Abstract
Introduction
Pregnant veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk
for spontaneous preterm birth, yet the underlying reasons are unclear. We examined
factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth among pregnant veterans with active
PTSD.
Methods
This was an observational study of births from administrative databases reimbursed
by the Veterans Health Administration between 2005 and 2015. Singleton livebirths
among veterans with active PTSD within 12 months before childbirth were included.
The primary outcome was spontaneous preterm birth. Maternal demographics, psychiatric
history, and pregnancy complications were evaluated as exposures. Covariates significant
on bivariate analysis, as well as age and race/ethnicity as a social construct, were
included in multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with
spontaneous preterm birth. Additional analyses stratified significant covariates by
the presence of active concurrent depression and explored interactions between antidepressant
use and preeclampsia.
Results
Of 3,242 eligible births to veterans with active PTSD, 249 (7.7%) were spontaneous
preterm births. The majority of veterans with active PTSD (79.1%) received some type
of mental health treatment, and active concurrent depression was prevalent (61.4%).
Preeclampsia/eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–6.54)
and ≥6 antidepressant medication dispensations within 12 months before childbirth
(adjusted odds ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.77) were associated with
spontaneous preterm birth. No evidence of interaction was seen between antidepressant
use and preeclampsia on spontaneous preterm birth (p = .39). Findings were similar when stratified by active concurrent depression.
Conclusions
Among veterans with active PTSD, preeclampsia/eclampsia and ≥6 antidepressant dispensations
were associated with spontaneous preterm birth. Although the results do not imply
that needed antidepressants should be discontinued during pregnancy in veterans with
PTSD, research into these factors might inform preterm birth prevention strategies
for this high-risk population.
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Biography
Danielle M. Panelli, MD, maternal-fetal medicine physician in Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University. Research interests include maternal mental health and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Biography
Caitlin S. Chan, SM, biostatistician affiliated with the VA Health Economics Resource Center at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Research interests include reproductive health outcomes for veterans.
Biography
Jonathan G. Shaw, MD, MS, family medicine physician in the Division of Primary Care & Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, and health research affiliate with VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto.
Biography
Megha Shankar, MD, internal medicine physician affiliated with the UC San Diego Division of General Internal Medicine; graduate of Advanced Fellowship in Health Services Research and Development at the VA Palo Alto. Research interests include women's health and health equity.
Biography
Rachel Kimerling, PhD, clinical psychologist affiliated with the National Center for PTSD. Research interests include health services research that addresses women's health and gender issues in the detection, treatment, and impacts of traumatic stress.
Biography
Susan M. Frayne, MD, MPH, internal medicine physician, Director of Women's Health Evaluation Initiative, VA Palo Alto, affiliated with the Division of Primary Care & Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University. Research interests include primary care for women with mental illness.
Biography
Tiffany C. Herrero, MD, maternal-fetal medicine physician in Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University. Research interests include maternal morbidity and high-risk pregnancy conditions.
Biography
Deirdre J. Lyell, MD, maternal-fetal medicine physician in Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University. Research interests include severe maternal morbidity, population health, obstetric outcomes, and placenta accreta spectrum.
Biography
Ciaran S. Phibbs, PhD, Associate Director of VA Women's Health Evaluation Initiative, VA Palo Alto and Associate Professor of Pediatrics. Research interests include pregnancy outcomes and disparities for veterans, particularly those with mental health conditions.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 28, 2022
Accepted:
September 27,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 4,
2022
Received:
December 20,
2021
Footnotes
Disclosure: The authors report no conflict of interest.
Disclaimer: Development of the Women's Health Evaluation Initiative (WHEI) data which were used in this study was supported by Veterans Health Administration Women's Health Services.
Funding Statement: Partial funding for this research was provided by grant number IIR 20-314 from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service. Dr. Danielle Panelli's time is partially supported by an NIH K12HD103084 grant.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, George Washington University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
