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Journal of the European Academy of... Oct 2023Biologicals have transformed the management of severe disease phenotypes in psoriasis and are often prescribed in women of childbearing age. However, information on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Biologicals have transformed the management of severe disease phenotypes in psoriasis and are often prescribed in women of childbearing age. However, information on safety of biologicals in pregnancy are lacking. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe the characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriasis exposed to biologics within 3 months before or during pregnancy, and to estimate the pooled prevalence of spontaneous, elective and total abortions, and congenital malformations in their newborns. Bibliographic searches were performed in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases up to 14 April 2022. No restrictions on sample size or publication date were applied. Review performance complied with PRISMA guidelines, and two reviewers assessed randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies reporting pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to biologics indicated for psoriasis during the pre-gestational and/or gestational period. Studies focusing on rheumatologic or gastroenterological immune-mediated inflammatory diseases were excluded. Regardless of data heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to pool prevalence estimates. We included 51 observational studies, involving 739 pregnancies exposed to approved biologics for psoriasis. Administration was mostly (70.4%) limited to the first trimester, and the most common drug was ustekinumab (36.0%). The estimated prevalence of miscarriage was 15.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.7-18.0) and elective abortions, 10.8% (95% CI 7.7-14.3). Congenital malformations occurred in about 3.0% (95% CI 1.6-4.8) of live births exposed to biologics during pregnancy. Altogether, exposure to biologics for psoriasis during pregnancy and/or conception does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage/abortion or congenital malformations, showing similar rates to the general population. These results suggest that biologic drugs are safe and pose an acceptable risk to the foetuses/neonates.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Abortion, Spontaneous; Psoriasis; Ustekinumab; Pregnancy Outcome; Biological Products; Biological Therapy
PubMed: 37262303
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19238 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Jun 2024The relationship between pregnancy loss and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains a matter of debate. Our intention in conducting this meta-analysis was to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The relationship between pregnancy loss and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains a matter of debate. Our intention in conducting this meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between miscarriage and stillbirth and risk of CVDs.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to May 30, 2023 for all relevant studies. The random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We evaluated RR estimates for the risk of CVDs with each additional miscarriage and stillbirth through generalized least squares regression.
RESULTS
Twenty-three articles were incorporated into the meta-analysis. For women with a history of miscarriage, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.16 (95 % CI 1.10-1.22), 1.26 (1.12-1.41), 1.13 (1.03-1.24), and 1.20 (1.01-1.42), respectively. For women with a history of stillbirth, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.60 (1.34-1.89), 1.30 (1.12-1.50), 1.37 (1.06-1.78), and 1.95 (1.05-3.63), respectively. With each additional miscarriage, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.08, 1.04-1.13), CHD (1.08, 1.04-1.13), and stroke (1.05, 1.00-1.10). With each additional stillbirth, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.11, 1.03-1.21) and CHD (1.13, 1.07-1.19).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis indicates that both miscarriages and stillbirths are related to a higher risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths. The risk of total CVDs and CHD increased with the number of miscarriages or stillbirths.
Topics: Humans; Stillbirth; Female; Abortion, Spontaneous; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38554480
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.03.035 -
Medical Hypotheses Apr 2016Salt is a major mineral element that plays fundamental roles in health and disease. Excessive salt intake is a major cause of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and...
Salt is a major mineral element that plays fundamental roles in health and disease. Excessive salt intake is a major cause of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Miscarriage and preeclampsia are the most common pregnancy complications with multiple etiological factors, including inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. More recently, different studies indicated that excessive salt intake is involved in the development of inflammatory processes through induction of T helper-17 pathway and their inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, several studies indicated the pivotal role of inflammation in the etiology of miscarriage, preeclampsia and adverse pregnancy outcome. Here, it is hypothesized that excessive salt intake around the time of conception or during pregnancy can trigger inflammatory processes, which consequently associated with increased risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia or adverse pregnancy outcome. Thus, this hypothesis suggests that low salt intake around the time of conception or during pregnancy can decrease the risk of miscarriage or adverse pregnancy outcome. This hypothesis also offers new insights about the role of salt in the etiology of miscarriage and preeclampsia.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Animals; Cytokines; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Models, Immunological; Sodium Chloride, Dietary
PubMed: 26968910
DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.02.003 -
Substance Use & Misuse 2022Reproductive health research among women who use drugs has focused on pregnancy prevention and perinatal/neonatal outcomes, but there have been few investigations of...
Reproductive health research among women who use drugs has focused on pregnancy prevention and perinatal/neonatal outcomes, but there have been few investigations of miscarriage and abortion, including prevalence and associated factors. Using cross-sectional data from a sample of non-pregnant women receiving harm reduction services in Philadelphia in 2016-2017 we examined lifetime miscarriage and abortion (n = 187). Separately for both outcomes, we used modified Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations with each correlate. We also explored correlates of reporting both miscarriage and abortion. Approximately 47% experienced miscarriage, 42% experienced abortion, and 18% experienced both. Miscarriage correlates included: prescription opioid misuse (e.g., OxyContin PR 1.82, 95% CI 1.23, 2.69); 40% increase in prevalence associated with housing instability, 50% increase with survival sex, and two-fold increase with arrest. Abortion correlates included: mental health (e.g., depression PR 2.09, 95% CI 1.18, 3.71), stimulant use (e.g., methamphetamine PR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22, 2.74), and drug injection (PR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03, 3.02); partner controlling access to people/possessions, physical and emotional violence; and a two-fold increase associated with survival sex and arrest. Experiencing both reproductive outcomes was correlated with mental health, opioid and simulant use, housing instability, survival sex, and arrest. Miscarriage and abortion was common among women with history of drug misuse suggesting a need for expanded access to family planning, medication-assisted therapy, and social support services, and for the integration of these with substance use services. Future research in longitudinal data is needed.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Spontaneous; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Harm Reduction; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Philadelphia; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35277115
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2046100 -
Fertility and Sterility Nov 2023Miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage affect a significant proportion of every population with research consistently showing it results in profound and often prolonged... (Review)
Review
Miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage affect a significant proportion of every population with research consistently showing it results in profound and often prolonged psychological impacts. Despite the serious psychological impacts, support for miscarriage remains grossly inadequate. There are many ways to ameliorate the impact of these losses, which are not difficult, expensive, or time consuming. At a basic level, people want and need acknowledgment and validation of their grief and loss and greater information provision at the time of loss. A clear discrepancy also exists between the bereavement care offered by health care providers and the care wanted and needed by those affected, that must be addressed as a matter of urgency. At a health care system level, the collection of national miscarriage data must begin, to allow for a true understanding of the socioeconomic cost of miscarriage and the burden of early pregnancy loss on individuals, families, and our social systems. Furthermore, to direct research funding appropriately, establishing national research funding priorities for miscarriage support, as they have in the United Kingdom, is vital in assisting researchers and other key stakeholders to effectively target research in areas that are likely to have the greatest public health benefit. Consumers, health practitioners, and policymakers could achieve a lot for many with just a little commitment to change.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Spontaneous; Abortion, Habitual; Grief; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37648144
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.08.951 -
Fertility and Sterility Oct 2023To determine whether the aneuploidy risk score from a morphokinetic ploidy prediction model, Predicting Euploidy for Embryos in Reproductive Medicine (PREFER), is...
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the aneuploidy risk score from a morphokinetic ploidy prediction model, Predicting Euploidy for Embryos in Reproductive Medicine (PREFER), is associated with miscarriage and live birth outcomes.
DESIGN
Multicentre cohort study.
SETTING
Nine in vitro fertilization clinics in the United Kingdom.
PATIENTS
Data were obtained from the treatment of patients from 2016-2019. A total of 3587 fresh single embryo transfers were included; preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy) cycles were excluded.
INTERVENTION
PREFER is a model developed using 8,147 biopsied blastocyst specimens to predict ploidy status using morphokinetic and clinical biodata. A second model using only morphokinetic (MK) predictors was developed, P PREFER-MK. The models will categorize embryos into the following three risk score categories for aneuploidy: "high risk," "medium risk," and "low risk."
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcomes are miscarriage and live birth. Secondary outcomes include biochemical clinical pregnancy per single embryo transfer.
RESULTS
When applying PREFER, the miscarriage rates were 12%, 14%, and 22% in the "low risk," "moderate risk," and "high risk" categories, respectively. Those embryos deemed "high risk" had a significantly higher egg provider age compared with "low risk," and there was little variation in risk categories in patients of the same age. The trend in miscarriage rate was not seen when using PREFER-MK; however, there was an association with live birth, increasing from 38%-49% and 50% in the "high risk," "moderate risk," and "low risk" groups, respectively. An adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that PREFER-MK was not associated with miscarriage when comparing "high risk" to "moderate risk" embryos (odds ratio [OR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.63) or "high risk" to "low risk" embryos (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.79-1.46). An embryo deemed "low risk" by PREFER-MK was significantly more likely to result in a live birth than those embryos graded "high risk" (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.65-2.25).
CONCLUSION
The PREFER model's risk scores were significantly associated with live births and miscarriages. Importantly, this study also found that this model applied too much weight to clinical factors, such that it could no longer rank a patient's embryos effectively. Therefore, a model including only MKs would be preferred; this was similarly associated with live birth but not miscarriage.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Spontaneous; Live Birth; Cohort Studies; Preimplantation Diagnosis; Fertilization in Vitro; Aneuploidy; Risk Factors; Blastocyst; Retrospective Studies; Pregnancy Rate
PubMed: 37307891
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.06.006 -
Lancet (London, England) May 2021
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33915093
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00954-5 -
BMC Medicine Jan 2022Emerging evidence supports an association between vaginal microbiota composition and risk of miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We...
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence supports an association between vaginal microbiota composition and risk of miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We aim to investigate the vaginal microbial composition and the local immune response in chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages and compare this to uncomplicated pregnancies delivering at term.
METHODS
We used 16S rRNA gene based metataxonomics to interrogate the vaginal microbiota in a cohort of 167 women, 93 miscarriages (54 euploid and 39 aneuploid using molecular cytogenetics) and 74 women who delivered at term and correlate this with the aneuploidy status of the miscarriages. We also measured the concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-10 in cervical vaginal fluid.
RESULTS
We show that euploid miscarriage is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of Lactobacillus spp. deplete vaginal microbial communities compared to aneuploid miscarriage (P = 0.01). Integration of matched cervicovaginal fluid immune-profiles showed that Lactobacillus spp. depleted vaginal microbiota associated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels most strongly in euploid miscarriage compared to viable term pregnancy (IL-1β; P < 0.001, IL-8; P = 0.01, IL-6; P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest the vaginal microbiota plays an important aetiological role in euploid miscarriage and may represent a target to modify risk of pregnancy loss.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Dysbiosis; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Pregnancy; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Vagina
PubMed: 35090453
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02227-7 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Dec 2020Miscarriage, a spontaneous pregnancy loss at <24 weeks' gestation, is a common complication of pregnancy but the etiologies of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Miscarriage, a spontaneous pregnancy loss at <24 weeks' gestation, is a common complication of pregnancy but the etiologies of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage are not fully understood. Other obstetric conditions such as preeclampsia and preterm birth, which may share similar pathophysiology to miscarriage, exhibit familial patterns, suggesting inherited predisposition to these conditions. Parental genetic polymorphisms have been associated with unexplained miscarriage, suggesting there could be a genetically inherited predisposition to miscarriage. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies aimed to assess the association between family history of miscarriage and the risk of miscarriage in women.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was carried out in accordance with Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Electronic searches using databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) were carried out to identify eligible studies from 1946 until 2019. Observational studies (cohort or case-control) were included. Human studies only were included. Participants were women of reproductive age. Exposure was a family history of one or more miscarriage(s). The primary outcome was miscarriage in women. Abstracts were screened and data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Study quality was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tools. Data were pooled from individual studies using the Mantel-Haenszel method to produce pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Systematic review registration number (PROSPERO): CRD42019127950.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were identified in the systematic review; 10 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Twelve studies reported an association between family history of miscarriage and miscarriage in women. In all, 41 287 women were included in the meta-analysis. Women who miscarried were more likely to report a family history of miscarriage (pooled unadjusted OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.37-2.63). Overall study quality and size varied, with few adjusting for confounding factors. Results should be interpreted with caution as the associations presented are based on unadjusted analyses only.
CONCLUSIONS
Women who miscarry may be more likely to have a family history of miscarriage. Further research is required to confirm or refute the findings.
Topics: Abortion, Habitual; Causality; Female; Humans; Medical History Taking; Observational Studies as Topic; Pregnancy; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 32557529
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13940 -
BJOG : An International Journal of... Aug 2022To examine the association between maternal exposure to ciprofloxacin and the risk of miscarriage and major malformations.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between maternal exposure to ciprofloxacin and the risk of miscarriage and major malformations.
DESIGN
A nationwide register-based cohort study.
SETTING
Data were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry, the National Hospital Registry, the Danish National Prescription Registry and Statistics Denmark.
POPULATION
Data were collected in the period between 1997 and 2016 and included all registered pregnancies that ended in an elective termination, miscarriage, stillbirth or a live birth. Exposure was defined as redeeming one or more prescriptions of ciprofloxacin.
METHODS
Miscarriage was defined as a diagnosis given before 22 weeks without any medical intervention. Major malformations were classified according to EUROCAT 1.4. We matched ciprofloxacin-exposed pregnancies to unexposed pregnancies on the propensity score in a ratio 1:4. To estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of miscarriage a Cox proportional hazard regression model was used. A log binomial model was used to estimate the relative risk ratio (RR) of major malformations.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
HR of miscarriage and the RR of major malformations.
RESULTS
A total of 1 650 649 pregnancies were identified. Of these, 10 250 (2050 ciprofloxacin-exposed) and 6100 (1220 ciprofloxacin-exposed) were included in the miscarriage and major malformation analysis, respectively. The HR of miscarriage was 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-1.17). For major malformation, the RR was 1.01 (95% CI 0.72-1.40). For the organ-specific major malformations and the sensitivity analyses, no significant increased risks were identified.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated no association between miscarriage and maternal ciprofloxacin exposure within the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, or between major malformations and maternal exposure during the first trimester.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
No association between maternal ciprofloxacin exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Ciprofloxacin; Cohort Studies; Denmark; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First
PubMed: 34954900
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17083