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Toor R, Wiese M, Croicu C, Bhat A. Postpartum Psychosis: A Preventable Psychiatric Emergency. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2024; 22:44-52. [PMID: 38694156 PMCID: PMC11058913 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20230025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe psychiatric disorder associated with childbirth. Although rare, it is considered a psychiatric emergency that warrants immediate medical attention and inpatient care to ensure safety, complete diagnostic evaluation, and treatment initiation. This article describes the phenomenology of postpartum psychosis, clinical evaluation, treatment guidelines, and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramanpreet Toor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Michelle Wiese
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Carmen Croicu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Amritha Bhat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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Reilly TJ, Roberts E, Sagnay De La Bastida VC, McGuire P, Dazzan P, Cullen AE. Systematic review of the association between adverse life events and the onset and relapse of postpartum psychosis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1154557. [PMID: 37139317 PMCID: PMC10149966 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1154557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Postpartum psychosis is defined as a psychotic episode occurring within 4 to 6 weeks of childbirth. While there is robust evidence that adverse life events are associated with the onset and relapse of psychosis outside the postpartum period, the extent to which these contribute to postpartum psychosis is less clear. This systematic review examined whether adverse life events are associated with an increased likelihood of developing postpartum psychosis or subsequent relapse in women diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. The following databases were searched from inception to June 2021: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo. Study level data were extracted including setting, number of participants, type of adverse event, and differences between groups. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessments Scale was used to assess risk of bias. In total, 1933 records were identified, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria, comprising nine case-control studies and eight cohort studies. Most studies (16/17) examined the association between adverse life events and the onset of postpartum psychosis, with only in which the outcome was relapse of psychosis. Overall, there were 63 different measures of adversity examined (most of which were examined in a single study only) and 87 associations between these measures and postpartum psychosis tested across the studies. In terms of statistically significant associations with onset/relapse of postpartum psychosis, 15 (17%) were positive (i.e., the adverse event increased the risk of onset/relapse), 4 (5%) were negative, and 68 (78%) were not statistically significant. Our review highlights the diversity of risk factors examined in this field, with few attempts at replication, hence limiting the ability to conclude that any single risk factor is robustly associated with the onset of postpartum psychosis. Further large-scale studies, that attempt to replicate earlier studies, are urgently needed to determine whether adverse life events play a role in the onset and exacerbation of postpartum psychosis. Systematic review registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=260592], identifier [CRD42021260592].
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Roberts
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexis E. Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can affect the health and life of mothers, infants, and families. Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is distinct from non-postpartum psychosis in many ways, and it is crucial to study and understand PPP to identify, treat, and possibly prevent this condition. We therefore sought to review the latest research findings about PPP with the intention of updating readers about the latest evidence base. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple physiologic pathways have been implicated in the development of PPP, and further understanding these pathways may allow for early detection and treatment. Risk assessment and treatment should include consideration of the woman patient but also the mother-infant dyad and the larger family. It is our hope that this review of research updates in postpartum psychosis may inform clinical practice and promote specialized, evidence-based diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Reed
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Western Reserve University, 10254 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Nina E. Ross
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Western Reserve University, 10254 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
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Kentner AC, Harden L, de Melo Soares D, Rummel C. Editorial commentary on the special issue emerging psychoneuroimmunology research: Future leaders in focus. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 20:100423. [PMID: 35169756 PMCID: PMC8829553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The theme of this BBI-Health special issue is to promote the research, creativity and forward-thinking of future key opinion leaders in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). We asked contributing researchers to identify new ideas and spaces for innovation to map out the future trajectory of our discipline. This special issue provides global and diverse views from early career investigators focused on science, society, and/or policy, with an emphasis on diversity in all its aspects. The common thread weaving through the articles contained in this special issue is that all authors were invited to consider the future of PNI while they were experiencing the global COVID-19 lockdowns that slowed down or even prevented them from access to their “hands-on” research. The contributors vary from Master level to assistant professors, and all have already significantly contributed to the field of PNI. Each contributor has provided a photograph and short biography alongside their written perspectives. We hope that you will enjoy learning about their visions for the future of PNI and will join us with enthusiasm as we watch our field grow through the advancement of their scientific careers.
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Dye C, Lenz KM, Leuner B. Immune System Alterations and Postpartum Mental Illness: Evidence From Basic and Clinical Research. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 2:758748. [PMID: 35224544 PMCID: PMC8866762 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.758748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The postpartum period is a time associated with high rates of depression and anxiety as well as greater risk for psychosis in some women. A growing number of studies point to aberrations in immune system function as contributing to postpartum mental illness. Here we review evidence from both clinical and animal models suggesting an immune component to postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. Thus far, clinical data primarily highlights changes in peripheral cytokine signaling in disease etiology, while animal models have begun to provide insight into the immune environment of the maternal brain and how central inflammation may also be contributing to postpartum mental illnesses. Further research investigating peripheral and central immune function, along with neural and endocrine interactions, will be important in successfully developing novel prevention and treatment strategies for these serious disorders that impact a large portion of new mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Dye
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Lenz
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Institute of Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Benedetta Leuner
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