Instruments to identify post-natal depression: Which methods have been the most extensively validated, in what setting and in which language?

Objectives. To investigate which methods to identify post-natal depression are the most extensively validated, in what setting and in what language. Methods. A systematic search of the literature was undertaken to retrieve English and non-English language articles available until February 2007. This included searching 16 electronic databases, forward citation searching, personal communication with authors and inspection of reference lists. Results. A total of 60 studies (published in 64 articles) met the inclusion criteria. Four PND specific measures and nine generic depression (and sometimes anxiety) measures were found to have been validated against a diagnostic reference standard in pregnant or post-natal populations. The Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS) was the most frequently validated method to identify women with PND. The EPDS has been translated and validated in 20 different languages. The majority of studies were undertaken at ante-natal clinics (n = 15), after the birth in post-natal wards (n = 12) or during post-natal visits or follow-up clinics (n = 16). Conclusions. The EPDS is the most frequently researched method to identify PND and has been translated and validated in multiple different languages.