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Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorders before and after a National Economic Collapse: A Population Based Cohort Study

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  • Védís Helga Eiríksdóttir
  • Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir
  • Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir
  • Arna Hauksdóttir
  • Sigrún Helga Lund
  • Ragnheiður Ingibjörg Bjarnadóttir
  • Sven Cnattingius
  • Helga Zoëga

Abstract

Background: Data on the potential influence of macroeconomic recessions on maternal diseases during pregnancy are scarce. We aimed to assess potential change in prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) during the first years of the major national economic recession in Iceland, which started abruptly in October 2008. Methods and Findings: Women whose pregnancies resulted in live singleton births in Iceland in 2005–2012 constituted the study population (N = 35,211). Data on pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders were obtained from the Icelandic Medical Birth Register and use of antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy, including β-blockers and calcium channel blockers, from the Icelandic Medicines Register. With the pre-collapse period as reference, we used logistic regression analysis to assess change in pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders and use of antihypertensives during the first four years after the economic collapse, adjusting for demographic and pregnancy characteristics, taking aggregate economic indicators into account. Compared with the pre-collapse period, we observed an increased prevalence of gestational hypertension in the first year following the economic collapse (2.4% vs. 3.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.47; 95 percent confidence interval [95%CI] 1.13–1.91) but not in the subsequent years. The association disappeared completely when we adjusted for aggregate unemployment rate (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 0.74–1.47). Similarly, there was an increase in prescription fills of β-blockers in the first year following the collapse (1.9% vs.3.1%; aOR 1.43; 95% CI 1.07–1.90), which disappeared after adjusting for aggregate unemployment rate (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 0.72–1.54). No changes were observed for preeclampsia or use of calcium channel blockers between the pre- and post-collapse periods. Conclusions: Our data suggest a transient increased risk of gestational hypertension and use of β-blockers among pregnant women in Iceland in the first and most severe year of the national economic recession.

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  • Védís Helga Eiríksdóttir & Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir & Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir & Arna Hauksdóttir & Sigrún Helga Lund & Ragnheiður Ingibjörg Bjarnadóttir & Sven Cnattingius & Helga Zoëga, 2015. "Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorders before and after a National Economic Collapse: A Population Based Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0138534
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138534
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    1. Birgisdóttir, Kristín Helga & Hauksdóttir, Arna & Ruhm, Christopher & Valdimarsdóttir, Unnur Anna & Ásgeirsdóttir, Tinna Laufey, 2020. "The effect of the economic collapse in Iceland on the probability of cardiovascular events," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    2. Emanuela Spadarella & Veruscka Leso & Luca Fontana & Angela Giordano & Ivo Iavicoli, 2021. "Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-33, August.

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