1
|
Shah S, Katz-Greenberg G, Gudsoorkar P, Vyas P, Barhorst S, Verma P, Pensak M. Contraceptive Use in Females With Advanced CKD: A Qualitative Study. Kidney Med 2023; 5:100738. [PMID: 38034510 PMCID: PMC10684388 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale & Objective Pregnancy in females with kidney disease is not uncommon and is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The use of contraception in females with chronic kidney disease remains low. We sought to describe the perspectives of female patients with advanced chronic kidney disease on the use of contraception. Study Design Qualitative study. Setting & Participants We conducted 5 focus group interviews involving 16 adult female patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (n = 3 nondialysis nontransplant chronic kidney disease, n = 9 kidney transplant, and n = 4 kidney failure receiving dialysis) in the United States, following which thematic saturation was reached. Analytical Approach Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results We identified the following 5 themes: 1) variable knowledge regarding reproductive health with kidney disease, 2) inadequate counseling about contraceptive use, 3) lack of interdisciplinary coordination regarding contraceptive use, 4) insufficient educational resources available to guide the contraceptive discussion, and 5) need for research to better understand reproductive needs in females with kidney disease. Limitations Patients were from a single center in the United States, and the study is limited by the transferability of findings to other settings. Conclusions Patients with chronic kidney disease report emotional challenges with reproductive health, lack of counseling and care coordination, and insufficient resources for contraceptive use. Strategies to strengthen these factors may improve the quality of reproductive care and increase contraceptive use for females with chronic kidney disease. Plain-Language Summary Pregnancy in females with kidney disease is common and associated with a higher risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, but the use of contraception remains low. Little is known about female patients' experiences in contraceptive use that may contribute to low contraceptive use in this high-risk population. In the present study using focus group interviews, patients with chronic kidney disease reported emotional challenges with reproductive health, lack of counseling and care coordination, and insufficient resources for contraceptive use. Interventions are needed to strengthen these factors to improve the quality of reproductive care and increase contraceptive use for females with chronic kidney disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvi Shah
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Goni Katz-Greenberg
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Priyanka Gudsoorkar
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Prema Vyas
- Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
| | - Sunshine Barhorst
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Prasoon Verma
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Meredith Pensak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chang DH, Dumanski SM, Brennand EA, Ruzycki SM, Ramage K, Gantar T, Shah S, Ahmed SB. Female Reproductive Health and Contraception Use in CKD: An International Mixed-Methods Study. Kidney Med 2023; 5:100713. [PMID: 37719717 PMCID: PMC10502408 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale & Objective Female reproductive health is recognized as a predictor of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, although data in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. Study Design A mixed-methods study was employed. Phase 1 was an anonymous, internet-based survey. Phase 2 was semistructured interviews offered to all respondents upon survey completion. Setting & Participants The survey was disseminated internationally from October 4, 2021, to January 7, 2022, to individuals aged 18-50 years with both a uterus and CKD diagnosis. Outcomes Menstrual health and contraceptive use by CKD stage (dialysis, nondialysis CKD, and transplant). Analytical Approach Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Interview data were analyzed using the framework method of analysis. Results Of 152 respondents, 98 (mean age 33 ± 0.7 years; n = 20 dialysis, n = 59 nondialysis CKD, n = 19 transplant) satisfied the inclusion criteria, representing 3 continents. The most common causes of CKD among survey respondents were hereditary causes in dialysis (n = 6, 30%) and glomerulonephritis in nondialysis CKD (n = 22, 37%) and transplant (n = 6, 32%). The majority reported heavy menstrual bleeding (n = 12, 86% dialysis; n = 46, 94% nondialysis CKD; n = 14, 100% transplant). Less than half of participants were consistently able to afford period products. Condoms were the most common contraceptive reported. Most participants reported no contraceptive use (n = 10, 50% dialysis; n = 37, 63% nondialysis CKD; n = 7, 37% transplant), primarily because of "fear". Interviews (n = 6) revealed a perception of a relationship between kidney function and menstrual health, concerns about contraceptive use, and a desire for greater multidisciplinary care to improve kidney and reproductive health. Limitations Self-reported outcomes, need for internet access and a device. Conclusions Abnormal menstruation and period poverty (ie, inability to afford period products and the socioeconomic consequences of menstruation) were common, and contraceptive use was low among female individuals with CKD, highlighting an important gap in the sex-specific care of this population. Plain-Language Summary Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in female individuals is accompanied by menstrual disorders and low contraceptive use. However, most data are limited to the dialysis and transplant populations. Therefore, this mixed-methods study aimed to describe self-assessed menstruation and contraceptive use across all stages of CKD. People aged 18-50 years with a uterus and CKD diagnosis were invited to participate in an online survey shared internationally as well as an optional telephone interview. Abnormal menstruation and period poverty (ie, inability to afford period products and the socioeconomic consequences of menstruation) were common, and contraceptive use was low among female individuals with CKD, highlighting an important gap in the sex-specific care of this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danica H. Chang
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandra M. Dumanski
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Kidney Disease Network, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Erin A. Brennand
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shannon M. Ruzycki
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kaylee Ramage
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Taryn Gantar
- Kidney Health Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta, Canada
| | - Silvi Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Sofia B. Ahmed
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Kidney Disease Network, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Reynolds ML, Oliverio AL, Brunson C, Moxey-Mims M. Reproductive Health Care Is a Key Component of Comprehensive Care for Adolescents with CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:195-197. [PMID: 36418185 PMCID: PMC10103083 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022101163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Reynolds
- UNC Kidney Center, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andrea L. Oliverio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Celina Brunson
- Division of Nephrology, Children's National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Marva Moxey-Mims
- Division of Nephrology, Children's National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| |
Collapse
|