Browsing by Author "Crites, Kundai"

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    Adequacy of glycemic control in early pregnancy with Type 2 diabetes and perinatal outcomes
    (2023-02-09) Izewski, Joanna; Tang, Rachel; Crites, Kundai; Campbell, Meredith; Pelton, Sarah; Saiko-Blair, Morgan; Scifres, Christina
    Objective In non-pregnant individuals with type 2 DM (T2DM), an HbA1c target < 7% is recommended. We sought to assess if an HbA1c < 7% in early pregnancy is associated with a lower risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals with T2DM and a singleton gestation who delivered at 2 health systems between 2018-2020. Demographics, markers of health care utilization, and perinatal outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Race and ethnicity were self-reported. The primary exposure was levels of glycemic control at less than 20 weeks’ gestation using recommended HbA1c targets in non-pregnant individuals (HbA1c < 7% vs. HbA1c ≥7%). Patients without documentation of HbA1c prior to 20 weeks were excluded. Perinatal outcomes were abstracted from the medical record, and logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. Results Of the individuals who had a documented HbA1c < 20 weeks of gestation, 128/281 (46%) had a HbA1c < 7%, and 153/281 (54%) had a HbA1c ≥7%. Patients with HbA1c < 7% were more likely to be of White race and have private insurance. They also had the first HbA1c measured earlier in pregnancy, a lower mean HbA1c across gestation, less overall weight gain, and were less likely to require insulin at the time of delivery. There were no significant differences in other demographics or markers of healthcare utilization (Table 1). Outcomes are shown in Table 2. After adjusting for covariates, those with a HbA1c ≥7% were more likely to have a preterm birth < 37 weeks (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.0), cesarean delivery (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3), and a neonate requiring NICU admission (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7-4.9). Conclusion Adverse perinatal outcomes are common among individuals with T2DM even when early pregnancy HbA1c values are within recommended targets for non-pregnant individuals. Those who present with a HbA1c ≥7% are at even higher risk for several outcomes. We observed important disparities in HbA1c values in early pregnancy that likely represent barriers in accessing medical care prior to pregnancy.
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    Increasing Diversity in Residency Training Programs
    (Springer Nature, 2022-06-15) Crites, Kundai; Johnson, Jasmine; Scott, Nicole; Shanks, Anthony L.; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    Improving diversity in the healthcare workforce holds promise in improving the health outcomes of our diverse patient population. Attracting, recruiting, and retaining physicians from races and ethnicities that are historically underrepresented in medicine are vital in this effort. Increasing diversity at the graduate medical education level has the potential to positively reshape our physician personnel. In this editorial, we discuss the current state of diversity-oriented recruitment strategies for residency programs and present opportunities for future efforts.
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    Maternal weight gain among individuals with Type 2 diabetes and associated perinatal outcomes
    (2023-02-10) Izewski, Joanna; Crites, Kundai; Tang, Rachel; Saiko-Blair, Morgan; Campbell, Meredith; Pelton, Sarah; Scifres, Christina
    Objective The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in pregnancy is increasing, and adverse perinatal outcomes are common. We sought to assess whether higher or lower weight gain is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in T2DM. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with T2DM and a singleton gestation who delivered at 2 health systems between 2018-2020. Demographics, markers of health care utilization, and various perinatal outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Race and ethnicity were self-reported. Our primary exposure was weight gain < 5 kilograms(kg) across gestation compared to those who gained ≥5kg. We excluded patients for whom weight gain could not be calculated. We assessed multiple perinatal outcomes, and we used multinomial logistic regression to adjust for covariates. Results We included 341 individuals with T2DM. There were 216/341 (63%) in the ≥5kg group, and 125/341 (37%) in the < 5kg group. The < 5kg group was more likely to be of Black race. The ≥5kg group initiated prenatal care earlier in gestation, were more likely to have ≥12 total prenatal visits, and be on insulin at the time of delivery. There were no significant differences in other demographics or markers of healthcare utilization (Table 1). Perinatal outcomes are shown in Table 2. Those with < 5kg of weight gain were less likely to develop a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (aOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5), or undergo a cesarean delivery (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9). Stillbirth was more common among those who gained < 5kg (7 vs. 2%, p=0.02). There was a statistical difference in neonatal birthweight category (AGA vs. SGA vs. LGA) (p=0.04) between the 2 groups that did not persist after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Weight gain is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes among individuals with T2DM. While weight gain < 5kg is associated with a reduced risk for certain outcomes, the increased risk for stillbirth deserves further study.
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    The Impact of COVID-19 on Postpartum Depression and the Responsibility of the Healthcare System
    (Springer Nature, 2022-08-09) DiGregory, Sydney; Githere, Nancy; Crites, Kundai; Rouse, Caroline; Shanks, Anthony L.; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    Peripartum depression is a common complication of pregnancy with the potential for dangerous consequences to maternal and infant health if left untreated. The disorder was previously classified as a global public health issue due to the high prevalence of the disorder and the mismatch between available treatment options and successful completion of those options. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased the incidence of mental health disorders globally, with an even greater effect on peripartum mothers. A preliminary study on fetal implications suggests the resulting increased maternal stress and depressive mood symptoms correlates to worsened fetal brain development. The pandemic highlighted existing barriers to the treatment of peripartum mood disorders. The drastic increase in the use of telemedicine as a modality of treatment in response to the public health crisis has the potential to address some of these barriers. Future global disasters are inevitable with peripartum mothers highly susceptible to worsened mental health outcomes. We are thus highlighting the responsibility of clinicians, professional organizations, and policymakers to support, identify, and facilitate the treatment of postpartum depression for this vulnerable population to prevent short-term and long-term repercussions.