Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Course, Predictors and Comorbidity with Postpartum Depression — Rados 2018

The prevalence and course of peripartum anxiety with depression comorbidity have yielded inconsistent results in previous studies. Our study aimed to address three objectives: (1) to investigate the trajectory of elevated anxiety levels during pregnancy, immediately after childbirth, and six weeks postpartum; (2) to establish the co-occurrence of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression (PPD); and (3) to identify predictors of anxiety six weeks after childbirth. We recruited a sample of 272 women who did not meet the clinical depression cut-off score during pregnancy. Participants were assessed in the third trimester, two days after childbirth, and six weeks postpartum using various questionnaires on anxiety, pregnancy-specific distress, stress, coping styles, social support, and depression. We also collected obstetric data from their medical records. The estimated rate of high anxiety was 35% during pregnancy, 17% immediately after childbirth, and 20% six weeks postpartum, indicating a decrease in anxiety levels after childbirth. Comorbidity of anxiety and PPD was 75%. Our results showed that trait anxiety and early postpartum state anxiety significantly predicted postpartum anxiety. Our findings suggest that anxiety is a common psychological disturbance during the peripartum period, and its symptoms overlap with PPD but not completely. Therefore, screening for postpartum mental health difficulties should include both depression and anxiety.

Nakić Radoš S, Tadinac M, Herman R. Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Course, Predictors and Comorbidity with Postpartum Depression. Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Mar;57(1):39-51. doi: 10.20471/acc.2017.56.04.05. PMID: 30256010; PMCID: PMC6400346.