A lifespan perspective on depression in the postpartum period in a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of young mothers.

BACKGROUND: Consistent evidence from retrospective reports and case registry studies indicates that a history of depression is a major risk factor for depression in the peripartum period. However, longitudinal studies with racially and socioeconomically diverse samples of young mothers are lacking, and little is known about developmental patterns of depression across the lifespan that can inform preventive interventions. METHODS: Young primiparous mothers (n = 399, 13-25 years, 81% Black) were recruited from a population-based prospective study that began in childhood. Women reported on depression symptoms for at least 3 years prior to their pregnancy, during pregnancy, and at 4 months postpartum. Linear regression models were used to estimate change in pre-pregnancy depression severity and to evaluate associations between patterns of lifetime history and postpartum depression symptoms. RESULTS: Results revealed high levels of continuity in depression from pregnancy to postpartum, and across multiple years pre-pregnancy to postpartum. Overall, depression severity leading up to pregnancy decreased over time, but patterns of worsening or improving symptoms were not associated with depression severity in the postpartum period. Instead, area under the pre-pregnancy trajectory curve, representing cumulative lifetime depression burden, was uniquely associated with postpartum depression after adjusting for prenatal depression severity. CONCLUSIONS: Depression in the postpartum period should be considered within a lifespan perspective of risk that accumulates before conception. Clinical screening and early interventions are needed in adolescence and young adulthood to prevent the onset and persistence of depressive symptoms that could have long-term implications for peripartum health.

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on major depressive disorder with peripartum onset: A multicenter, open-label, controlled proof-of-concept clinical trial (DELOS-1).

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression has a high prevalence in the United States (~13 %) and often goes undertreated/untreated. We conducted a multicenter, open-label, proof-of-concept trial to assess the Nesos wearable, non-invasive, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) system for the treatment of major depressive disorder with peripartum onset (PPD). METHODS: Women (n = 25), ages 18 to 45, within 9 months postpartum, and diagnosed with PPD were enrolled at 3 sites. The study included 6 weeks open-label therapy and 2 weeks observation. Efficacy outcomes included change from baseline (CFB) in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD17) total scores, HAM-D17 response and remission, and patient and clinician global impression of change (PGIC, CGIC) scores. Analysis included descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models for repeated measures. RESULTS: The most common AEs (≥5 %) were discomfort (n = 5), headache (n = 3), and dizziness (n = 2); all resolved without intervention. No serious AEs or deaths occurred. Baseline mean HAM-D17 score was 18.4. Week 6 least squares (LS) mean CFB in HAM-D17 score was -9.7; 74 % achieved response and 61 % achieved remission. At week 6, at least some improvement was reported by 21 of 22 (95 %) clinicians on CGIC and 22 of 23 (96 %) participants on PGIC. LIMITATIONS: This was a single-arm, open-label study, and enrollment was limited to participants with mild-to-moderate peripartum depression. CONCLUSION: Results from this proof-of-concept study suggest that the Nesos taVNS system is well tolerated and may be an effective non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment for major depressive disorder with peripartum onset. Further evaluation in larger sham-controlled studies is needed. CLINICALTRIALS: govNCT03972995.