Contributions of the nurses' health studies to reproductive health research

J.E. Chavarro, J.W. Rich-Edwards, A.J. Gaskins, L.V. Farland, K.L. Terry, Chengsi Zhang and S.A. Missmer

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 9, 1669-1676

Abstract: Objectives.To review the Nurses' Health Study's (NHS's) contribution to identifying risk factors and long- Term health consequences of reproductive events. Methods.We performed a narrative review of the NHS I, NHS II, NHS3, and Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) publications between 1976 and 2016. Results. Collection of detailed reproductive history to identify breast cancer risk factors allowed the NHS to document an association between menstrual irregularities, a proxy for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The NHS II found that infertility associated with ovulation problems and gestational diabetes are largely preventable through diet and lifestyle modification. It also identified developmental and nutritional risk factors for pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and uterine leiomyomata. As women in NHS II age, it has become possible to address questions regarding long- Term health consequences of pregnancy complications and benign gynecologic conditions on chronic disease risk. Furthermore, the NHS3 and GUTS are allowing new lines of research into human fertility, PCOS, and transgenerational effects of environmental exposures. Conclusions. The multigenerational resources of the NHSs and GUTS, including linkages of related individuals across cohorts, can improve women's health from preconception through late adulthood and onto the next generation.

Keywords: adult; diet; epidemiology; female; Genital Diseases, Female; human; lifestyle; longitudinal study; middle aged; nurse; pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; prospective study; reproductive health; risk factor; United States; women's health, Adult; Diet; Epidemiologic Studies; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Humans; Life Style; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Nurses; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prospective Studies; Reproductive Health; Risk Factors; United States; Women's Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303350_7

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303350

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