Psychological Characteristics of Women with Perinatal Depression Who Require Psychiatric Support during Pregnancy or Postpartum: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Antenatal depression may be distinct from postpartum depression in terms of prevalence, severity of symptoms, comorbidities, prognosis, and risk factors. Although risk factors for perinatal depression have been identified, it is unclear whether there are differences in the onset of perinatal depression (PND). This study explored the characteristics of women requiring mental health support during pregnancy or postpartum. A sample of 170 women (58% in pregnancy; 42% postpartum) who contacted the SOS-MAMMA outpatient clinic was recruited. Clinical data sheets and self-report questionnaires (EPDS, LTE-Q, BIG FIVE; ECR; BSQ; STICSA) were administered, hypothesizing possible risk factors, such as personality traits, stressful life events, body dissatisfaction, attachment style, and anxiety. Hierarchical regression models were carried out in the pregnancy (F10;36 = 8.075, p < 0.001, adjR2 = 0.877) and postpartum groups (F10;38 = 3.082, p < 0.05, adjR2 = 0.809). Recent stressful life events and conscientiousness were associated with depression in both the pregnant (29.3%, 25.5% of variance) and postpartum groups (23.8%, 20.7% of variance). In pregnant women, "openness" (11.6%), body dissatisfaction (10.2%), and anxiety (7.1%) symptoms were predictive of depression. In the postpartum group, "neuroticism" (13.8%) and insecure romantic attachment dimensions (13.4%; 9.2%) were the strongest predictors. Perinatal psychological interventions should consider the differences between mothers with depression during pregnancy and postpartum.

Preference for Subcutaneous Injection or Intravenous Infusion of Biological Therapy Among Italian Patients With SLE.

This article focuses on the patients' acceptance of a subcutaneous injection device for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, which in the upcoming years could be introduced beside the intravenous infusion of biological therapy. An online questionnaire was completed by 548 patients from different Italian regions. The preference for subcutaneous injection was 41.2%, for intravenous infusion was 36.9%, and 21.9% were uncertain. Patients with previous experience of biological therapies were less uncertain (P = .001). The reported motivations for the preference were analyzed through a lexicometric approach with the software T-LAB. Results revealed that respondents who preferred subcutaneous injections reported motivations that were more related to convenience, avoiding the discomfort of reaching the hospital. Patients who preferred intravenous infusion emphasized the importance of safety feelings related to the presence of qualified assistance during the therapy administration. In conclusion, patients appreciated the convenience that characterizes subcutaneous injections but also emphasized the importance of feeling safe during the administration. The study suggests that the choice of prescribing subcutaneous injections or intravenous infusions should be shared with patients, discussing possible resistances and avoiding preconceptions about patients' preferences.