Pattern of Medical Comorbidities among Patients of Postpartum Psychosis at a Tertiary Care Center of Central India

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: The reproductive age group is vulnerable to various preexisting psychiatric disorders as well as newly diagnosed illnesses. The stress associated during pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing psychiatric comorbidities even more. Of importance are postpartum blues, depression, and psychosis. The presence of various medical comorbidities may be a contributing factor for the development of psychiatric illnesses. This study was done to find the pattern of medical comorbidities among patients of postpartum psychosis. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh). Total duration of the study was 1 year, all patients diagnosed with postpartum psychosis (n = 88) were segregated using simple random sampling and every 2nd patient was included in the study (n = 44). Further, necessary assessments were carried out and patients were discharged postrecovery. Results: In the present study, 59.09% of patients (26) belonged to the age group 25–35 years, 81.81% of patients (36) were from lower socioeconomic status, housewives 79.54% (35), and 36.36% (16) were middle school educated. About 63.63% of patients (28) females were nulliparous. About 59.09% of patients (26) were delivered through cesarean section. The most prevalent medical comorbidity was postpartum infection which was present in 50% of the patients (22), followed by hypothyroidism in 43.18% of patients (19). Conclusion: Various medical comorbidities may precipitate, maintain, or aggravate underlying postpartum psychosis which may alter their course progression and outcome.