A Study on the Correlation between Salivary Cortisol Content and Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant and Postpartum Women ()
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the correlation between salivary
cortisol content and anxiety and depression in pregnant and postpartum women. Method:
300 pregnant and postpartum women who were admitted from January 2021 to
December 2021 were selected as the research subjects. They were all tested with
the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
(EPDS). 40 pregnant women with anxiety and depression were selected as the
observation group, and 50 normal pregnant women were selected as the control
group, adopting logistic regression analysis to investigate the correlation
between salivary cortisol and postpartum anxiety and depression during
pregnancy. Result: The salivary cortisol levels in the observation group
were significantly higher than those in the control group before bedtime, after
waking up the next day, 15 minutes after waking up, 30 minutes after waking up,
60 minutes after waking up, and 1 hour before lunch (p < 0.05). Maternal
depression and anxiety were not related to age, weight, gestational age,
negative events, or history of adverse pregnancy and childbirth (p > 0.05).
Maternal depression and anxiety are closely related to salivary cortisol levels
and educational background (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a close
correlation between anxiety and depression and an increase in cortisol levels,
suggesting that the salivary cortisol awakening response during pregnancy has a
predictive effect on the occurrence of postpartum depression.
Share and Cite:
Wang, Q. , Luo, S. , Zhang, J. and Fan, Y. (2024) A Study on the Correlation between Salivary Cortisol Content and Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant and Postpartum Women.
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
14, 250-258. doi:
10.4236/ojog.2024.142023.
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