Risk Factors for Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the most significant leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in high-risk cesarean delivery women. Systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including PPH, preeclampsia, thromboembolism, abortion, and intrauterine growth restriction. The incidence of PPH in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported to be as high as 34%. However, few studies have investigated PPH risk factors in pregnant women with systemic autoimmune disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence and related risk factors of PPH in pregnant women with systemic autoimmune disease, and to provide the latest evidence for further study on prevention of PPH in women at high risk of PPH.

The worldwide estimated cumulative prevalence of autoimmune disease is approximately 5%. Studies are often limited by small sample sizes and focused on a specific autoimmune disease such as SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which is characterized by the production of autoantibodies leading to inflammation of multiple organs. Systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with APOs, including increased cesarean delivery rates, PPH, preeclampsia, thromboembolism, abortion, premature delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction. Preeclampsia is the most commonly reported complication in patients with SLE and is also a high risk factor for PPH. The incidence of PPH in women with SLE has been reported to be as high as 34%. Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) are often present in SLE and APS patients, which predict serious perinatal complications and are associated with the risk of thrombosis. APLAs are detected not only in SLE and APS but also in other connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Women with positive APLAs during pregnancy usually receive antithrombotic therapy to reduce the incidence of fetal loss, which may increase the risk of PPH, but existing research evidence is insufficient. PPH increases the need for blood transfusion and related complications and is a significant clinical and socio-economic problem. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and related risk factors of PPH in pregnant women with systemic autoimmune disease, and to provide the latest evidence for further study on prevention of PPH in women at high risk of PPH. The investigators will review patients who underwent cesarean delivery in five hospitals between June 2019 and June 2024. The complication of pregnancy, placental function, estimated blood loss 24h postoperatively, blood transfusion 3d postpartum, additional uterotonics, other surgical intervention for PPH and APOs will be recorded. The group of patients included in the analysis for risk factors associated with PPH consisted of those who with systemic autoimmune disease.