Pregabalin for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Neuropathic pain (NeP) arises from pathologies of the nervous system, significantly impacting patient functionality and quality of life. Pregabalin is a first-line treatment for NeP, but there has been limited focus on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This systematic review synthesizes PROs from clinical studies assessing pregabalin's efficacy in treating NeP, with a focus on sleep disturbance, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Exploring the psychological wellbeing of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): increased risk of anxiety in women requiring insulin. A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Pilot Study.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicates ∼16% of pregnancies in Australia and has significant implications for health of both mother and baby. Antenatal anxiety and depression are also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The interaction between GDM and mental health in pregnancy is poorly understood.

Effectiveness of oral aciclovir in preventing maternal chickenpox: A comparison with VZIG.

Objectives: Although often presenting as a self-limiting childhood disease, chickenpox can have serious consequences if acquired in pregnancy. Until April 2022, the UK recommendations were that varicella immunoglobulin (VZIG) should be administered intramuscularly to susceptible pregnant women exposed to chickenpox prior to 20 weeks gestation. Oral aciclovir or VZIG was recommended if exposure occurred at 20+ weeks gestation.

Assessment of von Willebrand disease and pregnancy outcomes at regional Australian hospitals.

Background: von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a heterogeneous hereditary bleeding disorder and is associated with risk of primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Design And Methods: An observational study at a tertiary referral centre in Australia of 16 women with 23 deliveries with a median age of 27.5 years (range, 21-39; IQR = 9).

Assessing research impact: A framework and an evaluation of the Society of Family Planning Research Fund's grantmaking (2007-2017).

The Society of Family Planning Research Fund (SFPRF) provides grants for research on abortion and contraception. In 2017, SFPRF conducted a retrospective evaluation of its investment in family planning research. Using a developmental evaluation approach, we created a framework for assessing research impact in family planning and applied it to an analysis of our grantmaking between 2007 and 2017.

A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial of a Single Intravenous Infusion of Ferric Carboxymaltose vs Single Intravenous Iron Polymaltose or Daily Oral Ferrous Sulphate in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy.

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency affecting pregnant women worldwide. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a newly available intravenous (IV) iron preparation, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), against IV iron polymaltose (IPM), and standard oral iron (ferrous sulphate) for the treatment of IDA in pregnancy. This is an open-labelled prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) with intention-to-treat analysis conducted at a primary health care facility with a single tertiary referral centre in Launceston.

The importance of access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion: a statement from women's health professional organizations.

Barriers to women's reproductive health care access, particularly for termination of pregnancy, are increasing at the local, regional, and national levels through numerous institutional, legislative, and regulatory restrictions. Lack of access to reproductive health care has negative consequences for women's health. Twelve women's health care organizations affirm their support for access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion.

A 21st-Century Public Health Approach to Abortion.

In the United States, groups advocating for and against abortion rights often deploy public health arguments to advance their positions. Recently, these arguments have evolved into state laws that use the government health department infrastructure to increase law enforcement and regulatory activities around abortion. Many major medical and public health associations oppose these new laws because they are not evidence-based and do not protect women's health.

Mixed-methods investigation of women's experiences with second-trimester abortion care in the Midwest and Northeast United States.

Objective(s): We studied women's experiences seeking and receiving second-trimester abortion care in two geographically and legislatively different settings to inform ways to improve abortion care access and services.

Study Design: We conducted in-depth interviews with women who obtained second-trimester abortion care. Themes from the interviews were then used to inform a self-administered survey, which was completed by 108 women who received second-trimester abortion care in the Northeast and Midwest.

Utility of antenatal clinical factors for prediction of postpartum outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with life-long increased risk of type 2 diabetes: affected women are advised to undergo oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) at 6-12 weeks postpartum, then glucose screening every 1-3 years.

Aims: We investigated whether in women with GDM, antenatal clinical factors predicted postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance and compliance with screening.

Materials And Methods: In women with GDM delivering 2007 to mid-2009 in a single hospital, antenatal/obstetric data and glucose tests at 6-12 weeks postpartum and during 5.

Obstetric and Perinatal Morbidity in Northern Tasmanian Aboriginal Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are at increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to non-Aboriginals. Similarly, aboriginal babies are at increased risk of low birth weight and infant mortality.

Aim: To investigate the independent association of aboriginality with Tasmanian maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Identifying indicators for quality abortion care: a systematic literature review.

A systematic review was conducted of 13 peer-reviewed articles and eight reports focused on indicators of quality abortion care. A total of 75 indicators of quality abortion were identified; these indicators address a variety of issues including policy, health systems, trained-provider availability, women's decision making, and morbidity and mortality. There is little agreement about indicators for measuring quality abortion care; more work is needed to ensure efforts to assess quality are informed and coordinated.

Barriers to and Facilitators of Moving Miscarriage Management Out of the Operating Room.

Context: Miscarriage care can safely and effectively be offered in appropriately equipped offices and emergency departments. However, it is often treated in the operating room, which limits access to timely, cost-effective and high-quality care.

Methods: Between May 2013 and January 2014, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 staff holding diverse roles at 15 medical offices and emergency departments with the aim of exploring barriers to and facilitators of offering miscarriage care, and identifying methods for expanding care.

A Qualitative Exploration of Low-Income Women's Experiences Accessing Abortion in Massachusetts.

Background: At a time when most states are working to restrict abortion, Massachusetts stands out as one of the few states with multiple state-level policies in place that support abortion access for low-income women. In 2006, Massachusetts passed health care reform, which resulted in almost all residents having insurance. Also, almost all state-level public and subsidized insurance programs cover abortion and there are fewer restrictions on abortion in Massachusetts compared with other states.

Women's Awareness of, Interest in, and Experiences with Long-acting Reversible and Permanent Contraception.

Background: Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and sterilization are popular contraceptive methods. However, they have been associated with safety concerns and coercive practices. We aimed to understand women's opinions and experiences related to these methods, including whether the methods' fraught histories influence use or interest.

Does medicaid coverage matter?: A qualitative multi-state study of abortion affordability for low-income women.

Medicaid is designed to ensure low-income populations can afford health care. However, not all health services are covered by the program. Most state Medicaid programs restrict abortion coverage, though a small number of state programs offer such coverage.

Analysis of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in Northern Tasmania.

Objective: There is a need for emerging Australian data on emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) especially in rural areas due to the associated high maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to review the incidence and complications of EPH in the northern region of Tasmania.

Design: A retrospective cohort study at a single health care institution during a 10 year period.

A qualitative investigation of low-income abortion clients' attitudes toward public funding for abortion.

We explored how low-income abortion clients in states where public funding was and was not available perceived the role of public funding for abortion. From October 2010 through February 2011, we conducted 71 semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews with low-income abortion clients in Arizona, Florida, New York, and Oregon. Women reported weighing numerous factors when determining which circumstances warranted public funding.

A mixed-methods exploration of the contraceptive experiences of female teens with epilepsy.

Purpose: We explored the contraceptive experiences of female teens with epilepsy, including their knowledge and perceptions of interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormonal contraception and contraceptive decision-making processes.

Method: From November 2012 to May 2013, we conducted one online survey (n=114) and 12 online focus group discussions (n=26) with female teens with epilepsy about their contraceptive experiences and unmet needs. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and focus group transcripts were analyzed thematically using modified grounded theory methods.

Review of Management and Outcomes in Women with Thrombophilia Risk during Pregnancy at a Single Institution.

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). We retrospectively studied 38 Caucasian pregnant women with thrombophilia risk and compared their obstetric outcomes with a matched cohort without known thrombophilia risk during the period between January 2007 and December 2010. There were (2) cases with factor V Leiden, (6) prothrombin gene mutation, (1) antithrombin III deficiency, (2) protein C deficiency, (3) protein S deficiency, (10) MTHFR mutation, (7) anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and (1) lupus anticoagulant.

MAPK kinase 3 is a tumor suppressor with reduced copy number in breast cancer.

Cancers are initiated as a result of changes that occur in the genome. Identification of gains and losses in the structure and expression of tumor-suppressor genes and oncogenes lies at the root of the understanding of cancer cell biology. Here, we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) MKK3 suppresses the growth of breast cancer, in which it varies in copy number.

Bolstering the Evidence Base for Integrating Abortion and HIV Care: A Literature Review.

HIV-positive women have abortions at similar rates to their HIV-negative counterparts, yet little is known about clinical outcomes of abortion for HIV-positive women or the best practices for abortion provision. To fill that gap, we conducted a literature review of clinical outcomes of surgical and medication abortion among HIV-positive women. We identified three studies on clinical outcomes of surgical abortion among HIV-positive women; none showed significant differences in infectious complications by HIV status.

What happens to the women who fall through the cracks of health care reform? Lessons from Massachusetts.

We investigated the impact of Massachusetts health care reform on low-income women's experiences accessing insurance and health services, specifically reproductive health services such as contraception. Our findings suggest that concentrated efforts are needed to make sure that health services are available and accessible to populations who fall through the cracks of health care reform, including immigrants, minors and young adults, and women living outside urban areas. In addition, systems changes are needed to ensure that women going through common life transitions, such as pregnancy, marriage, moving, or graduating from school, have continuous access to insurance, and therefore health services, as their lives change.

Fasting blood glucose predicts response to extended-release metformin in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Metformin is increasingly accepted as an alternative to insulin therapy in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The Metformin in Gestational Diabetes (MiG) trial reported similar pregnancy outcomes for metformin versus insulin; however, supplemental insulin was required in 46% of women on metformin.

Aims: We aimed to identify predictors of response to metformin monotherapy in women with GDM attending a general hospital antenatal clinic.