Interpregnancy interval and adverse perinatal outcomes: A within-individual comparative method.

Background and Aim: Previously observed associations between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and perinatal outcomes using a between-individual method may be confounded by unmeasured maternal factors. This study aims to examine the association between IPI and adverse perinatal outcomes using within-individual comparative analyses. Methods: We studied 10,647 individuals from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Consecutive Pregnancies Study in Utah with ≥3 liveborn singleton pregnancies. We matched two IPIs per individual and used conditional logistic regression to examine the association between IPI and adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks' gestation), small-for-gestational-age (SGA, <10th percentile of sex-specific birthweight for gestational age), low birthweight (LBW, <2,500 g), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Point and 95% confidence interval (CI) estimates were adjusted for factors that vary across pregnancies within individuals. Results: CIs did not unequivocally support either an increase or a decrease in the odds of PTB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.96), SGA (aOR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.51, 1.28), LBW (aOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.90, 2.80), or NICU admission (aOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.66, 1.40) for an IPI <6 months compared to 18-23-months IPI (reference), and neither did the CIs for the aOR of IPIs of 6-11 and 12-18 months compared to the reference. In contrast, an IPI ≥24 months was associated with increased odds of LBW (aOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.66 for 24-29 months; aOR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.29 for 30-35 months; and aOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.72 for ≥36 months). Conclusions: Using a within-individual comparative method, we did not find evidence that a short IPI compared to the recommended IPI of 18-23 months was associated with increased odds of PTB, SGA, LBW, and NICU admission. IPI ≥ 24 months was associated with increased odds of delivering an LBW infant.

Recurrence Risk of Pregnancy Complications in Twin and Singleton Deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate and compare the recurrence risk of preterm birth (PTB), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GH), and preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE and E) in subsequent pregnancy groups (index-subsequent) of singleton-singleton (n = 49,868), twin-singleton (n = 448), and singleton-twin (n = 723) pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Birthing individuals from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Consecutive Pregnancy Study (2002-2010) with ≥ 2 singleton or twin deliveries were examined. Adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for recurrent PTB, GDM, GH, and PE and E were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust variance estimators. RESULTS: The aRR of PTB and GDM ranged from 1.4 to 5.1 and 5.2 to 22.7, respectively, with the greatest recurrence relative risk for both conditions in singleton-singleton subsequent pregnancies (PTB: aRR = 5.1 [95% CI: 4.8-5.5], GDM: aRR = 22.7 [95% CI: 20.8-24.8]). The aRR of GH and PE and E ranged from 2.8 to 7.6 and 3.2 to 9.2, respectively, with the greatest recurrence relative risk for both conditions in twin-singleton subsequent pregnancies (GH: aRR = 7.6 [95% CI: 2.8-20.5], PE and E: aRR = 9.2 [95% CI: 2.9-28.6]). CONCLUSION: Recurrence relative risk was increased for PTB, GDM, GH, and PE and E in all subsequent pregnancy groups, which varied in magnitude based on the birth number of the index and subsequent pregnancy. This information provides insight into risk management for subsequent pregnancies including multiples. KEY POINTS: · Recurrence risk for all conditions is persistent in all subsequent pregnancy groups.. · The magnitude of risk varies by the presence of multiples in the index or subsequent pregnancy.. · Singleton-singleton pregnancies are at the greatest risk of PTB.. · Singleton-singleton pregnancies are at the greatest risk of GDM.. · Twin-singleton pregnancies are at the greatest risk of hypertensive disorders..

Acculturation and leisure-time physical activity among Asian American adults in the United States.

ABSTRACTObjectives: To examine the association between acculturation and leisure-time physical activity among Asian Americans.Design: Data came from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, restricting to non-Hispanic Asian adults aged 20 years and older (n = 1989). Acculturation was assessed by language preference at home, birth locations, and length of residency in the United States (US). Self-reported physical activity was used to estimate leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in MET-minutes/week and meeting the World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to model MVPA as continuous and categorical variables, respectively.Results: A quarter of Asian Americans spoke only English and 47.8% spoke only non-English at home; 13.0% were born in the US. Asians who spoke only English (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]:1.5) and Asians who spoke both English and non-English at home (aPR: 1.4) had greater proportions of meeting physical activity guidelines compared to those who spoke only non-English at home. The US-born Asians had higher a proportion of meeting the physical activity guidelines (aPR:1.4) and performed 547.6 more MET-minutes of MVPA each week than foreign-born Asians; they also had a higher proportion of meeting the physical activity guidelines than foreign-born Asians who stayed in US for ≤10 years (aPR:1.5). Length of time staying in the US was associated with a higher proportion of meeting physical activity guidelines. Among foreign-born Asian Americans, higher acculturation measures were also positively associated with meeting physical activity guidelines.Conclusions: Acculturation was positively associated with physical activity levels among Asian Americans. More acculturated Asian Americans such as those who spoke more English at home and US-born Asians, performed more MVPA than less acculturated Asian Americans. Interventions are needed to promote physical activity among non-English speaking Asian immigrants and recent immigrants.

Prescription opioid use among women of reproductive age in the United States: NHANES, 2003-2018.

Women are prescribed opioids more often than men. Prescription opioid use among women of reproductive age is a public health concern because opioid use during pregnancy is associated with decreased prenatal care and increased risk of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. Recent prevalence estimates and correlates of prescription opioid use and long-term use among women of reproductive age are limited. Using the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we estimated the national prevalence, trend, and correlates of prescription opioid use, long-term use (≥ 90 days of use), and use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among women aged 15-44 (n = 13,558). Prescription opioid use within the last 30 days and prescription duration were collected through interviews and identified using prescription codes. Trend analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Institute Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software. The prevalence of prescription opioid use significantly decreased from 5.2% in 2003-2004 to 3.0% in 2017-2018 (p < .05). MOUD use increased significantly from 0.1% in 2005-2006 to 0.4% in 2011-2012. Long-term opioid use did not significantly change over time. Correlates of prescription opioid use and long-term use included ages 35-44, non-Hispanic White, public insurance, and women with poor or fair health status. As policy makers and clinicians strive to reduce the negative impacts of the opioid epidemic, they should consider the demographic groups most likely to use prescription opioids long-term. Additionally, reductions in opioid prescribing should be balanced with increased availability of nonopioid therapies and monitoring for opioid use disorder.

Mentoring, Training, and Scholarly Productivity Experiences of Cancer-Related Health Disparities Research Trainees: Do Outcomes Differ for Underrepresented Scientists?

The study aims to explore variation in scholarly productivity outcomes by underrepresented status among a diverse sample of researchers in a community-engaged training program. We identified 141 trainees from a web-based survey of researchers in the National Cancer Institute-funded, Community Networks Program Centers (CNPCs) (2011-2016). We conducted a series of multiple logistic regression models to estimate the effect of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-defined underrepresented status on four, self-reported, scholarly productivity outcomes in the previous 5 years: number of publications (first-authored and total) and funded grants (NIH and any agency). Sixty-five percent (n = 92) indicated NIH underrepresented status. In final adjusted models, non-NIH underrepresented (vs. underrepresented) trainees reported an increased odds of having more than the median number of total publications (> 9) (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.21-8.65) and any grant funding (OR = 5.10, 95% CI 1.77-14.65). Reporting ≥ 1 mentors (vs. none) was also positively associated (p < 0.05) with these outcomes. The CNPC underrepresented trainees had similar success in first-authored publications and NIH funding as non-underrepresented trainees, but not total publications and grants. Examining trainees' mentoring experiences over time in relation to scholarly productivity outcomes is needed.

The Dietary Inflammatory Index is associated with elevated white blood cell counts in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

White blood cells (WBCs) are considered a reliable biomarker of inflammation. Elevations in both WBCs and pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with several chronic conditions. Diet is a strong moderator of inflammation and WBCs. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and WBCs using data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES is a cross-sectional study that occurs in two-year cycles. Respondents from five cycles (n = 26,046) with available data on diet (collected through a single 24-h dietary recall [24HR]) and WBCs (derived using the Coulter method) were included. The DII (theoretical range is about -8 to +8) was derived from the micro and macronutrients calculated from the 24HR. Linear regression models, using survey design procedures, were used to estimate adjusted mean WBC (i.e., total, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils) counts and percentages by DII quartiles. Among all participants no statistically significant difference in WBCs were observed when comparing DII quartile 4 (most pro-inflammatory) to quartile 1 (most anti-inflammatory). However, a one-unit increase in the DII was associated with a 0.028 (1000 per µL) increase in total WBCs (p = .01). Additionally, a 0.024 increase in neutrophils (p < .01) was observed for a one-unit increase in the DII. In the group of participants with normal body mass index (BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), those in DII quartile 4 had higher levels of total WBCs compared to subjects with normal BMI in DII quartile 1 (7.12 vs. 6.88, p = .01). Similar comparisons were observed for monocytes and neutrophils. However, these relationships were not observed for participants who were overweight or obese, which are pro-inflammatory conditions. Normal-weight individuals consuming more pro-inflammatory diets were more likely to have elevated WBCs. Because of its cross-sectional design, NHANES cannot inform directly on temporal relations, thus limiting causal inference. Future research is needed to examine the impact of anti-inflammatory diet adoption on lowering levels of WBCs, in addition to other inflammatory mediators.

Prevention of amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever with colchicine: a case-control study in Armenia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not the use of colchicine decreases the risk of amyloidosis among Armenian patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 99 Armenian patients from the Center of Medical Genetics database with genetically ascertained FMF; 33 had renal amyloidosis and 66 were randomly selected control patients without renal amyloidosis. Self- reported colchicine use was assessed by interviewer-based questionnaire. RESULTS: The patients with incident amyloidosis were more likely to be older men, but younger at the time of disease onset, and more likely to have had a family history of amyloidosis and M694F mutation in the MEFV gene compared to patients without amyloidosis. The risk of amyloidosis decreased with adequate colchicine use rather than nonadequate use (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 0.48, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.16-1.43), continuous colchicine use rather than interrupted use (adjusted OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04-0.53), earlier rather than later initiation age of colchicine treatment (adjusted OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-1.01), current colchicine rather than ever/never colchicine use (adjusted OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.89). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that colchicine treatment is effective in preventing amyloidosis among Armenian patients with FMF and that earlier initiation and continuous therapy at an adequate dose of 1.2-1.8 mg/day may be associated with a decreased amyloidosis risk among Armenian patients with FMF.