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Walker AR, Venetis CA, Opdahl S, Chambers GM, Jorm LR, Vajdic CM. Estimating the impact of bias in causal epidemiological studies: the case of health outcomes following assisted reproduction. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:869-875. [PMID: 38509860 PMCID: PMC11063565 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Researchers interested in causal questions must deal with two sources of error: random error (random deviation from the true mean value of a distribution), and bias (systematic deviance from the true mean value due to extraneous factors). For some causal questions, randomization is not feasible, and observational studies are necessary. Bias poses a substantial threat to the validity of observational research and can have important consequences for health policy developed from the findings. The current piece describes bias and its sources, outlines proposed methods to estimate its impacts in an observational study, and demonstrates how these methods may be used to inform debate on the causal relationship between medically assisted reproduction (MAR) and health outcomes, using cancer as an example. In doing so, we aim to enlighten researchers who work with observational data, especially regarding the health effects of MAR and infertility, on the pitfalls of bias, and how to address them. We hope that, in combination with the provided example, we can convince readers that estimating the impact of bias in causal epidemiologic research is not only important but necessary to inform the development of robust health policy and clinical practice recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian R Walker
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christos A Venetis
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Signe Opdahl
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Georgina M Chambers
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health and School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa R Jorm
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Yamada R, Sachdev D, Lee R, Sauer MV, Ananth CV. Infertility treatment is associated with increased risk of postpartum hospitalization due to heart disease. J Intern Med 2024; 295:668-678. [PMID: 38403886 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of maternal mortality, but the extent to which infertility treatment is implicated in heart disease remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between infertility treatment and postpartum heart disease. METHODS We designed a retrospective cohort study of patients who delivered in the United States between 2010 and 2018. The primary outcome was hospitalization within 12-month post-delivery due to heart disease (including ischemic heart disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertensive disease, heart failure, and cardiac dysrhythmias). We estimated the rate difference (RD) of hospitalizations among patients who conceived with infertility treatment and those who conceived spontaneously. Associations were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), derived from Cox proportional hazards regression after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Infertility treatment was recorded in 0.9% (n = 287,813) of 31,339,991 deliveries. Rates of heart disease hospitalizations with infertility treatment and with spontaneous conception were 550 and 355 per 100,000, respectively (RD 195, 95% CI: 143-247; adjusted HR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.80-2.20). The most important increase in risk was observed for hypertensive disease (adjusted HR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.92-2.42). This increased risk was apparent as early as 30-day post-delivery (HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.39-1.86), with progressively increasing risk up to a year. CONCLUSIONS Although the absolute risk of postpartum heart disease hospitalization is low, infertility treatment is associated with an increased risk, especially for hypertensive disease. These findings highlight the importance of timely postpartum follow-ups in patients who received infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rei Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Devika Sachdev
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rachel Lee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mark V Sauer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cande V Ananth
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Henriksson P. Infertility treatment and cardiovascular disease: What do we know? J Intern Med 2024; 295:580-582. [PMID: 38500244 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Henriksson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Poggetti F, Schwarz G, Piano M, Gatti A, Aquilano MC, Di Como M, Protti A, Bonoldi E, Agostoni EC, Cascio Rizzo A. Intraluminal carotid thrombus leading to postpartum stroke: a case study. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1735-1739. [PMID: 38244118 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraluminal non-occlusive thrombus (ILT) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Although in most cases ILT is associated with arterial wall disorders, it has also been documented in patients with thrombophilic conditions. CASE REPORT We present a case of carotid ILT in a 38-year-old puerperal woman with pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability. Following in vitro fertilization pregnancy, she experienced acute left-sided weakness 9 days after delivery. CT angiography revealed an intraluminal filling defect in the right carotid bulb, suggestive of a thrombus, along with ipsilateral MCA sub-occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed, achieving complete vessel recanalization without any endovascular intervention on the carotid ILT. Comprehensive evaluation excluded any underlying carotid vessel wall disease (such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases, arterial dissection, focal dysplasia), inherited or acquired thrombophilia, and the sole prothrombotic risk factor identified was the puerperium. Histological thrombus analysis showed fibrin/platelet-rich material with significant macrophage infiltration (consistent with an intermediate/organized thrombus, suggesting potential embolization from a pre-existing carotid ILT). Anti-thrombotic treatment (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg and enoxaparin 6000 UI) resulted in complete thrombus resolution at follow-up. CONCLUSION ILT should be considered a potential case of embolic stroke in pregnancy or puerperium. Vessel imaging is essential for diagnosis. Histological thrombus analysis can provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Poggetti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Ghil Schwarz
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Piano
- Department of Neuroradiology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Gatti
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Costanza Aquilano
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Di Como
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Protti
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Bonoldi
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Clemente Agostoni
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Cascio Rizzo
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy.
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Dayan N, Udell JA. Vascular health after assisted reproduction: A stroke of bad luck? Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024; 38:202-203. [PMID: 38410021 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Dayan
- Department of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacob A Udell
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Magnus MC, Håberg SE, Rönö K, Romundstad LB, Bergh C, Spangmose AL, Pinborg A, Gissler M, Wennerholm UB, Opdahl S. Risk of stroke the year following a delivery after using assisted reproductive technologies. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024; 38:197-201. [PMID: 38156709 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies indicate that individuals who deliver after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent large study from the U.S. showed a higher risk of stroke during the first year after delivery. OBJECTIVES To compare the risk of stroke during the first year after delivery according to the use of ART in the Nordic countries. METHODS Registry-based cohort study using nationwide data from Denmark (1994-2014), Finland (1990-2014), Norway (1984-2015) and Sweden (1985-2015). Data on ART conception were available from ART quality registries and/or Medical Birth Registries (MBRs). National data on stroke were available from hospital and cause-of-death registries. The risk of stroke during the first year after delivery was estimated with Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusting for age, calendar year of delivery, multiple births, and country. RESULTS A total of 2,659,272 primiparous individuals had a registered delivery in the MBRs during the study period, and 91,466 (4%) of these gave birth after ART. We observed no overall increased risk of stroke during the first year after delivery among individuals conceiving after ART (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.10, 95% CI 0.77, 1.57). Similarly, there was no convincing evidence that the short-term risk of stroke was higher within 1, 2, 3, or 6 months after delivery, with adjusted HRs ranging between 1.23 and 1.33 and confidence intervals including the null value for all time periods. A secondary analysis also including multiparous individuals (n = 3,335,478) at the start of follow-up yielded similar findings. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of an increased short-term risk of stroke among individuals who delivered after using ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristiina Rönö
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anne Lærke Spangmose
- Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Pinborg
- Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mika Gissler
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Region Stockholm, Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Signe Opdahl
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
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Kang-Auger S, Brousseau É, Wei SQ. Pregnancy, stroke and selection bias. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024. [PMID: 38385658 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarit Kang-Auger
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Émilie Brousseau
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shu Qin Wei
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Nezhat C, Khoyloo F, Tsuei A, Armani E, Page B, Rduch T, Nezhat C. The Prevalence of Endometriosis in Patients with Unexplained Infertility. J Clin Med 2024; 13:444. [PMID: 38256580 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis, a systemic ailment, profoundly affects various aspects of life, often eluding detection for over a decade. This leads to enduring issues such as chronic pain, infertility, emotional strain, and potential organ dysfunction. The prolonged absence of diagnosis can contribute to unexplained obstetric challenges and fertility issues, necessitating costly and emotionally taxing treatments. While biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis, emerging noninvasive screening methods are gaining prominence. These tests can indicate endometriosis in cases of unexplained infertility, offering valuable insights to patients and physicians managing both obstetric and non-obstetric conditions. In a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 215 patients aged 25 to 45 with unexplained infertility, diagnostic laparoscopy was performed after unsuccessful reproductive technology attempts. Pathology results revealed tissue abnormalities in 98.6% of patients, with 90.7% showing endometriosis, confirmed by the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma. The study underscores the potential role of endometriosis in unexplained infertility cases. Although the study acknowledges selection bias, a higher than previously reported prevalence suggests evaluating endometriosis in patients who have not responded to previous reproductive interventions may be justified. Early detection holds significance due to associations with ovarian cancer, prolonged fertility drug use, pregnancy complications, and elevated post-delivery stroke risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camran Nezhat
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA 94061, USA
| | - Farrah Khoyloo
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA 94061, USA
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Angie Tsuei
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA 94061, USA
| | - Ellie Armani
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA 94061, USA
| | - Barbara Page
- Camran Nezhat Institute, Center for Special Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, Woodside, CA 94061, USA
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Thomas Rduch
- Laboratory for Particles Biology Interactions, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen (KSSG), CH-9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Ceana Nezhat
- Nezhat Medical Center, Atlanta Center for Special Minimally Invasive Surgery and Reproductive Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA
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