key: cord-0072535-xt1cq2eh
authors: Pompili, S.; Orsolini, L.
title: P.0646 The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on peripartum affective psychopathology
date: 2021-12-30
journal: Eur Neuropsychopharmacol
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.10.610
sha: eff6f1b0d459cf00e8d9789245d2d125a2cd2c60
doc_id: 72535
cord_uid: xt1cq2eh

nan

The outbreak of 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) significantly determined political, economic and social changes as well impacted on mental health. To date, few studies evaluated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health [1] . The aim of this study is to assess the mental health status and psychological distress of pregnant and puerperal women during the current situation experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Among 185 women consecutively screened at our Perinatal Psychiatric Outpatient Service during the timeframe March 2020-March 2021, and after a further screening a total sample consisting of 70 were recruited (41 pregnant and 29 puerperal women). The sample was administered a battery of perinatal questionnaires as well as specifically designed COVID-related questionnaires. The EPDS (Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale), FCV-19-S (Fear of Covid-19 Scale), CAS (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale), and an ad hoc socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire were administered to the sample of pregnant women. While the same battery of tests together with the WDEQ (Wijmia Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire) were administered to the sample of puerperal women. Statistical analyses were carried out by using ANOVA and the X2 test. Significance was measured at P < 0.005. Results: The median total score at EPDS was 7.9, at FCV-19-S of 14.9, at CASof 1.7 and at WDEQ of 100.9 (part A) and 100.9 (part B). A statistically significant difference was found at FCV-19-S scores between pregnant and postpartum women (16 ± SD 6.9 vs 13.4 ± SD 4.4; p = 0.003). In addition, women who scored at the EPDS ≥ 12 displayed statistically significant higher scores at FCV-19-S (p = 0.005). Similarly, those who had a score higher than the cut-off at the EPDS showed statistically significant higher total scores at CAS (p = 0.003). Moreover, those who achieved a clinically significant value at FCV-19-S reached significantly higher values at the CAS (p < 0.001). There was a trend (p = 0.076) in women with lower FCV-19-S scores who display higher WDEQ-A scores compared to those not clinically significant. Furthermore, a positive correlation (F = 0.377) was observed between the EPDS and the CAS and between the CAS and the FCV-19-S (F = 0.641). There was, also, a positive correlation, albeit with a less significant significance (F = 0.290) between EPDS and FCV-19-S. those women who had a miscarriage, displayed statistically significant higher CAS total scores, compared to control group (p = 0.0028). Moreover, women with a previous pregnancy displayed higher CAS total scores (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Altogether, our findings reported a significant impact that COVID-19-related pandemic and its related restriction measures had among women in the pregnancy and/or postpartum period, by underlining how the current situation greatly impacted in terms of stress and mental distress also in a particular vulnerable population. For this reason, it might could be useful to propose screening tools to all pregnant women and during their first year of postpartum, in order to early identify and provide preventive and therapeutic strategies to help this particularly vulnerable population.

Introduction: Studies focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with psychiatric disorders have reported a deterioration of their mental health due to this situation [1] . A study focused on the early COVID-19 pandemic consequences on mental health found that participants reporting a current mental disorder were experiencing the greatest psychological impact, followed by those reporting a past mental disorder [2] . We hypothesize that having suffered or suffering from a depressive or anxiety disorder at that time can lead to maladaptive responses during the pandemic and social restrictions. Aims of the study: To describe the psychological impact among patients with a current or past diagnosis of Common Mental Disorders (CMD; anxiety and depressive disorders) after six months of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Perinatal depressive and anxietysymptoms of pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbrak in China