Status, outcome, and related factors of postpartum hypertension in the Shanghai community

Abstract

BACKGROUND Postpartum hypertension poses a considerable health risk. Despite research on gestational hypertension, comprehensive studies focusing on postpartum hy-pertension in communities are limited. Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management. AIM To provide insights for postpartum hypertension’s prevention and management. METHODS In total, 3297 women who gave birth between June 2021 and December 2022 in Xuhui District, Shanghai were selected. Blood pressure was measured thrice within one month post-delivery during home visits. Eighty-six women with hypertension were followed up for four months to analyze hypertension per-sistence and its related risk factors. A predictive model for persistent postpartum hypertension was established and verified using the Nomo diagram model. RESULTS Hypertension prevalence 1 month post-delivery was 2.61% (86/3297). Among the 86 pregnant women, 32 (37.21 %) had persistent hypertension at four months post-delivery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.212; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.065–1.380] and higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.188; 95%CI: 1.006–1.404) were associated with hypertension (OR = 10.781; 95%CI: 1.006–1.404) during pregnancy. A 95%CI of 1.243–93.480 is a risk factor for persistent postpartum hypertension. The Nomograph model accurately predicted the risk of persistent postpartum hypertension, demonstrating high precision. CONCLUSION In Xuhui, older age, higher pre-pregnancy BMI, and gestational hypertension are risk factors for persistent postpartum hypertension. Our prediction model can identify high-risk individuals, thereby improving patient quality of life.