The Junonia Postpartum Depression (PPD) Study: Assessing PPD Care Models in the USA

Abstract: Objective: To describe characteristics of patients from a prospective observational study evaluating postpartum depression (PPD) care pathways. Methods: Junonia is an ongoing prospective interventional study that evaluates risk parameters and the impact of PPD care coordination on diagnosis and treatment patterns. Enrollees are English-speaking women aged 18-55 years at risk for PPD (live birth > 4 weeks but 6 months from time of enrollment with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] score ≥10 at enrollment). Results: Baseline data are reported as of February 15th, 2024 for 280 enrolled patients (White: 57.5%; mean age: 30.1 years; first childbirth: 46.1%; childbirth complications: 36.4%). Prior to pregnancy, patients reported being diagnosed with anxiety (54.6%) and/or depression (41.4%), and 23.8% (n=36/151) had PPD associated with a previous pregnancy. The mean (SD) EPDS score at baseline was 14.0 (3.8). Patients reported lacking necessary support with their new baby (20.7%), a fussy infant (26.4%), and difficulty bonding with the baby (17.1%). Significant standardized mean differences (95% CI) in EPDS scores were observed among patients with vs. without complications during pregnancy (high risk pregnancy [0.31 (0.08, 0.55)], gestational diabetes [0.30 (0.06, 0.54)], treated for depression [0.31 (0.07, 0.55)] and history of trauma (divorce/separation [0.27 (0.03, 0.50)], miscarriage/pregnancy loss [0.27 (0.03, 0.51)], domestic violence [0.39 (0.15, 0.62)], abuse [0.29 (0.05, 0.53)])). Conclusion: In early Junonia findings, we observed characteristics that could aid in identifying patients at risk for PPD and predicting their disease severity, which may suggest alternative care pathways appropriate for different patient subgroups.Short Description: Junonia is an ongoing prospective interventional study that evaluates risk parameters and the impact of postpartum depression (PPD) care coordination on diagnosis and treatment patterns. Baseline characteristics are described for enrolled patients, including prior history of anxiety/depression and pregnancy complications. These characteristics could aid in identifying patients at risk for PPD and predicting their disease severity, which may suggest alternative care pathways appropriate for different patient subgroups.Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Sage Therapeutics, Inc.