1
|
Boyd A, Thomas R, Hansell AL, Gulliver J, Hicks LM, Griggs R, Vande Hey J, Taylor CM, Morris T, Golding J, Doerner R, Fecht D, Henderson J, Lawlor DA, Timpson NJ, Macleod J. Data Resource Profile: The ALSPAC birth cohort as a platform to study the relationship of environment and health and social factors. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48:1038-1039k. [PMID: 31006025 PMCID: PMC6693884 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andy Boyd
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Thomas
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Anna L Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - John Gulliver
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU), Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy Mary Hicks
- ALSPAC Original Cohort Advisory Panel (OCAP), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rebecca Griggs
- ALSPAC Original Cohort Advisory Panel (OCAP), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Joshua Vande Hey
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Tim Morris
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Rita Doerner
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Daniela Fecht
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - John Henderson
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Debbie A Lawlor
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - John Macleod
- Avon Longitudinal Study Parents and Children, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sundermann AC, Hartmann KE, Jones SH, Torstenson ES, Velez Edwards DR. Validation of maternal recall of early pregnancy medication exposure using prospective diary data. Ann Epidemiol 2016; 27:135-139.e2. [PMID: 28012836 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Data about maternal recall accuracy for classifying early pregnancy medication exposure are meager. Nonetheless, studies often rely on recall to evaluate potential impact of pharmaceuticals on the developing fetus. METHODS Right from the Start is a community-based pregnancy cohort that enrolled women from North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. A subset of 318 women participated in daily medication diaries initiated before conception (2006-2012). We examined nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as an example of a drug type that is difficult to study due to its intermittent and primarily over-the-counter use as well as its incomplete documentation in medical and pharmaceutical records. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) were assessed as a prescription medication comparator. Maternal recall of NSAID and SSRI use in early pregnancy was examined by comparing diary data (gold standard) to first-trimester interview. RESULTS Sensitivity and specificity for recall of NSAID exposure were 78.6% and 62.3%, respectively (kappa statistic: 0.41), with 72.3% agreement for exposure classification. Sensitivity and specificity for recall of SSRI exposure were 77.8% and 99.0%, respectively (kappa statistic: 0.79), with 97.8% agreement. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest the validity of maternal recall varies with medication type and prospective data collection should be prioritized when studying early pregnancy drug exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Sundermann
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Katherine E Hartmann
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sarah H Jones
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Eric S Torstenson
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Digna R Velez Edwards
- Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Institute of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shah SGS, Farrow A. Systematic Literature Review of Adverse Reproductive Outcomes Associated with Physiotherapists' Occupational Exposures to Non‐ionising Radiation. J Occup Health 2014; 56:323-31. [DOI: 10.1539/joh.13-0196-ra] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Farrow
- School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University LondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fraser A, Macdonald-Wallis C, Tilling K, Boyd A, Golding J, Davey Smith G, Henderson J, Macleod J, Molloy L, Ness A, Ring S, Nelson SM, Lawlor DA. Cohort Profile: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: ALSPAC mothers cohort. Int J Epidemiol 2013; 42:97-110. [PMID: 22507742 PMCID: PMC3600619 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dys066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1657] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary The Avon Longitudinal Study of Children and Parents (ALSPAC) was established to understand how genetic and environmental characteristics influence health and development in parents and children. All pregnant women resident in a defined area in the South West of England, with an expected date of delivery between 1st April 1991 and 31st December 1992, were eligible and 13761 women (contributing 13867 pregnancies) were recruited. These women have been followed over the last 19-22 years and have completed up to 20 questionnaires, have had detailed data abstracted from their medical records and have information on any cancer diagnoses and deaths through record linkage. A follow-up assessment was completed 17-18 years postnatal at which anthropometry, blood pressure, fat, lean and bone mass and carotid intima media thickness were assessed, and a fasting blood sample taken. The second follow-up clinic, which additionally measures cognitive function, physical capability, physical activity (with accelerometer) and wrist bone architecture, is underway and two further assessments with similar measurements will take place over the next 5 years. There is a detailed biobank that includes DNA, with genome-wide data available on >10000, stored serum and plasma taken repeatedly since pregnancy and other samples; a wide range of data on completed biospecimen assays are available. Details of how to access these data are provided in this cohort profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Fraser
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Corrie Macdonald-Wallis
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Andy Boyd
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Jean Golding
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - John Henderson
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - John Macleod
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Lynn Molloy
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Andy Ness
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Susan Ring
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Scott M Nelson
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Debbie A Lawlor
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational
Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, School of Social and Community
Medicine, University of Bristol, UK, School of Oral and Dental Sciences,
University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK and School of
Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Blair A, Thomas K, Coble J, Sandler DP, Hines CJ, Lynch CF, Knott C, Purdue MP, Zahm SH, Alavanja MCR, Dosemeci M, Kamel F, Hoppin JA, Freeman LB, Lubin JH. Impact of pesticide exposure misclassification on estimates of relative risks in the Agricultural Health Study. Occup Environ Med 2011; 68:537-41. [PMID: 21257983 PMCID: PMC3566632 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2010.059469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Agricultural Health Study (AHS) is a prospective study of licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. We evaluate the impact of occupational pesticide exposure misclassification on relative risks using data from the cohort and the AHS Pesticide Exposure Study (AHS/PES). METHODS We assessed the impact of exposure misclassification on relative risks using the range of correlation coefficients observed between measured post-application urinary levels of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and a chlorpyrifos metabolite and exposure estimates based on an algorithm from 83 AHS pesticide applications. RESULTS Correlations between urinary levels of 2,4-D and a chlorpyrifos metabolite and algorithm estimated intensity scores were about 0.4 for 2,4-D (n=64), 0.8 for liquid chlorpyrifos (n=4) and 0.6 for granular chlorpyrifos (n=12). Correlations of urinary levels with kilograms of active ingredient used, duration of application, or number of acres treated were lower and ranged from -0.36 to 0.19. These findings indicate that a priori expert-derived algorithm scores were more closely related to measured urinary levels than individual exposure determinants evaluated here. Estimates of potential bias in relative risks based on the correlations from the AHS/PES indicate that non-differential misclassification of exposure using the algorithm would bias estimates towards the null, but less than that from individual exposure determinants. CONCLUSIONS Although correlations between algorithm scores and urinary levels were quite good (ie, correlations between 0.4 and 0.8), exposure misclassification would still bias relative risk estimates in the AHS towards the null and diminish study power.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Blair
- National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza South, Room 8008, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim BM, Ha M, Park HS, Lee BE, Kim YJ, Hong YC, Kim Y, Chang N, Roh YM, Kim BN, Oh SY, Ha EH. The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Eur J Epidemiol 2009; 24:573-83. [PMID: 19629723 PMCID: PMC2744774 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-009-9370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2009] [Accepted: 07/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The MOCEH study is a prospective hospital- and community-based cohort study designed to collect information related to environmental exposures (chemical, biological, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial) during pregnancy and childhood and to examine how exposure to environmental pollutants affects growth, development, and disease. The MOCEH network includes one coordinating center, four local centers responsible for recruiting pregnant women, and four evaluation centers (a nutrition center, bio-repository center, neurocognitive development center, and environment assessment center). At the local centers, trained nurses interview the participants to gather information regarding their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, complications related to the current gestation period, health behaviors and environmental factors. These centers also collect samples of blood, placenta, urine, and breast milk. Environmental hygienists measure each participant's level of exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants during the pre- and postnatal periods. The participants are followed up through delivery and until the child is 5 years of age. The MOCEH study plans to recruit 1,500 pregnant women between 2006 and 2010 and to perform follow-up studies on their children. We expect this study to provide evidence to support the hypothesis that the gestational environment has an effect on the development of diseases during adulthood. We also expect the study results to enable evaluation of latency and age-specific susceptibility to exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants, evaluation of growth retardation focused on environmental and genetic risk factors, selection of target environmental diseases in children, development of an environmental health index, and establishment of a national policy for improving the health of pregnant women and their children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Mi Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University, 911-1 Mok 6-dong, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maconochie N, Doyle P, Prior S, Simmons R. Risk factors for first trimester miscarriage--results from a UK-population-based case-control study. BJOG 2007; 114:170-86. [PMID: 17305901 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01193.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the association between biological, behavioural and lifestyle risk factors and risk of miscarriage. DESIGN Population-based case-control study. SETTING Case-control study nested within a population-based, two-stage postal survey of reproductive histories of women randomly sampled from the UK electoral register. POPULATION Six hundred and three women aged 18-55 years whose most recent pregnancy had ended in first trimester miscarriage (<13 weeks of gestation; cases) and 6116 women aged 18-55 years whose most recent pregnancy had progressed beyond 12 weeks (controls). METHODS Women were questioned about socio-demographic, behavioural and other factors in their most recent pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE First trimester miscarriage. RESULTS After adjustment for confounding, the following were independently associated with increased risk: high maternal age; previous miscarriage, termination and infertility; assisted conception; low pre-pregnancy body mass index; regular or high alcohol consumption; feeling stressed (including trend with number of stressful or traumatic events); high paternal age and changing partner. Previous live birth, nausea, vitamin supplementation and eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily were associated with reduced risk, as were feeling well enough to fly or to have sex. After adjustment for nausea, we did not confirm an association with caffeine consumption, smoking or moderate or occasional alcohol consumption; nor did we find an association with educational level, socio-economic circumstances or working during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm that advice to encourage a healthy diet, reduce stress and promote emotional wellbeing might help women in early pregnancy (or planning a pregnancy) reduce their risk of miscarriage. Findings of increased risk associated with previous termination, stress, change of partner and low pre-pregnancy weight are noteworthy, and we recommend further work to confirm these findings in other study populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Maconochie
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Landrigan PJ, Trasande L, Thorpe LE, Gwynn C, Lioy PJ, D'Alton ME, Lipkind HS, Swanson J, Wadhwa PD, Clark EB, Rauh VA, Perera FP, Susser E. The National Children's Study: a 21-year prospective study of 100,000 American children. Pediatrics 2006; 118:2173-86. [PMID: 17079592 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006-0360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prospective, multiyear epidemiologic studies have proven to be highly effective in discovering preventable risk factors for chronic disease. Investigations such as the Framingham Heart Study have produced blueprints for disease prevention and saved millions of lives and billions of dollars. To discover preventable environmental risk factors for disease in children, the US Congress directed the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, through the Children's Health Act of 2000, to conduct the National Children's Study. The National Children's Study is hypothesis-driven and will seek information on environmental risks and individual susceptibility factors for asthma, birth defects, dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, schizophrenia, and obesity, as well as for adverse birth outcomes. It will be conducted in a nationally representative, prospective cohort of 100,000 US-born children. Children will be followed from conception to 21 years of age. Environmental exposures (chemical, physical, biological, and psychosocial) will be assessed repeatedly during pregnancy and throughout childhood in children's homes, schools, and communities. Chemical assays will be performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and banks of biological and environmental samples will be established for future analyses. Genetic material will be collected on each mother and child and banked to permit study of gene-environment interactions. Recruitment is scheduled to begin in 2007 at 7 Vanguard Sites and will extend to 105 sites across the United States. The National Children's Study will generate multiple satellite studies that explore methodologic issues, etiologic questions, and potential interventions. It will provide training for the next generation of researchers and practitioners in environmental pediatrics and will link to planned and ongoing prospective birth cohort studies in other nations. Data from the National Children's Study will guide development of a comprehensive blueprint for disease prevention in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Landrigan
- Center for Children's Health and the Environment, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. Design of exposure questionnaires for epidemiological studies. Occup Environ Med 2005; 62:272-80, 212-4. [PMID: 15778263 PMCID: PMC1740990 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2004.015206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|
10
|
Luderer U, Bushley A, Stover BD, Bremner WJ, Faustman EM, Takaro TK, Checkoway H, Brodkin CA. Effects of occupational solvent exposure on reproductive hormone concentrations and fecundability in men. Am J Ind Med 2004; 46:614-26. [PMID: 15551391 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effects of organic solvents on male reproductive health. To assess fertility and reproductive endocrine function in solvent-exposed men, we investigated time-to-pregnancy using a retrospective cohort design and cross-sectionally measured reproductive hormone concentrations in painters and millwrights compared to a reference group of carpenters. METHODS Detailed occupational, exposure, medical, and time-to-pregnancy histories were obtained by telephone interview. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Exposure indices, which summarized working life exposure to total solvents, chlorinated solvents, aromatic solvents, and thinners, degreasers, varnishes, and adhesives as a category were calculated from exposure histories. RESULTS FSH concentrations increased significantly with increasing exposure indices for all solvents and for chlorinated solvents. There were no significant associations of solvent exposure indices with LH or testosterone levels. LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations also did not differ by job title. Using Cox regression, time-to-pregnancy was non-significantly longer in the painters and millwrights than the carpenters. There was no significant association between time-to-pregnancy and any of the solvent exposure indices; however, it should be noted that some of the pregnancies occurred more than 20 years previously, potentially reducing the reliability of the retrospectively collected pregnancy and exposure data. CONCLUSIONS The significant associations between FSH levels and solvent exposure indices suggest the potential for adverse effects of solvent exposures on reproductive function in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Luderer
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92617, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maconochie N, Doyle P, Prior S. The National Women's Health Study: assembly and description of a population-based reproductive cohort. BMC Public Health 2004; 4:35. [PMID: 15298712 PMCID: PMC514555 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-4-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2004] [Accepted: 08/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Miscarriage is a common event but is remarkably difficult to measure in epidemiological studies. Few large-scale population-based studies have been conducted in the UK. Methods This was a population-based two-stage postal survey of reproductive histories of adult women living in the United Kingdom in 2001, sampled from the electronic electoral roll. In Stage 1 a short "screening" questionnaire was sent to over 60,000 randomly selected women in order to identify those aged 55 and under who had ever been pregnant or ever attempted to achieve a pregnancy, from whom a brief reproductive history was requested. Stage 2 involved a more lengthy questionnaire requesting detailed information on every pregnancy (and fertility problems), and questions relating to socio-demographic, behavioural and other factors for the most recent pregnancy in order to examine risk factors for miscarriage. Data on stillbirth, multiple birth and maternal age are compared to national data in order to assess response bias. Results The response rate was 49% for Stage 1 and 73% for the more targeted Stage 2. A total of 26,050 questionnaires were returned in Stage 1. Of the 17,748 women who were eligible on the grounds of age, 27% reported that they had never been pregnant and had never attempted to conceive a child. The remaining 13,035 women reported a total of 30,661 pregnancies. Comparison of key reproductive indicators (stillbirth and multiple birth rates and maternal age at first birth) with national statistics showed that the data look remarkably similar to the general population. Conclusions This study has enabled the assembly of a large population-based dataset of women's reproductive histories which appears unbiased compared to the general UK population and which will enable investigation of hard-to-measure outcomes such as miscarriage and infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Maconochie
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Pat Doyle
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Susan Prior
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Andersen AMN, Vastrup P, Wohlfahrt J, Andersen PK, Olsen J, Melbye M. Fever in pregnancy and risk of fetal death: a cohort study. Lancet 2002; 360:1552-6. [PMID: 12443593 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11518-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperthermia acts as a teratogen in some animals where it can induce resorption of the fetus and fetal death. Fever during pregnancy, especially in the period of embryogenesis, is also suspected as being a risk factor for fetal death in human beings. We did a large cohort study in Denmark to investigate this possibility. METHODS We interviewed 24040 women who were recruited in the first half of pregnancy to the Danish National Birth Cohort Study, and obtained information on the number of fever incidents during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. For each fever episode, the highest measured body temperature, duration of incident, and gestational age were recorded. Outcomes of pregnancies were identified through linkage with the Civil Registration System and the National Discharge Registry. Cox's regression with time-dependent variables was used to estimate the relative risk of fetal death, taking delayed entry into account. FINDINGS 1145 pregnancies resulted in a miscarriage or stillbirth (4.8%). During the first 16 pregnancy weeks 18.5% of the women experienced at least one episode of fever. However, we found no association between fever in pregnancy and fetal death before or after adjustment for known risk factors of fetal death (relative risk 0.95 [95% CI 0.80-1.13]). This finding was consistent irrespective of measured maximum temperature, duration and number of fever incidents, or the gestational time of the fever incident, and was observed for fetal death in all three trimesters of pregnancy. INTERPRETATION We found no evidence that fever in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy is associated with the risk of fetal death in clinically recognised pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Blair A, Tarone R, Sandler D, Lynch CF, Rowland A, Wintersteen W, Steen WC, Samanic C, Dosemeci M, Alavanja MCR. Reliability of reporting on life-style and agricultural factors by a sample of participants in the Agricultural Health Study from Iowa. Epidemiology 2002; 13:94-9. [PMID: 11805592 DOI: 10.1097/00001648-200201000-00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Repeat interviews from 4,088 Iowa pesticide applicators participating in the Agricultural Health Study provided the opportunity to evaluate the reliability of self-reported information on pesticide use and various demographic and life-style factors. Self-completed questionnaires were administered 1 year apart when participants returned to county agricultural extension offices for pesticide certification or training. Percentage agreement for ever-/never-use of specific pesticides and application practices was quite high, generally ranging from 70% to more than 90%, and did not vary by age, educational level, or farm size. Agreement was lower (typically 50-60%) for duration, frequency, or decade of first use of specific pesticides. Level of agreement regarding pesticide use in this population is similar to that generally found for factors typically used in epidemiologic studies such as tobacco use and higher than typically reported for diet, physical activity, and medical conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Blair
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Gentics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chase DS, Tawn EJ, Parker L, Jonas P, Parker CO, Burn J. The North Cumbria Community Genetics Project. J Med Genet 1998; 35:413-6. [PMID: 9610806 PMCID: PMC1051317 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.35.5.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the North Cumbria Community Genetics Project is to establish a store of DNA, plasma, and viable cells from a cohort of around 8000 Cumbrian infants. To meet this objective, specimens of umbilical cord blood and tissue will be collected with maternal consent from babies born at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven over a five year period from January 1996. These samples will be used in a series of genetic and epidemiological studies investigating the interaction between genes, the environment, and health. There is little population movement in West Cumbria and so it will be possible to follow many of the babies throughout their childhood and to investigate the relationship between their genetic constitution and health outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D S Chase
- Genetics Unit, Westlakes Research Institute, Moor Row, Cumbria, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|