Early‐ and late‐onset postpartum depression exhibit distinct associated factors: the IGEDEPP prospective cohort study

Objective To identify risk factors for early‐ and late‐onset postpartum depression (PPD) among a wide range of variables, including sociodemographic characteristics, childhood trauma, stressful life events during pregnancy and history of personal and family psychiatric disorders, and to assess the contribution of each risk factor. Design Nested case–control study in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting Eight maternity departments in the Paris metropolitan area, France. Sample A cohort of 3310 women with deliveries between November 2011 and June 2016. Methods Cases were women with early‐ or late‐onset PPD. Controls were women without depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Logistic regression adjusted on sociodemographic variables was performed for each outcome and a multivariable model was proposed based on a stepwise selection procedure. Main outcome measures Early‐ and late‐onset PPD assessed at 2 months and 1 year postpartum, respectively. Results Stressful life events during pregnancy have a dose–response relationship with both early‐ and late‐onset PPD. Conclusions Early‐ and late‐onset PPD presented distinct patterns of determinants. These results have important consequences in terms of prevention and specific care. Tweetable Early‐ and late‐onset postpartum depression are associated with stressful life events and psychiatric history. Tweetable Early‐ and late‐onset postpartum depression are associated with stressful life events and psychiatric history.