Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2023
Interpersonal Stressors and Resources for Support: Associations with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Impact Among Women.
Background: This study utilizes Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) data to examine whether women's perceived emotional support and interpersonal stressors are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on quality of life. Materials and Methods: Emotional support was assessed at baseline/year 0 (1985-86), year 2 (1987-88), year 15 (2000-01), and year 20 (2005-06); interpersonal stressors were assessed at years 15 and 20. In 2012-13, LUTS and impact were assessed. ⋯ Mean support and interpersonal stressors across years 15-20 were independently associated with lower odds (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.44-0.77) and greater odds (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.19-1.94), respectively, of being classified into a more burdensome LUTS/impact category. Conclusions: In the CARDIA cohort, quality of women's interpersonal relationships, assessed between 1985-86 and 2005-06, was associated with LUTS/impact assessed in 2012-13. Additional research collecting LUTS/impact data at multiple time points is needed to test potential bidirectional associations of emotional support and interpersonal stressors with LUTS/impact, as well as potential mechanisms of association.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2023
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients and Obstetricians/Gynecologists.
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder commonly affecting women of reproductive age. Compared with women without PCOS, women with PCOS are more likely to have overweight or obesity. Materials and Methods: To better understand the role of obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in diagnosis and treatment of patients with PCOS and obesity, we conducted an anonymous, United States population-based, cross-sectional online survey with 251 patients with PCOS and obesity and 305 health care professionals (HCPs), of which 125 were OB/GYNs. ⋯ Most OB/GYNs believed that consultation with a dietitian/nutritionist (75%) or access to a physician who specializes in obesity (67%) were the most beneficial types of support for their patients with PCOS and obesity. Conclusions: OB/GYNs recognize the importance of obesity management for the treatment of PCOS; however, utilization of effective obesity tools to treat these patients is low. OB/GYNs may benefit from additional education on obesity management strategies.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2023
Underrepresentation of Women in Late-Breaking Cardiovascular Clinical Trials.
Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for women and men. Prior studies have demonstrated the underrepresentation of women in published clinical trials, but no study to date has assessed inclusion of women in late-breaking clinical trials (LBCTs) presented at national meetings. The objective is to characterize the inclusion of women participants in LBCT presented at the 2021 American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meetings and identify trial characteristics associated with improved inclusion. ⋯ Nonetheless, most LBCT underenroll women, particularly, procedural LBCT. In 2021, sex-based enrollment disparities persist, highlighting the need to engage key stakeholders, including funding organizations, national governing bodies, editorial board members, and medical societies, in the creation of a coordinated strategic initiative to advance gender parity. These findings warrant further investigation to increase inclusion of women in trials, including potential enrollment requirements for consideration as LBCT by meeting organizers.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2023
The Accuracy of Early Reproductive History and Physical Activity Participation Recall Across Multiple Age Ranges.
Background: The ability to accurately recall specific reproductive health events is an integral aspect of medical decision making and evaluating a female's overall health and wellness across their lifespan. The Health and Reproductive Survey (HeRS) was developed to recall reproductive events and environmental influences on reproductive characteristics throughout the lifespan of a female. This study aimed to determine how reliably women recall certain events during menarche and early reproductive years. ⋯ Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to assess the consistency of categorical responses and 95% limits of agreement were used for continuous data. Results: Although physical activity changes had greater variability than anticipated (0.79), the recall reliability among the youngest (1) and oldest (0.89) age groups was high, and females were able to consistently recall the age of menarche (0.83), physical activity level (0.9), cessation of period during early reproductive years (0.91), and birth control use following menarche (0.85) and during the early reproductive years (0.9). Conclusions: The HeRS is a useful tool for reliably recalling reproductive history and physical activity participation across multiple age ranges and can be utilized to gather crucial information throughout the reproductive lifespan.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2023
Increases in Obstetric Interventions and Changes in Gestational Age Distributions of U.S. Births.
Objective: To examine how changes in induction of labor (IOL) and cesarean deliveries between 1990 and 2017 affected gestational age distributions of births in the United States. Materials and Methods: Singleton first births were drawn from the National Vital Statistics System Birth Data for years 1990-2017. Separate analytic samples were created (1) by maternal race/ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, and non-Hispanic white), (2) by maternal age (15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-49), (3) by U. ⋯ S. women at low risk for interventions. Conclusion: Changes in gestational age distributions of U. S. births and their underlying causes are likely national-level phenomena and do not appear to be responding to increases in maternal risk for interventions.