Evaluating the reproducibility of research in obstetrics and gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: Reproducibility is a core tenet of scientific research. A reproducible study is one where the results can be recreated by using the same methodology and materials as the original researchers. Unfortunately, reproducibility is not a standard to which the majority of research is currently adherent. METHODS: Our cross-sectional survey evaluated 300 trials in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Our primary objective was to identify nine indicators of reproducibility and transparency. These indicators include availability of data, analysis scripts, pre-registration information, study protocols, funding source, conflict of interest statements and whether or not the study was available via Open Access. RESULTS: Of the 300 trials in our sample, 208 contained empirical data that could be assessed for reproducibility. None of the trials in our sample provided a link to their protocols or provided a statement on availability of materials. None were replication studies. Just 10.58% provided a statement regarding their data availability, while only 5.82% provided a statement on preregistration. 25.85% failed to report the presence or absence of conflicts of interest and 54.08% did not state the origin of their funding. CONCLUSION: In the studies we examined, research in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology is not consistently reproducible and frequently lacks conflict of interest disclosure. Consequences of this could be far-reaching and include increased research waste, widespread acceptance of misleading results and erroneous conclusions guiding clinical decision-making.

The role of pregnancy intendedness and prenatal contraceptive counseling on postpartum contraceptive use.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to prospectively examine how pregnancy intendedness and prenatal provider counseling about postpartum contraceptive options are associated with lack of contraception use at 6 months post-birth (e.g., increased risk for a short interpregnancy interval). METHODS: Logistic regression models were used to examine risk for no postpartum contraception use among a sample of low-income and racially/ethnically diverse women recruited from two metropolitan perinatal clinics in Tulsa, OK. RESULTS: Women who reported that they were trying to get pregnant or "okay either way" about getting pregnant had significantly lower odds of using contraception at 6 months post childbirth than those who had unintended pregnancies. Having providers who discussed postpartum contraceptive options during pregnancy significantly increased the odds of contraceptive uptake among those who were planning or ambivalent about their pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Intentions of a current pregnancy and provider contraceptive counseling matter for postpartum contraceptive use and the associated risk for a short interval subsequent pregnancy. Provider contraceptive counseling that accounts for the intendedness of a current pregnancy may offer a more targeted approach to prevent a short interval subsequent pregnancy.

Evaluating Financial Conflicts of Interest Among Contributors to Clinical Practice Guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

CONTEXT: Patient care is an essential part of the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, and patient care is directed by clinical practice guidelines. To increase the validity of these guidelines, we must make sure that there is no outside influence by financial conflicts of interest. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the existence of and reporting patterns regarding payments received by contributors to guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), ACOG executive committee members, and companies making these payments and to examine the compliance of those receiving payments to ACOG's conflict of interest policies. METHODS: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid's Open Payments database was used to search practice bulletin committee members and practice bulletin collaborators from 2014-2016, as well as current executive committee board members. Open Payments was also used to evaluate companies that provided payments, and amounts were totaled. The main outcome measure was the monetary values of payments received and the compliance with disclosure statements enforced by ACOG. Manufacturer payments to physicians in the database were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: General and research payments were calculated among 65 physicians in the Open Payments database: 44 physician members of both the obstetrics and the gynecology practice bulletin committees, 4 2016 ACOG executive board physician members, and 17 contributing physician authors. Research payments accounted for greater than 78% of all payments. Consulting, travel and lodging, and speaking fees totaled greater than $90,000 and contributed to more than 90% of the total amount of general payments. Food and beverage payments contributed to 10% of all general payments. Three covered members were noncompliant with the financial conflicts of interest guidelines, receiving industry payments exceeding $5000. CONCLUSION: A small number of companies provide the majority of contributions; however, there is no evidence to suggest bias toward manufactures within ACOG practice bulletins. Future investigations into pharmaceutical manufacturer payments, specifically for consulting fees, may be warranted. (Clinical Trial Registry UMIN-CTR, UMIN000029165).

Diagnosis and Management of Placental Mesenchymal Disease. A Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To review what is currently known about placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) including imaging techniques for diagnosis and differentiation from a molar pregnancy, genetics, maternal/fetal effects, and management. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search by research librarians at 2 universities was undertaken using the search engines PubMed and Web of Science. The search terms used were "etiology" OR "cause" OR "risk" OR "risks" OR "epidemiology" OR "diagnosis" OR "therapy" OR "prognosis" OR "management" AND "placental mesenchymal dysplasia" OR "placenta" AND "mesenchymal dysplasia." No limit was put on the number of years searched. RESULTS: The etiology of PMD remains uncertain, although there are a number of theories on causation. An elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein level, slightly elevated human chorionic gonadotropin level, normal karyotype, multicystic lesions on ultrasound, and varying degrees of flow within cysts using color Doppler (stained-glass appearance) are helpful in making the diagnosis. On pathologic examination of the placenta, PMD is differentiated from molar pregnancy by the absence of trophoblastic hyperplasia. Fetal complications of PMD include hematologic disorders, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, liver tumors, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and intrauterine fetal demise. Maternal complications include gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver function tests, low platelets) syndrome, and eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate diagnosis of PMD is imperative for appropriate management and surveillance to minimize adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. RELEVANCE: The importance of a correct diagnosis of PMD is important because it can be misdiagnosed as a partial molar pregnancy or a complete mole with coexisting normal fetus, and this can result in inappropriate management.