Influence of the couple on hypertensive disorders during pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective Our study investigates a possible couple predisposition for pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders (PRHDs). Materials and methods We selected 350 women with PRHDs and a random control cohort without PRHDs. We analyzed their clinical files and asked them and their partners about clinical information and family history for some common pathologies. Statistical bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed by R, considering significant p < 0.05. Results Familial history reveals in cases more maternal grandparents hypertension and thrombophilia, and paternal, personal and familial, thrombophilia history than in controls. By multivariate analysis, the occurrence of PRHDs is influenced by stress, maternal BMI, maternal chronic hypertension, pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus, nulliparity, maternal grandmother and grandfather hypertension; and academic degrees is a protective factor. Selecting only multipara, PRHDs correlate with advanced maternal age, higher maternal BMI, chronic hypertension, longer interpregnancy interval, stress, previous pregnancies affected by PRHDs, and paternal, personal and familial, thrombophilia history. Moreover the multivariate logistic regression models considering parents familial and personal history results are accurate to predict PRHDs with an AUC of 79% in the general population and 82% among multiparous women. Conclusions The couple should be evaluated together for PRHDs risk, both parents familial history should be considered in PRHDs screening programs, and further studies are required, in a society continuously changing its characteristics and habits.