycle regulation in young Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Seventy young women with PCOS aged 15-24 years with delayed cycles were randomized into two groups and were treated for 6 months with MI + DCI (550 + 150 mg, 3.6:1 ratio) twice a day and CHC (ethinyl estradiol 20 µg + drospirenone 3 mg) once a day. RESULTS: Spontaneous menses resumed in 28 (84.85%) young women on MI + DCI, compared with withdrawal bleeding in 34 (100%) on CHC. The mean cycle length reduced with both MI + DCI (124.54 ± 8.08 to 57.75 ± 3.00 days, P < 0.001) and CHC (105.88 ± 7.96 to 30.53 ± 2.95 days, P < 0.001). Regular menstrual cycles were established in 9 (27.27%) young women with MI + DCI (P = 0.001) and 30 (88.23%) with CHC (P < 0.001). Three months after stopping the treatment, 24 young women (85.71%) on MI + DCI and 25 (73.53%) on CHC continued to have spontaneous cycles. Anti-Müllerian hormone decreased with both the drugs (P = 0.001), whereas luteinizing hormone (P = 0.001) and testosterone (P = 0.04) decreased with CHC and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P < 0.001) with MI + DCI. CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol in combination (3.6:1 ratio) are effective in regularizing menstrual cycles and improving insulin resistance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2018/03/012643). http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=20969&EncHid=&userName=myo-inositol.