O-009 The Role of Ethnicity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Pregnancy Complications. An Analysis of a Population Database
Authors: Peeva M , Badeghiesh A , Baghlaf H , Dahan M H 
Published: June 2023

Study question

The goal of this study was to determine the independent effect of ethnicity on adverse obstetrical outcomes in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Summary answer

Among women with PCOS, African Americans, Hispanic and Asians are at an increased risk of certain adverse obstetrics outcomes, whereas Caucasians have fewer pregnancy complications.

What is known already

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications possibly due to the insulin resistance inherent in this syndrome. Variable ethnicities demonstrate different magnitudes of insulin resistance and in non-PCOS populations are known to be at modified pregnancy complication risks. Different ethnicities may have different phenotypes of PCOS, possibly further modifying outcomes. The role of ethnicity in women with PCOS and its effect on pregnancy complications has not been well studied.

Study design, size, duration

This retrospective population-based study utilized data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS), over 11 years from 2004 to 2014. The data are representative of 20% of admissions to US hospitals and geographically represent over 96% of the American population.

Clinical modification ICD9-CM codes were used to identify women with PCOS and group them according to maternal ethnicity. In 2015 codes were changed to ICD-10 which are not comparable.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

All women with PCOS(n = 12782) were grouped according to maternal ethnicity: Caucasian(9107), African American(1098), Hispanic(1288), Asian(741), and other. Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes were collected per group and compared to the rest.

Chi-square tests were used to compare the baseline characteristics between the cohorts. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore associations between ethnicity and pregnancy outcomes through the estimation of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) while controlling for confounding effects.

Main results and the role of chance

PCOS was found in 12,782 patients with included ethnicity results. Asian women had a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes(GDM) (aOR1.96, 95%CI 1.49-2.58, p &lt; 0.001), chorioamnionitis (aOR3.41, 95%CI 2.12-5.47, p &lt; 0.0001), operative vaginal delivery (aOR2.42, 95%CI 1.65-3.56, p &lt; 0.001), postpartum hemorrhage(PPH) (aOR2.07, 95%CI 1.25-3.43, p = 0.004) and maternal infection (aOR2.84, 95%CI 1.80-4.49, p &lt; 0.001). African Americans had a higher risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (aOR1.38, 95% CI 1.06-1.80, p = 0.02), preeclampsia (aOR1.68, 95% CI 1.15-2.45, p = 0.007), preterm premature rupture of membrane (aOR2.75, 95%CI 1.58-4.78, p &lt; 0.001), chorioamnionitis (aOR1.83, 95%CI 1.12-2.98, p = 0.016) and cesarean sections (aOR1.69, 95%CI 1.32-2.15, p &lt; 0.001) and lower risk of operative vaginal delivery (aOR0.53, 95%CI 0.31-0.93, p = 0.03), spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR0.67, 95%CI 0.52-0.85, p &lt; 0.001), and maternal infection (aOR1.91, 95%CI 1.21-3.00, p = 0.005). The risk of GDM (aOR1.36, 95%CI 1.06-1.73, p &lt; 0.014) and PPH (aOR1.58, 95%CI 1.01-2.47, p = 0.045) was increased among Hispanic patients. Caucasian patients were at lower risk of GDM(aOR0.67, 95%CI 0.57-0.79, p &lt; 0.0001), chorioamnionitis (aOR0.39, 95%CI 0.28-0.55, p &lt; 0.0001), casarean section (aOR0.83, 95%CI 0.73-0.95, p &lt; 0.008), spontaneous vaginal deliveries (aOR1.25, 95% CI1.10-1.43, p &lt; 0.001), PPH (aOR0.70, 95% CI0.50-0.98, p &lt; 0.035), blood transfusion (aOR0.49, 95%CI 0.29-0.83, p &lt; 0.007), maternal infection (aOR0.34, 95% CI 0.27-0.51, p &lt; 0.0001) and small for gestational age infants (aOR0.64, 95%CI 0.44-0.93, p &lt; 0.018). Rates of other pregnancy outcomes were similar for the groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a retrospective analysis utilizing an administrative database that relied on the accuracy and consistency of the individuals coding the data. There are known limitations to how accurately hospital coding is able to capture perinatal conditions and complications.

Wider implications of the findings

Our study demonstrated that among women with PCOS, specific ethnicities are at an increased risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. This underlines the importance of screening for certain pregnancy complications in PCOS women of African American, Hispanic, and Asian ethnicity. Studies should evaluate the role of insulin resistance in these outcomes.

Trial registration number

not applicable - This study used publicly accessible, anonymized data; therefore, according to articles 2.2, 2.4 of Tri-Council Policy Statement (2010), institutional review board approval was not required.