UC study explores barriers to contraceptive use in females with kidney disease
Research cites insufficient counseling, lack of educational resources as factors
The percentage of females with kidney disease who use contraception is much lower than the rate of contraceptive use by females in the general population, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Cincinnati.
The study was published in the journal Kidney Medicine.
“Although kidney disease adversely impacts fertility, conception is common among women with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure on dialysis and kidney transplant. History of kidney disease increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm babies,” says Silvi Shah, MD, associate professor in the Division of Nephrology at UC and lead author of the study.
“Unplanned pregnancies occur in women with kidney disease. It is of paramount importance that pregnancies in this high-risk population are planned and gives us the opportunity to counsel women about family planning and the impact of pregnancy on kidney disease, and the impact of kidney disease on maternal and fetal outcomes.”
The study found five to 10% of females use contraception, compared to 60% in the general population. Inadequate counseling, insufficient educational resources, lack of multidisciplinary coordination and variable knowledge are the barriers reported by patients for low contraceptive use with kidney disease.
In the study, the investigators conducted focus group interviews in adult female patients with chronic kidney disease, kidney transplant and kidney failure requiring dialysis. The following five themes were identified with the qualitative analysis:
1) varying 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
5) need for research to better understand reproductive needs in females with kidney disease
“Qualitative studies such as this one show us the importance of listening to our patients and communicating better with them and the larger care team. Simply telling a patient the risks is not enough anymore,” says co-author Meredith Pensak, MD, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UC College of Medicine.
Shah says the study is unique in that it addresses perspectives and barriers facing females with kidney disease with regards to contraceptive use in the United States. The study highlights the importance of increasing awareness and improving multidisciplinary care for reproductive health for patients with kidney disease.
Assisting Shah and Pensak in the research were Priyanka Gudsoorkar, Department of Environmental Health, UC College of Medicine; Prema Vyas, Texas Christian University; Sunshine Barhorst, UC Section of Transplant Nephrology; Prasoon Verma, Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s; and Goni Katz-Greenberg, Duke University. Shah is supported by a K23 career development award from the National Institutes of Health.
Lead photo of Barhorst, Shah, Pensak and Gudsoorkar/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC cancer research presented at national meeting
May 26, 2023
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers will present abstracts at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting 2023, held in Chicago June 2-6.
Improving treatment for deadly brain tumors
May 5, 2023
The University of Cincinnati's Soma Sengupta was a co-first author on research published in Cell Reports Medicine New that found that a cancer stem cell test can accurately decide more effective treatments and lead to increased survival for patients with glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor.
Learning more about how cancer affects stroke risk
October 16, 2023
A collaborative team led by University of Cincinnati, University of North Carolina and Duke University researchers is studying how specific cancers and treatments affect patients' risk of stroke.
Putting control in patients' hands
February 6, 2024
A new University of Cincinnati trial, in partnership with Spark Biomedical, will test a wearable neurostimulation device to help patients with opioid use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder stick with medication treatment while finding the right dose.
UC trial tests tongue exercises to improve swallowing function after stroke
January 9, 2024
A new trial at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute, funded by a $660,000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, will test an at-home tongue endurance exercise to improve patients’ swallowing function after a stroke.
Collaborative University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team opens Phase 2 brain tumor trial
March 26, 2024
A multidisciplinary team of University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researchers have opened a Phase 2 clinical trial to test a new combination treatment for glioblastomas, the most deadly form of brain tumors.
Identifying how inflammation affects stroke recovery
October 6, 2022
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are leading the CAPSTONE study that will learn more about how inflammation affects patient recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage strokes.
Study finds distinct patterns of preexisting brain health characteristics in stroke patients
May 26, 2023
The University of Cincinnati's Achala Vagal presented the results of the first large-scale assessment of radiological brain health in stroke patients in a population at the European Stroke Organization Conference 2023 in Munich, Germany.
Pioneering treatments for ‘brain tsunamis’
June 5, 2023
University of Cincinnati researchers have enrolled the first four patients in a first-of-its-kind trial that will test a treatment for abnormal brain activity sometimes referred to as a “brain tsunami.”
New trial tests chemotherapy regimen following pancreatic cancer surgery
May 19, 2023
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Syed Ahmad, MD, is the national principal investigator for a phase 2 trial testing the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment following surgery for a subset of pancreatic cancer patients.