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C-reactive protein is elevated 30 years after eclamptic pregnancy.
Carl A Hubel1, Robert W Powers, Sunna Snaedal
1Magee-Womens Research Institute and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pa., USA.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|April 17, 2008
Summary
Women with a history of eclampsia show higher C-reactive protein (CRP), indicating inflammation. This inflammation, along with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, may increase long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Women with a history of preeclampsia/eclampsia face increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk post-pregnancy.
- Inflammation, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance are linked to preeclampsia risk during pregnancy.
- Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) signifies inflammation and heightened CVD risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Icelandic postmenopausal women with a history of eclampsia exhibit higher serum CRP levels compared to controls.
- To determine if elevated CRP is associated with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in women with a history of eclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Serum CRP levels were measured using high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunoassay in postmenopausal women.
- Participants included women with a history of eclampsia (n=25) and controls with uncomplicated pregnancies (n=28).
- Statistical analysis adjusted for body mass index, smoking, hormone replacement, and age.
Main Results:
- Women with prior eclampsia had significantly higher median CRP levels than controls (9.0 vs. 2.0 mg/L, P<0.03).
- The eclampsia group segregated into high CRP (n=13) and lower CRP (n=12) subsets.
- The high CRP subset showed elevated systolic blood pressure, lower HDL cholesterol, higher apolipoprotein B, and insulin resistance (HOMA) compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- History of eclampsia is associated with elevated systemic inflammation (CRP) in postmenopausal women.
- A subset of women with prior eclampsia exhibits a triad of inflammation, dyslipidemia (low HDL), and insulin resistance.
- This triad may contribute to the elevated risk of both eclampsia and later-life cardiovascular disease.
