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Postpartum haemorrhage and risk of cardiovascular disease in later life: A Scottish population-based record linkage cohort study
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  • Su Mon Latt,
  • Charles Opondo,
  • Fiona Alderdice,
  • Jennifer Kurinczuk,
  • Rachel Rowe
Su Mon Latt
University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Population Health

Corresponding Author:su_mon.latt@kcl.ac.uk

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Charles Opondo
University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Population Health
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Fiona Alderdice
University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Population Health
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Jennifer Kurinczuk
University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Population Health
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Rachel Rowe
University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Population Health
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Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and subsequent cardiovascular disease. Design Population-based retrospective cohort study, using record linkage between Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND) and Scottish healthcare datasets Setting Grampian region, Scotland Population or Sample 70,904 women who gave birth after 24 weeks of gestation, 1986-2016 Methods We used extended Cox regression models to investigate the association between PPH in any first or later births and subsequent cardiovascular disease, adjusted for sociodemographic, medical, and pregnancy and birth-related factors. Main outcome measures Cardiovascular disease identified from prescription of selected cardiovascular medications, hospital discharge records or death from cardiovascular disease. Results Compared with not having a PPH, having at least one PPH was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the first year after birth [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-2.53, p<0.001]. The association was attenuated over time, but strong evidence of increased risk remained 2-5 years (aHR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.30, p<0.001) and 6-15 years after giving birth (aHR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30, p=0.005), with the direction of association reversed beyond 15 years (aHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.55-0.75, p<0.001). Conclusions Compared with women who have never had a PPH, women who have had at least one episode of PPH are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease in the first year after birth and some increased risk persists for up to 15 years. Keywords Postpartum haemorrhage, cardiovascular disease, health outcomes, Scottish data
Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
05 Apr 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Apr 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Apr 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Apr 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
04 Jun 20241st Revision Received
05 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Accept