Diagnostic accuracy of case-finding questions to identify perinatal depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Guidelines for perinatal mental health care recommend the use of two case-finding questions about depressed feelings and loss of interest in activities, despite the absence of validation studies in this context. We examined the diagnostic accuracy of these questions and of a third question about the need for help asked of women receiving perinatal care.

Methods

We evaluated self-reported responses to two case-finding questions against an interviewer-assessed diagnostic standard (DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder) among 152 women receiving antenatal care at 26-28 weeks' gestation and postnatal care at 5-13 weeks after delivery. Among women who answered "yes" to either question, we assessed the usefulness of asking a third question about the need for hel

SUBMITTER: Mann R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3348219 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature