Physical and psychosocial morbidity in pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis: a comprehensive mixed-methods study
Authors' conclusion
PLO has severe consequences on both affected women and their partners, highlighting the need for increased awareness, earlier diagnosis, improved management and holistic support.
Study context
- Population
- Women with pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) and healthy women; partners of women with PLO interviewed separately
- Participants
- 20 vs 20
- Comparison
- Women with PLO vs healthy women
- PLO groupn = 20
- Controlsn = 20
- Outcome
- SF-36 physical
Methodological detailsmatched for age and time postpartum, semi-structured interviews, qualitative interviews of partners
- Matched for age and time postpartum
- Semi-structured interviews
- Qualitative interviews of partners
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PLO group
75
Controls
100
P = 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | PLO group | Controls | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualeffo-41 physical | 16 | 2 | P < 0.001 |
| SF-36 emotional wellbeing | 64 | 88 | P = 0.007 |
| Qualeffo-41 mental | 42 | 39 | P = 0.06 |
| PHQ-4 | 3.5 | 0 | P < 0.01 |
| SF-36 social | 75 | 100 | P = 0.06 |
| Qualeffo-41 social | 38 | 0 | P < 0.001 |
Qualitative interviews of women with PLO
- Themes including loss of physical autonomy, chronic pain, delayed return to work, loss of motherhood experience, anxiety and depression, altered body image, poor healthcare support, emotional resilience, relationship strain, social isolation, online peer support, and impact of COVID-19
Qualitative interviews of partners
- Partners reported emotional stress and difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities while adjusting to a 'new normal'
- Not part of the case control analysis
Original publication
Physical and psychosocial morbidity in pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis: a comprehensive mixed-methods study. Osteoporos Int. Published 6 November 2026. doi:10.
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