Deborah Da Costa

Psychosocial correlates of prepartum and postpartum depressed mood

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to delineate the influence of maternal stress, social support and coping styles on depressed mood during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. METHODS Beginning in the third month of pregnancy, data on numerous variables including daily stress (Hassles), state-anxiety (STAI-state), pregnancy-specific stress (PEQ) and depressed mood (DACL) were collected monthly. In each trimester social support (SSQ), coping strategies (CISS) and pregnancy progress were assessed. Approximately 4-5 weeks following delivery, information on labor, delivery and infant status was collected and the DACL and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered. The final sample consisted of 80 women. RESULTS Approximately 16% of the women in this sample experienced depressed mood in the postpartum and 25% of the sample reported depressed mood only during pregnancy. Women depressed only during pregnancy and those depressed in the postpartum reported more emotional coping and higher trait and state anxiety during gestation. More hassles during pregnancy was related to prepartum depressed mood, but not postpartum depressed mood. Consistent with the literature, the best predictor of postpartum depressed mood was depressed mood during pregnancy. LIMITATIONS The sample size was relatively small and we relied solely on self-reported depressive symptomology. CONCLUSIONS The findings point to specific psychosocial variables which can be targeted early in pregnancy to reduce the rate of depressed mood in the prepartum and postpartum periods.

Quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients during more and less active disease states: Differential contributors to mental and physical health

OBJECTIVE To identify determinants of mental and physical health as a function of disease state in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS A sample of 129 SLE patients (mean age 42.01 years; SD 11.09) was recruited from 9 immunology/rheumatology clinics across Canada. Patients completed questionnaires assessing psychological distress, social support, coping, stress, and health-related quality of life. Physicians rated disease activity (using the revised Systemic Lupus Activity Measure; SLAM-R) and damage (using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index). Mental and physical health composite scores were derived from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36. Patients were subdivided into more active (SLAM-R > or = 10; n = 38) or less active disease states (n = 91). RESULTS Better mental health was predicted by more education and less emotion-oriented coping in the patients in a more active disease state (P = 0.0001; R2 = 0.46). Better mental health was predicted by less stress, less emotion-oriented coping and more task-oriented coping in patients during a less active disease state (P = 0.0001; R2 = 0.45). Better physical health was predicted by more emotion-oriented coping in patients in a more active disease state (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.11). Better physical health was predicted by less stress and younger age in patients during a less active disease state (P = 0.0001; R2 = 0.20). CONCLUSION The positive association between emotion-oriented coping and better physical health in patients during a more active disease state suggests that this style of coping may be more adaptive in situations that are considered uncontrollable (e.g., SLE flare). Predictors of mental health were similar to those found in the literature, especially for SLE patients in a less active disease state.

The role of stress in functional disability among women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE In the last decade, the biopsychosocial approach has been applied to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to understand the multiple factors involved in the disease course. This study examined the link between stress and changes in functional disability as assessed by the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in women with SLE. METHODS Forty-two women with SLE were assessed at baseline and 8 months later. Major stress (Life Events), minor stressors (Hassles), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), disease activity (Systemic Lupus Activity Measure), and functional disability were collected at both time points, while demographic and disease damage variables (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index) were collected once at baseline. RESULTS Mean HAQ scores at baseline (0.52) and followup (0.46) indicated mild disability and remained fairly stable, although individual variation was observed (mean change -0.07; range -1.25-0.5). Demographic (age, education) and disease (duration, activity, damage) variables were not related to 8-month changes on the HAQ. Of the baseline stress measures, greater negative life events in the preceding 6 months was correlated with reduced functional ability (r = 0.42) 8 months later. Individual changes in depressed mood over the 8-month period were correlated (r = 0.33) with changes in functional ability. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that after controlling for baseline HAQ scores and changes in depressed mood, baseline negative life events remained a significant predictor of changes in functional ability. CONCLUSION We found that the major short-term determinants of functional disability were not demographic- or disease-related factors, but rather stress caused by negative life events. Comprehensive treatment of SLE requires management of life stress.

Sleep problems and depressed mood negatively impact health-related quality of life during pregnancy

The objectives of this study were to evaluate and identify determinants of health related quality of life (HRQoL) during pregnancy. Pregnant women (n = 245) completed questionnaires measuring: HRQoL (Short Form Health Survey SF-36), life stress, social support, sleep, and depressed mood in the third trimester. Demographics and medical variables were also collected. Compared to Canadian normative data, our sample scored significantly poorer on the following HRQoL domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, vitality, and social functioning. Multivariate linear regressions were used to model each of the SF-36 subscales. Experiencing sleep problems emerged as a significant determinant of poorer HRQoL in all domains, with the exception of emotional role. Higher depressed mood scores was independently associated with lower HRQoL in six of the eight domains, including bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health. Greater pregnancy-related anxiety was independently associated with lower scores on physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health problems. Women experience lower HRQoL during pregnancy, particularly in the physical domains. The importance of identifying and managing modifiable determinants early in pregnancy to enhance maternal health status is discussed.

PTSD following childbirth: a prospective study of incidence and risk factors in Canadian women.

OBJECTIVE The goals of the present study were to estimate the incidence and course of full and partial Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following childbirth and to prospectively identify factors associated with the development of PTSD symptoms at 1month following childbirth. METHODS The sample comprised 308 women, with assessments at four time points: 25-40weeks gestation, 4-6weeks postpartum, 3 and 6months postpartum. Current and prior PTSD were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) and the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale Self-Report (MPSS-SR). RESULTS Incidence rates of PTSD varied according to time of measurement and instrument used, with higher rates of full and partial PTSD using the MPSS-SR at 1month postpartum (7.6% and 16.6%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher anxiety sensitivity (OR=1.75; 95% CI=1.19‒2.57, p=.005), history of sexual trauma (OR=2.81; 95% CI=1.07‒7.37, p=.036), a more negative childbirth experience than expected (OR=0.96; 95% CI=0.94‒0.98, p=.001), and less available social support at 1month postpartum (OR=0.40; 95% CI=0.17‒0.96, p=.041) independently predicted full or partial PTSD at 1month following childbirth. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that a history of sexual trauma and anxiety sensitivity can increase the probability of developing PTSD after childbirth. The findings highlight the importance of screening and providing more tailored services for women at high risk.

A randomized clinical trial of exercise to alleviate postpartum depressed mood

Objective. To evaluate whether a 12-week home-based exercise program is more effective than usual care for alleviating depressive symptomology in the postpartum. Methods. Eighty-eight women experiencing postpartum depressed mood were randomly assigned to a 12-week home-based exercise program or usual care. Outcomes assessed immediately post-treatment and 3-months post-treatment were the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the effect of the intervention on EPDS did not change from 3 to 6 months evaluations, but was modified by the baseline EPDS score, with subjects with greater depression at baseline (EPDS > 13) in the intervention group having a significantly lower postbaseline EPDS score compared with the usual care group (mean difference 4.06 points, 95%CI 1.51–6.61, p < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline HAM-D, subjects in the intervention group had a significantly lower HAM-D score at post-treatment compared with subjects in the usual care group (mean difference 1.83 points, 95%CI 0.24–3.41, p = 0.02). The difference in HAM-D became non-significant at 3-months post-treatment. Conclusions. Home-based exercise is a feasible nonpharmacological intervention with the potential to alleviate postpartum depressive symptoms, especially in women with higher initial depressed mood scores as measured by the EPDS. These findings may guide the design of future exercise clinical trials with postpartum depressed women.

Rates and risk factors associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy and with postpartum onset

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum and to prospectively identify risk factors associated with elevated depressive symptoms during pregnancy and with postpartum onset. About 364 women attending antenatal clinics or at the time of their ultrasound were recruited and completed questionnaires in pregnancy and 226 returned their questionnaires at 3 months postpartum. Depressed mood was assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; score of ≥ 10). The rate of depressed mood during pregnancy was 28.3% and 16.4% at 3 months postpartum. Among women with postpartum depressed mood, 6.6% were new postpartum cases. In the present study, belonging to a non-Caucasian ethnic group, a history of emotional problems (e.g. anxiety and depression) or of sexual abuse, comorbid anxiety, higher anxiety sensitivity and having experienced stressful events were associated with elevated depressed mood during pregnancy. Four risk factors emerged as predictors of new onset elevated depressed mood at 3 months postpartum: higher depressive symptomatology during pregnancy, a history of emotional problems, lower social support during pregnancy and a delivery that was more difficult than expected. The importance of identifying women at risk of depressed mood early in pregnancy and clinical implications are discussed.

Counterbalancing Patient Demands With Evidence: Results From a Pan-Canadian Randomized Clinical Trial of Brief Supportive-Expressive Group Psychotherapy for Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Brief Supportive-Expressive Group Psychotherapy as an adjunct to standard medical care in reducing psychological distress, medical symptoms, and health care costs and improving quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 133 SLE female patients from 9 clinics across Canada. Clinical and psychosocial measures were taken at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 and 12 months posttreatment. Outcomes assessed were psychological distress, quality of life, disease activity, health service utilization, and diminished productivity. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that there were no clinically important group differences on any of the outcome measures. Conclusion: Although both groups improved over time on several measures (e.g., decreases in psychological distress, stress, and emotion-oriented coping), these changes could not be attributed to the psychotherapeutic intervention. Thus, evidence does not support the referral of these patients to this type of intervention.

Elevated serum inflammatory markers in post-poliomyelitis syndrome

OBJECTIVES To determine (i) whether serum inflammatory markers TNFalpha, IL-1beta. IL-6, and leptin are increased in post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) compared to healthy controls; and (ii) whether an association exists between elevated inflammatory markers and clinical parameters in PPS. The cause of PPS is unknown, but abnormal inflammatory responses have been implicated in several small studies. METHODS Serum inflammatory markers were measured (by Luminex) in 51 PPS patients and 26 normal controls. Clinical parameters assessed included disease duration, muscle strength (Medical Research Council sumscore), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), and pain (visual analog scale scores). RESULTS In PPS, TNFalpha levels, as well as IL-6 and leptin were significantly increased compared to controls (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p=0.03 for TNFalpha, p=0.03 for IL-6, p=0.01 for leptin). The elevated TNFalpha levels in PPS were associated with increased pain due to illness (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.36, 95% C.I. 0.09 to 0.57) and specifically, with muscle pain (r=0.38, 95% C.I. 0.11 to 0.59). There were no correlations between inflammatory markers in PPS and joint pain, muscle strength, fatigue, or disease duration. CONCLUSIONS Serum TNFalpha, IL-6 and leptin levels are abnormally increased in PPS patients. Elevated TNFalpha levels appear to be specifically associated with increased muscle pain.

Strategies to optimize participation in diabetes prevention programs following gestational diabetes: a focus group study.

Objective We performed a qualitative study among women within 5 years of Gestational Diabetes (GDM) diagnosis. Our aim was to identify the key elements that would enhance participation in a type 2 diabetes (DM2) prevention program. Research Design and Methods Potential participants received up to three invitation letters from their GDM physician. Four focus groups were held. Discussants were invited to comment on potential facilitators/barriers to participation and were probed on attitudes towards meal replacement and Internet/social media tools. Recurring themes were identified through qualitative content analysis of discussion transcripts. Results Among the 1,201 contacted and 79 eligible/interested, 29 women attended a focus group discussion. More than half of discussants were overweight/obese, and less than half were physically active. For DM2 prevention, a strong need for social support to achieve changes in dietary and physical activity habits was expressed. In this regard, face-to-face interactions with peers and professionals were preferred, with adjunctive roles for Internet/social media. Further, direct participation of partners/spouses in a DM2 prevention program was viewed as important to enhance support for behavioural change at home. Discussants highlighted work and child-related responsibilities as potential barriers to participation, and emphasized the importance of childcare support to allow attendance. Meal replacements were viewed with little interest, with concerns that their use would provide a poor example of eating behaviour to children. Conclusions Among women within 5 years of a GDM diagnosis who participated in a focus group discussion, participation in a DM2 prevention program would be enhanced by face-to-face interactions with professionals and peers, provision of childcare support, and inclusion of spouses/partners.