Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in an Iranian sample.
BACKGROUND
Considering the adverse effects of postpartum depression on both mother and infant, a screening instrument for early diagnosis seems to be of importance.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) on a sample of Iranian postpartum women.


METHODS
The EPDS was translated and back-translated in the standard method. The questionnaire was completed by 600 postpartum women. Hundred cases with an EPDS score of > or =9 and 100 cases with an EPDS of <9 were randomly selected for interview. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and receiver operating characteristics were calculated by comparing the EPDS sum score against the DSM-IV diagnoses. The correlation coefficient of the EPDS score with GHQ-12 score was calculated. Principal component analysis and internal consistency were assessed.


RESULTS
The best cutoff scores for major depression were 12/13 with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.3% and 87.9%, respectively. The correlation coefficient of the total score of the Persian version of EPDS with the GHQ-12 total score was 0.76 (P < 0.001). A two-factor solution was selected as the most appropriate model based on both values and the score plot. The coefficient alpha for the whole scale was 0.83.


CONCLUSIONS
The Persian version of EPDS is a reliable and valid measure for detecting postpartum depression. Furthermore, it seems acceptable to patients and a valid screening instrument for depression in postpartum women.
Neuroscience Department, Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. mazhas01@student.uwa.edu.au
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Mazhari
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Nakhaee
D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008603:Mental Health; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014177:Translations