Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by severe distress and associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Studies in military and clinical populations suggest that dysregulated metabolomic processes may be a key mechanism. Prior work identified and validated a metabolite-based distress score (MDS) linked with depression and anxiety and subsequent cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we assessed whether PTSD shares metabolic alterations with depression and anxiety and if additional metabolites are related to PTSD.

We leveraged plasma metabolomics data from three subsamples nested within the Nurses’ Health Study II, including 2835 women with 2950 blood samples collected across three time points (1996–2014) and 339 known metabolites assayed by mass spectrometry-based techniques. Trauma and PTSD exposures were assessed in 2008 and characterized as follows: lifetime trauma without PTSD, lifetime PTSD in remission, and persistent PTSD symptoms. Associations between the exposures and the MDS or individual metabolites were estimated within each subsample adjusting for potential confounders and combined in random-effects meta-analyses.

Persistent PTSD symptoms were associated with higher levels of the previously developed MDS. Out of 339 metabolites, we identified 29 metabolites (primarily elevated glycerophospholipids and glycerolipids) associated with persistent symptoms (false discovery rate < 0.05; adjusting for technical covariates). No metabolite associations were found with the other PTSD-related exposures.

As the first large-scale, population-based metabolomics analysis of PTSD, our study highlighted shared and distinct metabolic differences linked to PTSD versus depression or anxiety. We identified novel metabolite markers associated with PTSD symptom persistence, suggesting further connections with metabolic dysregulation that may have downstream consequences for health.

Recent guidance from UK health authorities strongly cautions against the use of valproic acid (VPA) in persons under 55 because of reevaluated risk of teratogenicity.

To summarize the extant literature documenting VPA-associated anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity.

Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Collected data covered study design, participant characteristics, anatomical, behavioral, or cognitive effects, and folic acid outcomes.

122 studies were identified meeting inclusion comprised of studies evaluating anatomical (n = 67), behavioral (n = 28), and cognitive (n = 47) teratogenicity. Twenty studies were identified reporting on the risk mitigation effects of folic acid supplementation. Prenatal VPA exposure is associated with anatomical teratogenicity including major congenital malformations (odds ratio [OR] 2.47–9.30; p < 0.005). Behavioral teratogenicity including autism (OR 1.70–4.38), impaired motor development (OR 7.0), and ADHD (OR 1.39) are also significantly associated with VPA exposure. VPA was associated with intellectual disability and low IQ (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4–4.48, verbal intelligence: Spearman’s ρ = −0.436, respectively). Teratogenic effects were dose-dependent across all domains and were significant when compared with controls and other antiepileptic drugs (eg, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam). Folic acid supplementation does not significantly reduce the hazard associated with VPA.

VPA is significantly associated with anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity. Folic acid supplementation does not abrogate the risk of teratogenicity associated with VPA exposure. Available evidence supports recommendations to reduce VPA exposure in women of reproductive age.

To understand young women’s views of cervical screening, what obstacles they face, and what encourages them when considering attending their cervical screening.

Cervical screening figures have been steadily decreasing in the United Kingdom (UK). There is limited research on this trend, especially around views and knowledge of young women, aged 20–24 years, have before they are eligible for cervical screening.

This qualitative study conducted 15 semi-structured Zoom in-depth interviews to discuss young women’s knowledge and perceptions of cervical screening in 2022. Participants were based in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to systematically manage, analyse, and identify themes including cervical screening knowledge; perceptions of cervical screening; barriers to cervical screening; and facilitators of cervical screening.

The findings demonstrate significant gaps in knowledge and negative perceptions of cervical screening. Barriers to attending cervical screening were perceived pain and embarrassment. Facilitators suggested to promote attendance were ensuring access to appointments, creating pop-up clinics, and utilising incentives. The level of knowledge demonstrated by the participants, their negatively framed perceptions; and the vast number of barriers identified present substantial factors that could affect future attendance to cervical screening. Overall, action needs to be taken to prevent decreasing cervical screening attendance rates and eradicate any barriers women may experience.

Recent studies on the quality of life in women with breast cancer show a high prevalence of signs and symptoms that should be the focus of palliative care (PC), leading us to question the current role they play in addressing breast cancer. Therefore, the objective of this review is to map the scope of available literature on the role of PC in the treatment of women with breast cancer.

This is a methodologically guided scoping review by the Joanna Briggs Institute and adapted to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist for report writing. Systematic searches were conducted in 8 databases, an electronic repository, and gray literature. The searches were conducted with the support of a librarian. The study selection was managed through the RAYYAN software in a blind and independent manner by 2 reviewers. The extracted data were analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis technique and discussed through textual categories.

A total of 9,812 studies were identified, of which only 136 articles and 3 sources of gray literature are included in this review. In terms of general characteristics, the majority were published in the USA (35.7%), had a cross-sectional design (44.8%), and were abstracts presented at scientific events (19.6%). The majority of interventions focused on palliative radiotherapy (13.6%). Thematic analysis identified 14 themes and 12 subthemes.

Our findings offer a comprehensive view of the evidence on PC in the treatment of breast cancer. Although a methodological quality assessment was not conducted, these results could guide professionals interested in the topic to position themselves in the current context. Additionally, a quick synthesis of recommendations on different palliative therapies is provided, which should be critically observed. Finally, multiple knowledge gaps are highlighted, which could be used for the development of future studies in this field.

The purpose of this study is to focus on changes in anxiety symptoms among women treated in women’s health practices and under a collaborative care model.

Research on collaborative care has largely focused on improving depressive and anxiety symptoms among adults in primary care settings. The applicability of collaborative care in other healthcare settings is underreported with limited research investigating if collaborative care has advantages in subpopulations treated in both traditional primary care settings and other healthcare settings, such as women’s health practices.

This study, completed through secondary data analysis of the electronic record of N = 219 women across three women’s healthcare centers, evaluated if instituting a collaborative care model is associated with reduced anxiety symptoms and which factors (eg, primary diagnosis, duration of care, and use of psychotropic medications) are associated with anxiety outcomes. Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) at entry into and at termination from collaborative care services.

Overall, there was a significant reduction in average anxiety scores from baseline to termination of collaborative care (t(218) = 12.41, P < 0.001). There was a main effect for the duration of time receiving collaborative care services on anxiety score reduction (β = −0.28, SE = 0.06, P < 0.001) with a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms at the 90-day mark (t(218) = 10.58, P < 0.001). Therefore, collaborative care can be useful in women’s health practices in reducing anxiety symptoms over a 90-day time period.

Adult women of reproductive age are highly engaged with social media, suggesting its utility for conveying health information to this population, at scale. This scoping review aimed to describe health promotion interventions conducted via social media and assess their effectiveness to improve health outcomes, engagement and acceptability in adult women of reproductive age.

Six databases were searched on 13 May 2022. Two reviewers independently screened studies. Data were extracted and risk of bias assessed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools.

Eligible studies conducted an intervention primarily via social media, with or without a comparison intervention, and reported health-related outcomes/behaviours pre- and post-intervention. Results were presented in narrative form.

Adult women (mean age 18–45 years).

Nine eligible studies were identified: six randomised control trials, two quasi-experimental studies and one cross-sectional study. Interventions focused on prenatal, antenatal or postpartum health or physical activity. Seven studies utilised Facebook for intervention delivery, one conducted a digital campaign across four platforms and one used WeChat. Studies reported significant improvements in a range of outcomes, including increased parenting competence, longer duration of breast-feeding and higher rates of physical activity. Social media interventions had greater engagement than control interventions.

We identified nine diverse health promotion interventions conducted via social media, which appear acceptable and effective for improving various health outcomes in adult women of reproductive age. While this supports the utility of social media to convey health information, further research is required to prove effectiveness and superiority over other intervention strategies.