Early identification of women at risk of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in a sample of Lebanese women.

BACKGROUND: During the postpartum period, women are vulnerable to depression affecting about 10 to 20% of mothers during the first year after delivery. However, only 50% of women with prominent symptoms are diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most widely used screening instrument for PPD . The main objectives of this study are to assess whether an EPDS score of 9 or more on day 2 (D2) postpartum is predictive of a depressive episode between days 30 and 40 postpartum (D30-40), to determine the risk factors as well as the prevalence of PPD in a sample of Lebanese women and to determine a threshold score of EPDS predictive of PPD. METHODS: A sample of 228 women were administered the EPDS on D2. An assessment for PPD was done on D30-40 during a telephone interview. RESULTS: On D2, the average score on EPDS was 7.1 (SD = 5.2) and 33.3% of women had an EPDS score ≥ 9. On D30-40 postpartum, the average score was 6.5 (SD = 4.7) and 19 women (12.8%) presented with PPD. A positive correlation was shown between scores on EPDS on D2 and D30-40 (r = 0.5091, p < 0.0001). A stepwise regression shows that an EPDS score ≥9 on D2 (p < 0.001) and a personal history of depression (p = 0.008) are significantly associated with the diagnosis of PPD on D30-40. CONCLUSION: The EPDS may be considered as a reliable screening tool on as early as D2 after delivery. Women with EPDS score ≥ 9 and/or a positive personal history of major depressive disorder should benefit from a closer follow-up during the rest of the post-partum period.

The rate of cesarean delivery changes after internal audit based on the Robson Ten Group Classification System in Lebanon.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of the Robson classification as an internal clinical audit and feedback of the high rate of cesarean delivery at Hotel Dieu de France, a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: A pre-post study was conducted, with a retrospective approach in 2018 and 2019, identified as the pre-period (before the implementation of the Robson classification), and with a prospective approach in 2020 and 2021, labeled the post-period. RESULTS: The total number of deliveries during the study period was 2560; 1305 patients were included in the pre-period and 1255 patients delivered in the post-period. No significant differences between the two groups were found. No significant difference was found in the overall rate of cesarean delivery between the first and second periods (57.86% vs 56.72%; P = 0.2). However, a significant decrease in the absolute contribution of groups 3 and 4 (multiparous women without a previous uterine scar with a single cephalic pregnancy, ≥37 weeks of gestation, with spontaneous labor or induced labor) in the overall rate of cesarean delivery was remarked (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Robson classification seems to be appropriate to monitor and audit the rate of cesarean delivery, but not sufficient to decrease the rate and change the practice.

Cesarean section rates in a tertiary referral hospital in Beirut from 2018 to 2020: Our experience using the Robson Classification.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cesarean section rate using the Robson Classification for the first time in Lebanon, at Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Beirut. METHODS: Routine medical record data that included all live births from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020 was investigated. The overall cesarean section rate was recorded, and the size, cesarean section rate, and absolute and relative contributions were calculated within each group. RESULTS: The overall cesarean section rate was 56.8%. The highest relative contribution to this rate came from Robson groups 5, 2 and 10, respectively. A decrease in cesarean section rate was noted in 2020 among women admitted for induction of labor (groups 2 and 4) following the implementation of new department policies and the restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. CONCLUSION: More than 50% of the deliveries in our department were by cesarean sections (CS). Strategies to reduce this rate should include stricter departmental policies for avoidance of unindicated primary CS and raising practitioners' and patients' awareness about trial of labor after cesarean section.