Prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depressive symptomatology in the third trimester of pregnancy: Analysing its association with sociodemographic, obstetric, and mental health features

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) during pregnancy and its risk factors. The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of CAD in the third trimester of pregnancy and analyse its association with socio-demographic, obstetric, and mental health features. Methods: In a sample of 934 Italian pregnant women, CAD was defined as having (1) a score of ≥ 10 on the EPDS - depression subscale and/or on the PHQ-9, and (2) a score of ≥ 40 on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State and/or a score of ≥ 6 on the EPDS - anxiety subscale. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify socio-demographic, obstetrics, and mental health risk factors of CAD. Results: The prevalence of CAD was 6.8%. Age between 30 and 35 years (OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.22–7.45) compared to younger age, current sleep disorders (OR=7.88, 95% CI: 3.83–16.23), and preconception mood disorders (OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.31–5.84) were associated with higher odds of CAD. Conversely, the presence of no or few economic problems (OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.07–0.65; OR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.09–0.77) and the perception of enough or more than enough practical support from friends or relatives (OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.80; OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.09–0.53) were associated with lower odds of developing CAD. Limitations: The cross-sectional design; the use of self-report questionnaires. Conclusion: CAD is relatively common among third-trimester antepartum women. The provision of economic/practical support may reduce CAD prevalence and its direct and indirect costs.