Association of Postpartum Depression with Maternal Suicide: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Yi-Liang Lee, Yun Tien, Yin-Shiuan Bai, Chi-Kang Lin, Chang-Sheng Yin, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Chien-An Sun, Shi-Hao Huang, Yao-Ching Huang, Wu-Chien Chien, Chieh-Yi Kang and Gwo-Jang Wu
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Yi-Liang Lee: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Yun Tien: Department of Psychiatry, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Taoyuan 33058, Taiwan
Yin-Shiuan Bai: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kang Ning Hospital, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chi-Kang Lin: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chang-Sheng Yin: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chi-Hsiang Chung: Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chien-An Sun: Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24206, Taiwan
Shi-Hao Huang: Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Yao-Ching Huang: Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Wu-Chien Chien: Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chieh-Yi Kang: Gynecologic Oncologist Division, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan City 71004, Taiwan
Gwo-Jang Wu: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Background: To examine the association of postpartum depression (PPD) with maternal suicide in the Taiwanese population. Methods: We examined the medical records of women aged 18–50 years who experienced childbirth and had PPD (the study cohort, n = 2882), who experienced childbirth but did not have PPD (comparison cohort 1, n = 5764), and who neither experienced childbirth nor had PPD (comparison cohort 2, n = 5764) between 2000 and 2015. The patients were followed up until suicide, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program, or 31 December 2015. Results: The rates of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the cumulative risk of suicide, were significantly higher in the study cohort. PPD was significantly correlated with an increased risk of maternal suicide and was associated with a greater risk of developing comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and stroke. The comparison cohorts did not differ significantly in terms of suicide risk. Conclusion: PPD was associated with a significantly higher rate of suicide and a shorter time to suicide after childbirth. Younger age, winter, and subclinical depression and anxiety positively predicted suicide in the study cohort. To prevent maternal suicide, clinicians should be observant of subclinical depression and anxiety symptoms among patients.

Keywords: depression; postpartum; puerperal disorders; suicide (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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