Cardio-metabolic Risk Profile in Women with Previous History of Pre-Eclampsia

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However there is growing evidence that there are differences during the post partum period between subjects with prior preeclampsia and prior uncomplicated pregnancy and women with a history of preeclampsia are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease later in life. The aim of our study was to assess the cardio- metabolic risk profile in women with previous history of pre-eclampsia and to their counterparts who had normal pregnancy.

In a hospital based case-control study, 50 women aged 20-45 years who had history of preeclampsia and equal numbers of age matched women who had normal pregnancy were included. Apart from routine anthropometric and biochemical parameters, they were assessed for insulin resistance, Hs CRP (High sensitive C reactive protein) and flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD).

Significant difference was noted with regard to BMI and waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and HOMA-IR which were higher and HDL and FMD were lower in women the previous preeclampsia than women with normal pregnancy. The prevalence of various cardio-metabolic risk factors increased in with increase in duration from index pregnancy.

Women with previous history of preeclampsia had adverse cardio-metabolic profile than those who had normal pregnancy. They had higher insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. They also have high prevalence of chronic metabolic disorders with increased duration since index pregnancy.