Study Finds Two-Way Link Between Autoimmune Diseases and Perinatal Depression in Women
11th January 2024Research conducted at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden suggests a two-way relationship between autoimmune diseases and perinatal depression in women. The study also indicates that women with a history of perinatal depression may be more prone to developing autoimmune diseases. Common autoimmune conditions encompass gluten intolerance, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
The study, published in “Molecular Psychiatry,” identifies the strongest association with multiple sclerosis, particularly among women without a history of psychiatric diagnosis. While the researchers emphasize the observational nature of the study, they suggest an immunological mechanism underlies perinatal depression, positioning autoimmune diseases as a potential risk factor for this type of depression.
For the investigation, the researchers utilized data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register covering women who gave birth in Sweden between 2001 and 2013. Among the more than eight hundred thousand women and thirteen hundred thousand pregnancies examined, over 55,000 were diagnosed with depression during pregnancy or within a year after delivery.
The findings indicate a bidirectional association between perinatal depression and autoimmune diseases, with a quantified 30 percent risk in both directions. This bidirectional link was more pronounced in women without psychiatric comorbidities and showed the strongest connection with multiple sclerosis.
The researchers stress the potential serious consequences of depression during pregnancy on both the mother and the baby. They hope the results will encourage increased funding for maternal healthcare, facilitating timely support for more women. The team plans to further investigate the long-term effects of depression during pregnancy and the initial postpartum period.
