Gestational glycosuria, proteinuria, and borderline hypertension in pregnancy are predictors for the later onset of maternal chronic disease.

AIM: Although hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (DM) are risk factors for hypertension, DM, and kidney disease in later life, the association of gestational glycosuria, proteinuria, and borderline hypertension with these chronic diseases has been unclear. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2017 and November 2020 at a Japanese tertiary hospital. Three variables listed in the Maternal and Child Health Handbook were analyzed: glycosuria, proteinuria, and systolic blood pressure (<130, 130-139, and ≥ 140 mmHg) during pregnancy. The incidences of DM, kidney disease, and hypertension self-reported by mothers of pregnant women on a questionnaire were assessed with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The 312 women completed the questionnaires an average of 35.8 ± 4.2 years after delivering their daughters. Risk for DM was significantly increased among women with glycosuria (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-10.9), and risk for kidney disease was significantly increased among women with proteinuria (aOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.29-12.9). Risk for hypertension was significant in women whose blood pressures were ≥ 140 mmHg (aOR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.96-9.24), but the association between blood pressures of 130-139 mmHg and hypertension was not significant (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.95-3.11); however, a significant positive trend (p < 0.001) between increasing blood pressure and hypertension was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational glycosuria, proteinuria, and increased blood pressure were associated with the development of maternal chronic diseases. These standard and inexpensive assessments may improve lifelong health management in women.

Clinical features of women with thrombotic microangiopathy in pregnancy: A case series from a single Japanese tertiary perinatal care center.

AIM: Although perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy has become increasingly understood, the racial characteristics of patients with this condition remain unclear. Herein, we report the characteristics of patients with perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy at a single institution in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study over a 5-year period from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, using the electronic medical records of pregnant women who delivered at the perinatal center of our hospital. We extracted the data of those who developed perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy and evaluated their characteristics at the time of disease onset, final diagnosis, and maternal and fetal outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 10 224 deliveries that occurred during the 5-year period, only seven patients (0.06%) had perinatal thrombotic microangiopathy. The median pre-pregnant body mass index was 18.65 kg/m2 (minimum 17.3 kg/m2 , maximum 20.7 kg/m2 ). More than half of the patients were conceived by in-vitro fertilization, and 42% these had twin deliveries. Four patients had a history of rheumatic disease. The other three patients without underlying diseases developed thrombotic microangiopathy with HELLP syndrome, and one patient transitioned to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Based on low body mass index and in-vitro fertilization, which are characteristic of Japanese women, medical complications and twin pregnancies may be a risk for thrombotic microangiopathy. Additionally, depending on the cause of thrombotic microangiopathy, its timing and onset differed.

Economic Evaluations of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Screening: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to find evidence of the cost-effectiveness of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening and assess the quality of current economic evaluations, which have shown different conclusions with a variation in screening methods, data sources, outcome indicators, and implementation in diverse organizational contexts. METHODS: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Health Technology Assessment, database, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database databases were searched through June 2019. Studies on economic evaluation reporting both cost and health outcomes of GDM screening programs in English language were selected, and the quality of the studies was assessed using Drummond's checklist. The general characteristics, main assumptions, and results of the economic evaluations were summarized. RESULTS: Our search yielded 10 eligible economic evaluations with different screening strategies compared in different settings and perspectives. The selected papers scored 81% (68-97%) on the items in Drummond's checklist on average. In general, a screening program is cost-effective or even dominant over no screening. The one-step screening, with more cases detected, is more likely to be cost-effective than the two-step screening. Universal screening is more likely to be cost-effective than screening targeting the high-risk population. Parameters affecting cost-effectiveness include: diagnosis criteria, epidemiological characteristics of the population, efficacy of screening and treatment, and costs. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies found GDM screening to be cost-effective, though uncertainties remain due to many factors. The quality assessment identified weaknesses in the economic evaluations in terms of integrating existing data, measuring costs and consequences, analyzing perspectives, and adjusting for uncertainties.

Protocol for an interventional study to reduce postpartum weight retention in obese mothers using the internet of things and a mobile application: a randomized controlled trial (SpringMom).

BACKGROUND: Obese pregnant women are known to experience poorer pregnancy outcomes and are at higher risk of postnatal arteriosclerosis. Hence, weight control during and after pregnancy is important for reducing these risks. The objective of our planned randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether the rate of change in body weight in obese women before pregnancy to 12 months postpartum would be lower with the use of an intervention consisting of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and mobile applications during pregnancy to 1 year postpartum compared to a non-intervention group. METHODS: Women will be recruited during outpatient maternity checkups at four perinatal care institutions in Japan. We will recruit women at less than 30 weeks of gestation with a pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. The women will be randomly assigned to an intervention or non-intervention group. The intervention will involve using data (weight, body composition, activity, sleep) measured with IoT devices (weight and body composition monitor, activity, and sleep tracker), meal records, and photographs acquired using a mobile application to automatically generate advice, alongside the use of a mobile application to provide articles and videos related to obesity and pregnancy. The primary outcome will be the ratio of change in body weight (%) from pre-pregnancy to 12 months postpartum compared to before pregnancy. DISCUSSION: This study will examine whether behavioral changes occurring during pregnancy, a period that provides a good opportunity to reexamine one's habits, lead to lifestyle improvements during the busy postpartum period. We aim to determine whether a lifestyle intervention that is initiated during pregnancy can suppress weight gain during pregnancy and encourage weight loss after delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN: UMIN (University hospital Medical Information Network) 000,041,460. Resisted on 18th August 2020. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000047278.

Development of a health literacy scale for preconception care: a study of the reproductive age population in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Preconception care aims to improve both maternal and child health in the short as well as long term, along with providing health benefits to adolescents, women, and men, whether or not they plan to become parents. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions for improving preconception health in population-based settings. To accumulate evidence in this field, this study focused on the concept of health literacy, and aimed to develop a self-report health literacy scale in Japanese, focusing on preconception care. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were recruited from December 2019 to February 2020 from the registered members of a web-based research company. Participants were Japanese men and women aged 16-49 (n = 2000). A factor analysis was conducted to select both factors and items for health-related behavior and skills (33 initial items were generated), along with an item response theory analysis to examine how the 16 items were related to people's knowledge of preconception care. RESULTS: We developed a 6-factor (including "appropriate medical examinations," "appropriate diet," "stress coping," "healthy weight," "safe living environment," and "vaccinations"), 25-item behavior and skills scale, as well as a 13-item knowledge scale, to evaluate participants' health literacy around preconception care. A shortened version, consisting of 17 items, was also prepared from the 25 items. The reliability coefficients of total scores and each factor of the behavior and skills scale were comparatively high, with weak-to-moderate correlation between behavior and skills and knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The new scale will, ideally, provide information on the current state of preconception care health literacy of the general population. In addition, this scale, which consists of both behavioral/skills and knowledge dimensions, should help support the effective implementation of risk assessment programs and interventions aimed at promoting behavioral changes using a population-based approach. Future studies using different question/administration formats for diverse populations, and considering respondents' opinions on health literacy scales should be effective in improving this scale.

Risk factors during the early postpartum period for type 2 diabetes mellitus in women with gestational diabetes.

For women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the evaluation of glucose tolerance (GT) in the early postpartum period is universally recommended. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the risk factors for T2DM on the basis of GT data obtained during the early postpartum period. We aimed to identify the risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by evaluating GT in the first 12 weeks postpartum (12wPP) in women with GDM and to categorize the risk using a combination of the principal risk factors. This retrospective multicenter observational study included 399 East Asian women with GDM who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) within 12wPP, which was repeated annually or biennially and used to identify the postpartum development of T2DM. Forty-three women (10.8%) developed T2DM during a median follow-up period of 789 ± 477 days. The independent risk factors for T2DM were pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), early postpartum impairment in glucose tolerance (IGT), and an early postpartum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥5.7%. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for T2DM were 3.2 (1.3-7.8) in women with either early postpartum IGT or pre-pregnancy obesity, 9.2 (3.0-28.3) in those with early postpartum IGT, pre-pregnancy obesity, and HbA1c <5.7%, and 51.4 (16.1-163.9) in those with early postpartum IGT, pre-pregnancy obesity, and HbA1c ≥5.7%, compared with those without obesity or IGT. T2DM risk in East Asian women with GDM should be stratified according to pre-pregnancy obesity and early postpartum IGT, and these patients should be followed up and receive appropriate care for their risk category.

Obesity and abnormal glucose tolerance in the offspring of mothers with diabetes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Type 2 diabetes and obesity during childhood, puberty, and adulthood have become more common. This trend presents a global problem in terms of public health and health economics. Associations between intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia, obesity, and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in offspring have been reported in populations at high risk of diabetes such as Pima Indians, but these associations have not been established in other groups. In this review, we summarize the evidence on obesity and AGT in the offspring of mothers with diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: Although there are many reports indicating that the incidence of obesity or overweight is higher in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes, there is no consensus on whether maternal prepregnancy obesity has a larger impact than intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia. While the risk of AGT or type 2 diabetes in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes is thought to increase after puberty, the incidence of AGT is elevated by the age of 7 years in the offspring of mothers with untreated gestational diabetes. Maternal gestational diabetes is a risk factor for AGT or type 2 diabetes independent of maternal prepregnancy BMI. When the offspring of women who had gestational diabetes and received therapeutic intervention in two randomized controlled studies were followed, the prevalence of obesity and impaired fasting glucose was lower in some 7-year-old girls, but the effect of maternal intervention was limited. The risk of obesity or overweight is higher in the offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes, even after adjustment for maternal prepregnancy BMI. The risk of type 2 diabetes in such offspring is also higher. Although the offspring of mothers with type 2 diabetes are likely to be at high risk for type 2 diabetes, there are only limited reports supporting this hypothesis. SUMMARY: Intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia is associated with obesity and AGT among offspring. The present review suggests that these associations might depend on the type of maternal diabetes, that is, the timing and degree of exposure to hyperglycemia. There are only a small number of studies on the effect of therapeutic interventions for maternal diabetes on metabolism in the offspring.

Potential protective effect of lactation against incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lactation may protect women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the results of existing studies are inconsistent, ranging from null to beneficial. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to gather available evidence. Databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched on December 15, 2015, without restriction of language or publication year. A manual search was also conducted. We included observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort study) with information on lactation and type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence among women with previous GDM. We excluded case studies without control data. Data synthesis was conducted by random-effect meta-analysis. Fourteen reports of 9 studies were included. Overall risk of bias using RoBANS ranged from low to unclear. Longer lactation for more than 4 to 12 weeks postpartum had risk reduction of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with shorter lactation (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.01-55.86; OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.89; OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.13-0.36; type 2 diabetes mellitus evaluation time < 2 y, 2-5 y, and >5 y, respectively). Exclusive lactation for more than 6 to 9 weeks postpartum also had lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with exclusive formula (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.22-0.81). The findings support the evidence that longer and exclusive lactation may be beneficial for type 2 diabetes mellitus prevention in women with previous GDM. However, the evidence relies only on observational studies. Therefore, further studies are required to address the true causal effect.

Beta-2 receptor agonist exposure in the uterus associated with subsequent risk of childhood asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although the beta-2 receptor agonist (B2RA) is occasionally prescribed in the prenatal period for women with preterm labor, few studies have referred to the long-term effects of intrauterine exposure to B2RA on fetus. We examined the association between intrauterine exposure to B2RA and asthma in the offspring. METHODS: We obtained data from a hospital-based birth cohort study conducted in Tokyo, Japan. The outcomes of interest were three indicators, consisting of current wheeze, current asthma, and ever asthma at 5 years of age, based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between intrauterine B2RA exposure and outcomes. To evaluate dose-dependent risk, we categorized children into three groups according to both the cumulative dose and duration (days) and conducted trend analysis. RESULTS: Of 1158 children, 94 (8.1%) were exposed to B2RA in utero, and 191 (16.5%), 111 (9.6%), and 168 (14.5%) children experienced current wheeze, current asthma, and ever asthma, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, we found an increased risk of current asthma caused by B2RA exposure with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-4.05). Trend analysis showed that B2RA exposure in utero was associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of current asthma in terms of both cumulative dose and duration (P values for trend were .015 and .017, respectively). These results were similar to those for other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Exposure to B2RA in utero could be a risk for childhood asthma.

Association of common polymorphisms with gestational diabetes mellitus in Japanese women: A case-control study.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) share part of pathomechanism and several T2DM susceptibility genes are demonstrated to be associated with GDM. No information on the genetics of GDM, however, was available in Japanese women. In this study, T2DM risk variants (45 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] from 36 genes) identified in previous studies were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a cohort of 171 Japanese women with GDM and 128 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) diagnosed by the new International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group criteria. Of 45 SNPs, three genetic variants were nominally associated with the development of GDM: rs266729 (p = 0.013, odds ratio [OR]: 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2.23) in ADIPOQ, rs10811661 (p = 0.035, OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03-2.08) in CDKN2A/2B, and rs9505118 (p = 0.046, OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.01-1.97) in SSR1-RREB1. There was a significant difference in the number of risk alleles of three variants between women with GDM and NGT (3.79 ± 1.33 vs. 3.05 ± 1.41, p = 6.0 × 10-6). In combined analysis of three genetic variants, women with five or more risk alleles had a 7.32-fold increased risk of GDM (p = 5.6 × 10-5, 95% CI: 4.54-11.96), compared with those having no more than one risk allele. Our results suggest several risk variants of T2DM had cumulative effects on the development of GDM in Japanese women.

The effects of gestational transient thyrotoxicosis on the perinatal outcomes: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of gestational transient thyrotoxicosis (GTT) on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: This case-control study retrospectively analyzed 7976 women with singleton pregnancies whose thyroid function was measured before 16 weeks of gestation and who delivered at ≥22 weeks of pregnancy. GTT was defined as hyperthyroidism (free thyroxine [FT4] level: ≥95th percentile) in the early pregnancy, which normalized in mid-pregnancy without thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies. Using data extracted from electronic records, we examined the association between GTT and the pregnancy outcomes (preterm delivery, gestational age at delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia, placental abruption, caesarian section, birth weight, low birth weight, Apgar score, cord pH, stillbirth at gestational week ≥22, and neonatal death). We classified the cases into quartiles according to their FT4 values during the early pregnancy and investigated the association with the gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Two hundred and eight cases of GTT and 6317 cases with normal thyroid assessments were reviewed. GTT was associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, but not with stillbirth, preterm delivery, PIH, preeclampsia, placental abruption, or low birth weight. The gestation period was shorter in patients with GTT than in those with a normal thyroid function (38.69 ± 1.79 vs. 39.07 ± 1.64 weeks, p < 0.01). Higher FT4 levels during the early pregnancy were associated with earlier delivery (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: GTT was associated with a lower gestational age at delivery but not with adverse pregnancy outcomes. There was a negative correlation between the FT4 values in the early pregnancy and the gestational period.

Lupus enteritis during pregnancy: A case-based review.

Although the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) worsen during pregnancy, few previous studies have reported lupus enteritis in pregnant women with SLE. A 29-year-old pregnant Japanese woman presented with acute abdomen. Six years before pain onset, she developed pure red cell aplasia and tested positive for anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies. Anti-DNA antibodies were detected two and a half years later. The patient remained asymptomatic until she developed acute abdomen. A mild increase in anti-DNA antibody levels and a mild decrease in complement levels were observed, and abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of large-volume ascites and edematous thickening of the small intestinal wall. These findings established the diagnosis of lupus enteritis. Her condition improved after treatment with prednisolone 50 mg/day, and she delivered a female infant weighing approximately 1810 g at 37 weeks of gestation. Our study suggests that lupus enteritis should be suspected in female patients with autoimmune disease who develop acute abdomen during pregnancy, and that magnetic resonance imaging is useful in its diagnosis.

Change of maternal thyroid function in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has weak thyroid-stimulating activity because of its homology with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which is a severe complication of monochorionic twin pregnancies, a close association between maternal serum hCG concentration and TTTS has been reported. And, TTTS can be treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation of the communicating vessels. To clarify the relationship between maternal serum hCG and maternal thyroid function in TTTS, the present study investigated the change in thyroid hormone and hCG levels after laser therapy. The protocol included collection of serial maternal blood samples in TTTS before laser therapy, and at two and four weeks after laser therapy. For 131 cases of TTTS, the following parameters were determined at each point: hCG, TSH, free triiodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4). The multiple of the median (MoM) of pre-operative hCG concentration in TTTS was 5.39 MoM (interquartile range, 2.83 - 8.64). There was a moderate positive correlation between hCG and fT3 in TTTS pre-operatively (R = 0.22, P = 0.030). fT4 was also positively correlated with hCG (R = 0.33, P < 0.001). Some cases showed very high concentration in fT3. When laser therapy for TTTS was effective, the hCG concentration significantly decreased, and fT3 and fT4 decreased progressively in concert with the decrease in hCG. The relationship between hCG and thyroid function in TTTS supports the finding of TTTS as a novel etiology of hCG-mediated hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.

Clinical features and pregnancy outcome in antiphospholipid syndrome patients with history of severe pregnancy complications.

Abstract Objective. To clarify the clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile in patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods. Clinical records of 13 pregnant patients (15 pregnancies) with obstetrical APS were reviewed over 10 years. Patients who met the Sapporo Criteria fully were studied, whereas those with only early pregnancy loss were excluded. In addition to classical aPL: lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibody (aCL), and anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (aß2GPI); phosphatidylserine-dependent anti-prothrombin antibody (aPS/PT) and kininogen-dependent anti-phosphatidylethanolamine antibody (aPE) were also examined in each case. Results. Cases were divided into two groups according to patient response to standard treatment: good and poor outcome groups. All cases with poor outcome presented LA, with IgG aß2GPI and IgG aPS/PT were also frequently observed. IgG aPE did not correlate with pregnancy outcome. Conclusion. aPL profile may predict pregnancy outcome in patients with this subset of obstetric APS.

Association between gestational weight gain and chronic disease risks in later life.

To assess the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and the risk of developing chronic diseases in later life, this historical cohort study of 318 non-overweight women was conducted between April 2017 and November 2020 at a hospital in Tokyo. Data about GWG in the last pregnancy and the development of any chronic diseases of the subjects were retrieved from the women's Maternal and Child Health Handbooks and through a questionnaire survey, respectively. The outcomes were chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and being overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2). Association between GWG and outcomes were assessed using a logistic regression analysis.There were significant positive linear associations between GWG and the risks of developing DM, hypertension, and being overweight (P = 0.013, 0.050, and 0.017, respectively). After adjusting for later-life BMI, a significant association between GWG and DM (P = 0.025) remained, but the association between GWG and hypertension disappeared. GWG was significantly associated with DM, hypertension, and being overweight later in life. Although the association between GWG and DM was partially independent of BMI later in life, the association between GWG and hypertension was influenced by being overweight later in life.

Current Use and Discrepancies in the Adoption of Health-Related Internet of Things and Apps Among Working Women in Japan: Large-Scale, Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Demographic changes and a low birth rate have led to a workforce shortage in Japan. To address this issue, the government has promoted engagement of female employment. However, increased female employment can impact women's health. Using Internet of Things (IoT) and apps to manage women's health has gained attention, but few studies have focused on working women. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the current situation of working women and their use of IoT or apps to manage their health. METHODS: A large-scale, nationwide internet survey was conducted among 10,000 female participants aged from 20 years to 64 years in Japan. Participants were recruited from a marketing research company's active survey panel of 5.24 million members. The survey included questions about health status, sociodemographic factors, psychological characteristics, and the use of IoT or apps for health management. We compared perceived health status and reasons for current IoT use using t tests and assessed participant characteristics that predicted IoT use using the C5.0 decision tree algorithm. Ethical approval was granted by St. Luke's International University. RESULTS: Among participants, 14.6% (1455/10,000) currently used IoT or apps, 7% (695/10,000) used them previously, and 78.5% (7850/10,000) had never used them. Current users (42.7 years old) were older than past users (39.7 years old). Discrepancies were observed between participants' perceived health problems and the purpose for using IoT or apps, with 21.3% (2130/10,000) of all women reporting they experienced menstrual symptoms or disorders but only 3.5% (347/10,000) used IoT or apps to manage the same symptom. On the other hand, current users were more likely to use IoT or apps to manage nutrition-related problems such as underweight or obesity (405/1455, 27.8%). Device use was highest among current users, with 87.3% (1270/1455) using smartphones, 19.7% (287/1455) using smartwatches, and 13.3% (194/1455) using PCs. Decision tree analysis identified 6 clusters, the largest consisting of 81.6% (5323/6523) of non-IoT users who did not exercise regularly, while pregnant women were more likely to use IoT or apps. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the idea that woman with particular health problems (ie, menstrual symptoms or disorders and premenstrual syndrome) have lower use of IoT or apps, suggesting an unmet need for IoT and apps in specific areas.

Correction: Current Use and Discrepancies in the Adoption of Health-Related Internet of Things and Apps Among Working Women in Japan: Large-Scale, Internet-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/51537.].

Effects of Levothyroxine Treatment on Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined by elevated thyrotropin (TSH) and normal free thyroxine levels, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, and small for gestational age. Despite the uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment on pregnancy outcomes in subclinical hypothyroidism, LT4 is widely administered with a pre-treatment threshold TSH level of 2.5 mU/L. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of periconceptional LT4 treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, including TSH levels >2.5 mU/L, and identify the characteristics of subclinical hypothyroidism that can benefit from LT4 treatment. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from inception to February 2023. We analyzed the pooled effects of LT4 on subclinical hypothyroidism before and during pregnancy. The main outcomes before pregnancy were live birth, pregnancy, and miscarriage. The main outcomes during pregnancy were live birth, miscarriage, and preterm birth. We conducted subgroup analyses to compare the effects of LT4 on subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH levels of 2.5-4.0 and >4.0 mU/L. Results: Of the 888 studies identified, 27 full-text articles were screened for eligibility. Five studies on pre-conception treatment with 768 participants and eight studies on treatment during early pregnancy with 2622 participants were analyzed. One of the two studies on pre-conception treatment in subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH >4.0 mU/L had high risk of bias and the other was composed of 64 participants. Pre-conception LT4 treatment had no significant effect in improving rates of live births and pregnancies, or reducing miscarriages (risk ratio [RR], 95% confidence interval): 1.41 (0.84-2.36), 1.73 (0.88-3.39), and 0.46 (0.11-2.00), respectively. LT4 treatment during pregnancy was not significantly associated with higher rates of live births (RR 1.03, 0.98-1.09) nor decreased miscarriage rates (RR 1.01, 0.66-1.53). The effect of LT4 treatment on preterm birth during pregnancy was significantly different depending on the TSH values (p = 0.04); a positive effect was shown in the subclinical hypothyroidism subgroup with TSH >4.0 mU/L (RR 0.47, 0.20-1.10), while no significant effect was observed in the subgroup with TSH 2.5-4.0 mU/L (RR 1.35, 0.79-2.31). Conclusions: Pre-conceptional LT4 treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism does not improve fertility or decrease the incidence of miscarriages. However, further well-designed studies are needed for pre-conceptional treatment, especially in TSH >4.0 mU/L. LT4 treatment during pregnancy had a positive effect on preterm birth; nevertheless, this was only applicable to subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH >4.0 mU/L.

BMI mediates the association between low educational level and higher blood pressure during pregnancy in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Research investigating the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy is limited and its underlying pathway is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediators of the association between educational level as an indicator of the SES and BP in early and mid-pregnancy among Japanese women. METHODS: Nine hundred and twenty-three pregnant women in whom BP was measured before 16 weeks and at 20 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. Maternal educational levels were categorized into three groups: high (university or higher), mid (junior college), and low (junior high school, high school, or vocational training school). RESULTS: The low educational group had higher systolic (low vs. high, difference = 2.39 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 4.19) and diastolic BP levels (low vs. high, difference = 0.74 mmHg, 95% CI: -0.52 to 1.99) in early pregnancy. However, the same associations were not found after adjustment for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). BP reduction was observed in mid-pregnancy in all three educational groups and there was no association between educational level and pregnancy-induced hypertension. CONCLUSION: In Japanese women, the low educational group showed higher BP during pregnancy than the mid or high educational groups. Pre-pregnancy BMI mediates the association between educational level and BP.