Present status of clinical care for postpartum patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Japan: findings from a nationwide questionnaire survey. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mito, Asako; Arata, Naoko; Sakamoto, Naoko; Miyakoshi, Kei; Waguri, Masako; Osamura, Anna; Kugishima, Yukari; Metoki, Hirohito; Yasuhi, Ichiro
• Is Part Of: Hypertension in pregnancy. Volume 34:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Antihypertensive agent -- Breast feeding -- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy -- Hypertension in pregnancy -- Postpartum hypertension; Hypertension in pregnancy -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Complications -- Periodicals; 618.3261
• DOI: 10.3109/10641955.2014.1001902
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-1955

Abstract

Abstract : Objective : To assess the present status of clinical care for postpartum patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in Japan. Methods : We conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey of obstetricians, internists and hypertension specialists and analyzed 686 valid responses. Results : Though HDP is widely known as a risk factor for subsequent hypertension and cardiovascular disease, over one-third of obstetricians terminated their postpartum follow-up of HDP patients without referring them to other departments. Conclusion : It is important to establish an effective referral system, whereby patients with HDP can be smoothly transferred to primary care or a specialist physician after childbirth for long-term monitoring and management of blood pressure.