Descriptive Characteristics of Psychiatric Medication Discontinuation Among Perinatal Women With Depressive Symptoms

This study examined the prevalence of psychiatric medication discontinuation amongst perinatal women with depressive symptoms and describes characteristics of those who discontinued compared to those who continued medications in pregnancy.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the PRogram In Support of Moms study. Amongst 98 women prescribed psychiatric medication, we descriptively assessed sociodemographic characteristics of participants who discontinued versus continued medications. A logistic regression model evaluated the association between depressive symptoms and medication discontinuation.

Approximately 65% reported medication discontinuation in pregnancy (95% CI: 55%-74%). Those who discontinued had a median Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score that was 1 point higher than those who continued (p = 0.12). Of those who discontinued medications, 27% were never married, 52% reported annual incomes < $60 000, and 56% were Medicaid-insured.

Most participants prescribed psychiatric medications before pregnancy discontinued them in pregnancy. Adequately powered studies are needed to validate findings and to explore mediating factors.

NCT02760004.