Pregnancy as a risk factor in development of varicose veins in women

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyse prevalence of so called classical risk factors for VV in patients with this entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study consisted of three parts. In the first part the prevalence of risk factors in 130 men and 360 women with VV was compared. In the second part the prevalence of risk factor in 360 women with VV and 162 without VV was compared. In the third part the prevalence of risk factors in pregnant women with and without VV was compared. The age of patients in all groups was comparable. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in prevalence of classical risk factors between men and women with VV. In non pregnant women positive family history (OR 2,27, p=0,018) and previous pregnancies (OR 2,05, p=0,046) were associated with presence of VV. Premenstrual aching of lower extremities and obesity were at the border of statistical significance, OR and p, 1,9 and 0,062 and 1,4 and 0,071, respectively. As many as 47% of pregnant women had VV. Positive family history (OR 2,27, p=0,018), previous pregnancies (OR 2,56, p=0,011) and premenstrual aching of lower extremities (OR 2,03, p=0,021) were associated with presence of VV. Remaining, so called classical risk factors such as oral contraceptive, working in a sitting or standing position or constipations were not associated with occurrence of VV. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, positive family history and previous pregnancies seem to be principal risk factors for VV in women.     

Obesity as a risk factor for premenstrual syndrome

PURPOSE: To determine the association between obesity and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random-digit dialing method. The sampling frame consisted of all possible area codes, exchanges, and 4-digit suffixes in Virginia. A total of 874 women between the ages of 18-44 residing in the state of Virginia between August 1 and September 15, 1994 were interviewed. Cases were defined as women who reported severe or extreme PMS symptom changes using the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form. The main exposure variable was obesity as measured by Body Mass Index. RESULTS: The prevalence of PMS in Virginia was 10.3 percent. Obese women (BMI > or = 30) had nearly a three-fold increased risk for PMS than non-obese women OR = 2.8 (95% CI = 1.1, 7.2). PMS was more prevalent among whites, younger women, and smokers. CONCLUSION: This data provided evidence that obesity is strongly associated with PMS. Since obesity is a modifiable risk factor, PMS management strategies should not only consider factors such as, high stress, and smoking but also obesity.     

Obesity as a risk factor for premenstrual syndrome

Purpose: To determine the association between obesity and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random-digit dialing method. The sampling frame consisted of all possible area codes, exchanges, and 4-digit suffixes in Virginia. A total of 874 women between the ages of 18–44 residing in the state of Virginia between August 1 and September 15, 1994 were interviewed. Cases were defined as women who reported severe or extreme PMS symptom changes using the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form. The main exposure variable was obesity as measured by Body Mass Index.

Results: The prevalence of PMS in Virginia was 10.3 percent. Obese women (BMI ??30) had nearly a three-fold increased risk for PMS than non-obese women OR?=?2.8 (95% CI?=?1.1, 7.2). PMS was more prevalent among whites, younger women, and smokers.

Conclusion: This data provided evidence that obesity is strongly associated with PMS. Since obesity is a modifiable risk factor, PMS management strategies should not only consider factors such as, high stress, and smoking but also obesity.     

Obesity as a risk factor for endometrial cancer

The epidemiology and risk factors for endometrial cancer are reviewed, with current data. Obesity seems to be the main risk factor for this neoplasia, both because it is very common in the female population, and because the other risk factor (i.e. estrogen replacement therapy) has almost disappeared with the addition of progesterone therapy. The pathogenesis of obesity as risk factor, although it is not completely clear and unique, is examined.     

Maternal pre-eclampsia as a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective: Similar pro-inflammatory responses are present in pre-eclampsia (PE) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesized that maternal PE is an independent risk factor for the development of NEC.

Methods: A retrospective database of all live births (2008–2011) at a tertiary center was constructed. Infant and maternal characteristics were gathered. Babies born to mothers with or without PE were compared. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U, Pearson's χ², binary logistic regression and relative risks.

Results: Incidence of NEC was 1.5% in non-PE and 4.6% in the PE group (p?<?0.001), but once controlled for gestational age and birth weight, the difference lost statistical significance. PE babies were more frequently preterm (41.4% versus 14.5%, p?<?0.001) and had intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (10.2% versus 6.3%, p?<?0.001). Within preterm babies, 9.0% of non-PE and 10.8% of PE babies developed NEC (p?=?0.25). Effect of PE was significant in sub-group of IUGR babies, with NEC in 1.5% of non-PE and 13.6% in PE babies (p?<?0.001).

Conclusions: Maternal PE is an independent risk factor for the development of NEC in some sub-groups of babies, most notably with IUGR. Fetal hypoxia caused by abnormal placentation in PE leads to restricted growth, and may be the underlying mechanism that predisposes the newborn to NEC.     

Bacterial vaginosis as a risk factor for post-cesarean endometritis

Bacterial species associated with bacterial vaginosis have been isolated more frequently from endometrial cultures of patients with postpartum endometritis than expected from the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women. To further assess the association between bacterial vaginosis and postpartum endometritis, vaginal Gram smears were obtained from women admitted for delivery. Vaginal smears of women delivered by cesarean were scored as normal or as indicating bacterial vaginosis. Factors related independently to postpartum endometritis by multiple logistic regression analysis included maternal age less than 25 years, any duration of membrane rupture, and bacterial vaginosis. The unadjusted odds ratio for the development of postpartum endometritis associated with bacterial vaginosis (odds ratio = 6.1, 95% confidence interval 3.3-15.9) was not appreciably changed in the multivariable analysis (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% confidence interval 3.0-10.9) after adjusting for maternal age, duration of labor, and duration of membrane rupture. At the time of endometritis, Bacteroides sp, Peptostreptococcus sp, and Gardnerella vaginalis were isolated more frequently from the endometrium using a triple lumen endometrial sampling method among patients with bacterial vaginosis than among those with a normal Gram stain. Bacterial vaginosis appears to be an important risk factor for postpartum endometritis after cesarean delivery.     

Maternal height as a risk factor for Caesarean section

Background Maternal height has been reported as an obstetric risk factor, since short maternal stature may be associated with an increased incidence of obstructed labour due to cephalopelvic disproportion.Materials and methods There were 373 nulliparous women who were 150 cm or less in height (total n=5,650) and 367 women who were below 19 years old in the study group and 48 of these women were 150 cm or less in height. There were 37 patients who were 150 cm or less in height and over 39 years old.Results There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of Caesarean section in patients who were 150 cm or less in height and patients who were taller than 150 cm (P>0.05). However, the rate of Caesarean section was higher in patients who were 150 cm or less in height and below 19 years old (P<0.05) and over 39 years old (P<0.05).Conclusion Short maternal height (<150 cm) was not associated with a greater likelihood of Caesarean section for cephalopelvic disproportion. However, patients who were below 19 years old and over 39 years old with a height of 150 cm or smaller had a greater likelihood of undergoing Caesarean section.     

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy as a risk factor for preeclampsia

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and preeclampsia are two major pregnancy complications. We aimed to investigate the association between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and preeclampsia. Single-center retrospective study. Study group included 180 women (162 singletons and 18 twin gestations) who were diagnosed with ICP based on clinical presentation, elevated liver enzymes and bile acids. The reference group included 1618 women (1507 singletons and 111 twin gestations) who delivered during the study period, and were matched according to age, gravidity, parity and singleton or twin gestation. The incidence of ICP was 0.36%. The incidence of preeclampsia was higher in women with ICP compared to reference group (7.78% vs 2.41%, aOR, 3.74 95% CI 12.0–7.02, p < 0.0001), for either without—(3.89% vs 1.61%, aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.23–6.5, p = 0.145) or with severe features (3.89% vs 0.80%, aOR 5.17 95% CI 2.14–12.50, p = 0.0003). For both singleton and twin pregnancies, overall preeclampsia rates were higher in the ICP group (5.56% vs 2.19%, aOR 2.91 95% CI 1.39–6.07 p = 0.0045; and 27.78% vs 5.41%, aOR 10.9 95% CI 2.16–47.19, p = 0.0033, respectively). Earlier diagnosis of ICP was associated with higher incidence of preeclampsia (31.1 ± 3.8 vs 34.86 ± 6.2 gestational weeks, p = 0.0259). The average time between ICP diagnosis and to the onset of preeclampsia was 29.7 ± 24 days. ICP is associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia. We suggest intensified follow-up for preeclampsia in women with ICP, especially among those with early ICP presentation and twins’ gestations.     

Diabetes as a risk factor for death following endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether several personal or lifestyle risk factors for the occurrence of endometrial cancer are also risk factors for death following endometrial cancer. METHODS: In 1986, we obtained risk factor information by mail on 41,836 women aged 55-69 years and living in Iowa. We followed those initially free of cancer through 2000 and identified incident endometrial cancers via linkage to a cancer registry. Women with endometrial cancer (n = 415) then were followed to identify overall and endometrial cancer deaths. RESULTS: Over a median of 6.4 years following endometrial cancer diagnosis, 93 women died, 39 with endometrial cancer as the underlying cause. Among the various personal and lifestyle risk factors examined, only diabetes (self-reported) was related to death following endometrial cancer. Adjusted for age and extent of endometrial cancer at diagnosis, the relative risk of overall death for diabetic versus nondiabetic women was 2.79 (95% CI 1.63-4.78). For endometrial cancer as a specific cause of death, the diabetes-related relative risk was 2.38 (95% CI 1.05-5.37). Further adjustment for tumor grade strengthened these relative risks slightly. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is associated with poorer survival after incident endometrial cancer, independent of tumor stage and grade. Our findings raise the possibility of a diabetes-related condition, such as hyperglycemia or hyperinsulinemia, contributing to poorer endometrial cancer survival.     

Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for pelvic inflammatory disease

To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and pelvic inflammatory disease we analyzed data from a hospital-based, case-control study of pelvic inflammatory disease. Case subjects were 197 women hospitalized with their first episode of pelvic inflammatory disease; control subjects were 667 women hospitalized with nongynecologic conditions. Logistic regression was used to control for potentially confounding factors, including number of recent sexual partners, frequency of intercourse, and previous episodes of gonorrhea. Compared with women who had never smoked, current cigarette smokers had a significantly elevated relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease of 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.5). Similarly, former cigarette smokers had a significantly elevated relative risk of pelvic inflammatory disease of 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 4.2). However, a dose-response relationship was not observed. These results suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. Whether or not this association is causal requires clarification. The high prevalence of cigarette smoking and the serious consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease make such clarification an important consideration for future research.     

Eclampsia as a possible risk factor for persistent trophoblastic disease

Twenty cases of hydatidiform mole complicated by eclampsia with adequate postevacuation follow-up are identified in a review of the literature since 1866. The clinical presentation of each of these patients is reviewed with particular attention to the existence of known risk factors for persistent trophoblastic disease. After excluding 3 women with coexisting fetus and 2 others who were treated initially with a total abdominal hysterectomy, it was discovered that 14 of the remaining 15 women developed persistent trophoblastic disease. This frequency of persistent trophoblastic disease is greater than can be explained based on previously described risk factors and suggests that the occurrence of eclampsia may be an independent risk factor for persistent trophoblastic disease.     

Psychosexual behavior as a risk factor for cervix cancer]

Seventy-two patients with cervical cancer (n = 24), ovarian cancer (n = 24), or no disease (n = 24) were questioned about sexual activity and personal relationships. The interviews were conducted in a semistandardized fashion according to the Tübingen Sexual Therapy Scale. Patients with invasive cervical cancer did not have a larger number of sexual partners, an earlier age of first intercourse, greater sexual activity or less stable relationships than patients with ovarian cancer of healthy women. There was no statistical difference among the groups with regard to the relationships. However, patients with cervical cancer reported greater degrees of satisfaction with both sexuality and relationships.     

Advanced maternal age as a risk factor for cesarean delivery

The rate of delivery by cesarean has increased steadily in the United States since the 1970s. The reasons for this increase are not fully established. Improved diagnosis of maternal and fetal complications, medicolegal concerns, and the changing age composition of childbearing women have been cited as contributing factors. To assess whether advanced maternal age by itself is an indicator for a primary cesarean delivery, we analyzed data from the vital records of all female residents of King County, Washington 35 years and older (N = 2985) who had a live singleton birth in 1986 or 1987. These women were compared with a sample of women 20-29 years old (N = 6140) who gave birth in the same time period and geographic area. Primiparous and multiparous women 35 years and older were at a similar increased risk of cesarean (relative risk = 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.4). Primiparous women of all ages experienced more complications of pregnancy and labor and higher cesarean delivery rates. However, among primiparous mothers with no recorded complications, older women were at significantly increased risk of cesarean birth (relative risk = 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.8-3.5). This analysis suggests that advanced maternal age alone may influence a physician's decision regarding method of delivery, thereby placing some older women at an unnecessary risk of cesarean.     

The age as risk factor for pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication during pregnancy. It occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The condition is defined by the following symptoms: hypertension, excess protein in the urine, oedema. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of age as risk factor for pre-eclampsia. The study was made at University Hospital-Pleven. Documentary method is used to collect information - medical history of patients. For the period of 2005/2010 the share of the hospitalized patients is relatively low, between 1,9-4,9% of the whole pathology The share of patients with pre-eclampsia after 30 years age is increasing.