Patterns of multiple chronic conditions in pregnancy: Population-based study using latent class analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Chronic Disease Epidemiology
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Multiple chronic conditions (MCC) are increasingly prevalent in adults but understudied in pregnancy.
• Understanding MCC in pregnancy is vital due to elevated risks of adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the population prevalence of MCC in pregnant women.
• To identify patterns of chronic condition clustering among pregnant women with MCC.

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada (2007-2020).
• Identified 22 chronic conditions using validated algorithms.
• Employed latent class analysis to detect condition clusters.

Main Results:

• MCC prevalence was 161.2 per 1000 pregnancies.
• Identified five distinct clusters of co-occurring conditions.
• Common clusters included mood/anxiety disorders with osteoarthritis, obesity, substance use disorders, or asthma. A fifth cluster comprised obesity, asthma, chronic hypertension, and diabetes.

Conclusions:

• MCC is common in pregnancy, frequently involving co-occurring mental and physical health issues.
• Highlights the need for preconception and perinatal interventions.
• Emphasizes integrated care strategies for optimizing management of chronic conditions in pregnant women.