Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Assessment of Sex-Dependent Medical Outcomes During Spaceflight.
Background: In this study sex-differences in medical outcomes during spaceflight are reviewed and probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is used to assess the impact on spaceflight missions of varying lengths. Materials and Methods: We use PRA to simulate missions of 42 days, 6 months, and 2.5 years. We model medical outcomes using three crews: two men and two women, four women, or four men. ⋯ In the 2.5 year mission, with resupply of medical resources, the influence of UTI in women on pEVAC decreases (0.35-0.11). Conclusion: Although resupply is unlikely for deep space missions, modeled results suggest that sex-specific medical needs can be readily managed through preventive measures and inclusion of appropriate medical capabilities. Within its many limitations, PRA is a useful tool to estimate medical risks in unique environments where only expert opinion was previously available.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Multicenter StudyPredictors and Consequences of Prescription Opioid Use in Women Living With and Without HIV: 20-Year Follow-Up.
Objective: To examine predictors and consequences of prescription opioid use among a cohort of women living with HIV (WLWH) and women without HIV from 2000 to 2019. Materials and Methods: The Women's Interagency HIV Study is a multisite, prospective cohort study. Cumulative proportion of visits with prescription opioid use was categorized as follows: minimal (0%-9%), intermediate (10%-39%), and chronic (>40%). ⋯ Findings underscore the need for non-opioid and nonpharmacological interventions for chronic pain, particularly in sexual minorities and WLWH. Avoiding concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines and nonprescription drugs might reduce mortality. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00000797.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
The Impact of Neighborhood Deprivation on Glycemic Control for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes During Pregnancy.
Background: The impact of neighborhood level factors on glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes is understudied. The primary objective was to determine whether there is an association between glycemic control during pregnancy and level of neighborhood deprivation, defined by area deprivation index (ADI). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with type 2 diabetes who received care at a tertiary referral center from 2007 to 2017. ⋯ Both groups achieved significant improvement in HbA1c across each trimester using repeated measures analysis. Those living in more deprived neighborhoods had significantly more improvement in HbA1c from their initial visit to the third trimester compared to those in less deprived neighborhoods, (p = 0.01) such that there was no longer a statistically significant disparity in HbA1c by the third trimester (6.69 ± 0.97 Less deprived vs. 6.95 ± 1.22 more deprived, p = 0.19). Conclusions: Low-income women living in more deprived neighborhoods enter pregnancy with significantly worse glycemic control than those living in less deprived neighborhoods, but the gap in glycemic control largely closes by the end of pregnancy with similar maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Sex Differences in Long-Term Mortality of Patients with Hypertensive Crisis Visiting the Emergency Department.
Background: There are limited data on sex difference in patients with hypertensive crisis. We investigated sex differences in characteristics and long-term mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the emergency department (ED). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study at a tertiary referral center included patients ≥18 years of age who were admitted to the ED between 2016 and 2019 with hypertensive crisis, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mmHg. ⋯ Moreover, the 3-year all-cause mortality was significantly higher in men than in women among patients with hypertensive urgency (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.34-1.90; p < 0.001), which was reversed in patients with hypertensive emergency (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Men ≥50 years of age with hypertensive crisis, men with hypertensive urgencies, and women with hypertensive emergencies have a high risk of all-cause mortality. Thus, it is necessary to consider sex differences when predicting subsequent prognosis and determining the appropriate treatment for patients with hypertensive crisis.
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Objective: The menstrual cycle may influence vulvodynia through hormonal pathways or vulvar irritation due to menstruation or menstrual hygiene. We assessed menstrual cycle characteristics in those with and without clinically confirmed vulvodynia. Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited from the administrative database of a health care network serving ∼27% of Minneapolis-Saint Paul residents. ⋯ Among those with vulvodynia, half reported a change in vulvar pain across the menstrual cycle, with 60% of these reporting greater pain just before and during menstruation. Furthermore, we observe a trend of decreased tampon use and increased use of sanitary pads as women with vulvodynia moved closer to their date of diagnosis. Conclusions: Menstrual cycle characteristics were associated with vulvodynia, and associations were consistent across different phases of the reproductive life cycle.