Changing patterns of prenatal depression and anxiety status in different trimesters and modified form of Zung scales for pregnant women

Abstract

Background We described the changing patterns of depression and anxiety status in different trimesters among Chinese pregnant women, and identified the modified form of SDS/SAS for pregnant women and assessed its reliability and validity. Methods Changing patterns of depression/ anxiety status in different trimesters were described. The modified form of SDS/SAS was identified for pregnant women. Cohen's Kappa to measure agreement with SDS/SAS, and the ROC analysis was performed to assess its validity. Results The SDS score in 1st trimester was higher than 2nd and 3rd trimester; there was no significant difference between SDS score in 2nd and 3rd trimester. Modified form of SDS evaluated the depression; the areas under the curve (AUC) in testing group were up to 0.988, 0.989 and 0.992 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, respectively. Modified form of SAS evaluated the anxiety, the AUC in testing group were up to 0.987, 0.985, 0.987 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, respectively. Conclusion Pregnant women had higher severity of depression and anxiety status in 1st trimester than that in 2nd and 3rd trimester. The modified form of SDS/SAS may be more brief and suitable to assess the depression and anxiety status in pregnant women. KEY POINTS Pregnant women had a higher severity of depression and anxiety status in the 1st trimester than that in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. The present study suggests that prenatal depression and anxiety status are prevalent in Chinese pregnant women. Prevention or treatments focus on high-score items of SDS and SAS would be beneficial for rectifying prenatal depression and anxiety.