Associations between postpartum depression and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To identify possible relationships between postpartum depression and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), as well as the associated risk factors for developing postpartum depression.

Methods: The present prospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among postpartum women who attended a public maternity hospital in Brazil between January 15, 2015, and January 15, 2017. The diagnosis and severity of HDP were based on blood pressure measurements (systolic ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg), proteinuria, clinical findings, and laboratory findings. A group of normotensive women was also included. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess the risk of postpartum depression.

Results: Of 168 participants (42 with HDP and 126 normotensive), 40 (23.8%) women displayed depressive symptoms (25 normotensive and 15 with HDP). The probability of postpartum depression correlated with a diagnosis of HDP (Spearman correlation coefficient [r_S ] 0.219; P=0.004); premonitory signs of eclampsia (r_S 0.171; P=0.027); magnesium sulfate therapy (r_S 0.199; P=0.010); diastolic blood pressure (r_S 0.165; P=0.033); and use of milk formula during hospitalization (r_S 0.152; P=0.048).

Conclusion: Women diagnosed with HDP were more likely to have depressive symptoms than their normotensive counterparts.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Postpartum depression; Postpartum period; Pre-eclampsia.