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Perinatal anxiety: approach to diagnosis and management in the obstetric setting.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
October 1, 2018
Katie R Thorsness et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to summarize current approaches to treating perinatal anxiety disorders, including the use of melatonin among other medications.

Results Summary

The abstract does not provide specific findings about melatonin's effects, only mentioning it as one of the medications examined in the context of perinatal anxiety treatment.

Population

Women with perinatal anxiety disorders.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psychotherapy
neutral
perinatal anxiety disorders
women
-
is an approach to treatment
#1
supportive interventions
neutral
perinatal anxiety disorders
women
-
is an approach to treatment
#2
primary psychiatric medication
neutral
perinatal anxiety disorders
women
-
is an approach to treatment
#3
adjuvant psychiatric medication
neutral
perinatal anxiety disorders
women
-
is an approach to treatment
#4
antidepressants
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
were examined
#5
benzodiazepines
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
were examined
#6
sedative-hypnotics
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
were examined
#7
antihistamines
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
were examined
#8
quetiapine
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
was examined
#9
buspirone
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
was examined
#10
propranolol
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
was examined
#11
melatonin
neutral
perinatal anxiety
women
-
was examined
#12
Abstract

Anxiety is common in women during the perinatal period, manifests with various symptoms and severity, and is associated with significant maternal morbidity and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Given the intimate relationship and frequency of contact, the obstetric provider is positioned optimally to create a therapeutic alliance and to treat perinatal anxiety. Time constraints, absence of randomized controlled trials, mixed quality of data, and concern for potential adverse reproductive outcomes all limit the clinician's ability to initiate informed risk-benefit discussions. Clear understanding of the role of the obstetric provider in the identification, stabilization, and initiation of medication and/or referral to psychotherapy for women with perinatal anxiety disorders is critical to maternal and neonatal wellbeing. Informed by our clinical practice as perinatal psychiatric providers, we have provided a concise summary of current research on the approach to the treatment of perinatal anxiety disorders in the obstetric setting that includes psychotherapy and supportive interventions, primary and adjuvant psychiatric medication, and general prescribing pearls. Medications that we examined include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, antihistamines, quetiapine, buspirone, propranolol, and melatonin. Further research into management of perinatal anxiety, particularly psychopharmacologic management, is warranted.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Anxiety DisordersBenzodiazepinesFemaleHumansPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPrenatal CarePsychotherapySelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations19
Citations/Year2.7
Relative Citation Ratio1.42
NIH Percentile63.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.87
Normalized Score0.53
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