History of GDM and GHP increased perceived DM risk (OR 1.83, 2.73) and pre-eclampsia and DM increased perceived CVD risk (OR 4.48, 3.78), yet overall risk perception was low postpartum.
Does a history of female-specific cardiometabolic conditions influence perceived risk of future DM and CVD and engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors in postpartum women?
Postpartum women generally have a low perceived risk of developing future diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even when they have a history of high-risk female-specific cardiometabolic conditions, highlighting a need for improved risk communication.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Background/Objectives: Risk perception of future disease may play a role in supporting lifestyle change to prevent diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unknown how women in the postpartum period with different cardiometabolic conditions perceive their future risk of DM and CVD, and whether this perception influences engagement in a healthy lifestyle. Methods: Cross-sectional study of women who delivered in the past five years (n = 497) living in Australia. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between history of pregnancy (gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHP), pre-eclampsia, spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants), and non-pregnancy (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility) conditions with perceived risk of DM or CVD, and with lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet). Results: Overall, most participants had a low perceived risk of developing future DM (73.4%) and CVD (75.2%), which varied by condition type. History of GDM and GHP were associated with higher DM risk perception (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.06, 3.15; OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.28, 5.84), whereas history of pre-eclampsia and DM were associated with higher CVD risk perception (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.88, 10.62; OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.20, 11.88). History of PTB, SGA infant, PCOS, infertility, and lifestyle behaviours were not consistently associated with perceived risk of DM and CVD. Conclusions: Postpartum risk perception of developing future DM and CVD was low, even in the presence of female-specific cardiometabolic conditions. This highlights the need for greater postpartum support to enhance risk awareness and support a healthy lifestyle.
Heidarikakolaki et al. (Sun,) reported a other. History of GDM and GHP increased perceived DM risk (OR 1.83, 2.73) and pre-eclampsia and DM increased perceived CVD risk (OR 4.48, 3.78), yet overall risk perception was low postpartum.