Journal of women's health
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Objective: While highly prevalent, risk factors for incident polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are poorly delineated. Using a population-based cohort, we sought to identify predictors of incident PCOS diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A matched case-control analysis was completed utilizing patients enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Washington from 2006 to 2019. ⋯ In multivariable models, factors associated with higher risk for incident PCOS included the following: obesity (compared with nonobese) Class I-II (body-mass index [BMI], 30-40 kg/m2; odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4-4.2), Class III (BMI > 40 kg/m2; OR, 7.5, 95% CI, 6.5-8.7), weight gain (compared with weight loss or maintenance) of 1-10% (OR, 1.7, 95% CI, 1.3-2.1), 10-20% (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5-2.4), and >20% (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9-3.6), prediabetes (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.1-3.4), and metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.8: 95% CI, 1.5-2.1). Conclusion: Excess weight gain, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction may play a key role in the ensuing phenotypic expression of PCOS. Treatment and prevention strategies targeted at preventing weight gain in early reproductive years may help reduce the risk of this syndrome.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2024
Electronic Health Record Concordance with Survey-Reported Military Sexual Trauma Among Younger Veterans: Associations with Health Care Utilization and Mental Health Diagnoses.
Introduction: Military sexual trauma (MST) is more common among post-9/11 Veterans and women versus older Veterans and men. Despite mandatory screening, the concordance of electronic health record (EHR) documentation and survey-reported MST, and associations with health care utilization and mental health diagnoses, are unknown for this younger group. Materials and Methods: Veterans' Health Administration (VHA) EHR (2001-2021) were merged with data from the observational, nationwide WomenVeterans Cohort Study (collected 2016-2020, n = 1058; 51% women). ⋯ There was no group difference in women's likelihood of anxiety. Conclusions: EHR MST documentation is discordant for many post-9/11 Veterans-both for men and women. Improving MST screening and better supporting MST disclosure are each critical to provide appropriate and timely care for younger Veterans, particularly women.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2024
Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Health in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, women have experienced more job loss owing to an increase in household and caregiving responsibilities. Gender inequities coupled with pandemic-related stressors have resulted in poor health outcomes among women. Globally, women have reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress in response to the pandemic. ⋯ When exploring how partnership status modified these social impacts, we found that women without partners experienced more social impacts specific to financial hardships when compared with women who were in a partnership. Conclusions: It is likely that the COVID-19 relief efforts helped women mitigate social impacts but not housing or financial security. The overall goal is to inform policies so that better measures can be implemented to prepare for the next public health disaster or global health threat.
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Journal of women's health · Jul 2024
Randomized Controlled TrialFactors Affecting Postpartum Bone Mineral Density in a Clinical Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation.
Background: Few studies evaluate the effects of vitamin D status and supplementation on maternal bone mineral density (BMD) during lactation and further lack inclusion of diverse racial/ethnic groups, body mass index (BMI), or physical activity. Objective: Determine the effects of vitamin D treatment/status, feeding type, BMI, race/ethnicity, and physical activity on postpartum women's BMD to 7 months. Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies beginning 4-6 weeks' postpartum were randomized into two treatment groups (400 or 6400 IU vitamin D/day). ⋯ Conclusion: While there was BMD loss during lactation to 7 months, the loss rate was less than previously reported, with notable racial/ethnic variation. Breastfeeding was associated with loss in BMD compared with formula-feeding women who gained BMD. Higher BMI and physical activity independently appeared to protect hip BMD, whereas higher vitamin D supplementation appeared protective against femoral neck BMD loss.