TY - JOUR
T1 - Gynecologic Care in Women With Down Syndrome
T2 - Findings From a National Registry
AU - Smith, Anna J.B.
AU - Applebaum, Jeremy
AU - Tanner, Edward J.
AU - Capone, George T.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank DS-Connect (The Down Syndrome Registry), which is supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institutes of Health, for the data used in this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE:To estimate receipt of recommended gynecologic care, including cancer screening and menstrual care, among women with Down syndrome in the United States.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women participating in DS-Connect, the National Institute of Health's registry of women with Down syndrome. Using 2013-2019 survey data, we estimated the proportion of women receiving recommended age-appropriate well-woman care (Pap tests, mammogram, breast examination, pelvic examination) and compared receipt of gynecologic care to receipt of other preventive health care. We also estimated proportion receiving care for menstrual regulation.RESULTS:Of 70 participants with Down syndrome, 23% (95% CI 13-33) of women received all recommended gynecologic components of a well-woman examination. Forty-four percent (95% CI 32-56) of women aged 18 years and older reported ever having a gynecologic examination, and 26% (95% CI 15-37) reported ever having a Pap test. Of women aged 40 years or older, 50% (95% CI 22-78) had had a mammogram. Fifty-two percent (95% CI 41-65) had tried medication for menstrual regulation, and 89% (95% CI 81-96) received all recommended components of nongynecologic routine health care.CONCLUSION:Women with Down syndrome received gynecologic care, including cancer screening, at lower-than-recommended rates and at substantially lower rates than other forms of health care. Efforts to improve gynecologic care in this vulnerable population are needed.
AB - OBJECTIVE:To estimate receipt of recommended gynecologic care, including cancer screening and menstrual care, among women with Down syndrome in the United States.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women participating in DS-Connect, the National Institute of Health's registry of women with Down syndrome. Using 2013-2019 survey data, we estimated the proportion of women receiving recommended age-appropriate well-woman care (Pap tests, mammogram, breast examination, pelvic examination) and compared receipt of gynecologic care to receipt of other preventive health care. We also estimated proportion receiving care for menstrual regulation.RESULTS:Of 70 participants with Down syndrome, 23% (95% CI 13-33) of women received all recommended gynecologic components of a well-woman examination. Forty-four percent (95% CI 32-56) of women aged 18 years and older reported ever having a gynecologic examination, and 26% (95% CI 15-37) reported ever having a Pap test. Of women aged 40 years or older, 50% (95% CI 22-78) had had a mammogram. Fifty-two percent (95% CI 41-65) had tried medication for menstrual regulation, and 89% (95% CI 81-96) received all recommended components of nongynecologic routine health care.CONCLUSION:Women with Down syndrome received gynecologic care, including cancer screening, at lower-than-recommended rates and at substantially lower rates than other forms of health care. Efforts to improve gynecologic care in this vulnerable population are needed.
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U2 - 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003997
DO - 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003997
M3 - Article
C2 - 32769650
AN - SCOPUS:85089812982
SN - 0029-7844
VL - 136
SP - 518
EP - 523
JO - Obstetrics and gynecology
JF - Obstetrics and gynecology
IS - 3
ER -