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The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a short 10-item self report questionnaire designed to identify mothers at risk for prenatal and and postnatal depression. Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing and rates of help-seeking for postnatal depression are generally low, making screening important.
The scale asks how the mother has felt during the previous week. In doubtful cases it may be useful to repeat the tool after 2 weeks. The scale will not detect mothers with anxiety, phobias or personality disorders.
Scores are between 0 and 30, with scores 13 and above indicating depressive illness, or a high risk of developing a depressive disorder.
Scores of 13 indicate an 80% chance that the mother has depression. Scores 13 and above represent an increased risk of developing depression of between 5 and 17 times the general population compared to new mothers.
The EPDS score should not override clinical judgment. A careful clinical assessment should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. Results include short interpretive text based on the cut off score of 13. It is important to always look at the client’s response to question 10, which pertains to suicidal thoughts.
After extensive pilot interviews, Cox, Holden and Sagovsjy (1987) carried out a validation study on 84 mothers using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for depressive illness obtained from Goldbergs Standardised Psychiatric Interview. The EPDS was found to have satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and was also sensitive to change in the severity of depression over time. Milgrom, Mendelsohn and Gemmill (2011) reviewed existing validation research for the EPDS and found that screening with the EPDS always facilitated an increase in identification rates, over the key range of prevalence values. The EPDS defined a sub-group with prevalence between 5-fold and 17-fold greater than the general population. A central estimate of PPV (at a prevalence of 6.8%) was 62%.
Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M., and Sagovsky, R. 1987. Detection of postnatal depression:
Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150:782-786
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Negri, L., & Glemmil, A. (2011). Screening for postnatal depression in routine primary care: Properties of the EPDS in an Australian sample. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39, 833-839.
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