Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a screening tool for postpartum depression in a clinical sample in Hungary

Abstract

Background: the purpose of the study was to assess the validity of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in screening for postnatal depression (PND) in Hungary.

Methods: between July 2010 and March 2011, a sample of 266 women attending a routine check-up at six weeks post partum completed the newly translated Hungarian version of the EPDS at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Szeged, Hungary, and underwent clinical assessments based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV disorders (SCID-I).

Findings: eight (3.0%) of the mothers were diagnosed with major postnatal depression, and 36 (13.5%) with minor depression on the basis of the SCID. Internal consistency of the Hungarian version of the EPDS was satisfactory (Cronbach α coefficients ≥0.727). The best cut-off for major depression was 12/13, with a sensitivity of 100.0%, and a specificity of 97.7%. The area under the ROC curve was found significant for combined (major+minor) depression as well and at a cut-off of 7/8 indicated a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 86.0%. A factor analysis suggested multidimensionality with two factors (anxiety and depression).

Conclusions: the EPDS showed good validity in the postnatal period in a clinical sample in Hungary.

Keywords: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; Postnatal depression; SCID; Validation.