title: Early identification of women at risk of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in a sample of Lebanese women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the postpartum period, women are vulnerable to depression affecting about 10 to 20% of mothers during the first year after delivery. However, only 50% of women with prominent symptoms are diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most widely used screening instrument for PPD . The main objectives of this study are to assess whether an EPDS score of 9 or more on day 2 (D2) postpartum is predictive of a depressive episode between days 30 and 40 postpartum (D30-40), to determine the risk factors as well as the prevalence of PPD in a sample of Lebanese women and to determine a threshold score of EPDS predictive of PPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 228 women were administered the EPDS on D2. An assessment for PPD was done on D30-40 during a telephone interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On D2, the average score on EPDS was 7.1 (SD = 5.2) and 33.3% of women had an EPDS score ≥ 9. On D30-40 postpartum, the average score was 6.5 (SD = 4.7) and 19 women (12.8%) presented with PPD. A positive correlation was shown between scores on EPDS on D2 and D30-40 (r = 0.5091, p < 0.0001). A stepwise regression shows that an EPDS score ≥9 on D2 (p < 0.001) and a personal history of depression (p = 0.008) are significantly associated with the diagnosis of PPD on D30-40.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EPDS may be considered as a reliable screening tool on as early as D2 after delivery. Women with EPDS score ≥ 9 and/or a positive personal history of major depressive disorder should benefit from a closer follow-up during the rest of the post-partum period.
authors.forename: Charline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El-Hachem
authors.forename: Jihane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rohayem
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bou Khalil
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richa
authors.forename: Assaad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kesrouani
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gemayel
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aouad
authors.forename: Najat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hatab
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zaccak
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yaghi
authors.forename: Salimé
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salameh
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Attieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support