In a groundbreaking study, Swedish researchers from the Karolinska Institute have identified a bidirectional relationship between pregnancy-linked depression and autoimmune diseases, shedding light on a potential immunological mechanism behind perinatal depression. The study, led by Emma Bränn, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, analysed data from 1.3 million pregnancies in Sweden between 2001 and 2013.
The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry on January 9, underlines the serious consequences that depression during pregnancy can have on both mothers and infants, emphasising the urgency of addressing maternal mental health.
The key findings highlight a significant association between women experiencing depression during pregnancy and an increased vulnerability to autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease. Conversely, women already diagnosed with autoimmune diseases were found to be more likely to develop pregnancy-linked depression.
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The research discovered that women with a history of autoimmune diseases had a 30% higher likelihood of developing pregnancy-linked depression. The reverse was also true, with women experiencing pregnancy-linked depression facing a 30% increased risk of developing autoimmune illnesses. The bidirectional effect was particularly pronounced in cases of multiple sclerosis, where the odds of pregnancy-linked depression were double, and vice versa.
While the study emphasised that causation could not be determined, only associations, lead author Emma Bränn stressed the importance of recognizing autoimmune diseases as a potential risk factor for perinatal depression. The researchers hope their findings will prompt increased funding for maternal healthcare to provide timely help and support for women during this critical period.