Circulating pentraxin-3 and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies

Change of circulating pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), a novel marker of inflammation, has been observed in women with preeclampsia (PE). However, results of previous studies were inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the difference of circulating PTX-3 between women with PE and normal pregnancies.

Case-control studies comparing circulating PTX-3 level between women with PE and normal pregnancies were identified via search of PubMed and Embase databases according to a predefined search strategy and inclusion criteria by two independent authors. Meta-analysis was performed with a random-effect model to incorporate heterogeneity.

Seventeen studies including 814 women with PE and 949 women with normal pregnancy were included. Results showed that women with PE had significantly higher circulating PTX-3 at diagnosis as compared to women with normal pregnancy (standardized mean difference [SMD]: = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.20-2.29, p < .001; I² = 94%). The results were consistent regardless of study characteristics including study location, maternal age, sample size, early or late onset of PE, blood sample for PTX-3 measurement, or NOS quality scores. Moreover, higher circulating PTX-3 was also observed before the diagnosis of PE (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.02-1.29, p = .04; I² = 87%).

Women with PE have higher circulating PTX-3 than women with normal pregnancy. The elevated PTX-3 could be observed before the clinical onset of PE. Future studies are needed to determine whether PTX-3 is an active molecular in the pathogenesis of PE.