Validation of the Tamil Version of Screening Instruments for Postpartum Depression in Women With Preterm Neonates
Inba Kamal Sundharadhas, Reeta Vijayaselvi, Priyanka Prabhakaran, Naveen Kolloju, Suja Kurian, Niranjan Thomas, Grace Rebekah
Abstract
Background and Aim: Postpartum depression (PPD) is currently an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. Early identification of PPD and timely intervention will aid in the improvement of both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Effective screening depends on the use of an appropriate scale. This study aimed at validating the Tamil version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) questionnaire for screening of depression among postpartum women with preterm neonates.
Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 154 mothers whose preterm neonates were admitted in the NICU. The mothers were screened for depression and anxiety using the Tamil version of the EPDS and NICE questionnaire and interviewed using the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Various cutoffs of EPDS and NICE questionnaire were compared with the depression or anxiety cases diagnosed using the CIS-R. The best cutoff score for screening was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve.
Results: Of the 154 women, 69 (44.8%) were identified as cases of PPD by the CIS-R. The cutoff score for the EPDS was 10 (sensitivity = 91.3%, specificity = 69.4%, positive predictive value [PPV] = 70.8%, and negative predictive value [NPV] = 90.8%) and for the NICE questionnaire was 4 (sensitivity = 91.3%, specificity = 75.3%, PPV = 75%, and NPV = 91.4%).
Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the Tamil version of the EPDS and NICE questionnaire are comparable in postpartum women with preterm neonates. These instruments can be used as screening tools to detect depression and anxiety in postpartum women.
Please fill the form to download the PDF of this article:
(* Mandatory fields)