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Table 1 Study and population characteristics

From: Women’s values and preferences on low-molecular-weight heparin and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review

Author, Year, Country [reference]

Objective

Population

Methods

GRADE (Risk of Bias) /CASP (unmet methodological quality criteria)

Participants, n

Mean age (years) (SD /range)

Education (%)

Race (%)

Pregnancy period, Reason for VTE risk in pregnancy

Indication for the use of LMWH

Study design [Data Collection Methods]

Outcome presentation: Measurement instrument

 

Anderson, 1993 [43]

Canada

To determine the following: (1) whether women requiring subcutaneous heparin therapy during pregnancy preferred administering the drug through an indwelling Teflon catheter as opposed to receiving twice daily subcutaneous injections and (2) the efficacy and feasibility of administering heparin through an indwelling Teflon catheter

12

28.6

NR

NR

Period: Ante-partum

Reason: Previous VTE event

Prevention/ Treatment

Cross-sectional [Questionnaire]

Non-utility: Researchers self-developed questionnaire

Moderate risk of bias

Bates 2016 [41], Eckman 2015 [47],

Multicenter: Canada, USA, Brazil, Finland, Norway and Spain

To compare women's choices regarding thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy

123

33.94 (6.2)

(1) Not complete high school: 13.8%

(2) Completed high school: 18.7%

(3) Some post-secondary or higher: 67.5%

NR

Period: Ante-partum

Reason: Previous VTE event

Prevention

Cross-sectional

[Value elicitation exercises

and

Direct choice exercise]

Utility: Direct techniques: VAS

Non-utility: Direct choice exercise

Moderate risk of bias

Guimicheva 2019 [40]

UK

To explore women's views, experiences and adherence to postnatal thromboprophylaxis

67

36.2 (4.4)

NR

Caucasian (73.1)

African-Caribbean (23.9)

Other (3.0)

Period: Post-partum

Reason: Previous obstetric complications

Prevention

Cross-sectional

[Questionnaire]

Non-utility: BMQ- questionnaire

Serious risk of bias

Hordern, 2015 [42]

UK

To assess reported patient compliance with a standard course of postnatal thromboprophylaxis in the form of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)

111

NR

NR

NR

Period: Post-partum

Reason: Multiple risk factors for VTE: Previous VTE event, unprecedented thrombophilia thrombosis, and previous obstetric complications

Prevention

Cross-sectional [Structured interview]

Non-utility: Researchers self-developed questionnaire

Serious risk of bias

Martens, 2007 [45]

Canada

To explore the unique experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of pregnant women diagnosed with thrombophilia and who are on daily heparin injections

9

30 to 36

NR

NR

Period: Ante-partum and post-partum

Reason: Unprecedented thrombophilia thrombosis

Prevention

Qualitative

[Semi-structured interview]

Qualitative: Analytical themes

4 and 6a

Patel 2012 [44]

UK

To monitor women's adherence to enoxaparin when prescribed during pregnancy and the puerperium and to explore women's views and beliefs about the enoxaparin prescribed

95 (quantitative)

30 (qualitative)

33.03 years (range 18–46)

NR

Caucasian (56.8)

African-Caribbean (31.6)

Asian (4.2)

Other (7.4)

Period: Ante-partum and post-partum

Reason: Multiple risk factors for VTE: Previous VTE event, unprecedented thrombophilia thrombosis, and previous obstetric complications

Prevention/ Treatment

Multiple methodology

[questionnaire with open-ended questions]

Non-utility: BMQ- questionnaire

Qualitative: Open-ended questions

Moderate risk of bias

Skeith 2021 [46]

Canada

To understand how patients and physicians navigate the decision-making process for use of LMWH and/or ASA in pregnancy

10

NR

NR

NR

Period: Ante-partum and post-partum

Reason: Unprecedented thrombophilia thrombosis and previous obstetric complications: at least 1 prior

late pregnancy loss (> 10 weeks gestation) or 2 early pregnancy losses (< 10 weeks gestation)

Prevention

Qualitative

[Semi-structured interview]

Qualitative: Analytical themes

4 and 6a

  1. a Criteria 4 and 6 correspond to CASP instrument criteria: selection bias and lack of consideration of the relationship between researchers and participants, respectively. NR: Not reported