Data from: Perinatal depression and anxiety in women with MS: a population-based cohort study

Objective: To assess the occurrence of perinatal depression and
anxiety in women before and after diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods: 114,629 pregnant women were included in the Norwegian
Mother, Father and Child Cohort study 1999–2008. We assessed depression
and anxiety by questionnaires during and after pregnancy. Women with MS
were identified from national health registries and hospital records and
grouped into 1) MS diagnosed before pregnancy (n = 140), MS diagnosed
after pregnancy with 2) symptom onset before pregnancy (n = 98) and 3)
symptom onset after pregnancy (n = 308). Thirty-five women were diagnosed
with MS in the postpartum period. The reference group (n = 111,627)
consisted of women without MS. Results: Women with MS diagnosed
before pregnancy had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence
interval 1.2–3.1) for depression in the third trimester. Risk factors were
adverse socioeconomic factors, history of psychiatric disease and
physical/sexual abuse. The risk of anxiety was not increased. Women
diagnosed with MS in the postpartum period had especially high risk of
postpartum depression. Women with MS symptom onset within 5 years after
pregnancy had increased risk of both depression and anxiety during
pregnancy, whereas women with more than 5 years until symptom onset did
not. Conclusion: Women diagnosed with MS have increased risk of
perinatal depression. Women with MS symptom onset within 5 years after
pregnancy have increased risk of both depression and anxiety during
pregnancy.