Recent trends in tranexamic acid use during postpartum hemorrhage in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was the second leading cause of maternal death, accounting for approximately 14% of all pregnancy-related deaths between 2017 and 2019 in the United States. Several large multi-center studies have demonstrated decreased PPH rates with the use of tranexamic acid (TXA). Little data exists regarding the prevalence of TXA use in obstetric patients. METHODS: We identified over 1.2 million US pregnancies between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2021, with and without PPH by International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes using Cerner Real-World Database™. TXA use and patient characteristics were abstracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: During delivery, TXA was used approximately 1% of the time (12,394 / 1,262,574). Pregnant patients who did and did not receive TXA during delivery had similar demographic characteristics. Pregnant patients who underwent cesarean delivery (4,356 / 12,394), had a term delivery (10,199 / 12,394), and had comorbid conditions were more likely to receive TXA during hospitalization for delivery. The majority of TXA was use was concentrated in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. During the study period the use of TXA increased in both patients with PPH and those without. CONCLUSION: The data illustrate a rapid increase in the use of TXA after 2017 while the total number of pregnancies remained relatively constant. The observed increase in TXA use may reflect changing practicing patterns as the support for use of TXA in the setting of PPH prophylaxis increases.

Source of bias in sugar-sweetened beverage research: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Financial conflicts of interest involving the food industry have been reported to bias nutrition studies. However, some have hypothesized that independently funded studies may be biased if the authors have strong a priori beliefs about the healthfulness of a food product ('white hat bias'). The extent to which each source of bias may affect the scientific literature has not been examined. We aimed to explore this question with research involving sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) as a test case, focusing on a period during which scientific consensus about the adverse health effects of SSB emerged from uncertainty. DESIGN: PubMed search of worldwide literature was used to identify articles related to SSB and health risks published between 2001 and 2013. Financial relationships and article conclusions were classified by independent groups of co-investigators. Associations were explored by Fischer's exact tests and regression analyses, controlling for covariates. RESULTS: A total of 133 articles published in English met inclusion criteria. The proportion of industry-related scientific studies decreased significantly with time, from approximately 30 % at the beginning of the study period to <5 % towards the end (P=0·003). A 'strong' or 'qualified' scientific conclusion was reached in 82 % of independent v. 7 % of industry-related SSB studies (P<0·001). Industry-related studies were overwhelmingly more likely to reach 'weak/null' conclusions compared with independent studies regarding the adverse effects of SSB consumption on health (OR=57·30, 95 % CI 7·12, 461·56). CONCLUSION: Industry-related research during a critical period appears biased to underestimate the adverse health effects of SSB, potentially delaying corrective public health action.

Away Rotations in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Survey of Program Directors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate residency program director views on the purpose and value of an away rotation for students applying to a residency application in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology administered a 28-question survey to current U.S. program directors in OBGYN in 2022. Program directors were asked if they offered away rotations to visiting medical students and if so, what the purpose the rotation played in their application process and whether rotating students were automatically offered a residency interview. Program characteristics such as program size, geographic location, and program type (university, community, or military based) were ascertained. A test of proportions was utilized to understand the relationship between program description and survey responses. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent (224/285) of OBGYN PDs responded to the survey and consented to participation. Programs were representative of the types of training program, size of programs, and geographic location. Of respondents, 77.2% (173/224) of PDs indicated that away rotations were offered at their institution, but only 26.6% (46/173) of residency PDs assessed prospective candidates for away electives. The opportunity to provide students an audition for a residency position was the most common reason to offer an elective. Only 34.7% (60/173) of OBGYN PDs guaranteed an interview to students who completed away electives at their institution. The majority (118/173, 68.2%) of PDs indicated less than 25% of their current residents had completed an away rotation with their program. CONCLUSIONS: Many residency programs offered away electives to prospective applicants, but the majority did not personally assess applicants for competitiveness or guarantee interviews to students completing electives. To increase transparency in the application process, programs should publicize the purpose of away rotations and provide information on the number of interviews granted to students who complete away rotations.

An update to tranexamic acid trends during the peripartum period in the United States, 2019 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Results from the 2017 World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial found that patients who received tranexamic acid during delivery had significantly lower rates of death and hysterectomy. Several months after the World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial publication, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorsed the consideration of tranexamic acid usage when traditional uterotonics fail during postpartum hemorrhage. Since then, tranexamic acid usage has become more mainstream for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate tranexamic acid trends in obstetrics both temporally and geographically within the United States. Additional outcomes included patient demographics and perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included 19 hospitals divided into East, Central, and West geographic regions within the Universal Health Services, Incorporated network. Rates of tranexamic acid use were compared from July 2019 through June 2021. Patient demographics and perinatal outcomes were analyzed for tranexamic acid recipients. RESULTS: During the two-year study period, 3.2% (1580/50,150) of patients received tranexamic acid during delivery. The western region of the United States demonstrated increased tranexamic acid use over the 2-year study period. Recipients of tranexamic acid were more likely to have a history of postpartum hemorrhage (P<.0001), chronic hypertension (P<.0001), preeclampsia (P<.0001), and/or diabetes (P=.004). Patients who received tranexamic acid did not have an increased likelihood of venous thromboembolism in comparison with those who did not receive tranexamic acid (8 [0.5%] vs 226 [0.5%]; P=.77). Of those who received tranexamic acid, 53.2% (840/1580) had an estimated blood loss <1000 mL. CONCLUSION: Nationally, a higher percentage of patients received tranexamic acid without a postpartum hemorrhage diagnosis compared with previous studies, and the western region of the United States had an overall increased use of tranexamic acid during delivery compared with previous years. There was no increased risk of venous thromboembolism in those who received tranexamic acid, regardless of postpartum hemorrhage diagnosis.

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Women After Treatment of Cervical Dysplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and accounted for approximately 570,000 new cancer cases and 311,000 cancer deaths in 2018. Despite advances in screening algorithms many US women undergo excisional cervical procedures for the treatment of cervical dysplasia. The effects of loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization (CKC) on sexual function are relatively unknown. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the effects cervical cancer screening and treatment on female sexual function and satisfaction METHODS: We conducted a review of the medical literature up to and including November 2021 on PubMED using search terms related to cervical dysplasia and sexual health. We identified 831 articles and selected 39 articles for inclusion in our review. Nine studies were included that specifically focused on the effect of loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP) on female sexual function. RESULTS: Multiple studies demonstrated adverse psychologic and sexual effects in patients with cervical dysplasia and after colposcopy. Some studies reported that women experience decreased arousal and interest 6 months following colposcopy. Several studies documented adverse effects on lubrication, sexual pain, and desire following LEEP. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of high quality research on the effect of LEEP and colposcopy on female sexual function. Important limitations in the review of the current literature include, a small sample size, inconsistent comparison groups, observer bias, and lack the use of standardized questionnaires. Clinicians should continue to provide patients education regarding the risks and benefits of different treatment modalities and potential for effects on sexual function should be included in comprehensive counseling. Ethan Litman. Female Sexual Dysfunction in Women After Treatment of Cervical Dysplasia. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:360-366.

Remote gestational weight gain monitoring in a large low-risk US population.

Background: Over the past decade there have been rapid advancements in telemedicine and mobile health technology (mHealth) and rapid increases in adoption of these technologies among OB-GYN providers. Mobile technology is routinely used in the general adult population to simplify monitoring of food intake and weight. Studies have demonstrated that weight loss achieved via remote monitoring, through use of wi-fi scales and web applications, is similar to weight loss achieved with in-person support. These technologies also increase flexibility for subjects and providers. However, there has been limited large-scale research to evaluate the use of these technologies to improve adherence to weight-gain recommendations during pregnancy. Objectives: To evaluate gestational weight gain tracking in a large low-risk obstetrical population using remote patient monitoring and a mobile phone app. Methods: Self-reported age, height, estimated due date, and weight data were extracted from low-risk, singleton pregnancies entered from 50,769 participants who were enrolled in the BabyScripts TM phone app between 1 January 2016 and 1 March 2020. After data cleaning, 15,468 participants were included the final analysis. Linear regression and Spearman's correlation were used to examine the relationships between total weight gain, rate of weight gain, body mass index (BMI), postpartum weight loss, and app engagement. Results: The average weight gain in the first, second, and third trimester were 0.09 ± 1.8 kg, 4.2 ± 3.3 kg, and 3.9 ± 3.9 kg, respectively. The average rate of weight gain per week for the second and third trimesters were 0.5 ± 0.4 kg/wk and 0.6 ± 0.8 kg/wk, respectively. Participants with higher initial BMI had slower rate of weight gain than those with lower initial BMI (r = -0.24, r = -0.05, for second and third trimester, respectively). Overall, 21.4% of participants met the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) recommendation for total weight gain during pregnancy. Patients who were highly engaged with the mobile app had increased adherence to the IOM guidelines (29.8% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001). A larger proportion of highly engaged patients adhered to the IOM guidelines for rate of weight gain in the second and third trimester, compared to the lowest engaged patients (12.7% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001). On average, participants lost 8.8 ± 3.3 kg over an average of 8.1 ± 4.6 weeks in the immediate postpartum period. This weight loss was positively associated with engagement (r = 0.3, p < 0.001). Comments: Engagement with the mobile app was associated with increased adherence to the IOM gestational weight gain guidelines and with increased postpartum weight loss. Use of remote patient monitoring in conjunction with mHealth technology may be a strategy to improve adherence to IOM guidelines.

Adverse perinatal outcomes in a large United States birth cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on adverse perinatal outcomes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in a large national dataset and to examine the rates of adverse outcomes during the pandemic compared with the rates of adverse outcomes during the prepandemic period. STUDY DESIGN: This observational cohort study included 683,905 patients, between the ages of 12 and 50, hospitalized for childbirth and abortion between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2021. During the prepandemic period, 271,444 women were hospitalized for childbirth. During the pandemic, 308,532 women were hospitalized for childbirth, and 2708 women had COVID-19. The associations between COVID-19 and inhospital adverse perinatal outcomes were examined using propensity score-adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: Women with COVID-19 were more likely to experience both early and late preterm birth (adjusted odds ratios, 1.38 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7] and 1.62 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.7], respectively), preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.4]), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.2]), pulmonary edema (adjusted odds ratio, 2.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3]), and need for mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio, 8.1 [95% confidence interval, 3.8-17.3]) than women without COVID-19. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of stillbirth among women with COVID-19 (16/2708) and women without COVID-19 (174/39,562) (P=.257). There was no difference in adverse outcomes among women who delivered during the pandemic vs prepandemic period. Combined inhospital mortality was significantly higher for women with COVID-19 (147 [95% confidence interval, 3.0-292.0] vs 2.5 [95% confidence interval, 0.0-7.5] deaths per 100,000 women). Women diagnosed with COVID-19 within 30 days before hospitalization were more likely to experience early preterm birth, placental abruption, and mechanical ventilation than women diagnosed with COVID-19 >30 days before hospitalization for childbirth (4.0% vs 2.4% for early preterm birth [adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.7]; 2.2% vs 1.2% for placental abruption [adjusted odds ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.4]; and 0.9% vs 0.1% for mechanical ventilation [adjusted odds ratio, 13.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-107.2]). CONCLUSION: Women with COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of adverse perinatal outcomes and increased in-hospital mortality, with the highest risk occurring when the diagnosis was within 30 days of hospitalization, raising the possibility of a high-risk period.

The NICU Cuddler Curriculum: A Service-Learning Curriculum for Preclinical Medical Students in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is often seen as off-limits by preclinical medical students. The NICU cuddler curriculum is a service-learning curriculum that invited preclinical medical students into the NICU to engage with and learn from one of the hospital's most vulnerable populations: neonates. The purpose of this preclinical experience was to provide students with exposure to the NICU and an opportunity to engage with babies, families, and the NICU staff, in order to improve students' clinical and communication skills. Methods: First- and second- year medical students applied and were selected for participation. Participants cuddled neonates in the NICU for at least 10 hours, attended didactic sessions relevant to neonatal care, and debriefed with an attending each semester. The curriculum was evaluated via qualitative analysis and postparticipation surveys. Results: To date, a total of 73 students have participated in the NICU cuddler curriculum. Qualitative analysis revealed students felt included in patient care, empowered in their understanding of the social determinants of health, and useful in their role. A postsurvey of clinical medical students following participation revealed the sustained impact of this program. Discussion: This service-learning curriculum for preclinical medical students has the potential to enhance student understanding of the social determinants of health, increase exposure to the NICU, and promote interprofessional collaboration, ultimately increasing preparedness of students for their clinical years.