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Epigenetics Dec 2023Most pregnancy complications originate with early placentation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in placentation and function as biomarkers of future...
Most pregnancy complications originate with early placentation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in placentation and function as biomarkers of future pregnancy complications. We summarized from the literature all first trimester circulating miRNAs associated with pregnancy complications of placental origin and further identified the miRNAs which have the most evidence as potential early biomarkers for pregnancy complications. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA reporting guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42020183421). We identified all first trimester serum or plasma miRNAs associated with a pregnancy complication of placental origin (preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), gestational hypertension, preterm delivery) and the number of times those miRNAs were identified, as a measure of replication. Twenty-one studies examined 118 unique miRNAs, and 87 were associated with at least one pregnancy complication; preeclampsia was the most common. Seven miRNAs were significantly associated with a pregnancy complication in at least two studies: miR-125b, miR-518b, miR-628-3p, miR-365a-3p, miR-520h, miR-374a-5p, miR-191-5p. Few miRNAs were associated with more than one pregnancy complication: miR-518b and miR-520h with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, miR-374a-5p and miR-191-5p with preterm birth and preeclampsia. Our systematic review suggests seven miRNAs as potential biomarkers of pregnancy complications. These complications are thought to originate with early placental defects and these miRNAs may also be biomarkers of placental pathology. First-trimester biomarkers of pregnancy complications can facilitate early detection and interventions.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pre-Eclampsia; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Circulating MicroRNA; Placenta; Premature Birth; DNA Methylation; MicroRNAs; Pregnancy Complications; Placentation; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36503407
DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2152615 -
Journal of Cardiovascular Development... Oct 2023Obesity is reported to have a protective effect on mortality in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a phenomenon known as obesity paradox. However, the data are conflicting,... (Review)
Review
Obesity is reported to have a protective effect on mortality in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a phenomenon known as obesity paradox. However, the data are conflicting, with some studies showing decreased mortality while other studies found no effect of obesity on mortality. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether there is an association between obesity and mortality in PH. Only patients with PH diagnosed by right heart catheterization were included. We also performed a sub-group analysis of subjects with pre-capillary PH only. A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria, with a sample size of 13,987 patients. Obese subjects had lower mortality compared to non-obese subjects in the combined pre- and post-capillary PH group (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.95, = 0.01). While obesity was associated with reduction in mortality in the pre-capillary PH group (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.98, = 0.03), this was not uniform across all studies.
PubMed: 37887866
DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10100419 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2024Maternal high blood pressure (BP) was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between high BP prior to or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal high blood pressure (BP) was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between high BP prior to or in early pregnancy with maternal and fetal complications.
METHODS
We searched the cohort studies assessing the effect of high BP in the Medline, Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Internet databases. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol was registered in PROSPERRO (CRD 42023414945).
RESULTS
23 eligible studies were identified. High BP prior to or in early pregnancy was associated with higher odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.91-3.89), gestational hypertension (2.56, 2.01-3.12), preeclampsia (3.20, 2.66-3.74), gestational diabetes mellitus (1.71, 1.36-2.06), preterm birth (1.66, 1.39-1.93), stillbirth (2.01, 1.45-2.58) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (1.22, 1.08-1.37). Subgroup analyses indicated that pre-hypertension could significantly increase the odds of these outcomes except for stillbirth, though the odds were lower than hypertension.
CONCLUSIONS
High BP prior to or in early pregnancy was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and this association increased with hypertension severity. The findings emphasized an urgent need for heightened surveillance for maternal BP, especially pre-hypertensive status.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Stillbirth; Premature Birth; Pregnancy Outcome; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Pre-Eclampsia
PubMed: 38151254
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2296366 -
Medicine Aug 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of low-dose aspirin combined with calcium supplements for the prevention of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of low-dose aspirin combined with calcium supplements for the prevention of preeclampsia.
METHODS
China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until December 2022. Randomized controlled trials investigating the preventive use of aspirin in combination with calcium supplementation for preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women were included. The quality of the literature was evaluated, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software to analyze the clinical efficacy of low-dose aspirin combined with calcium supplementation in preventing preeclampsia.
RESULTS
Seven randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis, and compared with the control group, the experimental group had lower incidence rates of preeclampsia with gestational hypertension (odds ratios [OR]: 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11-0.28), preeclampsia (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.37), gestational hypertension (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07-0.31), preterm birth (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.16-0.44), postpartum hemorrhage (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.08-0.27), and fetal growth restriction (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08-0.33).
CONCLUSION
Compared with aspirin alone, low-dose aspirin combined with calcium supplementation was more effective in preventing preeclampsia, reduced the risk of preterm birth and postpartum hemorrhage, and promoted fetal growth. This intervention has clinical value and should be considered for high-risk pregnant women.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Calcium; Pre-Eclampsia; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Premature Birth; Calcium, Dietary; Aspirin; Treatment Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37653760
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034620 -
Diabetologia Aug 2023To provide a systematic overview of the current body of evidence on high-risk phenotypes of diabetes associated with COVID-19 severity and death. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS
To provide a systematic overview of the current body of evidence on high-risk phenotypes of diabetes associated with COVID-19 severity and death.
METHODS
This is the first update of our recently published living systematic review and meta-analysis. Observational studies investigating phenotypes in individuals with diabetes and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with regard to COVID-19-related death and severity were included. The literature search was conducted from inception up to 14 February 2022 in PubMed, Epistemonikos, Web of Science and the COVID-19 Research Database and updated using PubMed alert to 1 December 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% CIs. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool and the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
RESULTS
A total of 169 articles (147 new studies) based on approximately 900,000 individuals were included. We conducted 177 meta-analyses (83 on COVID-19-related death and 94 on COVID-19 severity). Certainty of evidence was strengthened for associations between male sex, older age, blood glucose level at admission, chronic insulin use, chronic metformin use (inversely) and pre-existing comorbidities (CVD, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and COVID-19-related death. New evidence with moderate to high certainty emerged for the association between obesity (SRR [95% CI] 1.18 [1.04, 1.34], n=21 studies), HbA (53-75 mmol/mol [7-9%]: 1.18 [1.06, 1.32], n=8), chronic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use (0.83 [0.71, 0.97], n=9), pre-existing heart failure (1.33 [1.21, 1.47], n=14), pre-existing liver disease (1.40 [1.17, 1.67], n=6), the Charlson index (per 1 unit increase: 1.33 [1.13, 1.57], n=2), high levels of C-reactive protein (per 5 mg/l increase: 1.07 [1.02, 1.12], n=10), aspartate aminotransferase level (per 5 U/l increase: 1.28 [1.06, 1.54], n=5), eGFR (per 10 ml/min per 1.73 m increase: 0.80 [0.71, 0.90], n=6), lactate dehydrogenase level (per 10 U/l increase: 1.03 [1.01, 1.04], n=7) and lymphocyte count (per 1×10/l increase: 0.59 [0.40, 0.86], n=6) and COVID-19-related death. Similar associations were observed between risk phenotypes of diabetes and severity of COVID-19, with some new evidence on existing COVID-19 vaccination status (0.32 [0.26, 0.38], n=3), pre-existing hypertension (1.23 [1.14, 1.33], n=49), neuropathy and cancer, and high IL-6 levels. A limitation of this study is that the included studies are observational in nature and residual or unmeasured confounding cannot be ruled out.
CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION
Individuals with a more severe course of diabetes and pre-existing comorbidities had a poorer prognosis of COVID-19 than individuals with a milder course of the disease.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020193692.
PREVIOUS VERSION
This is a living systematic review and meta-analysis. The previous version can be found at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-021-05458-8 FUNDING: The German Diabetes Center (DDZ) is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State North Rhine-Westphalia. This study was supported in part by a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD).
Topics: Male; Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Diabetes Mellitus; Prognosis; Phenotype; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37204441
DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-05928-1 -
Journal of Global Health Oct 2023Hypertension is the global, leading cause of mortality and is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Community-based partnerships can provide cost-saving ways... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is the global, leading cause of mortality and is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Community-based partnerships can provide cost-saving ways of delivering effective blood pressure (BP) interventions to people in resource-poor settings. Faith-based organisations (FBOs) prove important potential health partners, given their reach and community standing. This potential is especially strong in hard-to-reach, socio-economically marginalised communities. This systematic review explores the state of the evidence of FBO-based interventions on BP management, with a focus on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs (C-RCTs).
METHODS
Seven academic databases (English = 5, Chinese = 2) and grey literature were searched for C-/RCTs of community-based interventions in FBO settings. Only studies with pre- and post-intervention BP measures were kept for analysis. Random effects models were developed using restricted maximum likelihood estimation (REML) to estimate the population average mean change and 95% confidence interval (CI) of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). The overall heterogeneity was assessed by successively adding studies and recording changes in heterogeneity. Prediction intervals were generated to capture the spread of the pooled effect across study settings.
RESULTS
Of the 19 055 titles identified, only 11 studies of fair to good quality were kept for meta-analysis. Non-significant, average mean differences between baseline and follow-up for the intervention and control groups were found for both SBP (0.78 mm of mercury (mmHg) (95% CI = 2.11-0.55)) and DBP (-0.20 mm Hg (95% CI = -1.16 to 0.75)). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in SBP of -6.23 mm Hg (95% CI = -11.21 to -1.25) for populations with mean baseline SBP of ≥140 mm Hg.
CONCLUSIONS
The results support the potential of FBO-based interventions in lowering SBP in clinically hypertensive populations. However, the limited evidence was concentrated primarily in Christian communities in the US More research is needed to understand the implications of such interventions in producing clinically meaningful long-term effects in a variety of settings. Further research can illuminate factors that affect success and potential expansion to sites outside the US as well as non-Christian FBOs. Current evidence is inadequate to evaluate the potential of FBO-based interventions in preventing hypertension in non-hypertensive populations. Intervention effects in non-hypertensive population might be better reflected through intermediate outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Faith-Based Organizations
PubMed: 37830137
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04075 -
Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 2023Hypertension (HTN) is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease and stroke worldwide. The present meta-analysis was aimed to systematically review and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease and stroke worldwide. The present meta-analysis was aimed to systematically review and statistically estimate the prevalence rate of pre-hypertension (PHTN) and HTN in the Iranian child/adolescent and adult age groups.
METHODS
In this study, four International databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, as well as three Iranian databases, including SID, Magiran, and IranMedex, were separately investigated for articles published before January 2021. Also, we estimated the pooled effect size for the prevalence of PHTN and HTN in children/adolescent and adult age groups. Stata software (version 14.0) was used for all statistical analyses.
RESULTS
From a total of 1185 articles found in database searches, fifty-one were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of HTN in the Iranian adult population was 26.26% (25.11 % and 26.22 % for women and men, respectively). Meanwhile, the prevalence of PHTN and HTN in the child/adolescent age group was 8.97% (95% CI 7.33 - 10.61) and 8.98% (95% CI 7.59 - 10.36), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides information which can be used for various purposes, including study designing. Further nationwide surveys should be carried out to obtain accurate information on the HTN prevalence rate, particularly based on the American College of Cardiology /American Heart Association guidelines in the Iranian population.
PubMed: 38024178
DOI: 10.22088/cjim.14.43.607 -
Hypertension in Pregnancy Dec 2023Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Recent studies indicated that pregnant women are the most vulnerable... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Recent studies indicated that pregnant women are the most vulnerable populations to ambient temperature influences, but it affected HDP with inconsistent conclusions. Our objective is to systematically review whether extreme temperature exposure is associated with a changed risk for HDP.
METHOD
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. We included cohort or case control studies examining the association between extreme temperature exposure before or during pregnancy and HDP. Heat sources such as saunas and hot baths were excluded. We pooled the odds ratio (OR) to assess the association between extreme temperature exposure and preeclampsia or eclampsia.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies involving 4,481,888 patients were included. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall result demonstrated that in the first half of pregnancy, heat exposure increases the risk of developing preeclampsia or eclampsia and gestational hypertension, and cold exposure decreases the risk. The meta-analysis revealed that during the first half of pregnancy, heat exposure increased the risk of preeclampsia or eclampsia (OR 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 2.15), whereas cold exposure decreased the risk (OR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.97).
CONCLUSION
The ambient temperature is an important determinant for the development of HDP, especially for preeclampsia or eclampsia. The effects of extreme temperatures may be bidirectional during the different trimesters of pregnancy, which should be evaluated by future studies. This review provided hints of temperature regulation in HDP administration.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Pre-Eclampsia; Eclampsia; Temperature; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38053322
DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2023.2288586 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Mar 2024In this study the presence of uterine fibroids was significantly associated with an increased risk of development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy even when...
CAPSULE
In this study the presence of uterine fibroids was significantly associated with an increased risk of development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy even when accounting for age and BMI in meta-regression. This finding has potential implications for risk stratification and monitoring for hypertension during pregnancy in this population.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between uterine fibroids and the development of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
DATA SOURCES
Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception through April 2023.
STUDY SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS
Cohort, case-control, or case series studies including uterine fibroid status and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy status were included. The comparison group was pregnant women without uterine fibroids. Inverse-variance weighted random effects models were used to pool RR and OR estimates separately. Age and BMI were explored as potential sources of heterogeneity using inverse-variance weighted meta-regression.
MAIN OUTCOMES
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) defined as gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies were included (Total N=1,374,395 participants, N=64,968 with uterine fibroids). Thirteen studies were retrospective cohorts and four were case-control studies. Women with uterine fibroids had a significantly higher risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy compared to women without uterine fibroids with RR 1.74 (95% CI 1.33-2.27, p<0.01), and OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.38-5.97, p<0.01), in cohort studies and case-control studies, respectively. In meta-regression analyses, age did not significantly change the positive association between uterine fibroids and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
CONCLUSION
Uterine fibroids were associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy when all available literature was synthesized, including when shared risk factors are examined in meta-regression analyses.
RELEVANCE
If confirmed in future studies, investigations into the mechanisms of this association are needed as this finding potentially has implications for risk stratification and monitoring for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in this population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, ID # 331528.
PubMed: 38496589
DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.05.24303824 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023To investigate the effect of embryo stage at the time of transfer on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in programmed frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) versus natural... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The influence of embryo stage on obstetric complications and perinatal outcomes following programmed compared to natural frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of embryo stage at the time of transfer on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in programmed frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) versus natural FET cycles.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Not applicable.
PATIENTS
Women with programmed frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and natural FET.
INTERVENTIONS
The PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRT) were searched from 1983 to October 2022. Twenty-three observational studies were included.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE
The primary outcomes were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (PE). The secondary outcomes were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), placenta previa, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), placental abruption, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), large for gestational age (LGA), small for gestational age (SGA), macrosomia, and preterm delivery (PTD).
RESULTS
The risk of HDP (14 studies, odds ratio (OR) 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95-2.41; P<0.00001; I = 43%), gestational hypertension (11 studies, OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.15-1.66; P=0.0006; I = 19%), PE (12 studies, OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.88-2.32; P<0.00001; I = 0%), GDM (20 studies, OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.17; P=0.02; I = 8%), LGA (18 studies, OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.07-1.15; P<0.00001; I = 46%), macrosomia (12 studies, OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.07-1.24; P=0.0002; I = 31%), PTD (22 studies, OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.15-1.27; P<0.00001; I = 49%), placenta previa (17 studies, OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.02-1.41; P=0.03; I = 11%), PPROM (9 studies, OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02-1.39; P=0.02; I = 40%), and PPH (12 studies, OR 2.27; 95% CI 2.02-2.55; P <0.00001; I = 55%) were increased in programmed FET cycles versus natural FET cycles with overall embryo transfer. Blastocyst transfer had a higher risk of HDP (6 studies, OR 2.48; 95% CI 2.12-2.91; P<0.00001; I = 39%), gestational hypertension (5 studies, OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.27-2.75; P=0.002; I = 25%), PE (6 studies, OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.93-2.56; P<0.00001; I = 0%), GDM (10 studies, OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.04-1.23; P=0.005; I = 39%), LGA (6 studies, OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.07-1.21; P<0.0001; I = 9%), macrosomia (4 studies, OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05-1.26; P<0.002; I = 68%), PTD (9 studies, OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.31-1.57; P<0.00001; I = 22%), PPH (6 studies, OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.46-2.51; P<0.00001; I = 55%), and PPROM (4 studies, OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.14-1.83; P=0.002; I = 46%) in programmed FET cycles than in natural FET cycles. Cleavage-stage embryo transfers revealed no difference in HDPs (1 study, OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.32-2.02; P=0.65; I not applicable), gestational hypertension (2 studies, OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.48-1.51; P=0.59; I = 0%), PE (1 study, OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.58-2.42; P=0.64; Inot applicable), GDM (3 study, OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.52-1.20; P=0.27; I = 21%), LGA (1 study, OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.62-2.11; P=0.66; Inot applicable), macrosomia (1 study, OR 1.22; 95% CI 0.54-2.77; P=0.64; I not applicable), PTD (2 studies, OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.74-1.49; P=0.79; I = 0%), PPH (1 study, OR 1.49; 95% CI 0.85-2.62; P=0.17; Inot applicable), or PPROM (2 studies, OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.46-1.21; P=0.23; I = 0%) between programmed FET cycles and natural FET cycles.
CONCLUSIONS
The risks of HDPs, gestational hypertension, PE, GDM, LGA, macrosomia, SGA, PTD, placenta previa, PPROM, and PPH were increased in programmed FET cycles versus natural FET cycles with overall embryo transfer and blastocyst transfer, but the risks were not clear for cleavage-stage embryo transfer.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Fetal Macrosomia; Placenta; Placenta Previa; Pre-Eclampsia; Diabetes, Gestational; Embryo Transfer
PubMed: 37664838
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1186068