Useful Biomarkers for Preeclampsia: Evaluating the Diagnostic Potential of FIB-4 and FIB-5 Indices

Background/Objectives: Preeclampsia is a systemic condition that can result in liver impairment and potentially lead to negative outcomes for both the mother and baby. Various indices have been created to facilitate the early detection of liver issues. Among these, the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and Fibrosis-5 index (FIB-5) have been utilized for several years to forecast liver dysfunction. In our research, we aimed to apply these indices to patients with preeclampsia for the first time. Methods: This retrospective study, conducted at Giresun University from 2017 to 2024, included 207 patients with preeclampsia and 205 healthy controls. Data on maternal age, BMI, obstetric history, delivery method, gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores were extracted from medical records for analysis and biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed statistically. Results: The study found that FIB-4 index values were significantly higher and FIB-5 index values were lower in preeclampsia patients compared to the controls. FIB-4 demonstrated a better diagnostic performance with higher sensitivity and specificity. Although the difference between the two indices was not statistically significant, both were independently predictive of preeclampsia. The correlation coefficient showed that FIB-4 was positively correlated with spot urine protein/creatinine ratio (SPCR) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), while FIB-5 was negatively correlated with these parameters and with alkaline phosphatase. Conclusions: This study found that FIB-4 and FIB-5 are useful for predicting preeclampsia, with FIB-4 showing superior diagnostic performance. These findings highlight their potential in the early detection and management of preeclampsia. Further research is needed for clinical validation.