Zhang WL, Gao HL, Yang MM, Zhu QF. Letter to the Editor: From glycemia to mood: Exploration of a postpartum depression prediction model in gestational diabetes. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 120820 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.120820]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Quan-Feng Zhu, Associate Chief Pharmacist, Director, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 728 Yucai North Road, Hangzhou 311201, Zhejiang Province, China. quanfengzhu@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Psychiatry
Article-Type of This Article
letter
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Zhang WL, Gao HL, Yang MM, Zhu QF. Letter to the Editor: From glycemia to mood: Exploration of a postpartum depression prediction model in gestational diabetes. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(8): 120820 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.120820]
Wei-Li Zhang, Huang-Ling Gao, Miao-Miao Yang, Quan-Feng Zhu, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311201, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Wei-Li Zhang and Huang-Ling Gao.
Co-corresponding authors: Miao-Miao Yang and Quan-Feng Zhu.
Author contributions: Zhu QF and Yang MM contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors and they designed and managed the project; Zhang WL and Gao HL contribute equally to this study as co-first authors and they wrote the main manuscript; and all authors reviewed and approved the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The entirety or any portion of the Main Text of the manuscript was not AI-generated. Before seeking professional language editing services for language polishing, this study utilized AI tools for language translation.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Corresponding author: Quan-Feng Zhu, Associate Chief Pharmacist, Director, Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 728 Yucai North Road, Hangzhou 311201, Zhejiang Province, China. quanfengzhu@126.com
Received: March 16, 2026 Revised: April 16, 2026 Accepted: May 11, 2026 Published online: August 19, 2026 Processing time: 126 Days and 7.2 Hours
Abstract
This letter discusses a recent study by Wu JX and Wu FF which published in World Journal of Psychiatry that examined factors influencing postpartum depression (PPD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and constructed a risk prediction model. The study enrolled 204 GDM patients, dividing them into PPD (n = 52) and non-PPD (n = 152) groups based on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores at 6 weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated 2-hour postprandial glucose at diagnosis, poor glycemic control during pregnancy, postpartum mother-infant separation, low family care, and low social support were independent risk factors for PPD. The prediction model, defined as Logit (P) = 0.508 × 2-hour postprandial blood glucose + 0.687 × gestational blood glucose control + 1.092 × postpartum mother-infant separation + 0.745 × low family care + 0.289 × low social support - 4.766, demonstrated robust performance with an area under the curve of 0.840, sensitivity of 0.839, and specificity of 0.825. The significance of the study lies in identifying GDM-specific PPD risk factors and constructing a practical predictive tool for clinical use. It establishes a critical link between glycemic indicators and postpartum mental health, expanding our understanding of psychological issues in GDM patients. This model enables early identification of high-risk individuals, facilitating targeted interventions such as enhanced glycemic management, promotion of mother-infant contact, and mobilization of family and social support resources. By shifting from passive treatment to active prevention, this approach has important implications for improving maternal mental health outcomes, promoting mother-infant wellbeing, and reducing family and societal burden. Although this was a single-center study with a small sample, these findings provide a foundation for future multicenter research and the development of digital risk assessment tools and personalized intervention strategies.
Core Tip: This study investigated key factors influencing postpartum depression (PPD) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and developed a risk prediction model. PPD in GDM results from metabolic, obstetric, and psychosocial factors. Independent risk factors included elevated 2-hour postprandial glucose, suboptimal glycemic control, mother-infant separation, low family care, and low perceived social support. A predictive model based on these five factors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration, offering quantitative early screening and stratified management. Findings underscore the importance of integrated biopsychosocial interventions in perinatal care. Future multicenter studies should externally validate the model and incorporate additional biomarkers and psychological measures.
