Severe Maternal Morbidity among Low-Income Patients with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

 Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) contribute significantly to the development of severe maternal morbidities (SMM), particularly among low-income women. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between maternal characteristics and SMM, and to investigate if differences in SMM exist among patients with HDP diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN

 This study utilized 2017 Alabama Medicaid administrative claims. SMM diagnoses were captured using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's classification by International Classification of Diseases codes. Maternal characteristics and frequencies were compared using Chi-square and Cramer's V statistics. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine multivariable relationships between maternal characteristics and SMM among patients with HDP diagnosis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate risk.

RESULTS

 A higher proportion of patients experiencing SMM were >34 years old, Black, Medicaid for Low-Income Families eligible, lived in a county with greater Medicaid enrollment, and entered prenatal care (PNC) in the first trimester compared with those without SMM. Almost half of patients (46.2%) with SMM had a HDP diagnosis. After controlling for maternal characteristics, HDP, maternal age, county Medicaid enrollment, and trimester PNC entry were not associated with SMM risk. However, Black patients with HDP were at increased risk for SMM compared with White patients with HDP when other factors were taken into account (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.11-1.69). Patients with HDP and SMM were more likely to have a prenatal hospitalization (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.20-1.76), emergency visit (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07-1.57), and postpartum cardiovascular prescription (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.95-3.04).

CONCLUSION

 Rates of SMM differed by age, race, Medicaid income eligibility, and county Medicaid enrollment but were highest among patients with clinical comorbidities, especially HDP. However, among patients with HDP, Black patients had an elevated risk of severe morbidity even after controlling for other characteristics.

KEY POINTS

· Patients with SMM were more likely to have a HDP diagnosis.. · Among those with HDP, Black patients had elevated risk of SMM.. · Differences in care delivery did not explain SMM disparities..

Diabetes Group Prenatal Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of diabetes group prenatal care on rates of preterm birth and large for gestational age (LGA) among patients with diabetes in pregnancy compared with individual diabetes prenatal care.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Ovid Medline (1946-), Embase.com (1947-), Scopus (1823-), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

We searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing diabetes group prenatal care with individual care among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The primary outcomes were preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation and LGA (birth weight at or above the 90th percentile). Secondary outcomes were small for gestational age, cesarean delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal intensive care unit admission, breastfeeding at hospital discharge, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) uptake, and 6-week postpartum visit attendance. Secondary outcomes, limited to the subgroup of patients with GDM, included rates of GDM requiring diabetes medication (A2GDM) and completion of postpartum oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT). Heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran Q test and I2 statistic. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Eight studies met study criteria and were included in the final analysis: three RCTs and five observational studies. A total of 1,701 patients were included in the pooled studies: 770 (45.3%) in diabetes group prenatal care and 931 (54.7%) in individual care. Patients in diabetes group prenatal care had similar rates of preterm birth compared with patients in individual care (seven studies: pooled rates 9.5% diabetes group prenatal care vs 11.5% individual care, pooled RR 0.77, 95% CI, 0.59-1.01), which held for RCTs and observational studies. There was no difference between diabetes group prenatal care and individual care in rates of LGA overall (four studies: pooled rate 16.7% diabetes group prenatal care vs 20.2% individual care, pooled RR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.59-1.45) or by study type. Rates of other secondary outcomes were similar between diabetes group prenatal care and individual care, except patients in diabetes group prenatal care were more likely to receive postpartum LARC (three studies: pooled rates 46.1% diabetes group prenatal care vs 34.1% individual care, pooled RR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.09-1.91). When analysis was limited to patients with GDM, there were no differences in rates of A2GDM or postpartum visit attendance, but patients in diabetes group prenatal care were significantly more likely to complete postpartum OGTT (five studies: pooled rate 74.0% diabetes group prenatal care vs 49.4% individual care, pooled RR 1.58, 95% CI, 1.19-2.09).

CONCLUSION

Patients with type 2 diabetes and GDM who participate in diabetes group prenatal care have similar rates of preterm birth, LGA, and other pregnancy outcomes compared with those who participate in individual care; however, they are significantly more likely to receive postpartum LARC, and those with GDM are more likely to return for postpartum OGTT.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42021279233.

Impact of Prenatal Group Healthy Relationship Education on Postpartum Contraception

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the impact of an antenatal group healthy relationship education program on the postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

Materials and Methods

This is a planned subgroup analysis of a larger randomized controlled trial. Pregnant and newly parenting women were randomized to either group healthy relationship education, "MotherWise," or no additional services. An evidence-based healthy relationship education program and individual case management sessions were provided. The program did not include any prenatal care or contraception counseling. This subgroup analysis included those participants with a nonanomalous gestation randomized at <40 weeks who received care and delivered at a single safety-net hospital and were discharged home with a live infant(s).

Results

From September 2, 2016 to December 21, 2018, 953 women were randomized in the larger trial; 507 met inclusion criteria for this study; 278 randomized to program and 229 controls. Participants were mostly young, parous, Hispanic, publicly insured women. Participants randomized to program were more likely to take a prescription medicine and be delivered through cesarean; there were not any other significant differences in baseline, antenatal, or perinatal outcomes. Those randomized to program were more likely to be discharged home with immediate postpartum LARC in place (odds ratio [OR] 1.87; confidence interval [CI] 1.17-3.00), and more likely to be using LARC at the postpartum visit (OR 2.19; CI 1.34-3.56).

Conclusion

Antenatal group healthy relationship education provided separately from prenatal care is associated with a twofold increase in the use of postpartum LARC.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02792309; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02792309?term=NCT02792309&draw=2&rank=1.

Relationship education for women during pregnancy: The impact of MotherWise on birth outcomes

The field of relationship science has called for more research on the impact of relationship education on child outcomes, yet studies in this area remain sparse, particularly regarding maternal and infant health at birth. Research on group prenatal care demonstrates that individual-oriented group interventions have a positive impact on infant birth outcomes, suggesting the need to consider the impacts of other forms of group programming for women. The current study examined the impact of MotherWise, an individual-oriented relationship education and brief case management/coaching program for minority and low-income pregnant women, on birth outcomes. The study sample included 136 women who enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial of MotherWise during early pregnancy. Although statistical power was limited due to the sample size and the effects were not outright significant at p < 0.05, results indicated that the effects of MotherWise on birth outcomes were small to moderate in size (0.23 for birthweight, 0.46 for preterm birth) and suggest important avenues for future tests of relationship education programs and their impacts on maternal and infant health. The current study suggests that relationship education during pregnancy could directly impact women's and infant's health.

Characterizing Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Among Medicaid Recipients in a Nonexpansion State

Background: The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are on the rise in the United States, especially in the South, which has a heavy chronic disease burden and large number of Medicaid nonexpansion states. Sizeable disparities in HDP outcomes exist by race/ethnicity, geography, and health insurance coverage. Our objective is to explore HDP in the Alabama Medicaid maternity population, and the association of maternal sociodemographic, clinical, and care utilization characteristics with HDP diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Data were from Alabama Medicaid delivery claims in 2017. Bivariate analyses were used to examine maternal characteristics by HDP diagnosis. Hierarchical generalized linear models, with observations nested at the county level, were used to assess multivariable relationships between maternal characteristics and HDP diagnosis. Results: Among women with HDP diagnosis, a higher proportion were older, Black, had other comorbidities, and had more perinatal hospitalizations or emergency visits compared with those without HDP diagnosis. There were increased odds of an HDP diagnosis for older women and those with comorbidities. Black women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.33), women insured only during pregnancy by Sixth Omnibus Reconciliation Act Medicaid (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15), and women entering prenatal care (PNC) in the second trimester (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18) had elevated odds of HDP diagnosis compared with their counterparts. Conclusions: Beyond traditional demographic and clinical risk factors, not having preconception insurance coverage or first trimester PNC entry were associated with higher odds of HDP diagnosis. Improving the provision and timing of maternity coverage among Medicaid recipients, particularly in nonexpansion states, may help identify and treat women at risk of HDP and associated adverse perinatal outcomes.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Diabetes Group Prenatal Care

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of Diabetes Group Prenatal Care to increase patient engagement in diabetes self-care activities.

STUDY DESIGN

A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at two sites. Inclusion criteria were English or Spanish speaking, type 2 or gestational diabetes, 22 to 34 weeks of gestational age at first study visit, ability to attend group care at specified times, and willingness to be randomized. Exclusion criteria included type 1 diabetes, multiple gestation, major fetal anomaly, serious medical comorbidity, and serious psychiatric illness. Women were randomized to Diabetes Group Prenatal Care or individual prenatal care. The primary outcome was completion of diabetes self-care activities, including diet, exercise, blood sugar testing, and medication adherence. Secondary outcomes included antenatal care characteristics, and maternal, neonatal, and diabetes management outcomes. Analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

Of 159 eligible women, 84 (53%) consented to participate in the study and were randomized to group (n = 42) or individual (n = 42) prenatal care. Demographic characteristics were similar between study arms. Completion of diabetes self-care activities was similar overall, but women in group care ate the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables on more days per week (5.1 days/week ± 2.0 standard deviation [SD] in group care vs. 3.4 days ± 2.6 SD in individual care; p < 0.01) and gained less weight per week during the study period (0.2 lbs/week [interquartile range: 0-0.7] vs. 0.5 lbs/week [interquartile range: 0.2-0.9]; p = 0.03) than women in individual care. Women with gestational diabetes randomized to group care were 3.5 times more likely to have postpartum glucose tolerance testing than those in individual care (70 vs. 21%; relative risk: 3.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.4-8.8). Other maternal, neonatal, and pregnancy outcomes were similar between study arms.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes group care is feasible and shows promise for decreasing gestational weight gain, improving diet, and increasing postpartum diabetes testing among women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

KEY POINTS

· Women with gestational diabetes in group care were 3.5 times more likely to return for postpartum glucose tolerance testing.. · Women with gestational diabetes in group care had less gestational weight gain during the study period.. · Diabetes Group Prenatal Care is a promising intervention to improve outcomes for women with diabetes in pregnancy..

The effects of offering immediate postpartum placement of IUDs and implants to pregnant patients with heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of offering immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception to pregnant patients with heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort of pregnant patients with cardiac disease managed by a Comprehensive Pregnancy & Heart Program. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: pre-immediate postpartum LARC Program implementation (March 2015 to January 2017) and post-implementation (February 2017 to June 2019). The primary outcome was LARC (intrauterine device [IUD] or etonogestrel implant) use postpartum, defined as LARC either immediately postpartum or at the postpartum visit. Secondary outcomes included contraception intent at delivery and IUD expulsion rate of IUDs placed immediately postpartum.

RESULTS

Of 159 included patients, 96 (60%) delivered during the post-implementation period. LARC use tripled after program implementation, 11% vs 35%, p < 0.01. Specifically, immediate postpartum IUD use increased from 1 (1.6%) to 10 (10.4%), p = 0.05, and use of immediate postpartum implant increased from 0 to 14 (14.6%), p = 0.002. Rates of women without contraception plans at delivery decreased from 32% to 14%, p < 0.01, as did the number of women using medroxyprogesterone acetate: 16% vs 4%, p = 0.01. Tubal ligation rates were not different before and after program implementation: 24% and 29%, p = 0.46. Postpartum visit rates were similar between Pre and Post groups: 70% and 72%, p = 0.78, respectively. One immediate postpartum IUD expulsion occurred.

CONCLUSION

LARC use tripled in pregnant patients in an obstetric heart disease program after implementation of an immediate postpartum LARC Program. Access to immediate postpartum IUDs and implants should be a public health priority for women with heart disease to reduce their disproportionate burden of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Patient Satisfaction with Outpatient Cervical Ripening in Parous Women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess whether patient satisfaction differs between women beginning cervical ripening in the outpatient versus inpatient setting.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a planned secondary analysis evaluating patient satisfaction randomized to outpatient versus inpatient cervical ripening. In the original randomized controlled trial, low-risk parous women ≥39 weeks who required cervical ripening for induction and had reassuring fetal heart rate monitoring were included and randomized to inpatient versus outpatient ripening with a transcervical Foley's catheter. All women were then admitted to the labor ward on the following day. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using three separate surveys. The first two surveys, Six Simple Questions and Lady-X, were previously validated. The third survey used visual analog scales to assess overall pain experienced during Foley's placement, overall pain experienced during labor, how likely they would be to choose the same type of care for their next pregnancy, and how likely they would be to recommend their method of cervical ripening to friends/family.

RESULTS

From May 2016 to October 2017, 129 women were randomized (outpatient, 65; inpatient, 64). Based on survey results, there was no difference in satisfaction between outpatient and inpatient cervical ripening with transcervical Foley's catheterization, with high satisfaction in both groups. Patients in both the outpatient and inpatient groups would choose the same type of care for their next pregnancy (on a scale of 1-7, median (25th-75th percentile): 7 [7-7] vs. 7 [6-7], respectively, p = 0.75) and would be very likely to recommend their method of induction to a friend or family member (on a scale of 0-100, 99 [80-100] vs. 99 [65-100], respectively, p = 0.60).

CONCLUSION

Parous women's satisfaction does not differ between inpatient and outpatient cervical ripening with transcervical Foley's catheterization.

KEY POINTS

· Outpatient cervical ripening may allow providers to incorporate the benefits of electively inducing women as well as decrease the time spent in the labor and delivery unit.. · Parous women's satisfaction does not differ between inpatient and outpatient cervical ripening with transcervical Foley.. · Additional prospective evaluation is warranted to further characterize patient preferences in relation to the location of cervical ripening..

A paradigm shift to address racial inequities in perinatal healthcare

Health inequities are not caused by personal failings or shortcomings within disadvantaged groups, which can be erased with behavioral interventions. The scope of the problem is much greater and will only fully be addressed with the examination of the systems, structures, and policies that perpetuate racism, classism, and an economic, class, race, or gender divide between patients and the people who care for them. Solution-oriented strategies to achieve health equity will remain elusive if researchers continue to focus on behavior modification in patients while failing to do harder work that includes focusing on the institutions, community, and societal contexts in which pregnant women are living; addressing social determinants of health; considering racism in study design, analysis, and reporting; valuing the voices of patients, practitioners, and researchers from historically disadvantaged groups; disseminating research findings back to the community; and developing policy and reimbursement structures to support care delivery change that advances equitable outcomes. A case study shows us how group prenatal care may be one viable vehicle through which to affect this change. Group prenatal care is one of the few interventions shown to improve pregnancy outcomes for black women. Studies of group prenatal care have predominantly focused on the patient, but here we propose that the intervention may exert its greatest impact on clinicians and the systems in which they work. The underlying mechanism through which group prenatal care works may be through increased quantity and quality of patient and practitioner time together and communication. We hypothesize that this, in turn, fosters greater opportunity for cross-cultural exposure and decreases clinician implicit bias, explicit bias, and racism, thus increasing the likelihood that practitioners advocate for systems-level changes that directly benefit patients and improve perinatal outcomes.

Maternal and child delivery charges, postpartum charges, and utilization of care among women with bipolar disorder: a cohort study

Bipolar disorder (BD) during pregnancy is known to be a morbid condition associated with poor outcomes for both the mother and her infant. We aimed to determine if women with BD and their children have higher charges and health service utilization than mother-infant dyads with and without other mental health (MH) diagnoses. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9) codes were used to identify mutually exclusive groups of women who gave birth between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, coding first for BD, then diagnoses that comprised an "other MH diagnoses group" that included post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Health service utilization and related charges were obtained for the dyad for delivery and for 2 years post-delivery at a single tertiary care center. Analyses included 4440 dyads. A BD diagnosis occurred in 1.8% of medical record codes, other MH diagnoses in 10%, and no known MH diagnosis in 88%. Compared with women with both other MH and no known MH diagnoses, women with BD had higher delivery charges (p < 0.001), higher cumulative charges in the 2 years postpartum (p < 0.001), higher preterm birth and low birthweight rates (15.5% v. 6.9% and 20.8% v. 6.4%, p < 0.001, BD v. no known MH, respectively), and greater utilization of inpatient and emergency psychiatric care services (p < 0.001). Compared with women with and without other mental health diagnoses, women with BD have the highest care utilization and charges. They also have higher preterm birth and low birthweight infant rates, two clinically relevant predictors of long-term health for the child. Given the low prevalence of BD and severity of the disease versus the magnitude of systems costs, women with BD, and their children, deserve the heightened attention afforded to other high-risk perinatal conditions.

Group prenatal care

Patients participating in group prenatal care gather together with women of similar gestational ages and 2 providers who cofacilitate an educational session after a brief medical assessment. The model was first described in the 1990s by a midwife for low-risk patients and is now practiced by midwives and physicians for both low-risk patients and some high-risk patients, such as those with diabetes. The majority of literature on group prenatal care uses CenteringPregnancy, the most popular model. The first randomized controlled trial of CenteringPregnancy showed that it reduced the risk of preterm birth in low-risk women. However, recent meta-analyses have shown similar rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission between women participating in group prenatal care and individual prenatal care. There may be subgroups, such as African Americans, who benefit from this type of prenatal care with significantly lower rates of preterm birth. Group prenatal care seems to result in increased patient satisfaction and knowledge and use of postpartum family planning as well as improved weight gain parameters. The literature is inconclusive regarding breast-feeding, stress, depression, and positive health behaviors, although it is theorized that group prenatal care positively affects these outcomes. It is unclear whether group prenatal care results in cost savings, although it may in large-volume practices if each group consists of approximately 8-10 women. Group prenatal care requires a significant paradigm shift. It can be difficult to implement and sustain. More randomized trials are needed to ascertain the true benefits of the model, best practices for implementation, and subgroups who may benefit most from this innovative way to provide prenatal care. In short, group prenatal care is an innovative and promising model with comparable pregnancy outcomes to individual prenatal care in the general population and improved outcomes in some demographic groups.

Facilitators and barriers to the use of standing orders for vaccination in obstetrics and gynecology settings

BACKGROUND

Many young and middle-aged women receive their primary health care from their obstetrician-gynecologists. A recent change to vaccination recommendations during pregnancy has forced the integration of new clinical processes at obstetrician-gynecology practices. Evidence-based best practices for vaccination delivery include the establishment of vaccination standing orders.

OBJECTIVES

As part of an intervention to increase adoption of evidence-based vaccination strategies for women in safety-net and private obstetrician-gynecology settings, we conducted a qualitative study to identify the facilitators and barriers experienced by obstetrician-gynecology sites when establishing vaccination standing orders.

STUDY DESIGN

At 6 safety-net and private obstetrician-gynecology practices, 51 semistructured interviews were completed by trained qualitative researchers over 2 years with clinical staff and vaccination program personnel. Standardized qualitative research methods were used during data collection and team-based data analysis to identify major themes and subthemes within the interview data.

RESULTS

All study practices achieved partial to full implementation of vaccine standing orders for human papillomavirus, tetanus diphtheria pertussis, and influenza vaccines. Facilitating factors for vaccine standing order adoption included process standardization, acceptance of a continual modification process, and staff training. Barriers to vaccine standing order adoption included practice- and staff-level competing demands, pregnant women's preference for medical providers to discuss vaccine information with them, and staff hesitation in determining HPV vaccine eligibility.

CONCLUSIONS

With guidance and commitment to integration of new processes, obstetrician-gynecology practices are able to establish vaccine standing orders for pregnant and nonpregnant women. Attention to certain process barriers can aid the adoption of processes to support the delivery of vaccinations in obstetrician-gynecology practice setting, and provide access to preventive health care for many women.

Effect of a multi-modal intervention on immunization rates in obstetrics and gynecology clinics

BACKGROUND

There is increasing attention on immunizations by obstetrician-gynecologists and a need to improve vaccination rates for all women.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a multimodal intervention on rates of immunization with tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap); human papillomavirus (HPV); and influenza in outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics.

STUDY DESIGN

Immunization rates at 2 clinics were compared pre- and post-implementation of multiple interventions at a public integrated health-care system. Study interventions began on June 6, 2012 and concluded on May 31, 2014; the preimplementation time period used was June 6, 2010 to June 5, 2012. Interventions included stocking of immunizations in clinics, revision and expansion of standing orders, creation of a reminder/recall program, identification of an immunization champion to give direct provider feedback, expansion of a payment assistance program, and staff education. All women aged 15 and older who made a clinic visit during influenza season were included in the influenza cohort; women who delivered an infant during the study time period and had at least 1 prenatal visit within 9 months preceding delivery were included in the Tdap cohort; each clinic visit by a nonpregnant woman aged 15-26 years was assessed and included in the HPV analysis as an eligible visit if the patient was lacking any of the 3 HPV vaccines in the series. The primary outcome was receipt of influenza and Tdap vaccine per current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines and receipt of HPV vaccine during eligible visits. Influenza and Tdap were assessed with overall coverage rates at the institutional level, and HPV was assessed at the visit level by captured opportunities. All analyses included generalized estimating equations and the primary outcome was assessed with time as a covariate in all models.

RESULTS

A total of 19,409 observations were included in the influenza cohort (10,231 pre- and 9178 post-intervention), 2741 in the Tdap cohort (1248 pre- and 1493 post-intervention), and 12,443 in the HPV cohort (7966 pre- and 4477 post-intervention). Our population was largely Hispanic, English-speaking, and publicly insured. The rate of influenza vaccination increased from 35.4% pre-intervention to 46.0% post-intervention (P < .001). The overall rate for Tdap vaccination increased from 87.6% pre-intervention to 94.5% post-intervention until the recommendation to vaccinate during each pregnancy was implemented (z = 4.58, P < .0001). The average Tdap up-to-date rate after that recommendation was 75.0% (z = -5.77, P < .0001). The overall rate of HPV vaccination with an eligible visit increased from 7.1% before to 23.7% after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Using evidence-based practices largely established in other settings, our intervention was associated with increased rates of influenza, Tdap, and HPV vaccination in outpatient underserved obstetrics and gynecology clinics. Integrating such evidence-based practices into routine obstetrics and gynecology care could positively impact preventive health for many women.

Group prenatal care for women with gestational diabetes (.)

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if group prenatal care affects the progression to A2 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) when compared with conventional care for women with GDM.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort of women diagnosed with GDM who attended group visits compared with a historical control group of women who received conventional obstetrical care in the year prior but would have met inclusion criteria for group care. The primary outcome was progression to A2 GDM. Secondary outcomes included antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum maternal outcomes and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 165 subjects were included: 62 in group care and 103 in conventional care. Compared with patients with conventional care, group subjects were more likely to attend a postpartum visit (92% versus 66%; p = 0.002) and were almost 4 times more likely to receive recommended diabetes screening postpartum (OR 3.9, CI 1.8-8.6). Group subjects were much less likely to progress to A2 GDM (OR 0.15, CI 0.07-0.30). There were no differences in neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Group prenatal care for women with diabetes is associated with decreased progression to A2 GDM and improved postpartum follow-up for appropriate diabetes screening without significantly affecting obstetrical or neonatal outcomes.

Depression and disability in seasonal and migrant Hispanic agricultural workers

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between depression and disability in seasonal and migrant Hispanic agricultural workers.

METHODS

A total of 315 adult Hispanic agricultural workers living in northwest farmworker housing were interviewed to diagnose major and minor depression and assess disability. Statistical analysis determined demographic and clinical factors significantly related to a diagnosis of depression and examined the association between depression and disability.

RESULTS

The rate of major depression was 3.2% (n=10) and of minor depression, 6.3% (n=20). The sole demographic factor significantly associated with depression was female gender (P<.02). Controlling for gender, regression analysis demonstrated increased disability in those diagnosed with major and/or minor depression (P<.001). Those diagnosed with depression had a significantly higher mean total disability score [20.6 (95% CI 16.8-24.4) vs. 6.8 (95% CI 5.6-8.0)] than those without such diagnosis. Nondepressed subjects were significantly more likely (39% vs. 3%) to be completely free of functional impairment than those with depression (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the known association between depression and disability and extends it to the seasonal and migrant Hispanic farmworker population. The severity of disability found in the depressed group was such that it could affect performance of agricultural work compared with that found in the nondepressed group.