Detecting women at risk for postnatal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 2 to 3 days postpartum.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the capacity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) implemented in the first days postpartum to detect women who will suffer from postnatal depression. METHOD A sample of 1154 women completed the EPDS at 2 to 3 days postpartum and again at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS There was a highly significant positive correlation between EPDS scores on both occasions (Spearman rank correlation: r = 0.59, P < 0.0001). The cut-off scores of 10 and 11 for EPDS administered at 2 to 3 days obtained good specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive values for the cut off scores proposed for the diagnosis of postnatal depression at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION The EPDS completed at 2 to 3 days postpartum is a useful means of detecting women at risk of postnatal depression.