Conflict of Interest: None declared
Background: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been used as a reliable screening tool for postpartum depression in many countries. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the EPDS in a sample of Iranian women. Methods: Using stratified sampling 262 postpartum women Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical (2 weeks-3 months after delivery) were selected from urban and rural health center in the city of Isfahan. They were interviewed using EPDS and Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS). Data were

assessed using factor analysis, diagnosis analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson correlation coefficient. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Results: The age of then participants ranged 18-45 years (26.6±5.1). Based on a cut-off point of >13 for HDRS, 18.3% of the participants. The overall reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) of EPDS was 0.79. There was a significant correlation (r2=0.60, P value<0.01) between EPDS and HDRS. Two factor analysis showed that anhedonia and depression were two explanatory factors. At a cut-off point12 the sensitivity of the questionnaire was 78% Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical (95% CI: 73%-83%) and its specificity was 75% (95% CI: 72%-78%).

Conclusion: The Persian version of the EPDS showed appropriate psychometric properties diagnostic accuracy index. It can be used by health system professionals for detection, assessment and treatment for Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical mothers with post partum depression. Key Words: Depression, psychometrics, postpartum depression, postnatal depression Introduction

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a non-psychotic depressive episode of mild to moderate severity, beginning in or extending into the first postnatal year.1 It is one of the most common risks for mothers after the stressful period of pregnancy and delivery.2 Postpartum depression not only has a negative effect on Estrogen Receptor inhibitor mother-infant and marital relationship, but also causes depression in the husbands,3 causes or aggravates marital problems, and even leads to separation or divorce.4 A depressed mother cannot have a suitable Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical emotional connection with her child, and this Carnitine dehydrogenase leads to negative impact on mother-infant relationship, and child’s cognitive development.5 In special cases of PPD there is a risk of suicide and injury to neonates, which is always a very sad event.6 In two prospective studies the prevalence of PPD in the 6th week post partum in England,7 and the US,8 was estimated to be 9.1% and 15.4%, respectively. In a study using Beck depression scale for screening of PPD among 6628 women during 2-12 months after delivery in rural parts of Isfahan province in Iran, the prevalence of moderately and severely depressed women was 19.3% and 19.8%, respectively.9 A meta-analysis of 59 studies with a total sample of 12 810 women found that the average prevalence rate of non-psychotic PPD was 13% (95% CI: 12.3–13.4).