Stroke in Pregnancy and Puerperium: Validated Incidence Trends With Risk Factor Analysis in Finland 1987–2016

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011990
Author(s):  
Liisa Karjalainen ◽  
Minna Tikkanen ◽  
Kirsi Rantanen ◽  
Karoliina Aarnio ◽  
Aino Korhonen ◽  
...  

Objective:To investigate whether previously reported increasing incidence of pregnancy-associated stroke (PAS) is observed in chart-validated register data in Finland. In an exploratory analysis, we studied risk factors for PAS.Methods:We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study and nested case-control study in Finland 1987-2016. The Medical Birth Register (MBR) was linked with the Hospital Discharge Register to identify women with incident stroke (ischemic stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage) during pregnancy or puerperium. Cases were verified from patient records. Incidence of PAS over the study period, in 5-year age groups and pregnancy/postpartum period were calculated per number of deliveries. Three matched controls were selected for each case from MBR to compare risk factors.Results:After chart review, 29.6% (257/868) of cases were PAS. The incidence of PAS was 14.5 (95%CI: 12.8-16.3) per 100,000 deliveries. Incidence increased from 11.1 to 25.2 per 100,000 deliveries from 1987-1991 to 2012-2016 (p<0.0001). Incidence increased by age from 9.8 to 29.9 per 100,000 deliveries from ages 20-24 to ages >40 (p<0.0001). During early postpartum period, incidence was 5-fold greater compared to the first trimester. Maternal mortality was 6.6%. In the multivariable adjusted model, smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2-2.7), migraine (OR 16.3, 95%CI: 5.3-49.8), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 4.0, 95%CI: 2.5-6.3) were the most important risk factors for PAS.Conclusion:PAS incidence is increasing stressing the importance of careful pregnancy surveillance and risk factor management, particularly in older expectant mothers and extending to puerperium.Classification of Evidence:This study provides Class III evidence that smoking beyond 12 gestational weeks, migraine and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of PAS.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 008-013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia L. Shook ◽  
Mark A. Clapp ◽  
Penelope S. Roberts ◽  
Sarah N. Bernstein ◽  
Ilona T. Goldfarb

Abstract Objective To test the hypothesis that high fetal fraction (FF) on first trimester cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) aneuploidy screening is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Study Design This is a single-institution retrospective cohort study of women who underwent cfDNA screening at <14 weeks' gestation and delivered a singleton infant between July 2016 and June 2018. Women with abnormal results were excluded. Women with high FF (≥95th percentile) were compared with women with normal FF (5th–95th percentiles). Outcomes investigated were preterm birth, small for gestational age, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Results A total of 2,033 women met inclusion criteria. The mean FF was 10.0%, and FF >16.5% was considered high (n = 102). Women with high FF had a greater chance of delivering a small for gestational age infant <fifth percentile, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–4.8, p = 0.039). There was no significant association between high FF and either preterm birth or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Conclusion Women with a high FF in the first trimester are at increased risk of delivering a small for gestational age infant <fifth percentile. Further investigation into the clinical implications of a high FF is warranted.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinaba Chatterjee ◽  
Neal S Parikh ◽  
Babak B Navi ◽  
Hooman Kamel

Background: The incidence of pregnancy-associated stroke may be increasing. The degree to which this increase is associated with increases in common stroke risk factors is uncertain. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to estimate the change between 1999 through 2014 in the prevalence of common stroke risk factors among women 12-45 years of age. These risk factors were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or eclampsia), which was ascertained using NIS, and diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking, which were ascertained using NHANES. We extracted previously published relative risk estimates for the association between each risk factor and ischemic stroke in pregnant women. Using these estimates, we calculated the attributable risk and expected number of ischemic strokes among pregnant women with each risk factor. We used the NIS to estimate the trend in ischemic strokes documented during a hospitalization for labor and delivery, and modeled trends in such strokes attributable to changes in the prevalence of each stroke risk factor over time. Results: The rate of ischemic stroke increased from 7.7 (95% CI, 5.0-10.5) per 100,000 deliveries in 1999-2000 to 12.7 (95% CI, 9.5-15.9) per 100,000 deliveries in 2013-2014 (Fig). Based on changes in the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, and smoking between 1999 and 2014, the expected increase in pregnancy-associated stroke attributable to these risk factors would be approximately 10%, in contrast to the nearly 65% relative increase in strokes documented during pregnancy hospitalizations during this period. Conclusions: Changes in the prevalence of common stroke risk factors explain a small fraction of the apparent increase in pregnancy-associated stroke in the U.S. during the past 2 decades.


Author(s):  
Shehla Jamal ◽  
Ruchi Srivastava

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of preterm birth in India is 7-9%, and the rates are constantly rising. The main cited reasons for this trend are increasing indicated preterm births and rising rates of artificially conceived pregnancies. Major causes for indicated preterm births are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, foetal growth restriction, antepartum haemorrhage and PPROM. Risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth include obstetrical complications like multifetal gestation, malpresentations and infections, poor antenatal care, having history of previous preterm delivery, and history of bleeding in the index pregnancy.Methods: This is a retrospective analytical study, done in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology over a period of two years (January 2015-December 2016). All singleton preterm live births were included in the study. The records of all the included patients were studied from the medical records department of the hospital, after obtaining permission for the same. The results were analysed and obtained by percentage method.Results: A total of 2564 pregnancies were analysed in present study. The number of preterm deliveries was 436 in two years. Out of 2564, the number of live births was 2365, making an incidence of 18.4%. Maximum preterm deliveries were observed in the teenage group (27%) and elderly gravidas (23.9%), both the groups falling into high risk categories for preterm birth. Multiparity was an independent risk factor observed in our study and was found to be associated with 47.5% cases. Level of antenatal care received was also directly related to the number of preterm deliveries. As high as 58.4% of the females landed into preterm birth, who never sought antenatal care, the commonest risk factor for preterm birth was PPROM (26.6%) followed by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (18.6%). We observed a labor induction rate of 23.4% and Caesarean delivery was performed in 146 (33.5%) cases, thus indicating a high induction and caesarean rates in such pregnancies.Conclusions: Preterm birth continues to challenge obstetricians despite much efforts being executed at all levels. Many of the risk factors are identifiable and can be addressed with a specialised antenatal care program. Screening of genitourinary infections and initiation of treatment can cut down the rates. Early referral and NICU equipped institutional delivery should be promoted to prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 311-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathanael Koelper ◽  
Mary Sammel ◽  
Lorraine Dugoff ◽  
Whitney Bender

Objective The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between fetal fraction and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies who had cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening at 10 to 20 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was the development of gestational hypertension (gHTN), preeclampsia (PEC), and PEC with severe features. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between fetal fraction and pregnancy outcomes of interest while controlling for potential confounders. Results Among 2,701 women meeting inclusion criteria, 387 (14.3%) were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. First-trimester fetal fraction was significantly lower in women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (10.9 vs. 12.4, p < 0.0001). An increased risk of gHTN and PEC, PEC with severe features with delivery > 34 weeks, and PEC with severe features with delivery ≤ 34 weeks was seen with lower first-trimester fetal fractions (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.36–0.83], p = 0.005; OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.35–0.99], p = 0.048; and OR: 0.27, 95% CI [0.08–0.96], p = 0.044). The relationship between fetal fraction and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was not statistically significant after adjusting for maternal age, race, body mass index, and chronic hypertension. Conclusion Fetal fraction of cfDNA at 10 to 20 weeks of gestation was not associated with the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chythra R. Rao ◽  
Lara E. E. de Ruiter ◽  
Parvati Bhat ◽  
Veena Kamath ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
...  

Introduction. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second leading cause of death in children under five years old. Three-quarters of them could be saved with current, cost-effective interventions. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of preterm birth in a secondary care hospital in Southern India. Methods. In the case-control study, records of 153 antenatal women with preterm birth were included as cases. Age matched controls were women who had a live birth after 37 weeks of gestational age. Gestational age at delivery and associated risk factors were analyzed. Results. The preterm birth rate was 5.8%. Common risk factors associated with preterm birth were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (21.4%), height <1.50 m (16.8%), premature rupture of membranes (17.5%), and fetal distress (14.9%). Mean birth weight for preterm babies was 2452 grams while the birth weight for term babies was 2978 grams. Conclusion. The commonest obstetrical risk factor for preterm birth was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and nonobstetrical risk factor was height <1.50 m. The percentage of preterm birth was low, comparable to developing countries.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Kyozuka ◽  
Tuyoshi Murata ◽  
Toma Fukuda ◽  
Yuta Endo ◽  
Akiko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract High serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are associated with cardiovascular events. We aimed to evaluate the association between total IgE levels during the first trimester of pregnancy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) development in a large Japanese cohort. We analysed data pertaining to singleton primipara pregnancies recorded in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study involving births in 2011–2014. First trimester’s serum IgE levels were determined using the immunonephelometric technique. High serum IgE was defined as IgE levels ≥170 IU/ml. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the risk of high serum IgE levels on HDP, comprising early-onset and late-onset hypertension. A total of 32,518 participants were enrolled. The prevalence of total, early-onset, and late-onset HDP was 3.2%, 0.6%, and 2.3%, respectively. Patients with high serum IgE levels had an increased risk of late-onset hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.40). No correlation was found with either HDP (total) or early-onset hypertension (aOR: 1.15 and 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.99–1.32 and 0.60–1.21, respectively). High serum IgE levels during the first trimester are associated with late-onset hypertension. Our results could influence and shape further research regarding the pathogenesis of late-onset hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aireen Wingert ◽  
Jennifer Pillay ◽  
Michelle Gates ◽  
Samantha Guitard ◽  
Sholeh Rahman ◽  
...  

Background: Identification of high-risk groups is needed to inform COVID-19 vaccine prioritization strategies in Canada. A rapid review was conducted to determine the magnitude of association between potential risk factors and risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: Methods, inclusion criteria, and outcomes were prespecified in a protocol that is publicly available. Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL, Epistemonikos COVID-19 in LOVE Platform, and McMaster COVID-19 Evidence Alerts, and select websites were searched to 15 June 2020. Studies needed to be conducted in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and have used multivariate analyses to adjust for potential confounders. After piloting, screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal were all performed by a single reviewer. Authors collaborated to synthesize the findings narratively and appraise the certainty of the evidence for each risk factor-outcome association. Results: Of 3,740 unique records identified, 34 were included in the review. The studies included median 596 (range 44 to 418,794) participants with a mean age between 42 and 84 years. Half of the studies (17/34) were conducted in the United States and 19/34 (56%) were rated as good quality. There was low or moderate certainty evidence for a large (≥2-fold) association with increased risk of hospitalization in people having confirmed COVID-19, for the following risk factors: obesity class III, heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dementia, age over 45 years (vs. younger), male gender, Black race/ethnicity (vs. non-Hispanic white), homelessness, and low income (vs. above average). Age over 60 and 70 years may be associated with large increases in the rate of mechanical ventilation and severe disease, respectively. For mortality, a large association with increased risk may exist for liver disease, Bangladeshi ethnicity (vs. British white), age over 45 years (vs. <45 years), age over 80 years (vs. 65-69 years), and male gender in those 20-64 years (but not older). Associations with hospitalization and mortality may be very large (≥5-fold increased risk) for those aged over 60 years. Conclusion: Among other factors, increasing age (especially >60 years) appears to be the most important risk factor for severe outcomes among those with COVID-19. There is a need for high quality primary research (accounting for multiple confounders) to better understand the level of risk that might be associated with immigration or refugee status, religion or belief system, social capital, substance use disorders, pregnancy, Indigenous identity, living with a disability, and differing levels of risk among children. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020198001


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2110337
Author(s):  
Iván Ferraz-Amaro ◽  
Javier Rueda-Gotor ◽  
Fernanda Genre ◽  
Alfonso Corrales ◽  
Ricardo Blanco ◽  
...  

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients are known to have a higher prevalence of several comorbidities, including, among others, an increased risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the sum of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is related to disease characteristics, such as disease activity, in patients with axSpA. Methods: A cross-sectional study that encompassed 804 patients with axSpA was conducted. Patients were assessed for the presence of five traditional CV risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and smoking status), and disease activity measurements. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the number of classic CV risk factors was independently associated with specific features of the disease, to include disease activity. Results: A multivariable analysis showed that Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score–C reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) activity score was significantly higher in patients with 1 [beta coefficient 0.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–0.5), p = 0.001] and ⩾2 [beta coefficient 0.5 (95% CI 0.3–0.7), p = 0.000] CV risk factors compared with those without CV risk factors. Similarly, patients with 1 [OR 2.00 (95%CI 0.99–4.02), p = 0.053] and ⩾2 [OR 3.39 (95%CI 1.82–6.31), p = 0.000] CV risk factors had a higher odds ratio for the presence of high disease activity compared with the zero CV category. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) activity score was significantly associated with the number of CV risk factors, being higher in patients with more CV risk factors. These relationships showed a CV risk factor-dependent effect being beta coefficients and ORs higher for the effect of ⩾2 over 1 CV risk factor. Conclusion: Among patients with axSpA, as the number of traditional CV risk factors increased, disease activity similarly increases in an independent manner.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Verdicchio ◽  
A Elliott ◽  
R Mahajan ◽  
D Linz ◽  
D Lau ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction  Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the global population, with the prevalence of AF increasing dramatically over the past two decades. Although low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity are predictive of cardiovascular disease onset and mortality, only recently has this emerged as a potential risk factor for AF. Purpose The aim of this meta-analysis was therefore to quantify the relationship between CRF, measured by a symptom limited exercise stress test, and incident AF. We hypothesised that there would be an inverse relationship between CRF and the incidence of AF. Methods The systematic literature review was conducted using PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, with seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis was then used to compare the multivariate risk estimates of the lowest CRF group from each cohort with the group of the highest CRF. Results Data from 206,925 individuals (55.8% males) was used for analysis with a mean age of 55 ± 2.5 years and a mean follow-up period of 10.3 ± 5 years. The total number of AF events across the studies was 19,913. The overall pooled risk of AF in the high-CRF group versus the low-CRF group showed a significant lower risk of incident AF in those with high-CRF (OR: 0.52, 95% CI, 0.44-0.605, p &lt; 0.001). There was evidence of statistical heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 81%, p &lt; 0.001). AF incidence rates demonstrated an overall decline in rates across the CRF quartiles from low to high. The mean incidence rate for low-CRF was 21 ± 13.4 compared to 6.9 ± 0.7 per 1000 person-years for the high CRF group (p = 0.03). Conclusion There is an inverse association between a lower CRF and an increased risk of AF, with a higher level of CRF protective against AF. This study highlights that low-CRF may be an additional risk factor for AF along with already other established lifestyle-based risk factors such as obesity and hypertension. Exercise interventions should be promoted as a primary prevention strategy in those at risk of developing AF with known risk factors. Future studies are warranted to identify the mechanism(s) through which improved CRF confers a reduction in AF incidence. Abstract Figure. AF risk between high and low-CRF


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