Prevalence of Postpartum Depression Among Patients of the CHUM GARE Clinic

NCT ID: NCT07200323

Last Updated: 2025-10-01

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-09-30
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-31

Brief Summary

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a frequent complication of the postnatal period but remains underdetected in routine clinical practice. This prospective clinical study, conducted at the high-risk pregnancy clinic of the CHUM, aims to estimate the prevalence of PPD among patients seen in postpartum follow-up. It also assesses the feasibility of implementing a standardized screening protocol that combines the administration of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with a clinical decision-support algorithm to guide appropriate medical follow-up. The study also seeks to explore clinical characteristics associated with higher EPDS scores.

Detailed Description

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common complication in the weeks following childbirth, with potential consequences for maternal health and early infant development. Although validated tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) exist, systematic screening is not uniformly integrated into routine postpartum care. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the implementation of a structured protocol for the identification and referral of postpartum depression in a high-risk obstetric population.

The study will include 100 postpartum patients followed at the high-risk pregnancy clinic of the CHUM. All participants will be systematically screened for symptoms of postpartum depression using the EPDS during their scheduled postpartum visit. For patients with a score of 13 or higher, medical orientation will be guided by a standardized clinical algorithm that defines the recommended follow-up. Two follow-up telephone calls will be conducted, at two weeks and six weeks after the initial screening, to confirm whether the recommended referrals have been completed and to evaluate the time required to access appropriate services.

The primary objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of postpartum depression in this population. The secondary objective is to assess the feasibility of implementing a systematic screening protocol combined with a clinical algorithm to guide referral and follow-up. The study also seeks to explore clinical characteristics associated with elevated EPDS scores, including age, level of education, lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol or drug consumption), psychiatric, medical and obstetric history (including history of miscarriage), mode of delivery and method of perinatal analgesia, iron-deficiency anemia or iron deficiency, obstetric, anesthetic, or neonatal complications, and skin-to-skin contact in the delivery room within the first 24 hours after birth.

Conditions

Post-partum Depression; Maternal Health; Mental Health Issue

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: OTHER
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients aged 18 years or more
• Gave birth in the last 2 months
• Ability to understand French or English and complete the EPDS questionnaire
• Physically present at their post-partum visit at the clinic

Exclusion Criteria

• Inability to comprehend and/or complete the EPDS
• Declines participation or does not provide informed consent

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Anne Lavoie, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

CHUM

Locations

Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Countries

Canada

Central Contacts

Anne Lavoie, MD

Role: CONTACT

anne.lavoie.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

514-890-8000 ext. 12132

Julie Desroches, PhD

Role: CONTACT

anesthesie.recherche.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

514-890-8000 ext. 24542

Facility Contacts

Anne Lavoie, MD

Role: primary

anne.lavoie.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

514-890-8000 ext. 12132

Julie Desroches, PhD

Role: backup

anesthesie.recherche.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

514-890-8000 ext. 24542

Other Identifiers

2026-13020

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id