Medical record validation of maternally reported history of preeclampsia

In this study, we assessed the validity of maternally self-reported history of preeclampsia.

This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from prenatal questionnaires and one questionnaire obtained 2 months postpartum from the mother. All women who delivered in hospital and returned a 2-month postpartum questionnaire (n = 4,330) were selected.

Of the 4,330 women, 76 out of 152 (50%) women who self-reported preeclampsia appeared not to have had the disease according to the definition (International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy). From the women who self-reported not to have experienced preeclampsia, 11 out of 4,178 (0.3%) had suffered from preeclampsia. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 and 0.98, respectively. Higher maternal education level and parity were associated with a better self-reported diagnosis of preeclampsia.

The validity of maternal-recall self-reported preeclampsia is moderate. The reduced self-reported preeclampsia might suggest a lack of accuracy in patient-doctor communication with regard to the diagnostic criteria of the disease. Therefore, doctors have to pay attention to make sure that women understand the nature of preeclampsia.