Monocyte to HDL Ratio in Preeclamptic Patients: Can It Be a Predictive Marker?

Abstract

Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe and high – risk pregnancy complication for both the mother and fetus. Generalized inflammation is a prominent feature of PE. Based on the proinflammatory property of monocytes and the contrary anti-inflammatory mechanism of High-density lipoprotein (HDL), monocyte count to HDL ratio (MHR) could be used as a new marker of systemic inflammation. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between PE and MHR in terms of diagnosis of PE.
 Methods: A retrospective case-control study was recruited preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation (n=69 and n= 71, respectively).
 Results: Maternal age (years), gravity, and body mass index (BMI) were similar in the two groups. The gestational week at delivery was significantly earlier in the PE group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Fetal weight in PE was significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.001). Monocyte counts were comparable between the two groups (0.76 ± 0.28 vs. 0.76 ± 0.71; p = 0.25). The mean HDL level of PE patients was lower than the control group, but it was not statistically significant (63.87 ± 15.3 vs. 68.23 ± 13.5; p = 0.77). The monocyte/HDL ratio was higher in the PE group, but this increment did not reach statistical significance (12.5 ± 5.9 vs. 10.9 ± 4.3, p = 0.08).
 Conclusion: MHR might be a new marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study did not reach a result indicating a diagnostic marker of PE. Further studies with more cases are needed to evaluate the relationship between MHR and PE.