Association between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Postpartum Depression among women in Eastern India: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Postpartum Depression (PPD) in a rural population
of Eastern state of India.
Material and Methods: Women in their first trimester of pregnancy were recruited and
observed for six weeks after delivery. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus was evaluated using a
glucose challenge test with 75 grammes of glucose, and PPD was evaluated six weeks after
delivery using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The statistical significance of
differences between variables was determined using the Chi-square test, Fischer's exact test,
and the unpaired T-test. Using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, the association
between GDM and PPD was estimated after adjusting for covariates.
Results: Out of 218 expectant women recruited, 173 (89.6%) remained in the study. GDM
prevalence was 13.1% (95% CI: 10.7–17.3) while PPD prevalence was 9.8% (95% CI: 6.6–
12.2). In the GDM group, the incidence of PPD was 14.58% (95% confidence interval [CI]:
4.2–24.9), whereas it was 9.06% (95% CI: 5.76–12.2) in women without GDM. In
multivariate logistic regression, however, the association was not significant (Risk Ratio (RR)
= 1.56; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.61–6.16; P-value = 0.50)

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that women with GDM are at a greater risk of
developing PPD, suggesting that a "at risk" screening strategy should be implemented.