Reacción a "One in 15 women suffers from major depression in the year following childbirth, according to a global review"

A recent review of the global prevalence of major depression during the perinatal period (from pregnancy through the first year after childbirth) confirms that it is a common problem worldwide. The results show not only that depression is present during pregnancy, but that it peaks two weeks after childbirth and remains high throughout the first postpartum year, which has a devastating impact on the woman, her baby, and the entire family.

This study, led by Dr. Ferrari as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, stands out for its high methodological quality. One of the most significant findings is that the screening questionnaires commonly used in both research and clinical practice (such as the EPDS or the PHQ-9) tend to overestimate the prevalence of depression. This result highlights two key issues: on the one hand, the need for validated instruments in each cultural context, as is the case in Spain; and on the other, the importance of supplementing screening with structured diagnostic interviews, which remain the gold standard for confirming cases of major depression.

Even taking this adjustment into account, the prevalence of perinatal depression remains considerable and higher than that observed in the general female population. Furthermore, the study highlights significant differences between regions of the world, likely related to socioeconomic factors, structural inequalities, and access to health services, reinforcing the need to adapt perinatal mental health care to each specific context.

Taken together, these results support the integration of perinatal mental health into services for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. To move forward in this direction, it is essential to establish clear protocols for screening, prevention, and treatment, as well as to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to guide healthcare professionals.