Assesment of Prenatal Distress and Depressive Symptoms in Women with Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

Aim: Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common health problem in pregnancy. The study was designed to assess the prenatal distressand depression symptoms prevalence during pregnancy with or without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Material and Methods: This study was a comparative descriptive. Three hundred and eight pregnant women (155 healty and 153 withGDM) attending at The Health Science University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, participated in the study. A semi-structured questionnaireform were used for sociodemografic, obstetric and diabetic data. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were usedto measure social support, Perinatal Distress Scale (PDS) were used to measure perinatal distress and Edinburgh Postpartum DepressionScale (EPDS) were used to measure depression symptoms.Results: PDS and EPDS score was significantly higher in GDM subjects compare to healty (without GDM) subjects. A significantnegative correlation was found between MSPSS and EPDS scores in both groups. There was a significant positive correlation betweenthe PDS and EPDS scores in both groups.Conclusion: The women with GDM have more distress and depression symptoms. Higher rate of depression and distress in pregnancydeserves medical attention especially women with GDM, so awareness of health care professional should be increased.