Exploring biopsychosocial correlates of pregnancy risk and pregnancy intention in women with chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION: Women with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and renal outcomes. It is unknown how women with CKD understand their pregnancy risk. This nine-centre, cross-sectional study aimed to explore how women with CKD perceive their pregnancy risk and its impact on pregnancy intention, and identify associations between biopsychosocial factors and perception of pregnancy risk and intention. METHODS: Women with CKD in the UK completed an online survey measuring their pregnancy preferences; perceived CKD severity; perception of pregnancy risk; pregnancy intention; distress; social support; illness perceptions and quality of life. Clinical data were extracted from local databases. Multivariable regression analyses were performed. Trial registration: NCT04370769. RESULTS: Three hundred fifteen women participated, with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 64 ml/min/1.73m(2 )(IQR 56). Pregnancy was important or very important in 234 (74%) women. Only 108 (34%) had attended pre-pregnancy counselling. After adjustment, there was no association between clinical characteristics and women’s perceived pregnancy risk nor pregnancy intention. Women’s perceived severity of their CKD and attending pre-pregnancy counselling were independent predictors of perceived pregnancy risk. Importance of pregnancy was an independent predictor of pregnancy intention but there was no correlation between perceived pregnancy risk and pregnancy intention (r = − 0.002, 95% CI − 0.12 to 0.11). DISCUSSION: Known clinical predictors of pregnancy risk for women with CKD were not associated with women’s perceived pregnancy risk nor pregnancy intention. Importance of pregnancy in women with CKD is high, and influences pregnancy intention, whereas perception of pregnancy risk does not. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40620-023-01610-2.