An observational study in Depression, Postpartum, Puerperal Disorders and Depression During Pregnancy, sponsored by University Hospital, Ghent. Completed at 1 site in Belgium. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-10-29.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Ghent · Observational
Having a baby is a major life event, and for some women, it can increase the risk of developing mental health issues. A recent survey in the UK found that one in five women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or after giving birth. Unfortunately, many of these problems go unnoticed without regular check-ups, and only one in ten women receive the support they need. Regular mental health screenings can help detect these problems early, ensuring women receive the right care and support.
The study at UZ Gent aims to improve how depression and anxiety are detected in pregnant and postpartum women by using a perinatal screening protocol. This protocol involves screening women for psychosocial risks around the 16th week of pregnancy, which is done by a midwife. Further screenings take place during the second trimester (around 20 weeks) and again six weeks after birth, using questionnaires to assess for depression and anxiety (Whooley, EPDS, GAD-2, GAD-7).
If the assessment of risk factors or the screening for depression and anxiety is positive, further assessment and treatment are offered at the women\'s clinic. A positive screening may lead to a recommendation for a diagnostic interview, such as a semi-structured interview (M.I.N.I.), with a psychiatrist, general practitioner, or psychologist to assess for possible depression or anxiety disorders. If needed, appropriate treatment will be provided.
The study will explore how common depression and anxiety are during and after pregnancy, what factors increase the risk, and whether the screening process improves early detection and treatment. The ultimate goal is to help more women get the mental health support they need during this critical time.
569 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression, Postpartum; 134 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 378 is above the median of 223 across 100 observational studies indexed under Depression, Postpartum.
Browse Depression, Postpartum studies →University Hospital, Ghent is the lead sponsor of 689 studies on the registry; 160 are open to participants now.
Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 4 (80%) have results posted.
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The study population consists of women receiving regular care during pregnancy and postpartum follow-up at the women\'s clinic of University Hospital Ghent
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
women from pregnancy until 6-8 weeks postpartum with and without mental health problems
Other: integrated perinatal mental health pathway
This observational study examines whether assessing psychosocial risk factors and screening for depression and anxiety at different time points during the perinatal period, using a stepped protocol, helps to more quickly detect women with depressive and anxiety symptoms.
association of psychosocial and obstetric risk factors with perinatal anxiety and depression
Using a semi-structured interview, the midwife assesses psychosocial risk factors identified from a literature review. Key factors include financial and housing problems, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, lack of social support, experiences of violence (physical, sexual, or emotional), personal and family psychiatric history, and substance use. Screening for depressive and anxiety symptoms followed a stepped protocol. All participants answered Yes/No to the Whooley questions (depression) and GAD-2 (anxiety). If a participant answered positively to at least one Whooley question or both GAD-2 questions, the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) was administered. A score of 13 or higher on the EDS indicated a positive depression screen. If participants scored 5 or higher on the EDS-3A (anxiety subscale), the GAD-7 was administered, with a score of 15 or higher indicating a positive anxiety screen. Obstetric information was collected from the electronic patient medical records.
Time frame: from enrollment at 16 weeks of pregnancy to follow-up consult at 6-8 weeks postpartum
association between the number of (significant) risk factors and depressive and anxiety symptoms using a cumulative risk index
Time frame: from enrollment at 16 weeks of pregnancy to follow-up consult at 6-8 weeks postpartum
prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms
Time frame: from enrollment at 16 weeks of pregnancy to follow-up consult at 6-8 weeks postpartum
Plan to share: No — We have decided not to share the IPD collected throughout the trial due to concerns over participant privacy and data confidentiality. Despite efforts to anonymize the data, there remains a risk that sensitive personal information could be inadvertently disclosed.
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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