Collaboration with real-world evidence expert examines preterm labor & depression

Research scientists Dr. Shilpa Londhe, Ajit Londhe MPH, and Dr. Jessica Holzer presented their findings at the American Public Health Association Annual meeting in San Diego. Their paper “Preterm Labor and Postpartum Depression: Highlighting the Effects of Birth Experience on Maternal Morbidity” was presented during a poster session. Utilizing longitudinal administrative claims data (Optum Clinformatics® Extended Data Mart, Socio-Economic Status edition), our team estimated the relative risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) within 6 months post-delivery among first-time mothers whose gestational time was considered early (161 to 259 days) compared to those with gestational time considered to be on-time (260 to 294 days). The study reproduced results seen in other analyses of gestational age and PPD outcomes, but did so with a large population from a claims database representing approximately 80 million patient lives using a majority of the continuum of care experienced by preterm- and term-mothers. By developing a claims-based typology of preterm labor and relating it to the risk of PPD, our findings highlight the need for prenatal care providers and hospitals to identify preterm labor as a relevant maternal morbidity quality improvement target.