Is perinatal depression familial?
BACKGROUND
While major depressive disorder (MDD) is familial, it is not clear whether distinct familial-genetic factors influence vulnerability to depression during or after pregnancy. Here we examine familial aggregation of perinatal major depression (PND, any episode during pregnancy or the month after childbirth) and the subset of post-partum depression (PPD) in families with multiple cases of recurrent, early-onset MDD from the Genetics of Recurrent Early-Onset Depression dataset.


METHODS
The dataset included 691 childbearing women who could be classified as PND (27.6%) or non-PND (NPND), of whom 328 were members of 148 sibships with two or more PND or NPND women. PND and NPND subjects were compared for differences in putative predictors. Prediction of sibling PND or PPD by the proband's history was examined using logistic regression and general estimating equation methods.


RESULTS
PND was associated with fewer episodes and younger current age. Odds ratios for prediction of sibling status were significant for PND (2.28) and PPD (3.96), particularly when current age was under 46 (2.87 and 4.39, respectively). ORs for PPD were not significantly different from those for PND. The OR for PPD (3.52), but not for PND, remained significant after current age was introduced as a covariate, but not when both current age and number of episodes were included in the model.


CONCLUSIONS
Because detailed data were not collected for all pregnancies, we cannot determine whether current age and number of episodes mediated the observed effects due to recall bias or other factors (cohort effect, number of episodes).


CONCLUSIONS
A familial component to PND, and particularly PPD, is suggested by the results. However more systematic study is needed to confirm this result. A greater understanding of both genetic and non-genetic familial factors could lead to improved prevention and clinical management.
Murphy-Eberenz
Kathleen
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309, USA.
Zandi
Peter P
PP
March
Dana
D
Crowe
Raymond R
RR
Scheftner
William A
WA
Alexander
Madeline
M
McInnis
Melvin G
MG
Coryell
William
W
Adams
Philip
P
DePaulo
J Raymond
JR
Miller
Erin B
EB
Marta
Diana H
DH
Potash
James B
JB
Payne
Jennifer
J
Levinson
Douglas F
DF
D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*