A virtual mother-infant postpartum psychotherapy group for mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences: open-label feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: Mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are at elevated risk for postpartum mental illness and impairment in the mother-infant relationship. Interventions attending to maternal-infant interactions may improve outcomes for these parents and their children, but barriers to accessing in-person postpartum care limit uptake. We adapted a postpartum psychotherapy group for mothers with mental illness (e.g., mood, anxiety, trauma-related disorders) and ACE for live video-based delivery, and evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in an open-label pilot study. METHODS: We recruited adults with children (6-18 months) from a perinatal psychiatry program in Toronto, Canada. The intervention was a live video-based 12-week interactive psychotherapy group focused on maternal symptoms and maternal-infant relationships. The primary outcome was feasibility, including feasibility of recruitment and retention, fidelity of the intervention, and acceptability to patients and group providers. Maternal clinical outcomes were compared pre- to post-intervention, as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: We recruited 31 participants (mean age 36.5 years (SD 3.9)) into 6 groups; 93.6% (n = 29) completed post-group questionnaires, and n = 20 completed an optional post-group acceptability interview. Mean weekly group attendance was 83% (IQR 80-87); one participant (3.2%) dropped out. All group components were implemented as planned, except for dyadic exercises where facilitator observation of dyads was replaced with unobserved mother-infant exercises followed by in-group reflection. Participant acceptability was high (100% indicated the virtual group was easy to access, beneficial, and reduced barriers to care). Mean maternal depressive [Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: 14.6 (SD 4.2) vs. 11.8 (SD 4.2), paired t, p = 0.005] and post-traumatic stress [Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5: 35.5 (SD 19.0) vs. 27.1 (SD 16.7)], paired t, p = 0.01] symptoms were significantly lower post vs. pre-group. No differences were observed on mean measures of anxiety, emotion regulation or parenting stress. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment and retention met a priori feasibility criteria. There were significant pre- to post-group reductions in maternal depressive and post-traumatic symptoms, supporting proceeding to larger-scale implementation and evaluation of the intervention, with adaptation of dyadic exercises.

The use of key social determinants of health variables in psychiatric research using routinely collected health data: a systematic analysis.

PURPOSE: Social determinants of health (SDoH) impact psychiatric conditions. Routinely collected health data are frequently used to evaluate important psychiatric clinical and health services outcomes. This study explored how key SDoH are used in psychiatric research employing routinely collected health data. METHODS: A search was conducted in PubMed for English-language articles published in 2019 that used routinely collected health data to study psychiatric conditions. Studies (n = 19,513) were randomly ordered for title/abstract review; the first 150 meeting criteria progressed to full-text review. Three key SDoH categories were assessed: (1) gender and sex, (2) race and ethnicity, and (3) socioeconomic status. Within each category, data were extracted on how variables were included, defined, and used in study design and analysis. RESULTS: All studies (n = 103) reported on at least one of the key SDoH variables; 102 (99.0%) studies included a gender and/or sex variable, 30 (29.1%) included a race and/or ethnicity variable, and 55 (53.4%) included a socioeconomic status variable. No studies explicitly differentiated between gender and sex, and SDoH were often defined only as binary variables. SDoH were used to define the target population in 14 (13.6%) studies. Within analysis, SDoH were most often included as confounders (n = 65, 63.1%), exposures or predictors (n = 23, 22.3%), and effect modifiers (n = 14, 13.6%). Only 21 studies (20.4%) disaggregated results by SDoH and 7 (6.8%) considered intersections between SDoH. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest improvements are needed in how key SDoH are used in routinely collected health data-based psychiatric research, to ensure relevance to diverse populations and improve equity-oriented research.

Digital Health Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Among People With Chronic Conditions: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic conditions are characterized by their long duration (≥1 year), need for ongoing medical attention, and limitations in activities of daily living. These can often co-occur with depression and anxiety as common and detrimental comorbidities among the growing population living with chronic conditions. Digital health interventions (DHIs) hold promise in overcoming barriers to accessing mental health support for these individuals; however, the design and implementation of DHIs for depression and anxiety in people with chronic conditions are yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore what is known in the literature regarding DHIs for the prevention, detection, or treatment of depression and anxiety among people with chronic conditions. METHODS: A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Searches of the literature published in 5 databases between 1990 and 2019 were conducted in April 2019 and updated in March 2021. To be included, studies must have described a DHI tested with, or designed for, the prevention, detection, or treatment of depression or anxiety in people with common chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer disease or dementia). Studies were independently screened by 2 reviewers against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both quantitative and qualitative data were extracted, charted, and synthesized to provide a descriptive summary of the trends and considerations for future research. RESULTS: Database searches yielded 11,422 articles across the initial and updated searches, 53 (0.46%) of which were included in this review. DHIs predominantly sought to provide treatment (44/53, 83%), followed by detection (5/53, 9%) and prevention (4/53, 8%). Most DHIs were focused on depression (36/53, 68%), guided (32/53, 60%), tailored to chronic physical conditions (19/53, 36%), and delivered through web-based platforms (20/53, 38%). Only 2 studies described the implementation of a DHI. CONCLUSIONS: As a growing research area, DHIs offer the potential to address the gap in care for depression and anxiety among people with chronic conditions; however, their implementation in standard care is scarce. Although stepped care has been identified as a promising model to implement efficacious DHIs, few studies have investigated the use of DHIs for depression and anxiety among chronic conditions using such models. In developing stepped care, we outlined DHI tailoring, guidance, and intensity as key considerations that require further research.

Operationalizing and Evaluating Synchronous Virtual Group Health Interventions: Wide-Scale Implementation at a Tertiary Care Academic Hospital.

Group-based health interventions are an important component of health promotion and management. To provide continuity of care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our institution undertook a rapid pivot to delivering group-based health interventions via a videoconferencing service which was securely embedded into both the electronic medical record and the patient portal to sustainably address immediate health service delivery needs during the pandemic and beyond. In this paper, we (1) describe the institutionally driven operationalization of a system to provide integrated synchronous video group visits across our hospital and (2) present a proposed strategy to comprehensively evaluate outcomes regarding their implementation, quality, and impact. Lessons for other institutions and the potential future role of synchronous video group visits to enhance how care can be scaled for delivery are discussed.

The development of a patient decision aid to reduce decisional conflict about antidepressant use in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: People with moderate to severe depression in pregnancy must weigh potential risks of untreated or incompletely treated depression against the small, but uncertain risks of fetal antidepressant drug exposure. Clinical support alone appears insufficient for helping individuals with this complex decision. A patient decision aid (PDA) has the potential to be a useful tool for this population. The objective of our work was to use internationally recognized guidelines from the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration to develop an evidence-based PDA for antidepressant use in pregnancy. METHODS: A three-phased development process was used whereby, informed by patient and physician perspectives and evidence synthesis, a steering committee commissioned a web-based PDA for those deciding whether or not to start or continue antidepressant treatment for depression in pregnancy (Phase 1). A prototype was developed (Phase 2) and iteratively revised based on feedback during field testing based on a user-centred process (Phase 3). RESULTS: We developed a web-based PDA for people deciding whether to start or continue antidepressant use for depression in pregnancy. It has five interactive sections: (1) information on depression and treatment; (2) reasons to start/continue an antidepressant and to start/stop antidepressant medication; (3) user assessment of values regarding each issue; (4) opportunity to reflect on factors that contribute to decision making; and (5) a printable PDF that summarizes the user's journey through the PDA. CONCLUSIONS: This tool, which exclusively focuses on depression treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, can be used by individuals making decisions about antidepressant use to treat depression during pregnancy. Limitations of the PDA are that it is not for other conditions, nor other medications that can be used for depression, and in its pilot form cannot be used by women who do not speak English or who have a visual impairment. Pending further study, it has the potential to enhance quality of care and patient experience.

Postpartum mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the clinical burden of postpartum mental illness has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to compare physician visit rates for postpartum mental illness in Ontario, Canada, during the pandemic with rates expected based on prepandemic patterns. METHODS: In this population-based, repeated cross-sectional study using linked health administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, we used negative binomial regression to model expected visit rates per 1000 postpartum people for March-November 2020 based on prepandemic data (January 2016-February 2020). We compared observed visit rates to expected visit rates for each month of the pandemic period, generating absolute rate differences, incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was a visit to a primary care physician or a psychiatrist for any mental disorder. We stratified analyses by maternal sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In March 2020, the visit rate was 43.5/1000, with a rate difference of 3.11/1000 (95% CI 1.25-4.89) and an IRR of 1.08 (95% CI 1.03-1.13) compared with the expected rate. In April, the rate difference (10.9/1000, 95% CI 9.14-12.6) and IRR (1.30, 95% CI 1.24-1.36) were higher; this level was generally sustained through November 2020. From April-November, we observed elevated visit rates across provider types and for diagnoses of anxiety, depressive and alcohol or substance use disorders. Observed increases from expected visit rates were greater for people 0-90 days postpartum compared with 91-365 days postpartum; increases were small among people living in low-income neighbourhoods. Public health units in the northern areas of the province did not see sustained elevations in visit rates after July; southern health units had elevated rates through to November. INTERPRETATION: Increased visits for mental health conditions among postpartum people during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic suggest an increased need for effective and accessible mental health care for this population as the pandemic progresses.

Mother Matters: Pilot randomized wait-list controlled trial of an online therapist-facilitated discussion board and support group for postpartum depression symptoms.

METHODS: In a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial (Ontario, Canada), individuals aged ≥18 years with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores greater than 9 and who self-identified as a mother to a child aged 0-12 months were randomized 1:1 to Mother Matters (intervention) or usual care (control), with an opportunity to receive the intervention after the study was complete. The primary outcome was protocol feasibility, evaluated through recruitment feasibility, intervention acceptability, and adherence to study follow-up measures. Secondarily, postintervention EPDS scores and remission rates (EPDS < 10) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Ninety-eight participants were randomized (n = 50 intervention; n = 48 control) and seventy-seven (78.6%) completed postintervention questionnaires. About 88% of the intervention group (n = 44) logged into Mother Matters. Almost all topics were rated highly for relevance, there was good group cohesion and good satisfaction with the intervention. Mean (SD) EPDS scores decreased from 14.5 (4.07) to 11.3 (4.54) in the intervention group and 15.0 (3.56) to 12.0 (4.79) among controls (adjusted mean difference [aMD] -0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.68 to 1.52), with remission in 37.8% versus 25.0% for intervention group and controls, respectively (χ2 = 1.48; p = .224). Among those with EPDS ≥ 16, the aMD was -3.66 (95% CI: -6.65 to -0.67) with remission in 41.2% in the intervention group versus 10.0% among controls (χ2 = 4.50; p = .06). CONCLUSION: This study supports the pursuit of online, therapist-facilitated, discussion board support group strategies for PPD. A large-scale efficacy and cost-effectiveness evaluation of Mother Matters is warranted.

Key concerns among pregnant individuals during the pandemic: Online cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine common sources of concern among pregnant individuals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, open, online electronic survey from May 9, 2020, to June 14, 2020. SETTING: Electronic survey open internationally and advertised through Canadian-based social media platforms. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible participants understood English and had been pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic (ie, were pregnant at the time of survey completion or had delivered an infant on or after March 11, 2020). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Potential sources of concern related to the pandemic, calculated as the proportion of participants who endorsed each concern among those for whom the concern was relevant. Differences in the proportion of individuals endorsing each concern were compared by parity using modified Poisson regression. Frequency of concerns was examined in terms of level of distress, as per the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Out of 1477 participants, 87.3% were Canadian. Top concerns included the following: hospital policies related to support persons during labour (80.9%), not being able to introduce the baby to family and friends (80.1%), and developing COVID-19 while pregnant (79.2%). Primiparous participants were more likely than multiparous participants to be concerned about accessing in-person prenatal classes (51.5% vs 13.3%; relative risk = 3.88; 95% CI 2.02 to 4.98) and cancellation of hospital tours (35.0% vs 5.6%, relative risk = 6.26; 95% CI 4.25 to 9.20), among other concerns. The mean (SD) K6 score was 6.7 (3.8) within the moderate to high distress range. Number of concerns reported was associated with K6 score in both primiparous (ß = 0.24; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.29; P < .0001) and multiparous (ß = 0.30; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.36; P < .0001) individuals. CONCLUSION: Pregnant individuals have unique concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the findings indicate the importance of targeted support strategies to meet the particular needs of both primiparous and multiparous pregnant individuals.

Decision-making about antidepressant medication use in pregnancy: a comparison between women making the decision in the preconception period versus in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about antidepressant use in pregnancy are complex. Little is known about how pregnancy-planning and already pregnant women making these decisions differ. METHODS: In 95 Canadian women having difficulty deciding whether to take antidepressants in pregnancy, we compared sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment intent between women planning pregnancy (preconception women) and currently-pregnant women. RESULTS: About 90% of preconception women (n = 55) were married or cohabitating and university-educated, and over 60% had an annual income of > 80,000 CAD/year; this was not different from currently-pregnant women (n = 40). Almost all women had previously used antidepressants, but preconception women were more likely to report current use (85.5% vs. 45.0%). They were more likely to have high decisional conflict (83.6% vs. 60.0%) and less likely to be under the care of a psychiatrist (29.1% vs. 52.5%). Preconception women were more likely than pregnant women to report the intent to use antidepressants (60% vs. 32.5%, odds ratio 3.11, 95% confidence interval 1.33-7.32); this was partially explained by between-group differences in current antidepressant use. CONCLUSIONS: Preconception women were more likely than pregnant women to intend to use antidepressants in pregnancy, in part because more of them were already using this treatment. Strategies to enhance support for decision-making about antidepressant medication use in pregnancy may need to be tailored differently for pregnancy-planning and already pregnant women.

Mobile Health for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The perinatal period is a vulnerable time during which depression and anxiety commonly occur. If left untreated or undertreated, there may be significant adverse effects; therefore, access to rapid, effective treatment is essential. Treatments for mild-to-moderate symptoms according to a stepped-care approach involve psychoeducation, peer support, and psychological therapy, all of which have been shown to be efficaciously delivered through digital means. Women experience significant barriers to care because of system- and individual-level factors, such as cost, accessibility, and availability of childcare. The use of mobile phones is widespread in this population, and the delivery of mental health services via mobile phones has been suggested as a means of reducing barriers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the extent, range, and nature of mobile health (mHealth) tools for prevention, screening, and treatment of perinatal depression and anxiety in order to identify gaps and inform opportunities for future work. METHODS: Using a scoping review framework, 4 databases were searched for terms related to mobile phones, perinatal period, and either depression or anxiety. A total of 477 unique records were retrieved, 81 of which were reviewed by full text. Peer-reviewed publications were included if they described the population as women pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum and a tool explicitly delivered via a mobile phone for preventing, screening, or treating depression or anxiety. Studies published in 2007 or earlier, not in English, or as case reports were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 26 publications describing 22 unique studies were included (77% published after 2017). mHealth apps were slightly more common than texting-based interventions (12/22, 54% vs 10/22, 45%). Most tools were for either depression (12/22, 54%) or anxiety and depression (9/22, 41%); 1 tool was for anxiety only (1/22, 4%). Interventions starting in pregnancy and continuing into the postpartum period were rare (2/22, 9%). Tools were for prevention (10/22, 45%), screening (6/22, 27%), and treatment (6/22, 27%). Interventions delivered included psychoeducation (16/22, 73%), peer support (4/22, 18%), and psychological therapy (4/22, 18%). Cost was measured in 14% (3/22) studies. CONCLUSIONS: Future work in this growing area should incorporate active psychological treatment, address continuity of care across the perinatal period, and consider clinical sustainability to realize the potential of mHealth.

Prevalence of Asthma and Allergies and Risk of Relapse in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome: Insight into Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the lifetime prevalence of allergies in childhood nephrotic syndrome, the seasonality of presentation and relapses, and the impact of allergies on subsequent relapses. STUDY DESIGN: In a longitudinal cohort of children with nephrotic syndrome (ages 1-18 years), assessment for allergic diseases was conducted using the validated and modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire at enrollment. Outcomes included frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, relapse rates, and the relapse-free duration after initial steroid therapy. RESULTS: Among 277 participants, the majority were male (65%) with a median age of 3.7 years (IQR 2.8-5.8) at presentation. A total of 64% reported lifetime allergies with 20% having asthma, 33% wheezing, 27% eczema, and 24% rhinitis. Over 3.3 years of follow-up, presence of asthma and allergies was not associated with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.60, 2.40), higher relapse rates (relative risk 0.95; 95% CI 0.71, 1.27), or risk of first relapse (hazard ratio 1.10; 95% CI 0.83, 1.47) compared with those with no history of allergic diseases. There was also no seasonal variation evident at initial presentation or frequency of relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of children with nephrotic syndrome at presentation have allergic symptoms and asthma; however, neither are associated with an increased frequency of relapses.

Association of low birth weight and prematurity with clinical outcomes of childhood nephrotic syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW)/prematurity have been proposed as risk factors for the development of kidney disease in adulthood. Whether there is an association between LBW/prematurity and poor renal outcomes in childhood onset nephrotic syndrome remains unknown. METHODS: Children with nephrotic syndrome diagnosed between 1 and 18 years of age were followed prospectively from 1996 to 2016 at The Hospital for Sick Children (N = 377). LBW/prematurity was defined as birth weight < 2500 g or gestational age < 36 weeks. Normal birth weight (NBW) was defined as birth weight ≥ 2500 g. Measures evaluating clinical course of nephrotic syndrome include initial steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), time to first relapse, and frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to determine the association of LBW/prematurity with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Median birth weights in LBW/premature (n = 46) and NBW (n = 331) children were 2098 g (interquartile range [IQR] 1700-2325 g) and 3317 g (IQR 2977-3685 g), respectively. Odds of having SRNS were 3.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-11.21) times higher among LBW/premature children than NBW children. An 8% decrease in odds of developing SRNS was observed for every 100 g increase in birth weight (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.98). Median time to first relapse did not differ (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89; 95% CI 0.53-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: LBW/premature children were more likely to develop SRNS but did not have a difference in time to first relapse with NBW children. Understanding the impact and mechanism of birth weight and steroid-resistant disease needs further study.

Postpartum mental health of immigrant mothers by region of origin, time since immigration, and refugee status: a population-based study.

Immigrant women are at high risk for postpartum mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to understand how rates of postpartum mental health contact differ among immigrant women by region of origin, time since immigration, and refugee status. We conducted a population-based cohort study of immigrant mothers in Ontario, Canada, with children born from 2008 to 2012 (N = 123,231). We compared risk for mental health contact (outpatient, emergency department, inpatient hospitalization) in the first postpartum year by region of origin, time since immigration, and refugee status, generating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East were more likely to have outpatient mental health contact than a referent group of immigrants from North America or Europe (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14); those from East Asia and the Pacific, Southern Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa were less likely (0.64, 0.61-0.68; 0.78, 0.74-0.83; 0.88, 0.81-0.94). Refugees were more likely to have contact than non-refugees (1.10, 1.04-1.15); those in Canada <5 years were less likely than longer-term immigrants (0.83, 0.79-0.87). Refugees were more likely to have an emergency department visit (1.81, 1.50-2.17) and a psychiatric hospitalization than non-refugees (1.78, 1.31-2.42). These findings have implications for targeted postpartum mental health service delivery targeting certain immigrant groups and particularly refugees.

A Population-Based Study of Postpartum Mental Health Service Use by Immigrant Women in Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum mental disorders are twice as common among immigrant women compared to nonimmigrant women in developed countries. Immigrant women may experience barriers to access and use of postpartum mental health services, but little is known about their service use on a population level. We described postpartum mental health service use of immigrant mothers living in Ontario, Canada, comparing to a referent group of mothers who were either born in Canada or had lived in Ontario or another Canadian province since 1985. METHOD: Among all women in Ontario, Canada, delivering a live infant from 2008 to 2012 (n = 450,622), we described mental health service use within 1 year postpartum, including mental health physician visits, psychiatric emergency department visits, and psychiatric hospitalization. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing immigrant women to the referent group were adjusted for maternal age, parity, income, rurality, mental health services in prior 2 years, and maternal and newborn health. RESULTS: Immigrant women (n = 123,231; 27%) were less likely to use mental health services than women in the referent group (14.1% vs. 21.4%; aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.61), including for physician-based (13.9% vs. 21.1%; aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.61) and emergency department (0.6% vs. 1.3%; aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.68) services. Hospitalization risk was lower among immigrants (0.20% vs. 0.33%) but became similar after covariate adjustment (aOR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.06). CONCLUSIONS: Underuse of postpartum mental health services may be contributing to the high burden of postpartum mental disorders among immigrant women.

Follow-up after post-partum psychiatric emergency department visits: an equity-focused population-based study in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department visits for a psychiatric reason in the post-partum period represent an acute need for mental health care at a crucial time, but little is known about the extent of timely outpatient follow-up after these visits or how individual and intersecting social determinants of health influence this outcome. This study aimed to examine outpatient mental health care follow-up by a physician in the 30 days after an individual attended the emergency department for a psychiatric reason in the post-partum period and understand how social determinants of health affect who receives follow-up care. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, routinely collected health data from Ontario, Canada were accessed through ICES to identify all post-partum individuals whose sex was listed as female on their health card and who had attended an emergency department in Ontario before the COVID-19 pandemic for a psychiatric reason. Individuals admitted to hospital at the time of the emergency department visit, who died during the visit, or who left without being seen were excluded from the study. Ethnicity data for individuals were not collected. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals with any outpatient physician (psychiatrist or family physician) visit for a mental health reason within 30 days of the index emergency department visit. Family physician mental health visits were identified using a validated algorithm for Ontario Health Insurance Plan-billed visits and mental health diagnostic codes for community health centre visits. We examined the associations between social determinants of health (age, neighbourhood income, community size, immigration, neighbourhood ethnic diversity) and who received an outpatient mental health visit. We used modified Poisson regression adjusting for the other social determinants of health, clinical, and health services characteristics to examine independent associations with follow-up, and conditional inference trees to explore how social determinants of health intersect with each other and with clinical and health services characteristics in relation to follow-up. FINDINGS: We analysed data collected between April 1, 2008, and March 10, 2020, after exclusions we identified 12 158 people who had attended the emergency department for a psychiatric reason in the post-partum period (mean age 26·9 years [SD 6·2]; range 13-47); 9848 individuals lived in an urban area, among these 1518 (15·5%) were immigrants and 2587 (26·3%) lived in areas with high ethnic diversity. 5442 (44·8%) of 12 158 individuals received 30-day follow-up. In modified Poisson regression models, younger age, lower neighbourhood income, smaller community size, and being an immigrant were associated with a lower likelihood of follow-up. In the CTREE, similar variables were important, with several intersections between social determinants of health and between social determinants of health and other variables. INTERPRETATION: Fewer than half of emergency department visits for a psychiatric reason in the post-partum period were followed by timely outpatient care, with social-determinants-of-health-based disparities in access to care. Improvements in equitable access to post-emergency department mental health care are urgently needed in this high-risk post-partum population. FUNDING: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Investigating the Use of Mobile Health Interventions in Vulnerable Populations for Cardiovascular Disease Management: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has grown to become one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The advancements of CVD-related treatments have led to a decline in CVD prevalence among individuals in high-income countries (HICs). However, these improvements do not reflect the state of individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and vulnerable subgroup populations in HICs, such as the Indigenous. To help minimize the health disparities in these populations, technology-based interventions have been offered as a potential solution, but there is concern regarding if they will be effective, or even needed, as these tools have been designed for use in HICs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore how mobile health (mHealth) interventions currently assist individuals in Indigenous communities and LMICs with CVD management. METHODS: A scoping review guided by the methods outlined by Arksey and O'Malley was conducted. A comprehensive search was completed by 2 reviewers in 5 electronic databases using keywords related to mobile health, cardiovascular disease, self-care, Indigenous communities, and LMICs. Studies were screened over 2 rounds and critically reviewed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method. Descriptive data were categorized into thematic groups reflecting the major findings related to the study objective. RESULTS: We identified a total of 11 original articles and 11 review papers that met the criteria for this scoping review. The majority of the studies included a telemonitoring- and text messaging (short message service, SMS)-related feature associated with the intervention. The use of SMS was the most common approach to effectively promote disease management among individuals in both LMICs and Indigenous communities. However, customizing for cultural considerations within the design of the intervention was highlighted as a pivotal component to encourage CVD management. Specifically, individuals emphasized that the inclusion of collaborative partnerships with community members would strengthen the effectiveness of the intervention by ensuring it was designed with the appropriate context. CONCLUSIONS: Technology-based interventions used within Indigenous communities and LMICs have shown their potential to assist individuals with managing their condition. Although the literature available regarding this topic is limited, this review outlines key components to promote the effective use of these tools in the context of these vulnerable populations.

A patient decision aid for antidepressant use in pregnancy: Pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Decisions about antidepressant use in pregnancy are complex. We performed a pilot randomized controlled trial assessing the feasibility of a trial protocol for an online patient decision aid (PDA) for women deciding about antidepressant use in pregnancy. METHODS: 96 preconception and pregnant Canadian women recruited from specialist (n = 51) and non-specialist (n = 45) settings with Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS, range 0-100) score of ≥25 signifying moderate-to-high decisional conflict were randomly allocated to either the PDA or a control condition that guided participants to publicly available resources for advice around antidepressants and pregnancy. Follow-up data were collected at 4 weeks post-randomization. RESULTS: About 88.9% of eligible participants consented to participate. Women's views of the tool were positive; 88.7% of participants provided follow-up data. At follow-up, mean DCS score had decreased by 19.9 points in the PDA group vs. 13.3 in controls (adjusted mean difference, MD, 7.01, 95% CI -14.3 to 0.30). In the non-specialist setting, DCS scores decreased more for PDA users (25.5 points) than controls (10.5 points; adjusted MD -15.1, 95% CI -25.6 to -4.55); the MD was negligible in the specialist setting. LIMITATIONS: The main limitation is the highly educated, high-income nature of our sample. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of an online PDA for antidepressant use in pregnancy with national recruitment is feasible. Pilot results suggest that the tool is acceptable and reduces decisional conflict more than clinical care alone in a non-specialist setting. Evaluation of the PDA's impact on longer-term maternal and child clinical outcomes is a key next step.

The Association Between Antenatal Exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the relationship between antenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure and child autism, with specific attention to maternal mental illness (MMI) as a potential confounding factor. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from database inception to January 28, 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Keywords included terms for SSRIs, pregnancy, and autism. We included published, peer-reviewed articles written in English. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers used standardized instruments for data extraction and quality assessment. We generated pooled estimates for studies of the same design for SSRI exposure at any time during pregnancy and exposure during the first trimester. Subanalyses were conducted among studies with analyses (1) adjusted for MMI and (2) restricted to MMI. RESULTS: We included in the meta-analysis 4 case-control studies and 2 cohort studies. In the case-control studies, the adjusted pooled odds ratio (aPOR) values were 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0-2.0) (any) and 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2.6) (first trimester). In MMI-adjusted analyses, only first trimester exposure remained statistically significant (aPOR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1). In MMI-restricted analyses, neither exposure period was statistically significant. In the cohort studies, MMI-adjusted relative risk values were 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9-2.7) (any) and 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0-1.9) (first trimester). In MMI-restricted analyses, SSRI exposure at any time during pregnancy was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: It remains unclear whether the association between first trimester SSRI exposure and child autism that was present in the case-control studies even after adjustment for MMI is a true association or a product of residual confounding. Future studies require robust measurement of MMI prior to and during pregnancy.

Parental Health Literacy and Outcomes of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the association of parental health literacy with treatment response among children with nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: This was a cohort study of children aged 1-18 with nephrotic syndrome and their parent. Health literacy was measured using the validated Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults assessing reading comprehension and numeracy. Outcomes included initial relapse-free period, frequently relapsing disease, relapse rate, second-line medication use, and complete remission after therapy. RESULTS: Of 190 parents, 80% had adequate health literacy (score >67 of 100), and higher scores were not correlated with higher education. Almost all achieved perfect numeracy scores (>86%); numeracy was not associated with outcomes. After adjusting for immigration, education, and income, higher reading comprehension scores (tertile 3) compared with lower scores (tertile 1) were significantly associated with lower risk of first relapse (hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-0.94, P trend = .02), lower odds of frequently relapsing disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.38, 95% CI 0.21-0.70, P trend = .002), lower relapse rate (rate ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.73-0.80, P trend < .001), and higher odds of complete remission after both initial steroids and cyclophosphamide (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.36-3.16, P trend = .003; OR 5.97, 95% CI 2.42-14.7, P trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Lower parental health literacy, specifically reading comprehension, is associated with higher relapse rates among children with nephrotic syndrome and fewer achieving complete remission. This underscores the importance of assessing and targeting health literacy for chronic management of childhood-onset diseases.

A patient decision aid for antidepressant use in pregnancy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many women with depression experience significant difficulty making a decision about whether or not to use antidepressant medication in pregnancy. Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools that assist patients in making complex health decisions. PDAs can reduce decision-making difficulty and lead to better treatment outcomes. We describe the methods for a pilot randomized controlled trial of an interactive web-based PDA for women who are having difficulty deciding about antidepressant drug use in pregnancy. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to assess the feasibility of a larger, multi-center efficacy study. The PDA aims to help a woman: (1) understand why an antidepressant is being recommended, (2) be knowledgeable about potential benefits and risks of treatment and non-treatment with antidepressants, and (3) be clear about which benefits and risks are most important to her, with the goal of improving confidence in her decision-making. We include women aged 18 years or older who are: (1) planning a pregnancy or are pregnant (gestational age less than 30 weeks), (2) diagnosed with major depressive disorder, (3) deciding whether or not to use a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant in pregnancy, and (4) having at least moderate decision-making difficulty as per a Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) Score ≥25. Participants are randomized to receive the PDA or an informational resource sheet via a secure website, and have access to the stated allocation until their final study follow-up. The primary outcomes of the pilot study are feasibility of recruitment and retention, acceptability of the intervention, and adherence to the trial protocol. The primary efficacy outcome is DCS score at 4 weeks post randomization, with secondary outcomes including depressive and anxiety symptoms. DISCUSSION: Our PDA represents a key opportunity to optimize the decision-making process for women around antidepressants in pregnancy, leading to effective decision-making and optimizing improved maternal and child outcomes related to depression in pregnancy. The electronic nature of the PDA will facilitate keeping it up-to-date, and allow for widespread dissemination after efficacy is demonstrated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov under the identifier NCT02308592 (first registered: 2 December 2014).