Predictive factors of perinatal depression among women with gestational diabetes mellitus in the UAE: a cross-sectional clinical study.

backgroundGestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is responsible for the development of 30-50% of type 2 diabetes mellitus that predisposes later to adverse consequences among affected mothers and their offspring. Several studies have suggested that GDM increases the risk of developing perinatal depression (PND); however, factors that are involved in this association are yet to be determined. This study aims to identify factors that interrelate GDM and PND among pregnant and postnatal women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

methodsA total of 186 women between 18 and 45 years old attending the obstetrics clinic during their 3rd trimester or up to 6 months postnatal were recruited between October 2021 and April 2022. Women who were known to have pre-existing diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2), kidney disease, liver disease, and those receiving hormonal therapy were excluded. Participants completed a structured questionnaire including sociodemographic data and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Based on their EPDS scores, study participants were categorized into three groups: no depression (> 9), possible depression (9-11), and high possibility/strong positive depression (≥ 12). SPSS 26 was used for data analysis.

resultsAmong the 186 participants, 81% (n = 151) were Emirati, 41% (n = 76) had no GDM, and 58% (n = 110) had GDM. Of the study participants, 34.4% had a high possibility of strong positive depression, 40.9% had possible depression, and only 6.5% had no depression. The association between GDM and PND was clinically and statistically insignificant, with a calculated odds ratio (OR) of 1.574 (p value = 0.204) and a 95% confidence interval (0.781-3.172). However, age, personal history of depression, and BMI were found to be strong predictors of depression among pregnant/postpartum women in the UAE.

conclusionsThe study findings propose that age, personal history of depression, and obesity are strong predictors of depression during pregnancy. The strong correlation between obesity (which is a known strong predictor of GDM) and PND suggests that further studies with longitudinal designs and longer observational periods might better reveal the relationship between GDM and PND.

trial registrationRetrospectively registered study by Research Ethics Committees of the University Hospital Sharjah and the University of Sharjah (Ref. No.: UHS-HERC- 025-17122019) December 17, 2019.