The following is a summary of “Menstrual Abnormalities and Reproductive Lifespan in Females with CKD” published in the December 2022, issue of Nephrology by L. Rytz et, al.
Although the severity of these reproductive factor irregularities in females with Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is unclear, it has been shown that menstrual abnormalities and a shorter reproductive lifespan are associated with shorter life expectancy and increased cardiovascular and osteoporosis risk in the general population. Researchers sought to synthesize the state of knowledge concerning menstrual irregularities and reproductive lifetime in women with chronic kidney disease by conducting this systematic review and meta-analysis.
All original articles reporting on menstruation patterns, age of menarche, and/or menopause in women of reproductive age with nondialysis-dependent/nonkidney transplant CKD, dialysis-dependent CKD, or kidney transplantation were identified through a search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) from the database’s inception to February 2022. Both the data extraction and the evaluation of the study’s quality were done twice. Pooled proportion estimates were calculated using random effects meta-analyses. About 35 papers were meta-analyzed, and separated into groups based on the type of kidney replacement therapy(KRT) they used and the results they reported. Patients on hemodialysis were more likely to have menstrual irregularities (19%-47% vs. 75%, respectively) than those on peritoneal dialysis (75% vs. 19%).
The incidence of menstruation irregularities has been found to drop by between 7 and 30 percent after a kidney donation. The average reproductive age was 32 years (95% CI, 30-34). Although there was substantial variation, the overall quality of the studies was fair to good, and there was no sign of publication bias. Women with CKD often experience menstrual irregularities and a shortened reproductive lifespan, while a kidney transplant may ameliorate the former.
Source: cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/17/12/1742
