USE OF THE EDINBURGH-POSTNATAL-DEPRESSION-SCALE TO IDENTIFY POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN A CLINICAL SETTING

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDs) is a validated instrum ent developed specifically to identify women experiencing postpartum d epression (PPD). This study sought to determine the extent of postpart um depression in our population and the maternal characteristics assoc iated with if and to also determine if the scale increased practitione r awareness and treatment of: PPD. Two hundred eighty-seven women from the fetal population completing the EPDS in 1991 (n = 1,139) were ran domly selected for retrospective chart review to identify relationship s between maternal characteristics and elevated EPDS scores. Charts we re also reviewed for outcomes related to depression for the six-month period after delivery. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that 17.4% of the total population had an EPDS score of greater than or equ al to 10, indicating a potential risk of developing PPD. Eight per cen t scored greater than or equal to 13, suggesting that further assessme nt was necessary. Marital instability, lack of medical insurance and I t history of depression were the factors found to correlate most signi ficantly with elevated EPDS scores. The physicians and midwives provid ing service for our population were interviewed, and 83% reported that the EPDS had increased their awareness of PPD, while 92% reported hav ing referred for treatment patients with high EPDS scores. Use of the EPDS scale can improve practitioner awareness and aid in the diagnosis of PPD. Several easily identifiable variables are associated with PPD .