Association Between Recurrent Preeclampsia and Attendance at the Blood Pressure Monitoring Appointment After Birth

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between recurrent preeclampsia and attendance at the standard of care blood pressure monitoring appointment after birth.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Single Magnet-accredited hospital affiliated with an academic medical center.

Participants: Multiparous women who gave birth between 2010 and 2020 and were diagnosed with preeclampsia (N = 313).

Methods: We divided participants into two groups: those with prior preeclampsia (n = 119) and those without prior preeclampsia (n = 194). Using logistic regression, we calculated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios to estimate the association between attendance at the postpartum blood pressure (PPBP) monitoring appointment and prior preeclampsia. We also explored the relationship between attendance at the PPBP monitoring appointment and use of magnesium sulfate during labor and birth and the relationship between attendance at the PPBP monitoring appointment and use of maintenance antihypertensive medications.

Results: In adjusted analysis, participants with prior preeclampsia were 66.4% less likely to attend the PPBP monitoring appointment compared with those without prior preeclampsia, adjusted OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.18, 0.62]. Administration of magnesium sulfate during delivery admission and use of maintenance antihypertensive medications were not associated with a change in attendance at the PPBP appointment.

Conclusion: Further research on patient-perceived risk of recurrent preeclampsia and improvement of systems to facilitate postpartum follow-up is needed.

Keywords: appointment attendance; postpartum; recurrent preeclampsia.