Associations between postpartum depression and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2018-12, Vol.143 (3), p.367-373
• Main Authors: Strapasson, Márcia R., Ferreira, Charles F., Ramos, José G.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Pressure; Brazil - epidemiology; Breastfeeding; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression, Postpartum - epidemiology; Diastole; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - epidemiology; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced - physiopathology; Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Infant Formula; Magnesium Sulfate - therapeutic use; Postpartum depression; Postpartum period; Pregnancy; Pre‐eclampsia; Prospective Studies; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Risk Factors; Tocolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12665

Objective To identify possible relationships between postpartum depression and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), as well as the associated risk factors for developing postpartum depression. Methods The present prospective descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among postpartum women who attended a public maternity hospital in Brazil between January 15, 2015, and January 15, 2017. The diagnosis and severity of HDP were based on blood pressure measurements (systolic ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg), proteinuria, clinical findings, and laboratory findings. A group of normotensive women was also included. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess the risk of postpartum depression. Results Of 168 participants (42 with HDP and 126 normotensive), 40 (23.8%) women displayed depressive symptoms (25 normotensive and 15 with HDP). The probability of postpartum depression correlated with a diagnosis of HDP (Spearman correlation coefficient [rS] 0.219; P=0.004); premonitory signs of eclampsia (rS 0.171; P=0.027); magnesium sulfate therapy (rS 0.199; P=0.010); diastolic blood pressure (rS 0.165; P=0.033); and use of milk formula during hospitalization (rS 0.152; P=0.048). Conclusion Women diagnosed with HDP were more likely to have depressive symptoms than their normotensive counterparts. Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were more likely to develop depressive symptoms in the postpartum period than were women who remained normotensive during pregnancy. This article includes a Portuguese translation of the , available in the Supporting Information section.