1
|
Fairbrother N, Stagg B, Scoten O, Keeney C, Cargnelli C. Perinatal anxiety disorders screening study: a study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:162. [PMID: 38395837 PMCID: PMC10893673 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anxiety and their related disorders (AD) are the most common of all mental health conditions, and affect approximately 20% of pregnant and postpartum people. They are associated with significant distress and life interference for sufferers, as well as negative consequences for fetal and infant development. At present, little if any routine screening for prenatal AD is being conducted and data regarding the most effective tools to screen for these disorders is lacking. The majority of screening studies suffer from methodological difficulties which undermine the confidence needed to recommend measures for population distribution. The primary purpose of this research is to identify the most accurate self-report tool(s) to screen for perinatal AD. METHODS A large, prospective cohort of pregnant people (N = 1,000) is being recruited proportionally across health service delivery regions in British Columbia (BC). The screening accuracy of a broad range of perinatal AD self-report measures are being assessed using gold standard methodology. Consenting individuals are administered online questionnaires followed by a semi-structured diagnostic interview between 16- and 36-weeks' gestation, and again between 6 and 20 weeks postpartum. Questionnaires include all screening measures, measures of sleep and unpaid family work, and questions pertaining to demographic and reproductive history, COVID-19, gender role burden, and mental health treatment utilization. Interviews assess all current anxiety disorders, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. DISCUSSION This research is in response to an urgent demand for accurate perinatal AD screening tools based on high quality evidence. AD among perinatal people often go unidentified and untreated, resulting in continued suffering and life impairment. Findings from this research will inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and scientists, about the most effective approach to screening for anxiety and related disorders in pregnancy in the postpartum period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nichole Fairbrother
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Bryn Stagg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olivia Scoten
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cora Keeney
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Claudia Cargnelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fairbrother N, Albert A, Collardeau F, Keeney C. The Childbirth Fear Questionnaire and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire as Screening Tools for Specific Phobia, Fear of Childbirth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084647. [PMID: 35457513 PMCID: PMC9028446 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Perinatal anxiety and related disorders are common (20%), distressing and impairing. Fear of childbirth (FoB) is a common type of perinatal anxiety associated with negative mental health, obstetrical, childbirth and child outcomes. Screening can facilitate treatment access for those most in need. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Wijma Delivery Expectations Questionnaire (W-DEQ) of FoB as screening tools for a specific phobia, FoB. Methods: A total of 659 English-speaking pregnant women living in Canada and over the age of 18 were recruited for the study. Participants completed an online survey of demographic, current pregnancy and reproductive history information, as well as the CFQ and the W-DEQ, and a telephone interview to assess specific phobia FoB. Results: Symptoms meeting full and subclinical diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia, FoB, were reported by 3.3% and 7.1% of participants, respectively. The W-DEQ met or exceeded the criteria for a “good enough” screening tool across several analyses, whereas the CFQ only met these criteria in one analysis and came close in three others. Conclusions: The W-DEQ demonstrated high performance as a screening tool for a specific phobia, FoB, with accuracy superior to that of the CFQ. Additional research to ensure the stability of these findings is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nichole Fairbrother
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-250-0519-5390 (ext. 36439)
| | - Arianne Albert
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada;
| | - Fanie Collardeau
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
| | - Cora Keeney
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang W, Gu W, Brakoulias V, Li D, Ji L, Wang Z. The outpatient costs and trends of obsessive-compulsive disorder in Shanghai, China. Psychiatry Res 2020; 291:113102. [PMID: 32544713 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weili Yang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjie Gu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Vlasios Brakoulias
- The University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Sydney Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dong Li
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, China
| | - Long Ji
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, China.
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Psychological and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fawcett EJ, Fairbrother N, Cox ML, White IR, Fawcett JM. The Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Multivariate Bayesian Meta-Analysis. J Clin Psychiatry 2019; 80:18r12527. [PMID: 31347796 PMCID: PMC6839961 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.18r12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of anxiety disorders in pregnant and postpartum women and identify predictors accounting for variability across estimates. DATA SOURCES An electronic search of PsycINFO and PubMed was conducted from inception until July 2016, without date or language restrictions, and supplemented by articles referenced in the obtained sources. A Boolean search phrase utilized a combination of keywords related to pregnancy, postpartum, prevalence, and specific anxiety disorders. STUDY SELECTION Articles reporting the prevalence of 1 or more of 8 common anxiety disorders in pregnant or postpartum women were included. A total of 2,613 records were retrieved, with 26 studies ultimately included. DATA EXTRACTION Anxiety disorder prevalence and potential predictor variables (eg, parity) were extracted from each study. A Bayesian multivariate modeling approach estimated the prevalence and between-study heterogeneity of each disorder and the prevalence of having 1 or more anxiety disorder. RESULTS Individual disorder prevalence estimates ranged from 1.1% for posttraumatic stress disorder to 4.8% for specific phobia, with the prevalence of having at least 1 or more anxiety disorder estimated to be 20.7% (95% highest density interval [16.7% to 25.4%]). Substantial between-study heterogeneity was observed, suggesting that "true" prevalence varies broadly across samples. There was evidence of a small (3.1%) tendency for pregnant women to be more susceptible to anxiety disorders than postpartum women. CONCLUSIONS Peripartum anxiety disorders are more prevalent than previously thought, with 1 in 5 women in a typical sample meeting diagnostic criteria for at least 1 disorder. These findings highlight the need for anxiety screening, education, and referral in obstetrics and gynecology settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Fawcett
- Student Wellness and Counselling Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Nichole Fairbrother
- Department of Psychiatry / Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Megan L. Cox
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ian R. White
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan M. Fawcett
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Delsignore A. Does prior psychotherapy experience affect the course of cognitive-behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2008; 53:509-16. [PMID: 18801212 DOI: 10.1177/070674370805300805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether and how different patterns of psychotherapy history (no prior therapy, successful therapy experience, and unsuccessful therapy experience) affect the outcome of future treatment among patients undergoing cognitive-behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder. METHOD Fifty-seven patients with varying histories of psychotherapy participating in cognitive-behavioural group treatment for social anxiety disorder were included in the study. Symptom severity (including anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and global symptom severity) was assessed at pre- and posttreatment. A therapist-rated measure of patient therapy engagement was included as a process variable. RESULTS First-time therapy patients showed more favourable pretreatment variables and achieved greater benefit from group therapy. Among patients with unsuccessful therapy experience, substantial gains were attained by those who were able to actively engage in the therapy process. Patients rating previous therapies as successful could benefit the least and tended to stagnate. Possible explanations for group differences and clinical implications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Prior psychotherapy experience affects the course of cognitive-behavioural group therapy in patients with social phobias. While patients with negative therapy experience may need extensive support in being and remaining actively engaged, those rating previous therapies as successful should be assessed very carefully and may benefit from a major focus on relational aspects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aba Delsignore
- Zurich University Hospital, Psychiatric Department, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Issakidis C, Andrews G. Rationing of health care: clinical decision making in an outpatient clinic for anxiety disorders. J Anxiety Disord 2003; 17:59-74. [PMID: 12464289 DOI: 10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00172-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are prevalent and disabling and despite the fact that effective interventions are available, many people do not access effective treatment. Clinician decisions are fundamental determinants of access to this treatment. Despite this, treatment decisions have never been examined specifically in this group and are rarely examined in outpatient settings. The present study assessed 550 consecutive referrals to an anxiety disorders clinic in Sydney, Australia. Logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of decisions about treatment. Clinical patient variables (diagnosis and disability) were the strongest predictors of an offer of treatment but demographics and resource availability were also significant. Some of the same factors have been shown to influence the decision to seek treatment for anxiety. Both help-seeking behavior and treatment decision making are important determinants of access to care and both should be examined in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Issakidis
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
The current study sought to examine the extent to which empirically supported psychological and pharmacological treatments were used by individuals with panic disorder (n = 41), social phobia (n = 34), or obsessive compulsive disorder (n = 21). Participants were recruited from an anxiety disorders clinic and completed a questionnaire about previous treatment and contact with a variety of professionals. Results indicated that the types of pharmacological treatment received by patients were more often consistent with findings from the empirical literature than were the psychological treatments received by patients. Cognitive and behavioral treatments had been tried by fewer than half of participants (between 19 and 44% of participants). Results were fairly consistent across the anxiety disorders. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between the types of psychological treatments that have received empirical support and those that are typically provided to patients are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Rowa
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
One of the challenges facing modern psychiatry is to determine to what extent the diagnostic categories clinicians have represent valid constructs. Epidemiologic studies are helpful in this regard when their findings are consistent across various cultural or geographic settings or with those of clinical studies. The cross-national epidemiologic data on OCD reviewed in this article are remarkable for their consistency in rates, age at onset, and comorbidity across diverse countries, a fact which lends additional support to the validity of the diagnosis of OCD. The variability in symptom presentation across national sites suggests that cultural factors may affect the symptom expression; however, why the rates of OCD and other psychiatric disorders are so much lower in Taiwan than in other sites, including another Asian site, is unclear. Epidemiologic studies of adolescents and of adults have shown similar prevalence of OCD and substantial comorbidity with major depression and other anxiety disorders. Studies of adolescent populations indicate that OCD symptoms are fairly common among adolescents but not necessarily predictive of developing the full disorder within 1 year of follow-up. Family studies have suggested an association between OCD and TS and other CMT disorders. Clinical studies have suggested an association between Sydenham's chorea and OCD. These various studies provide a growing body of knowledge regarding the nature of OCD. Together with evidence of the substantial demand on mental health services by those afflicted with OCD, the epidemiologic data make a compelling case for additional efforts to improve the understanding and treatment of this troubling disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Horwath
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
McCusker J, Boulenger JP, Bellavance F, Boyer R, Miller JM. Outcomes in a referral cohort of patients with anxiety disorders. J Nerv Ment Dis 2000; 188:3-12. [PMID: 10665454 DOI: 10.1097/00005053-200001000-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study describes 6- and 12-month outcomes in a referral cohort with anxiety disorders and identifies treatment and prognostic factors related to these outcomes. Patients were recruited at three general hospital clinics, two psychologist-run clinics, and one psychiatric hospital clinic. Outcomes included severity of symptoms, physical and mental health status, and subjective global change in problem severity. Of 254 patients eligible for follow-up, 165 (65.0%) completed a follow-up questionnaire. Methods of treatment included consultation with return to the primary care physician (38.2%); or continued treatment at the clinic, with medications (16.4%), psychotherapy (22.4%), or both (23.0%). Both severity of symptoms and mental health status improved but remained abnormal at follow-up. In multiple logistic regression, subjective global improvement was related to a diagnosis of panic disorder only, treatment with psychotherapy, and type of referral. Change over time in symptom severity was related to clinic type, and change over time in mental health was related to clinic type and duration of previous treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J McCusker
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Arboleda-Flórez J. Psychiatric epidemiology in Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1997; 42:699-700. [PMID: 9307829 DOI: 10.1177/070674379704200701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|