Are migrants during the periconception period less likely to be supplementing with folic acid: An Australian cohort study

BACKGROUND

Folic acid (FA) supplementation before and in early pregnancy is known to improve outcomes such as reducing neural tube defects; however, little is known about groups in Australia at risk of low FA use.

AIM

To determine whether differences exist in FA supplementation rates between Australian-born women and migrant women, with a secondary aim of examining the sociodemographic characteristics of women who are not supplementing with FA in early pregnancy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study from January 2018-July 2022 in a high-migrant population in Western Sydney, Australia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted adjusting for confounders including place of birth, age, ethnicity, parity, history of diabetes, and type of conception.

FINDINGS

There were 48,045 women who met inclusion criteria; 65% of whom were migrants. We identified that 39.4% of the study population did not report FA supplementation by early pregnancy. Women who were migrants were more likely to report FA usage than those born in Australia (aOR 1.24; 95%CI 1.17-1.31). Women least likely to report use of FA were women < 20 years of age (aOR 0.54; 95%CI 0.44-0.67) and multiparous women (aOR 0.84; 95%CI 0.82-0.86). Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were more likely to report FA use (aOR 1.66; 95%CI 1.11-2.48, aOR 1.30; 95%CI 1.05-1.61).

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of the population did not report FA supplementation before or during early pregnancy. To increase uptake of FA supplementation, clinicians and public health messaging should target at-risk groups.

Sexually transmitted infections: Prevalence and clinical outcomes among pregnant women in Western Sydney

OBJECTIVE

We report the prevalence, characteristics and clinical outcomes of women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) serving a large culturally and socio-economically diverse community in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, over the last 10 years.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of all pregnant women booked for antenatal care at three hospitals in WSLHD between September 2012 and August 2022 inclusive. Characteristics and birth outcomes associated with STIs diagnosed in pregnancy (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) are reported using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

During 2012-2022, there were 102 905 births and 451 women (0.44%) with an STI diagnosis during pregnancy. The number of women with a history of chlamydia prior to their current pregnancy has increased over the last 10 years (P < 0.001). STIs in pregnancy were more common in younger women aged <20 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.04-10.57), 20-24 years (aOR 3.12, 95% CI 2.46-3.96), and >40 years (adj OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.07-2.59), in women with body mass index >30 (aOR 1.73, 95%CI 1.37-2.19), and those who smoked (aOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.71-2.94) and consumed alcohol (aOR 3.14, 95% CI 1.88-5.23) and illicit drugs (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31-3.36). STIs in pregnancy were borderline associated with stillbirth (aOR 2.19 95% CI 0.90-5.36) but did not have a significant impact on preterm birth (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 0.87-1.68), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77-1.34), or having a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.74-1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic factors such as age, weight, smoking, and alcohol and drug use, were associated with the STI incidence in pregnancy. While the latter did not have an impact on preterm birth, NICU admission, and SGA in our cohort, there was a borderline association with stillbirth. Future research should identify barriers and facilitators to testing in a multicultural population and understanding the drivers of higher rates of STIs in certain population groups.

Together is better - RibScore and SCARF in the prediction of pulmonary complications and association with SSRF

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment of patients with rib fractures requires identification of those patients at risk of pulmonary complications. It is also important to determine which patients would benefit from Surgical Stabilisation of Rib Fractures (SSRF). This study aims to validate two scoring systems (RibScore and SCARF score) in predicting complications and association with SSRF in an Australian trauma population. Clinical observation suggests that complications and criteria for SSRF is associated with anatomical and physiological factors. Therefore it is hypothesized that utilisation of an anatomical (RibScore) and physiological (SCARF) in conjunction will have improved predictive ability.

METHOD

Retrospective cohort study of rib fracture patients admitted to an Australian Level I trauma centre from Jan 2017 to Jan 2021. RibScore and SCARF score were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors associated with complications and SSRF, as well the scoring systems' ability via ROC AUC.

RESULTS

1157 patients were included. Higher median RibScore (1vs0; p < 0.001) and SCARF score (3vs1, p < 0.001) was associated with development of complications. Similarly for SSRF, RibScore (3vs0; p < 0.001), SCARF score (3vs1; p < 0.001) were higher. On multivariate analysis, increasing RibScore and SCARF score were associated with an increased risk of respiratory failure, pneumonia, death, and SSRF. The sensitivity for a patient with a high risk score in either RibScore or SCARF increased to 96.3 % in identifying pulmonary complications (from 66.7 % in RibScore and 88 % in SCARF, when used individually) and 91.9 % in identifying association with SSRF (from 86.5 % in RibScore and 70.3 % in SCARF).

CONCLUSION

RibScore and SCARF score demonstrate predictive ability for complications and SSRF in an Australian trauma rib fracture population. Combining a radiological score with a clinical scoring system demonstrates improved sensitivity over each score individually for identifying patients at risk of complications from rib fractures, those who may require SSRF, and those who are low risk.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective Cohort Study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Temperature probe placement in very preterm infants during delivery room stabilization: an open-label randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Variation in practice exists for temperature probe positioning during stabilization of very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation). We explored the influence of temperature probe sites on thermoregulation.

METHODS

An open-label, stratified, balanced, parallel, randomized trial was conducted. Inborn infants were randomly assigned temperature probe to the axilla or to the upper back. The primary outcome was normothermia (local range: 36.8-37.3 °C and World Health Organization (WHO) range: 36.5-37.5 °C) at admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

RESULTS

Between 1 November 2018 and 4 July 2022, 178 infants were randomly assigned to one of the two sites (n = 89 each), 175 included in the final analysis. Normothermia (local range) was achieved for 39/87 infants (44.8%) assigned to the upper back compared to 28/88 infants (31.8%) assigned to the axilla [risk difference:13%; 95% CI -1.3-27.3]. Normothermia (WHO range) was achieved for 78/87 infants (89.7%) assigned to the upper back compared to 70/88 infants (79.6%) assigned to the axilla [risk difference:10.1%; 95% CI -0.5-20.7]. No infant recorded temperatures >38 °C or developed skin injury.

CONCLUSIONS

In very preterm infants, upper back site was equally effective as the axilla in maintaining normothermia, with no increase in adverse events.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000293965).

IMPACT

Substantial variation in practice exists for the site of securing a temperature probe during delivery room stabilization of very preterm infants and the influence of temperature probe site on thermoregulation remains unknown. In this study, upper back site was equally effective as the axilla in maintaining normothermia, with no increase in adverse events. Clinicians could adopt upper back site for maintaining normothermia. This study may contribute data to future international participant data prospective meta analysis of randomized controlled trials worldwide on temperature probe positioning in very preterm infants, increasing translation of research findings to optimize thermoregulation and clinical outcomes.

A streamlined multidisciplinary metabolic clinic in psychiatric recovery service: a pilot study

Background

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes, that includes central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia. An audit indicated inadequate MetS screening in an Australian psychiatric recovery service.

Objectives

We aimed to improve MetS screening, identification and intervention by offering streamlined lifestyle education, clinical reviews and discharge planning. This pilot program prioritized holistic, culturally-sensitive, patient-centric, and trauma-informed approaches to enhance metabolic health outcomes.

Methods

A Metabolic Clinic was piloted in two psychiatric rehabilitation cottages (n=35), which involved disciplines of dietetics, exercise physiology, diversional therapy, occupational therapy, peer workforce, social work, clinical psychology, pharmacy, nursing and medical. Another cottage (n=15) was assigned as the comparison and received standard care. A 12-week, 3-times-per-week lifestyle and behavioral program, called MetFit, was devised and offered to those identified at screening for the treatment cottages. Outcome measures were feasibility measures, the five metabolic parameters (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose), functional measures, and a meal questionnaire.

Results

The treatment cottages had qualitative advantages in screening and identifying MetS. Of four enrolled consumers in MetFit, an improvement of triglycerides (p=0.08), squats (p=0.02), and push-ups (p=0.07) was observed. Major challenges of enrolment included an overall lack of acknowledgment of its importance, poor motivation of consumers and resources limitation.

Conclusions

The one-stop provision of groups, peer support and inpatient pathway with multidisciplinary team-integration was generally accepted by consumers and the MDT and has iteratively demonstrated the urgent need for consumer-centered physical care and a cultural shift to foster collaboration within a psychiatric service.

Altered left atrial metrics in patients with cryptogenic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is no defined cause for cryptogenic stroke/embolic stroke of undetermined source (CS-ESUS). As atrial fibrillation (AF) develops in a significant proportion of these patients, it has been suggested that left atrial (LA) myopathy may predispose to CS-ESUS. We investigated alterations in echocardiographic measures of LA size and function in patients with CS-ESUS.

METHODS

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and SCOPUS were searched for articles published between 1 January 1990 and 10 February 2023. All observational studies of adult CS-ESUS patients with LA volume or function measurements performed by transthoracic echocardiogram were included. Individual random effects meta-analyses were performed on LA measurements in the CS-ESUS patients using subgroup analysis of comparator groups.

RESULTS

We included 29 articles with 3927 CS-ESUS patients. Analysis of weighted mean differences showed CS-ESUS patients had altered LA structure and function parameters, with a larger maximum indexed LA volume, reduced LA emptying fraction and/or LA reservoir strain, compared to healthy controls and noncardioembolic stroke patients. Conversely, CS-ESUS patients had a smaller left atrium with better function, compared to cardioembolic stroke patients and CS-ESUS patients who subsequently developed atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

LA volume and function are altered in CS-ESUS patients compared to healthy controls and other stroke aetiologies. An underlying atrial myopathy in a subset of CS-ESUS patients may be involved in both thrombogenesis and dysrhythmia (specifically AF). While LA functional assessment is not currently recommended following stroke, it may offer an opportunity for recurrent stroke risk stratification.

Examining the clinical effectiveness of continuation and maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

There are few studies that examine the effectiveness of Continuation/Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy (C/M-ECT) in schizophrenia, despite the documented effectiveness of acute ECT treatment. We aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of C/M-ECT for in-patients with Schizophrenia in a naturalistic setting. We examined the medical records of 46 in-patients who were diagnosed with Schizophrenia and had received C/M-ECT belonging to non-acute extended care service in a public psychiatry hospital in Sydney, Australia. The focus of analysis was on 138 treatment cycles (71 acute only cycles and 67 acute-continuation/maintenance cycles) across 45 subjects. A linear mixed effects model was used to describe the change in clinical global impression-severity (CGI-S) over time 4 time points viz., pre-post acute and pre-post continuation/maintenance ECT.

RESULTS

Acute-only cycles and acute-continuation/maintenance cycles had identical pre- (M = 5, C.I. = 4-6), post-cycle CGI-S scores, and identical CGI-S difference scores (M = 0, C.I. = -1 - 1). Broadly in each continuation/maintenance cycle, we observed an initial sharp decrease in CGI-S scores followed by a logarithmic increase in scores over time, with satisfactory CGI-S score maintenance observed for approximately 6 months. Bitemporal ECT influenced CGI-S across maintenance ECT (p < 0.05) indicating smaller declines in CGI-S scores over time.

CONCLUSION

In schizophrenia, C/M ECT preserves effects on illness severity for at least upto 6 months following an acute course of ECT. Bitemporal ECT vis a vis other electrode positions differentiated clinical severity over time.

Previous High-Intensity Breastfeeding Lowers the Risk of an Abnormal Fasting Glucose in a Subsequent Pregnancy Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Breastfeeding is associated with reduced lifetime cardiometabolic risk, but little is known regarding the metabolic benefit in a subsequent pregnancy. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and intensity and next pregnancy oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from March 2020 to October 2022. All multiparous women who met inclusion criteria and gave birth during the study period were eligible for inclusion. Analysis was stratified by risk for gestational diabetes (GDM). High GDM risk criteria included previous GDM and BMI > 35 kg/m2. The association between breastfeeding duration and high-intensity breastfeeding (HIBF) and subsequent pregnancy OGTT were assessed with multivariate logistic models adjusted for statistically and clinically relevant covariables. There were 5374 multiparous participants who met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these, 61.7% had previously breastfed for >6 months, and 43.4% were at high risk for GDM. HIBF was associated with 47% reduced odds of an abnormal fasting glucose in a subsequent pregnancy OGTT (aOR 0.53; 95%CI 0.38-0.75; p < 0.01). There was no association between HIBF and other glucose results on the OGTT. Women who smoked were least likely to breastfeed at high intensity (aOR 0.31; 95%CI 0.21-0.47; p < 0.01). South Asian women had 65% higher odds of HIBF than women who identified as White/European (aOR 1.65; 1.36-2.00; p < 0.01). This study highlights the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to potentially reduce the prevalence of GDM and may also translate into long-term reduction of cardiometabolic risk.

A novel tool for case selection in endoscopic mucosal resection training

BACKGROUND

 As endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large (≥ 20 mm) adenomatous nonpedunculated colonic polyps (LNPCPs) becomes widely practiced outside expert centers, appropriate training is necessary to avoid failed resection and inappropriate surgical referral. No EMR-specific tool guides case selection for endoscopists learning EMR. This study aimed to develop an EMR case selection score (EMR-CSS) to identify potentially challenging lesions for "EMR-naïve" endoscopists developing competency.

METHODS

 Consecutive EMRs were recruited from a single center over 130 months. Lesion characteristics, intraprocedural data, and adverse events were recorded. Challenging lesions with intraprocedural bleeding (IPB), intraprocedural perforation (IPP), or unsuccessful resection were identified and predictive variables identified. Significant variables were used to form a numerical score and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to generate cutoff values.

RESULTS

 Of 1993 LNPCPs, 286 (14.4 %) were in challenging locations (anorectal junction, ileocecal valve, or appendiceal orifice), 368 (18.5 %) procedures were complicated by IPB and 77 (3.9 %) by IPP; 110 (5.5 %) procedures were unsuccessful. The composite end point of IPB, IPP, or unsuccessful EMR was present in 526 cases (26.4 %). Lesion size, challenging location, and sessile morphology were predictive of the composite outcome. A six-point score was generated with a cutoff value of 2 demonstrating 81 % sensitivity across the training and validation cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

 The EMR-CSS is a novel case selection tool for conventional EMR training, which identifies a subset of adenomatous LNPCPs that can be successfully and safely attempted in early EMR training.

Investigating short-stay admission to a neonatal intensive care unit as a risk factor for reduced breast feeding at discharge in infants ≥36 weeks' gestation: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the effect of infant-mother separation following a short-stay (≤72 hours) admission to a Level 5 neonatal unit versus no admission on infant-feeding outcomes at hospital discharge.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

An Australian Level 5 neonatal unit within a tertiary referral hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Mothers and their infants born between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 had a short-stay admission to the neonatal unit or no admission. All participants met admission criteria to the postnatal ward and were discharged home at ≤72 hours (n=12 540). Postnatal ward admission criteria included ≥36 weeks' gestation and birth weight ≥2.2 kg.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Infant feeding at discharge from hospital. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for confounders associated with known breastfeeding issues. These included age, ethnicity, parity, obesity, socioeconomic score, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes, infant gestation and birthweight centile, caesarean section birth, postpartum haemorrhage and skin-to-skin contact.

RESULTS

Of the 12 540 live births meeting inclusion criteria, 1000 (8%) infants were admitted to the neonatal unit. The primary reasons for admission were suspicion of sepsis (24%), maternal diabetes (19%) and jaundice (16%). We found a reduction in full breast feeding at hospital discharge in cases of a short admission to the neonatal unit compared with no admission (aOR 0.40; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.47; p<0.001). We identified that women of different ethnicities had differing levels of risk for formula supplementation at hospital discharge. The ethnic grouping least likely to be fully breast feeding at discharge was Southeast Asian women (aOR 0.47; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.57; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying mother-infant dyads at risk of non-exclusive breast feeding at hospital discharge will help target resources for practice improvement.

Variations in indexation of left atrial volume across different races

Background

Left atrial volume (LAV) has prognostic value. Guidelines propose indexation to body surface area (BSA), however studies demonstrate this can overcorrect for body size. Limited studies investigate indexation across different ethnicities. We sought to evaluate the effect of ethnicity on indexation.

Methods

Using data from the World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) cohort, healthy subjects were classified by race as White, Black, Asian, or Other. Biplane LAV was indexed to traditional isometric measurements (BSA, height, weight, ideal body weight (IBW) and IBW derived BSA (IBSA)), as well as previously-derived allometric height exponents (2.7 and 1.72). Additionally, an allometric height exponent for our cohort was derived (linear regression of the logarithmic transformation of LAV = a(height)b) as 1.87. All indices were then assessed using Spearman correlation, with a good index retaining correlation of LAV/index to raw LAV (r∼1), while avoiding overcorrection by the index (r∼0).

Results

There were 1366 subjects (White: 524, Black: 149, Asian: 523, Other: 170; median age 44 years, 653 females (47.8%)). In the entire group, BSA, IBSA, height1.87 and height1.72 performed well with retaining correlation to raw LAV (r > 0.9 for all), and minimising overcorrection to body size (r < 0.1 for all). On race-specific analysis, BSA overcorrected for body size in the White population (r = 0.128). Height1.72 minimised overcorrection for body size in all populations (r ≤ 0.1 for all races).

Conclusion

Despite a cohort with normal BMI, there was still disparity in LAV indexation with BSA across races. Allometric height indexation, particularly using height1.72, is a possible solution, although further validation studies in BMI extremes are required.

Role of a radiopaque agent and surveillance radiographs for peripherally inserted central catheters in newborn infants

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding the use of a radiopaque agent to identify peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip positions in newborn infants and of serial radiography to monitor PICC tip migration.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles of (1) the injection of a radiopaque agent to identify PICC tip position and (2) the performance of weekly radiography to monitor PICC migration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective single-centre cohort study included newborn infants who received a PICC between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020. A radiopaque agent was injected to identify PICC tip position and radiographs were performed weekly to detect PICC migration.

RESULTS

We identified 676 PICC episodes in 601 infants. A radiopaque agent was used for 590 of these episodes. There was no difference in the proportion of central PICC tip positions based on radiopaque agent use status (490/590, 83% for the radiopaque agent used group versus 73/85, 85.8% for the radiopaque agent not used group, P=0.51). Irrespective of the site of PICC insertion, outward migration was observed for most centrally placed PICCs over their entire in situ duration. Inward migration was identified in 23 out of 643 PICC episodes (3.6%) only on radiographs obtained on or before day 7. Based on serial radiographs, the odds for PICC tips remaining in a central position were lower the longer the PICC remained in situ (adjusted odds ratio-OR 0.93; 95% confidence interval 0.92-0.95). There was no difference in PICC migration between side and limb of insertion.

CONCLUSION

PICC tips can be identified without injection of a radiopaque agent. Serial radiographs identified PICC migration over the in situ duration. This study has implications for reducing exposure to a radiopaque agent and ongoing migration surveillance practices.

Late first-trimester ultrasound findings can alter management after high-risk NIPT result

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of detailed late first-trimester ultrasound (LFTU) on the positive predictive value (PPV) of a high-risk non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) result for various chromosomal abnormalities.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all cases undergoing invasive prenatal testing from three tertiary providers of obstetric ultrasound over 4 years, each using NIPT as a first-line screening test. Data were collected from pre-NIPT ultrasound, NIPT, LFTU, placental serology and later ultrasound examinations. Prenatal testing for chromosomal abnormalities was performed by microarray, initially using array comparative genomic hybridization and then single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for the last 2 years. Uniparental disomy testing was performed by SNP array during all 4 years. The majority of NIPT tests were analyzed using the Illumina platform, initially confined to the assessment of the common autosomal trisomies, sex chromosome aneuploidies and rare autosomal trisomies (RAT), then extending to genome-wide analysis for the last 2 years.

RESULTS

Amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed on 2657 patients, 1352 (51%) of whom had undergone prior NIPT, with 612 (45%) of these returning a high-risk result and meeting the inclusion criteria for the study. LFTU findings significantly affected the PPV of the NIPT result for trisomies 13 (T13), 18 (T18) and 21 (T21), monosomy X (MX) and RAT but not for the other sex chromosomal abnormalities or segmental imbalances (> 7 Mb). Abnormal LFTU increased the PPV close to 100% for T13, T18, T21, MX and RAT. The magnitude of the change in PPV was highest for the most severe chromosomal abnormalities. When LFTU was normal, the incidence of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) was highest in those with a high-risk NIPT result for T13, followed by T18 and T21. After normal LFTU, the PPV for T21, T18, T13 and MX decreased to 68%, 57%, 5% and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LFTU after a high-risk NIPT result can alter the PPV for many chromosomal abnormalities, assisting counseling regarding invasive prenatal testing and pregnancy management. The high PPVs of NIPT for T21 and T18 are not sufficiently modified by normal LFTU findings to alter management. These at-risk patients should be offered CVS for earlier diagnosis, particularly given the low rate of CPM associated with these aneuploidies. Patients with a high-risk NIPT result for T13 and normal LFTU findings often wait for amniocentesis or avoid invasive testing altogether given the low PPV and higher rate of CPM in this context. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Neurofeedback for post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and neurophysiological outcomes

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Existing treatments often fail to address the complexity of its symptoms and functional impairments resulting from severe and prolonged trauma. Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback (NFB) has emerged as a promising treatment that aims to reduce the symptoms of PTSD by modulating brain activity.Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of ten clinical trials to answer the question: how effective is NFB in addressing PTSD and other associated symptoms across different trauma populations, and are these improvements related to neurophysiological changes?Method: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta analyses guidelines. We considered all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSIs) involving adults with PTSD as a primary diagnosis without exclusion by type of trauma, co-morbid diagnosis, locality, or sex. Ten controlled studies were included; seven RCTs and three NRSIs with a total number of participants n = 293 (128 male). Only RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (215 participants; 88 male).Results: All included studies showed an advantage of NFB over control conditions in reducing symptoms of PTSD, with indications of improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression and related neurophysiological changes. Meta-analysis of the pooled data shows a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms post-treatment SMD of -1.76 (95% CI -2.69, -0.83), and the mean remission rate was higher in the NFB group (79.3%) compared to the control group (24.4%). However, the studies reviewed were mostly small, with heterogeneous populations and varied quality.Conclusions: The effect of NFB on the symptoms of PTSD was moderate and mechanistic evidence suggested that NFB leads to therapeutic changes in brain functioning. Future research should focus on more rigorous methodological designs, expanded sample size and longer follow-up.

Efficacy of beetroot juice on reducing blood pressure in hypertensive adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (BEET-PKD): study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in part, contributes to early-onset hypertension. Beetroot juice (BRJ) reduces blood pressure (BP) by increasing NO-mediated vasodilation. The aim of this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study is to test the hypothesis that BRJ reduces systolic and diastolic clinic BP in hypertensive adults with ADPKD.

METHODS

Participants with ADPKD and treated hypertension (n = 60) will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive a daily dose of either nitrate-replete (400 mg nitrate/day) or nitrate-deplete BRJ for 4 weeks. The co-primary outcomes are change in mean systolic and diastolic clinic BP before and after 4 weeks of treatment with daily BRJ. Secondary outcomes are changes in daily home BP, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, serum and salivary nitrate/nitrite levels and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels before and after 4 weeks of BRJ.

DISCUSSION

The effect of BRJ in ADPKD has not been previously tested. BRJ is an accessible, natural dietary supplement that, if effective, will provide a novel adjunctive approach for treating hypertension in ADPKD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05401409. Retrospectively registered on 27th May 2022.

Indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on risk of gestational diabetes and factors contributing to increased risk in a multiethnic population: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has had indirect effects on pregnancy outcomes. There is limited data on the impact on gestational diabetes (GDM) in diverse populations and the possible underlying mediators. This study aimed to assess the risk of GDM pre-COVID-19 and in two distinct pandemic exposure periods, and to determine the potential factors contributing to increased risk in a multiethnic population.

METHODS

A multicentre, retrospective cohort study was performed of women with singleton pregnancy receiving antenatal care at three hospitals two years pre-COVID-19 (January 2018 - January 2020), first year of COVID-19 with limited pandemic-mitigating restrictions (February 2020 - January 2021) and second year of COVID-19 with stringent restrictions (February 2021 - January 2022). Baseline maternal characteristics and gestational weight gain (GWG) were compared between cohorts. The primary outcome was GDM, assessed using univariate and multivariate generalised estimating equations models.

RESULTS

28,207 pregnancies met the inclusion criteria, 14,663 pregnancies two years pre-COVID-19, 6,890 in COVID-19 Year 1 and 6,654 in COVID-19 Year 2. Maternal age increased across exposure periods (30.7 ± 5.0 years pre-COVID-19 vs 31.0 ± 5.0 years COVID-19 Year 1 vs 31.3 ± 5 years COVID-19 Year 2; p < 0.001). There were increases in pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (25.5 ± 5.7 kg/m² vs 25.7 ± 5.6 kg/m² vs 26.1 ± 5.7 kg/m²; p < 0.001), proportion who were obese (17.5% vs 18.1% vs 20.7%; p < 0.001) and proportion with other traditional risk factors for GDM including South Asian ethnicity and prior history of GDM. Rate of GWG and proportion exceeding recommended GWG increased with pandemic exposure (64.3% vs 66.0% vs 66.6%; p = 0.009). GDM diagnosis increased across exposure periods (21.2% vs 22.9% vs 24.8%; p < 0.001). Both pandemic exposure periods were associated with increased risk of GDM on univariate analysis, only COVID-19 Year 2 remaining significantly associated after adjusting for maternal baseline characteristics and GWG (OR 1.17 [1.06, 1.28], p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of GDM increased with pandemic exposure. Progressive sociodemographic changes and greater GWG may have contributed to increased risk. However, exposure to the second year of COVID-19 remained independently associated with GDM after adjusting for shifts in maternal characteristics and GWG.

Does midwifery continuity of care make a difference to women with perinatal mental health conditions: A cohort study, from Australia

BACKGROUND

Perinatal mental health (PMH) conditions are associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes including preterm birth. Midwifery caseload group practice (continuity of care, MCP) improves perinatal outcomes including a 24 % reduction of preterm birth. The evidence is unclear whether MCP has the same effect for women with perinatal mental health conditions.

AIM

To compare perinatal outcomes in women with a mental health history between MCP and standard models of maternity care. The primary outcome measured the rates of preterm birth.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study using routinely collected data of women with PMH conditions between 1st January 2018 - 31st January 2021 was conducted. We compared characteristics and outcomes between groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed adjusting for a-priori selected variables and factors that differ between models of care.

RESULTS

The cohort included 3028 women with PMH, 352 (11.6 %) received MCP. The most common diagnosis was anxiety and depression (n = 723, 23.9 %). Women receiving MCP were younger (mean 30.9 vs 31.3, p = 0.03), Caucasian (37.8 vs 27.1, p < 0.001), socio-economically advantaged (31.0 % vs 20.2, p < 0.001); less likely to smoke (5.1 vs 11.9, p < 0.001) and with lower BMI (mean 24.3 vs 26.5, p < 0.001) than those in the standard care group. Women in MCP had lower odds of preterm birth (adjOR 0.46, 95 % CI 0.24-0.86), higher odds of vaginal birth (adjOR 2.55, 95 % CI 1.93-3.36), breastfeeding at discharge (adj OR 3.06, 95 % CI 2.10-4.55) with no difference in severe adverse neonatal outcome (adj OR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.57-1.09).

CONCLUSIONS

This evidence supports MCP for women with PMH. Future RCTs on model of care for this group of women is needed to establish causation.

The Surface Morphology of Large Nonpedunculated Colonic Polyps Predicts Synchronous Large Lesions

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Large (≥20 mm) nonpedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) may have synchronous LNPCPs in up to 18% of cases. The nature of this relationship has not been investigated. We aimed to examine the relationship between individual LNPCP characteristics and synchronous colonic LNPCPs.

METHODS

Consecutive patients referred for resection of LNPCPs over 130 months until March 2022 were enrolled. Serrated lesions and mixed granularity LNPCPs were excluded from analysis. Patients with multiple LNPCPs resected were identified, and the largest was labelled as dominant. The primary outcome was the identification of individual lesion characteristics associated with the presence of synchronous LNPCPs.

RESULTS

There were 3149 of 3381 patients (93.1%) who had a single LNPCP. In 232 (6.9%) a synchronous lesion was detected. Solitary lesions had a median size of 35 mm with a predominant Paris 0-IIa morphology (42.9%) and right colon location (59.5%). In patients with ≥2 LNPCPs, the dominant lesion had a median size of 40 mm, Paris 0-IIa (47.6%) morphology, and right colon location (65.9%). In this group, 35.8% of dominant LNPCPs were non-granular compared with 18.7% in the solitary LNPCP cohort. Non-granular (NG)-LNPCPs were more likely to demonstrate synchronous disease, with left colon NG-LNPCPs demonstrating greater risk (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.95-7.73) than right colon NG-LNPCPs (odds ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-2.86).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that 6.9% of LNPCPs have synchronous disease, with NG-LNPCPs demonstrating a greater than 4-fold increased risk. With post-colonoscopy interval cancers exceeding 5%, endoscopists must be cognizant of an individual's LNPCP phenotype when examining the colon at both index procedure and surveillance.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov, NCT01368289; NCT02000141; NCT02198729.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women and the reasons for hesitancy: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

On 9 June 2021, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommended that pregnant women receive Comirnaty (Pfizer) messenger RNA vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

AIM

This multi-centre study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, reasons for hesitancy and determine if differences exist between health districts, to inform future policy strategies for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An online survey (developed based on the World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers survey and modified for the pregnant population) was administered to a sample population of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at two metropolitan hospitals (Westmead and Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH)) in New South Wales between 15 September 2021 and 22 October 2021.

RESULTS

There were 287 pregnant women surveyed (Westmead 198 (69%), RNSH 66 (23%), no site 23 (8%)). There was a significantly lower Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas score (5.66 vs 9.45, P = 0.001), fewer women born in Australia (37% vs 53%, P = 0.02) and higher number of children (0.77 vs 0.41, P = 0.01) among Westmead respondents. There was lower vaccination uptake (68% vs 86%, P = 0.01) and willingness to receive vaccine (68% vs 88% P = 0.01) at Westmead compared to RNSH. There was an increased proportion of respondents who were concerned that the vaccine could cause harm to the unborn baby at Westmead (38% vs 11%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Along with healthcare provider recommendation for vaccination in pregnancy, materials should be targeted to specific safety concerns of pregnant women.

Investigating service delivery and perinatal outcomes during the low prevalence first year of COVID-19 in a multiethnic Australian population: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal outcomes in an Australian high migrant and low COVID-19 prevalent population to identify if COVID-19 driven health service changes and societal influences impact obstetric and perinatal outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study with pre COVID-19 period 1 January 2018-31 January 2020, and first year of global COVID-19 period 1 February 2020-31 January 2021. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted adjusting for confounders including age, area-level socioeconomic status, gestation, parity, ethnicity and body mass index.

SETTING

Obstetric population attending three public hospitals including a major tertiary referral centre in Western Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who delivered with singleton pregnancies over 20 weeks gestation. Ethnically diverse women, 66% overseas born. There were 34 103 births in the district that met inclusion criteria: before COVID-19 n=23 722, during COVID-19 n=10 381.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Induction of labour, caesarean section delivery, iatrogenic and spontaneous preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), composite neonatal adverse outcome and full breastfeeding at hospital discharge.

RESULTS

During the first year of COVID-19, there was no change for induction of labour (adjusted OR, aOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.02, p=0.26) and a 25% increase in caesarean section births (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.32, p<0.001). During the COVID-19 period, we found no change in iatrogenic preterm births (aOR 0.94; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.09) but a 15% reduction in spontaneous preterm birth (aOR 0.85; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97, p=0.02) and a 10% reduction in SGA infants at birth (aOR 0.90; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99, p=0.02). Composite adverse neonatal outcomes were marginally higher (aOR 1.08; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.15, p=0.04) and full breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge reduced by 15% (aOR 0.85; 95% CI 0.80 to 0.90, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Despite a low prevalence of COVID-19, both positive and adverse obstetric outcomes were observed that may be related to changes in service delivery and interaction with healthcare providers. Further research is suggested to understand the drivers for these changes.