Postpartum Depression: A Clinical Review of Impact and Current Treatment Solutions.

Depression during the first year postpartum (postpartum depression) impacts millions of women and their families worldwide. In this narrative review, we provide a summary of postpartum depression, examining the etiology and consequences, pharmacological and psychological treatments, and potential mechanisms of change and current barriers to care. Psychological treatments are effective and preferred by many perinatal patients over medications, but they often remain inaccessible. Key potential mechanisms underlying their effectiveness include treatment variables (e.g., dosage and therapeutic alliance) and patient behaviors (e.g., activation and avoidance and emotional regulation). Among pharmacological treatments, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline is generally the first-line antidepressant medication recommended to women in the postpartum period due to its minimal passage into breastmilk and the corresponding decades of safety data. Importantly, most antidepressant drugs are considered compatible with breastfeeding. Neurosteroids are emerging as an effective treatment for postpartum depression, although currently this treatment is not widely available. Barriers to widespread access to treatment include those that are systematic (e.g., lack of specialist providers), provider-driven (e.g., lack of flexibility in treatment delivery), and patient-driven (e.g., stigma and lack of time for treatment engagement). We propose virtual care, task-sharing to non-specialist treatment providers, and collaborative care models as potential solutions to enhance the reach and scalability of effective treatments to address the growing burden of postpartum depression worldwide and its negative impact on families and society.

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023 : Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes.

BACKGROUND: The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) last published clinical guidelines for the management of major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2016. Owing to advances in the field, an update was needed to incorporate new evidence and provide new and revised recommendations for the assessment and management of MDD in adults. METHODS: CANMAT convened a guidelines editorial group comprised of academic clinicians and patient partners. A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since the 2016 guidelines. Recommendations were organized by lines of treatment, which were informed by CANMAT-defined levels of evidence and supplemented by clinical support (consisting of expert consensus on safety, tolerability, and feasibility). Drafts were revised based on review by patient partners, expert peer review, and a defined expert consensus process. RESULTS: The updated guidelines comprise eight primary topics, in a question-and-answer format, that map a patient care journey from assessment to selection of evidence-based treatments, prevention of recurrence, and strategies for inadequate response. The guidelines adopt a personalized care approach that emphasizes shared decision-making that reflects the values, preferences, and treatment history of the patient with MDD. Tables provide new and updated recommendations for psychological, pharmacological, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine, digital health, and neuromodulation treatments. Caveats and limitations of the evidence are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: The CANMAT 2023 updated guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for the management of MDD, in a clinician-friendly format. These updated guidelines emphasize a collaborative, personalized, and systematic management approach that will help optimize outcomes for adults with MDD.

Traditional postpartum rituals among immigrant and non-immigrant Chinese women.

Due to cultural and systemic factors, Chinese-Canadians tend to use mental health services less or when mental health problems are more severe. Services need to be more culturally responsive in their treatment of mental illness. Around important life events, when there may be heightened vulnerability to mental illness, this is especially important. In this study, postpartum cultural practices were examined among recent immigrant, longer-term immigrant, and Canadian-born Chinese women. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 493 women in Toronto, Ontario, with livebirths in 2011-2014. Participants completed a demographic survey and Postpartum Rituals Questionnaire. Most women (82.2%) practiced at least one postpartum ritual. Younger age (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87-0.99) and greater participation in the heritage culture (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.02-1.61) were associated with ritual practice. From among five types of postpartum rituals identified (i.e., avoidance of homeostatic disturbances, dietary practices, wind avoidance, organized support, and cold avoidance), dietary practices were most commonly undertaken and cold avoidance was least commonly undertaken. There were differences in postpartum ritual patterns by immigration status, with immigrant women being more likely to undertake a greater number of rituals, to attribute these rituals to Chinese culture, and to ascribe health benefits to these rituals and being less likely to feel forced into performing these rituals. Our findings underscore the importance of clinicians becoming more aware of Chinese postpartum rituals to provide women with culturally competent and patient-centered care.

Meta-Analyses of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Postpartum Depression.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD) that is more heritable, yet is understudied in psychiatric genetics. The authors conducted meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the genetic architecture of PPD. METHOD: Meta-analyses were conducted on 18 cohorts of European ancestry (17,339 PPD cases and 53,426 controls), one cohort of East Asian ancestry (975 cases and 3,780 controls), and one cohort of African ancestry (456 cases and 1,255 controls), totaling 18,770 PPD cases and 58,461 controls. Post-GWAS analyses included 1) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability ([Formula: see text]), 2) genetic correlations between PPD and other phenotypes, and 3) enrichment of the PPD GWAS findings in 27 human tissues and 265 cell types from the mouse central and peripheral nervous system. RESULTS: No SNP achieved genome-wide significance in the European or the trans-ancestry meta-analyses. The [Formula: see text] of PPD was 0.14 (SE=0.02). Significant genetic correlations were estimated for PPD with MDD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, age at menarche, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Cell-type enrichment analyses implicate inhibitory neurons in the thalamus and cholinergic neurons within septal nuclei of the hypothalamus, a pattern that differs from MDD. CONCLUSIONS: While more samples are needed to reach genome-wide levels of significance, the results presented confirm PPD as a polygenic and heritable phenotype. There is also evidence that despite a high correlation with MDD, PPD may have unique genetic components. Cell enrichment results suggest GABAergic neurons, which converge on a common mechanism with the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for PPD (brexanolone).

Cohort profile: Impact of Maternal and Paternal Mental Health - Assessing Concurrent Depression, Anxiety and Comorbidity in the Canadian Family (IMPACT study).

PURPOSE: This paper describes a prospective cohort, Impact of Maternal and Paternal Mental Health: Assessing Concurrent Depression, Anxiety and Comorbidity in The Canadian Family (IMPACT) study, which followed maternal-paternal dyads and their children across the first 2 years post partum. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3217 cohabitating maternal-paternal dyads were recruited into the study from 2014 to 2018. Each dyad member separately completed online questionnaires at baseline (<3 weeks post partum) and again at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months on a variety of measures, including mental health, parenting environment, family functioning and child health and development. FINDINGS TO DATE: At baseline, the mean maternal age was 31.9±4.2 years and 33.8±5.0 years for fathers. Overall, 12.8% of families had a household income below the poverty line of $C50 000, and 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 4 fathers were not born in Canada. One in 10 women experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy (9.7%) and 1 in 6 had markedly anxious symptoms (15.4%) while 1 in 20 men reported feeling depression during their partner's pregnancy and 1 in 10 had marked anxiety (10.1%). Approximately 91% of mothers and 82% of fathers completed the 12-month questionnaire as did 88% of mothers and 78% of fathers at 24 months postpartum. FUTURE PLANS: The IMPACT study will examine the influence of parental mental illness in the first 2 years of a child's life with a focus on understanding the mechanisms by which single (maternal or paternal) versus dual (maternal and paternal) parental depression, anxiety and comorbidity symptoms affect family and infant outcomes. Future analyses planned to address the research objectives of IMPACT will consider the longitudinal design and dyadic interparental relationship.

The PPD-ACT app in Canada: feasibility and a latent class analysis of participants with postpartum depression recruited to a psychiatric genetics study using a mobile application.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis (PPP) are linked to negative consequences for women and families. Virtual applications present a solution to the challenge of recruiting large samples for genetic PPD/PPP research. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a protocol for enrolling Canadian women with PPD and PPP to a large international psychiatric genetics study using a mobile application (PPD-ACT), and identify clinically distinct subtypes of PPD in the recruited sample. METHODS: From April 2017-June 2019, Canadian women provided phenotypic data through the PPD-ACT app. Requests for a genetic sample were made from those with a current or past PPD episode based on an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score > 12 with onset in pregnancy or 0-3 months postpartum, and from those self-reporting lifetime PPP. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify clinically distinct PPD subgroups based on participant responses to the EPDS scale. RESULTS: We identified 797 PPD cases, 404 of whom submitted DNA. There were 109 PPP cases, with 66 submitting DNA. PPD cases (86.7% White, mean 4.7 +/- 7.0 years since their episode) came from across Canadian provinces/territories. LCA identified two PPD classes clinically distinct by symptom severity: [1] moderate-severity (mean EPDS = 18.5+/- 2.5; 8.6% with suicidality), and [2] severe (mean EPDS = 24.5+/- 2.1; 52.8% with suicidality). CONCLUSIONS: A mobile application rapidly collected data from individuals with moderate and severe symptoms of PPD, an advantage for genetics where specificity is optimal, as well as from women with a history of PPP, supporting future work using this approach.

The Mental and Physical Health Impacts of Overturning Roe v Wade.

ABSTRACT: The overturning of Roe v Wade has resulted in the loss of reproductive rights for millions of women in the United States. It has also put these women at risk of severe mental and physical health consequences. When legal abortions are restricted, there is a rise in illegal abortion with the risk of hemorrhage, infection, infertility, and death. There are many more risks of carrying a pregnancy to term than health or psychological risks of a legal abortion. Women who have a miscarriage risk having to prove they did not abort. In cases of medical emergencies, doctors may be restricted from performing life-saving abortions for fear of penalties. Women or children who have been victims of rape or incest will have to either have an illegal abortion or carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. In states that allow an abortion in cases of severe risk to a mother's health, panels of internists and psychiatrist may, again, be charged with deciding whether her risks are valid. Women's physical and mental health will suffer.

Screening for depression among the general adult population and in women during pregnancy or the first-year postpartum: two systematic reviews to inform a guideline of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects an individual's physical health and mental well-being and, in pregnant and postpartum women, has specific adverse short- and long-term effects on maternal, child, and family health. The aim of these two systematic reviews is to identify evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for depression compared to no screening in the general adult and pregnant and postpartum populations in primary care or non-mental health clinic settings. These reviews will inform recommendations by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library using a randomized controlled trial filter, where applicable, October 4, 2018, and updated to May 11, 2020. We also searched for gray literature (e.g., websites of organizations of health professionals and patients). Study selection for depression screening trials was performed first on title and abstract, followed by full-text screening. Data extraction, assessment of the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation were performed by one reviewer and validated by a second reviewer. RESULTS: A total of three trials were included. All three trials were included in the general adult review, while one of the three trials was included in the pregnant and postpartum review. We did not pool results due to substantial differences between studies and high risk of bias. In the general adult review, the first trial (n = 1001) evaluated whether screening for depression in adults with acute coronary syndrome compared to usual care improves health-related quality of life, depression symptoms, or harms of screening at 6, 12, and 18 months. There were little to no differences between the groups at 18 months for the outcomes. The second trial included adults (n = 1412) undergoing initial consultation for osteoarthritis, evaluated for depression and general health (mental and physical) after initial consultation and at 3, 6, and 12 months. The physical component score was statistically significantly lower (worse health) in the screened group at 6 months; however, this difference was not significant at 3 or at 12 months. There were no clinically important or statistically significant differences for other outcomes between groups at any time. The third trial (included in both reviews) reported on 462 postpartum women. At 6 months postpartum, fewer women in the screening group were identified as possibly depressed compared to the control group (RR 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39 to 0.89) and mean EPDS scores were also statistically significantly lower in the screened group (standardized mean difference 0.34 lower (95% CI 0.15 to 0.52 lower)). All other outcomes did not differ between groups at follow-up. There were serious concerns about the cut-offs used for the questionnaire used to screen, diagnostic confirmation, selective outcome reporting, and the reported magnitude of effects. DISCUSSION: There are limitations of the evidence included in the reviews. There was moderate certainty in the evidence from one trial that screening for depression in the general adult population in primary care or non-mental health clinic settings likely results in little to no difference on reported outcomes; however, the evidence was uncertain from the other two included trials. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of screening for depression in pregnant or postpartum women in primary care or non-mental health clinic settings. Well-conducted and better-reported trials are needed that meet the screening trial criteria used in this review. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Both protocols have been registered in the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) [adult: CRD42018099690 ; pregnancy and postpartum: CRD42018099689 ] and published ( https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13643-018-0930-3 ).

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.

Hypnotic benzodiazepine receptor agonist exposure during pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between antenatal hypnotic benzodiazepine receptor agonist exposure and congenital malformations or other adverse pregnancy outcomes in the offspring. METHODS: Databases were searched to January 31, 2021. Cohort studies published in English on congenital malformations or other adverse pregnancy outcomes in infants following exposure compared with those unexposed, were summarized and meta-analyzed where possible. RESULTS: Following screening, 25 studies were assessed for eligibility and seven included in the meta-analyses. Five studies were pooled for congenital malformations following first trimester exposure and not statistically significant (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.56-1.36). The five studies that assessed for preterm birth following anytime exposure did pool to a statistically significant effect (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.19-1.86); study quality, control for other psychotropic drugs and psychiatric diagnosis did not appear to be moderators. There were two missing studies when examining for publication bias in both of the main analyses above but the revised estimates were similar to the original. Low birth weight (LBW) was significant (three studies, any time exposure, OR 1.51, 1.27-1.78) as was small for gestational age (SGA) (three studies with anytime exposure, OR 1.34, 1.22-1.48). There were too few studies to summarize birth weight, gestational age, respiratory difficulties, APGAR score at 5 min and NICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy exposure to hypnotics was not associated with a higher risk for congenital malformations but was associated with an increased risk for preterm birth, LBW and SGA compared with those infants who were not exposed. These findings are consistent with the antidepressant and benzodiazepine literature.

Paternal prevalence and risk factors for comorbid depression and anxiety across the first 2 years postpartum: A nationwide Canadian cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms in fathers and investigate the predictors for comorbidity during the first- and second-year following birth. METHODS: In a longitudinal Canadian study, couples were recruited within 3 weeks of childbirth. Fathers completed a survey after the birth of their child followed by questionnaires at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months postpartum on paternal depression and anxiety symptoms and potential risk factors. Sequential logistic regression was used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 3217 enrolled fathers, 2544 (79.08%) provided data for at least one time point during the first year postpartum and 2442 (75.29%) in the second year. Overall, 569 fathers (22.4%) had comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms at some point during the first year postpartum (2.2% at baseline to 8.9% at 6 months), and 323 fathers (13.2%) had comorbidity at some point during their second year postpartum (8.1% at 18 months and 8.6% at 24 months). Strongest risk factors associated with paternal comorbidity were poor or fair perceived health at 4 weeks postpartum, depression before pregnancy, anxiety in the current pregnancy, significant adverse childhood experiences, positive ADHD screen, and victim of intimate partner violence. CONCLUSION: High rates of comorbidity among fathers in the first 2 years postpartum demonstrate the importance of perinatal mental health management at a family level. The identification of important modifiable comorbidity risk factors highlights areas for further research and the development of interventions to support paternal mental health to optimize child and family outcomes.

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.

Pregnancy and Delivery Outcomes Following Benzodiazepine Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the effects of benzodiazepines (BZDs) on maternal/fetal health remains incomplete despite their frequent use. This article quantifies the effects of antenatal BZD exposure on delivery outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched till June 30, 2018. STUDY SELECTION: English-language cohort studies comparing antenatal BZD exposure to an unexposed group on any delivery outcome were eligible. In all, 23,909 records were screened, 56 studies were assessed, and 14 studies were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently assessed quality and extracted data. Estimates were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Sub-analyses examined several potential moderators including timing of exposure. RESULTS: There were 9 outcomes with sufficient data for meta-analysis. Antenatal BZD exposure was significantly associated with increased risk of 6 outcomes initially: spontaneous abortion (pooled odds ratio = 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43 to 2.42), preterm birth (1.96; 95% CI, 1.25 to 3.08), low birth weight (2.24; 95% CI, 1.41 to 3.88), low Apgar score (2.19; 95% CI, 1.94 to 2.47), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission (2.61; 95% CI, 1.64 to 4.14), and induced abortion (2.04; 95% CI, 1.23 to 3.40). There was significant heterogeneity between studies for most outcomes without consistent moderators. Birth weight (mean difference [MD]: -151.35 g; 95% CI, -329.73 to 27.03), gestational age (-0.49 weeks; 95% CI, -1.18 to 0.19), and small for gestational age (SGA; 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.01) did not show significant associations although after adjusting for publication bias, gestational age, and SGA became significant, totaling 8 significant outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal BZD exposure appears to be statistically associated with increased risk of several adverse perinatal outcomes. Although confounds cannot be ruled out, NICU admission does appear clinically relevant and consistent with the antidepressant literature.

Telephone-based nurse-delivered interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: nationwide randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression and anxiety are under-addressed public health problems with numerous treatment access barriers, including insufficiently available mental health specialist providers. AIMS: To examine the effectiveness of nurse-delivered telephone interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for postpartum depression. Trial registration ISRCTN88987377. METHOD: Postpartum women (n = 241) with major depression (on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I)) from 36 Canadian public health regions in rural and urban settings were randomly assigned to 12 weekly 60 min nurse-delivered telephone-IPT sessions or standard locally available care. The primary outcome was the proportion of women clinically depressed at 12 weeks post-randomisation, with masked intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes examined included comorbid anxiety, self-reported attachment and partner relationship quality. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, 10.6% of women in the IPT group (11/104) and 35% in the control group (35/100) remained depressed (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.46), with the IPT group 4.5 times less likely to be clinically depressed (SCID); 21.2% in the IPT group and 51% in the control group had an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score >12 (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.48), and attachment avoidance decreased more in the IPT group than in the control group (P = 0.02). Significant differences favoured the IPT group for comorbid anxiety and partner relationship quality at all time points, with no differences in health service or antidepressant use. None of the IPT responders relapsed by 36 weeks. Between-group SCID differences were sustained at 24 weeks, but not at 36 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-delivered telephone IPT is an effective treatment for diverse urban and rural women with postpartum depression and anxiety that can improve treatment access disparities.

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.

Benzodiazepine Use During Pregnancy Alone or in Combination With an Antidepressant and Congenital Malformations: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effects of antenatal benzodiazepine exposure as monotherapy and in combination with antidepressants on the risk of congenital malformations. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to June 30, 2018, using controlled vocabulary and keywords (eg, prenatal, benzodiazepines, malformation). STUDY SELECTION: English-language cohort studies with prospectively collected data on the risk of malformations in benzodiazepine-exposed and -unexposed offspring were evaluated. 23,909 records were screened, 56 studies were assessed for eligibility, and 8 studies were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Quality was assessed by 2 independent reviewers and data extracted. Random-effects models were used for outcomes (≥ 3 studies). Subanalyses examined effect of potential moderators including study quality and timing of exposure, among others. RESULTS: Prenatal benzodiazepine use was not associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.30, 8 studies, n = 222/5,195 exposed and 64,335/2,082,467 unexposed), including with first trimester exposure specifically (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.25, P = .33; 5 studies, n = 181/4,331 exposed and 64,308/2,081,463 unexposed). There was no significant association with cardiac malformation following exposure (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.65, P = .07; 4 studies, n = 61/4,414 exposed and 19,260/2,033,402 unexposed). However, concurrent use of benzodiazepine and antidepressants during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of congenital malformations (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.80, P = .008; 3 studies). CONCLUSIONS: Benzodiazepine exposure during pregnancy does not appear to be associated with congenital malformations or with cardiac malformations specifically. There may be an increased risk of congenital malformations when benzodiazepines are used in conjunction with antidepressants, suggesting that caution with this combination is warranted.