Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2019
Serum Testosterone Level Within Normal Range Is Positively Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Premenopausal but Not Postmenopausal Women.
Background: A positive relationship between testosterone level and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women has been reported, but findings concerning the association are conflicting and inconclusive. Materials and Methods: We examined the association between testosterone level and the risk of NAFLD after stratification by menopausal status in 613 women (223 premenopausal women aged 21-52 years and 390 postmenopausal women aged 46-75 years). A diagnosis of fatty liver was based on abdominal ultrasonography. ⋯ However, these positive associations were not found in postmenopausal women after adjusting for the same covariables. Conclusion: Serum testosterone level was positively associated with NAFLD in premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women. Our findings suggest that higher androgenic activity may be at least partly involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, particularly in premenopausal women.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2019
Multilevel Predictors of Continued Adherence to Breast Cancer Screening Among Women Ages 50-74 Years in a Screening Population.
Background: U. S. women of ages 50-74 years are recommended to receive screening mammography at least biennially. Our objective was to evaluate multilevel predictors of nonadherence among screened women, as these are not well known. ⋯ One research center evaluated radiology facility communication practices for screening reminders and scheduling, but these were not associated with nonadherence. Conclusions: Breast cancer screening interval nonadherence rates in screened women varied across radiology facilities even after adjustment for woman-level characteristics and research center. Future studies should investigate other characteristics of facilities, practices, and health systems to determine factors integral to increasing continued adherence to breast cancer screening.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2019
ReviewPregnancy As a Predictor of Maternal Cardiovascular Disease: The Era of CardioObstetrics.
Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of mortality in women accounting for one in three deaths. There remains an under recognition of CVD as well as a lack of awareness of risk in women. Promotion of CVD prevention is essential, but the current risk assessment tools do not incorporate any sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors. ⋯ Although the underlying biological mechanism for these association remains to be elucidated, current international guidelines are beginning to recommend the inclusion of APOs in the assessment of CVD risk in women. This review summarizes the evidence for the association between APOs and future CVD. It also highlights the importance of considering APOs in the cardiovascular risk assessment, specifically in young women, allowing for targeted lifestyle-modifying interventions with the potential to alter their risk trajectory and improve their long-term cardiovascular health.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2019
Meta AnalysisThe Prevalence and Academic Impact of Dysmenorrhea in 21,573 Young Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Introduction: Dysmenorrhea (period pain) and associated symptoms are very common in young women <25 years. This time corresponds with a significant stage in adolescents and young women's academic lives at both school and in higher education. Dysmenorrhea may cause absenteeism from class or result in reduced classroom concentration and performance. ⋯ The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high 71.1% (N = 37, n = 20,813, 95% confidence interval [CI] 66.6-75.2) irrespective of the economic status of the country. Rates of dysmenorrhea were similar between students at school (N = 24, 72.5%, 95% CI 67.5-77.0) and at university (N = 7, 74.9%, 95% CI 62.9-84.0). Academic impact was significant, with 20.1% reporting absence from school or university due to dysmenorrhea (N = 19, n = 11,226, 95% CI 14.9-26.7) and 40.9% reporting classroom performance or concentration being negatively affected (N = 10, n = 5126, 95% CI 28.3-54.9). Conclusions: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high, irrespective of country, with dysmenorrhea having a significant negative impact on academic performance both at school and during higher education.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2019
Women's Reproductive History and Pre-Clinical Peripheral Arterial Disease in Late Life: The San Diego Population Study.
Objective: Reproductive events have been linked with increased cardiovascular risk in women, but whether they are associated with pre-clinical peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been understudied. We evaluated associations between reproductive factors and later-life ankle-brachial index (ABI), femoral artery intima-media thickness (fIMT), and femoral plaques. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 707 multiethnic women who participated in a follow-up exam of the San Diego Population Study in 2007-2011. ⋯ Among women with surgical menopause, nulliparity was marginally associated with greater fIMT (β: 0.33, p = 0.07). Conclusions: Reproductive history may not be independently associated with later-life lower extremity atherosclerosis in women. Studies are necessary to confirm findings and examine pregnancy-related exposures in relation to pre-clinical PAD.