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Li P, Langer M, Vilsmaier T, Kramer M, Sciuk F, Kolbinger B, Jakob A, Rogenhofer N, Dalla-Pozza R, Thaler C, Haas NA, Oberhoffer FS. Vascular health of fathers with history of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Aging Male 2024; 27:2360529. [PMID: 38828619 DOI: 10.1080/13685538.2024.2360529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies suggest that men who undergo assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease; however, limited data on this matter is available. This observational pilot study aimed to investigate the overall vascular health of fathers with history of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) compared to fathers whose partners conceived spontaneously. METHODS Diet quality, physical activity, sedentary behavior as well as overall vascular function including the assessment of pulse wave analysis, intima-media thickness (cIMT), arterial stiffness of the common carotid artery (CCA) and blood lipids, were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 34 fathers with history of ICSI and 29 controls (48.49 [46.32 - 57.09] years vs. 47.19 [40.62 - 55.18] years, p = 0.061) were included. After adjusting for age, no significantly increased cardiovascular risk was detected regarding vascular function. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest an unaltered cardiovascular risk profile in fathers with history of ICSI. In the future, prospective multicenter studies are required to validate these preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengzhu Li
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Magdalena Langer
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Vilsmaier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marie Kramer
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franziska Sciuk
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Brenda Kolbinger
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - André Jakob
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Rogenhofer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Dalla-Pozza
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Thaler
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Alexander Haas
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Yeung EH, Trees IR, Clayton PK, Polinski KJ, Livinski AA, Putnick DL. Infertility treatment and offspring blood pressure-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2024:dmae029. [PMID: 39375871 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have inconsistently observed that children conceived by IVF or ICSI have higher blood pressure compared to children not conceived by these ARTs. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of blood pressure measures of offspring conceived by ART and those conceived naturally. Resolving the suspicion of ART as a risk factor of higher blood pressure, and therefore of heart disease, has public health and clinical implications. SEARCH METHODS A biomedical librarian searched the Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Searches were limited to records published in English since 1978. Grey literature was searched. Inclusion criteria were humans born via infertility treatment (vs no treatment) who underwent a blood pressure assessment. Exclusion criteria were non-human participants, non-quantitative studies, absence of a control group, and specialty populations (e.g. cancer patients only). Two reviewers independently screened each record's title and abstract and full text using Covidence, extracted data using Excel, and assessed bias using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Quality Assessment Tool for cohort studies. OUTCOMES Of 5082 records identified, 79 were included in the systematic review and 36 were included in the meta-analysis of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in ART and non-ART groups. Overall, 34 reports including 40 effect sizes from 25 unique cohorts, compared blood pressure between ART (N = 5229) and non-ART (N = 8509, reference) groups with no covariate adjustment. No standardized mean differences (SMD) in SBP (0.06 per SD of mmHg, 95% CI = -0.05, 0.18) or DBP (0.11, 95% CI = -0.04, 0.25) by treatment were found, but the heterogeneity was considerable (I2=76% for SBP and 87% for DBP). Adjusted analyses were presented in 12 reports, representing 28 effect sizes from 21 unique cohorts (N = 2242 treatment vs N = 37 590 non-treatment). Studies adjusted for varied covariates including maternal (e.g. age, education, body mass index, smoking, pregnancy complications), child (e.g. sex, age, physical activity, BMI, height), and birth characteristics (e.g. birth weight and gestational age). Adjusted results similarly showed no SMD for SBP (-0.03, 95% CI = -0.13, 0.08) or DBP (0.02, 95% CI = -0.12, 0.16), though heterogeneity remained high (I2 = 64% and 86%). Funnel plots indicated a slight publication bias, but the trim and fill approach suggested no missing studies. Removal of five studies which adjusted for birth outcomes (potentially over-adjusting for mediators) made no material difference. Type of treatment (e.g. IVF vs ICSI), period effects by birth year (≤2000 vs >2000), offspring age group (<8, 8-14, 15+), or study location (e.g. Europe) did not modify the results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS In conclusion, conception by ART was not associated with offspring blood pressure in a meta-analysis, although considerable heterogeneity was observed. Given the increasing number of children born using ART, perpetuating a difference in blood pressure would mean unnecessary risk screening for many children/adults on a population level. At a clinical level, couples considering these reproductive technologies have some reassurance that there is no evidence of strong vascular 'programming' due to the techniques used. REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO No. CRD42022374232.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina H Yeung
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian R Trees
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Priscilla K Clayton
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristen J Polinski
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alicia A Livinski
- National Institutes of Health Library, Office of Research Services, Office of the Director, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Diane L Putnick
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Auger N, Healy-Profitós J, Wei SQ. Assisted reproductive technology and heart defects: what's real and what's not? Eur Heart J 2024:ehae549. [PMID: 39326508 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Auger
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, 900 Saint-Denis St., Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
- Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jessica Healy-Profitós
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, 900 Saint-Denis St., Montreal, Quebec H2X 0A9, Canada
- Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shu Qin Wei
- Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, 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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Kang-Auger S, Brousseau É, Wei SQ. Pregnancy, stroke and selection bias. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024; 38:444-445. [PMID: 38385658 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13057] [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] [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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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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