Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2022
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Health Care Access: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Background: There has been limited study of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women's health care access. Our study aims to examine the prevalence and correlates of COVID-19-related disruptions to (1) primary care; (2) gynecologic care; and (3) preventive health care among women. Materials and Methods: We recruited 4,000 participants from a probability-based online panel. ⋯ SMW were more likely to report patient- and provider-initiated delays in preventive health care. Other factors that affected health care access included income, insurance status, and having a usual source of care. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted women's health care access and disproportionately affected access among SMW and women with a cancer history, suggesting that targeted interventions may be needed to ensure adequate health care access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Association Between Acculturation and Diet and Physical Activity Among Pregnant Hispanic Women with Abnormal Glucose Tolerance.
Background: Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), yet few studies have assessed the impact of acculturation on health behaviors that may reduce GDM risk. Materials and Methods: We assessed relationships between acculturation and meeting American Diabetes Association guidelines for macronutrient intake and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for physical activity (PA) using baseline data from Estudio Project Aiming to Reduce Type twO diabetes, a randomized trial conducted in Massachusetts (2013-2017) among 255 Hispanic pregnant women with hyperglycemia. Acculturation was assessed via the Psychological Acculturation Scale, duration of time and generation in the continental United States, and language preference; diet with 24-hours dietary recalls; and PA with the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). ⋯ Conclusions: In summary, higher acculturation was associated with lower likelihood of meeting dietary guidelines but greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines during pregnancy. Interventions aimed at reducing GDM in Hispanics should be culturally informed and incorporate acculturation. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01679210.
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2022
Defining the Profile of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women Compared to Men.
Background: The importance of understanding the presentation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in women has been increasingly recognized. Although there is some insight that there are significant differences in presentation between women and men, the consequences of such differences, particularly for treatment have not yet been fully identified. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the phenotype of OSA in women. ⋯ Furthermore, women had a lower risk of witnessed apnea (odds ratio adjusted [ORa] for baseline characteristics and sleep parameters), (ORa: 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.71), reduced sensation of restful sleep (ORa: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38-0.66), greater fatigue (ORa: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.86-3.86), headache (ORa: 3.00, 95% CI: 2.26-3.97), memory disorders (ORa: 1.836, 95% CI: 1.40-2.41), insomnia (ORa: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.50-2.93), and excessive daytime sleepiness (ORa: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03-1.92), with interference in their daily activities (ORa: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.17-2.03). Likewise, after adjustment for anthropometric characteristics and sleep parameters, women also showed higher risk of depression (ORa: 4.31, 95% CI: 3.15-5.89) and anxiety (ORa: 3.18, 95% CI: 2.38-4.26). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women present a specific OSA phenotype, with a probable implication for clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic management.
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2022
Meta AnalysisAssociation Between Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammography and Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background: Breast arterial calcification (BAC), which may be detected during screening mammography, is hypothesized to be a noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance cardiovascular risk assessment. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to assess the association between BAC and coronary artery disease (CAD) by conducting a meta-analysis. We conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings, from inception through December 24, 2019. ⋯ None of these study covariates explained the heterogeneity across studies. Conclusions: BAC detected as part of screening mammography is a promising noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance CAD risk prediction in women. The clinical value of BAC for cardiovascular risk stratification merits further evaluation in large prospective studies.
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Journal of women's health · Dec 2022
Does Physician Gender and Gender Composition of Clinical Teams Affect Guideline Concordance and Patient Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?
Objective: Prior literature has shown improved outcomes in morbidity and mortality for admitted patients cared for by female physicians. One theory is that female physicians adhere closely to guideline recommendations. We sought to determine whether patients who have out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) experience more guideline-concordant postcardiac arrest care and potentially better outcomes based on the gender of their treating physician and gender distribution of the treatment teams. ⋯ Our analysis targeted a similar question in a cohort of OHCA patients with survival to hospital admission. We determined that there was no difference in postcardiac arrest guideline concordance and survival to hospital discharge based on treating physician gender. This finding differs from the prior literature and supports the importance of diverse clinical teams in medicine.