Lifetime Psychosocial Stress Exposure Associated with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Author(s):  
Madeleine Caplan ◽  
Lauren S. Keenan-Devlin ◽  
Alexa Freedman ◽  
William Grobman ◽  
Pathik D. Wadhwa ◽  
...  

Objective Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) complicate 5 to 10% of all pregnancies and are a major cause of pregnancy-related morbidity. Exposure to psychosocial stress has been associated with systemic inflammation and adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women. Thus, it is probable that psychosocial stress and inflammation play a role in the development of HDP. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine if a woman's lifetime psychosocial stress exposure was associated with an increased risk of HDP. Additionally, we examined whether serum inflammation was an underlying biological mediator for this relationship. Study Design A multisite prospective study was conducted in a sociodemographically diverse cohort of 647 pregnant women. At a study visit between 12 and 206/7 weeks' gestation, maternal psychosocial stress was assessed with six validated assessments and inflammation was measured via log-transformed serum concentrations of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-13, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α. A composite stress score was calculated for each participant from the six stress assessments. The diagnosis of HDP was abstracted from the medical record and was defined as the presence of gestational hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy and/or preeclampsia. The association between composite stress and HDP was determined using binary logistic regression. Inflammation, using the six inflammatory biomarkers, was tested as a potential mediator between stress and HDP. Results Participants with higher composite stress scores were more likely to develop HDP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–2.12). When adjusted for known risk modifiers, including maternal age, race/ethnicity, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, diabetes, chronic hypertension, and smoking during pregnancy, the risk remained unchanged (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03–2.20). No mediation effect by inflammation was observed. Conclusion Independent of known risk factors, women exposed to greater composite stress burden across the life course are at increased risk of developing HDP. Key Points

Author(s):  
Jennifer Lewey ◽  
Lisa D. Levine ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Jourdan E. Triebwasser ◽  
Peter W. Groeneveld

Background Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) that identify an increased risk of developing chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life. Postpartum follow‐up may facilitate early screening and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Our objective is to describe patterns of postpartum visits with primary care and women's health providers (eg, family medicine and obstetrics) among women with and without HDP in a nationally representative sample of commercially insured women. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective cohort study using insurance claims from a US health insurance database to describe patterns in office visits in the 6 months after delivery. We identified 566 059 women with completed pregnancies between 2005 and 2014. At 6 months, 13% of women with normotensive pregnancies, 18% with HDP, and 23% with chronic hypertension had primary care visits ( P <0.0001 for comparing HDP and chronic hypertension groups with control participants). Only 58% of women with HDP had 6‐month follow‐up with any continuity provider compared with 47% of women without hypertension ( P <0.0001). In multivariable analysis, women with severe preeclampsia were 16% more likely to have postpartum continuity follow‐up (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.2–1.21). Factors associated with a lower likelihood of any follow‐up included age ≥30 years, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and having multiple gestations. Conclusions Rates of continuity care follow‐up after a pregnancy complicated by hypertension were low. This represents a substantial missed opportunity to provide cardiovascular risk screening and management to women at increased risk of future cardiovascular disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Carlos Arturo Paniagua Coahuila ◽  
◽  
José Anaya Herrera ◽  
Dulce Alejandra Alonso Lozano ◽  
Lenny Pinña Guerrero ◽  
...  

Background: In Mexico, it is estimated that the adolescent population represents 29% of the population of childbearing age. The present study aimed to analyze the obstetric results of 3310 adolescent pregnant women attended in a third level hospital. Material and methods: All records of pregnant women aged 19 years or less up to the date of admission were analyzed at the Mónica Pretelini Saenz Maternal Perinatal Hospital during the period from January 2018 to June 2020, with the following variables: age, pregnancy, resolution obstetric, severe preeclampsia, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Results: A total of 13874 pregnant women were attended, of which 3310 (24%) patients were adolescents. The overall frequency of obstetric complications was 21%, including obstetric hemorrhage (13%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (8%). Regarding postpartum obstetric hemorrhage events, classified according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support shock scale, they were categorized as Grade 1 – 338 cases, Grade II – 76 cases, Grade III – 11 cases and Grade IV – 1 case. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy highlight preeclampsia as the most frequent with a total of 97 cases, followed by 89 cases of severe preeclampsia, 58 cases of gestational hypertension, 14 cases of chronic hypertension and 3 cases of chronic hypertension with preeclampsia. Conclusions: The main complications found in the Mexican pregnant adolescent population were obstetric hemorrhage, which was more frequent in the population aged 15 to 19 years, and hypertensive disorders, which occurred more frequently in the population aged 9 to 14 years.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann A Wang ◽  
Linda M Ernst ◽  
Emily S Miller

Introduction Basal plate myometrium (BPMYO), the pathological presence of myometrial fibers in the basal plate, is a common finding on pathological examination of the placenta, yet its clinical correlates are not well studied. As myometrial fibers are frequently located in proximity to poorly converted maternal spiral arteries, our objective was to determine whether BPMYO is associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), a well-known clinical sequela of abnormal maternal artery remodeling. Methods This case–control study included women who delivered a live-born singleton gestation whose placentas were sent for pathological examination. Cases were women with HDP (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or HELLP syndrome) as defined by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Controls were women without HDP. Women with chronic hypertension were excluded. The primary outcome was the presence of BPMYO. Secondary outcomes included the pathologic stage of BPMYO and the incidence of pathologically defined accreta. Each outcome was compared between cases and controls in bivariable and multivariable analyses. Results Of the 306 women who met inclusion criteria, 230 (75%) had HDP. BPMYO was present in 99 (32%) of placentas. Compared to controls, cases were younger, had higher body mass index, and were more likely to have diabetes, be nulliparous, deliver preterm, and have had a prior cesarean. There were no differences in the incidence of BPMYO, stage of BPMYO, or incidence of pathologically defined accreta between cases and controls. These findings persisted after controlling for potential confounders. Conclusions Although BPMYO may be more common in the setting of abnormal placental vasculature, there is no significant association between BPMYO and HDP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy N. Phoswa

Purpose of the Review: The main objective of this study is to investigate mechanisms associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in HIV infected pregnant women by looking how placental hormones such as (progesterone and prolactin) and basic haemostatic parameters are regulated in HIV infected pregnancies.Recent Findings: HIV/AIDS are a major global obstetric health burden that lead to increased rate of morbidity and mortality. HIV/AIDS has been associated with the pathophysiology of GDM and HDP. Increased risk of GDM due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) usage has been reported in HIV infected pregnancies, which causes insulin resistance in both pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. HAART is a medication used for lowering maternal antepartum viral load and pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of the infant. In pregnant women, HAART induces diabetogenic effect by causing dysregulation of placental hormones such as (progesterone and prolactin) and predispose HIV infected women to GDM. In addition to HIV/AIDS and GDM, Studies have indicated that HIV infection causes haemostatic abnormalities such as hematological disorder, deregulated haematopoiesis process and the coagulation process which results in HDP.Summary: This study will help on improving therapeutic management and understanding of the pathophysiology of GDM and HDP in the absence as well as in the presence of HIV infection by reviewing studies reporting on these mechanism.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 176-183
Author(s):  
Filipa de Lima ◽  
Ana Machado ◽  
Hercília Guimarães ◽  
Gustavo Rocha ◽  

Introduction It is not yet fully known whether hypertensive disorders (HTD) during pregnancy impose an increased risk of development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm newborn infants. Objective To test the hypothesis that preeclampsia and other HTD are associated with the development of BPD in preterm infants. Materials and Methods Data on mothers and preterm infants with gestational age 24 to 30 weeks were prospectively analyzed in 11 Portuguese level III centers. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics 23. Results A total of 494 preterm infants from 410 mothers were enrolled, and 119 (28%) of the 425 babies, still alive at 36 weeks, developed BPD. The association between chronic arterial hypertension, chronic arterial hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension in mothers and BPD in preterm infants was not significant (p = 0.115; p = 0.248; p = 0.060, respectively). The association between preeclampsia–eclampsia and BPD was significant (p = 0.007). The multivariate analysis revealed an association between preeclampsia–eclampsia and BPD (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.529–13.819; p = 0.007) and a protective effect for BPD when preeclampsia occurred superimposed on chronic arterial hypertension in mothers (OR = 0.077; 95%CI 0.009–0.632; p = 0.017). Conclusion The results of this study support the association of preeclampsia in mothers with BPD in preterm babies and suggest that chronic hypertension may be protective for preterm babies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (08) ◽  
pp. 837-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Barton ◽  
George R. Saade ◽  
Baha M. Sibai

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complications of pregnancy and a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and death. The detection of elevated blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the cardinal aspects of optimal antenatal care. With the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the risk for person-to-person spread of the virus, there is a desire to minimize unnecessary visits to health care facilities. Women should be classified as low risk or high risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and adjustments can be accordingly made in the frequency of maternal and fetal surveillance. During this pandemic, all pregnant women should be encouraged to obtain a sphygmomanometer. Patients monitored for hypertension as an outpatient should receive written instructions on the important signs and symptoms of disease progression and provided contact information to report the development of any concern for change in status. As the clinical management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia is the same, assessment of urinary protein is unnecessary in the management once a diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is made. Pregnant women with suspected hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and signs and symptoms associated with the severe end of the disease spectrum (e.g., headaches, visual symptoms, epigastric pain, and pulmonary edema) should have an evaluation including complete blood count, serum creatinine level, and liver transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). Further, if there is any evidence of disease progression or if acute severe hypertension develops, prompt hospitalization is suggested. Current guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) for management of preeclampsia with severe features suggest delivery after 34 0/7 weeks of gestation. With the outbreak of COVID-19, however, adjustments to this algorithm should be considered including delivery by 30 0/7 weeks of gestation in the setting of preeclampsia with severe features. Key Points


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amyna Helou ◽  
Kay Stewart ◽  
Kath Ryan ◽  
Johnson George

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity during pregnancy. Despite multiple national and international clinical guidelines and a plethora of research in the field of optimising management, there has been limited research describing the perspectives and experiences of pregnant women with the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Understanding these perceptions and experiences is imperative to the optimisation of HDP management. Methods A qualitative study involving face-to-face, in-depth interviews were undertaken with 27 pregnant women diagnosed with and being treated for HDP to explore their perspectives of and experiences with clinical management. Written consent was obtained individually from each participant, and the interviews ranged from 16 to 54 min. Inductive codes were generated systematically for the entire data set. Line-by-line analysis was then performed and nodes were created within NVivo, a qualitative data management software. Data collection was continued until thematic saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data. Results Three major descriptive themes were discerned regarding the women’s perspectives on and experiences with the management of HDP: attitudes towards monitoring of HDP, attitudes and perceptions towards development and management of complications, and perceptions of pregnant women with chronic hypertension. Trust in the hospital system, positive attitudes towards close blood pressure monitoring as well as self-monitoring of blood pressure, and a realistic approach to emergency antenatal hospital admissions contributed to a positive attitude towards monitoring of HDP. Women with prior experiences of HDP complications, including pre-eclampsia, were more confident in their clinical management and knew what to expect. Those without prior experience were often in shock when they developed pre-eclampsia. Some women with chronic hypertension displayed limited understanding of the potential risks that they may experience during pregnancy and thus lacked comprehension of the seriousness of the condition. Conclusions The clinical management experiences of pregnant women with HDP were varied. Many women did not feel that they were well informed of management decisions and had a desire to be more informed and involved in decision-making. Clear, concise information about various facets of HDP management including blood pressure monitoring, prescription of the appropriate antihypertensive agent, and planning for potential early delivery are required.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Novi Kartika Sari ◽  
Theodola Baning Rahayujati ◽  
Mohammad Hakimi

Determinants of pregnancy hypertensive disorders in Indonesia PurposeThis study aimed to assess the determinant factors of gestational hypertension (HDP) in Indonesia.MethodsThis research was an observational analytic study using a cross-sectional design. Sampling was calculated using consecutive sampling technique. The subjects were all pregnant women aged 15-54 years old in 33 provinces in Indonesia and 9024 women were selected as subjects. Chi-square and binomial regression tests were used to analyze the determinants of HDP to see the value of the Ratio Prevalence (RP). ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was 6.18% (558 people) after being adjusted with external variables which were potentially confounders. The highest of hypertension was found in West Java with 59 pregnant women (10.57%). Overweight and chronic hypertension were related to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy with RP: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.80-2.51); and in overweight with RP: 4.36 (95% CI: 3.6-5.26) in hypertension assessments. The use of contraceptives was not a risk factor for hypertensive disorders in Indonesia with RP 0.92 (95% CI: 0.76-1.10). ConclusionOverweight and chronic hypertension are risk factors for the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in Indonesia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Roth ◽  
Caroline S. E. Homer ◽  
Clare Arnott ◽  
Lynne Roberts ◽  
Mark Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 5–10% of pregnant women. Women after HDP have 2–3 times increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, as soon as 5–10 years after pregnancy. Australian healthcare providers’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks for women after HDP is unknown, and this study aimed to explore their current knowledge and practice regarding long-term cardiovascular health after HDP, as a precursor to producing targeted healthcare provider education on health after HDP. Methods A custom-created, face-validated online survey explored knowledge about long-term risks after HDP. Distribution occurred from February to July 2019 via professional colleges, key organisations and social media. The objective was to assess current knowledge and knowledge gaps amongst a group of healthcare providers (HCP) in Australia, regarding long-term cardiovascular health after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), specifically gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Results Of 492 respondents, 203 were midwives, 188 obstetricians, 75 general practitioners (GP), and 26 cardiologists. A risk knowledge score was computed with 0–6 considered low, 6.1–8.9 moderate and 9–12 high. Most participants (85%) were aware of increased cardiovascular disease after preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (range 76% midwives to 100% cardiologists). There were significant differences in average knowledge scores regarding health after preeclampsia; high for cardiologists (9.3), moderate for GPs and obstetricians (8.2 and 7.6 respectively) and low for midwives (5.9). Average knowledge scores were somewhat lower for gestational hypertension (9.0 for cardiologists, 7.4 for obstetricians and GPs, 5.1 for midwives). Knowledge was highest regarding risk of chronic hypertension, moderate to high regarding risk of ischaemic heart disease, stroke and recurring HDP, and low for diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Only 34% were aware that risks start < 10 years after the affected pregnancy. Conclusion(s) Participants were aware there is increased cardiovascular risk after HDP, although less aware of risks after gestational hypertension and some specific risks including diabetes. Findings will inform the development of targeted education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 03 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 068-078
Author(s):  
Lalita Nemani

Abstract Hypertension in pregnancy is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg or both on two different occasions at least 6 hours apart. Severe hypertension is SBP ≥ 160 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 110 mm Hg. Hypertension is the most common medical problem in pregnancy and one of the major causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are classified as (1) chronic hypertension, (2) chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, (3) preeclampsia-eclampsia, and (4) gestational hypertension. HDP contributes to increased risk of hypertension, stroke, and maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life. HDP can be considered as a failed cardiovascular stress test identifying women susceptible to CVD in later life. Further research is required to identify the mechanisms in HDP that contribute to CVD in later life so as to initiate appropriate prevention measures.


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