Multiple sexual partners and early menarche are risk factors for preeclampsia in an African population

Abstract

ISRAEL HENDLER, SEAN BLACKWELL, SHOBHA MEHTA, JANICE WHITTY, EVIE RUSSELL, YORAM SOROKIN, DAVID COTTON, Wayne State University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Detroit, Michigan OBJECTIVE: Adipose tissue derived proteins (adipokines) have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia in obese and non obese women. The objective was to compare the levels of different Adipokines between women with and without preeclampsia based on maternal body mass index (BMI). STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective nested case control study among third trimester singleton pregnancies with severe or mild preeclampsia (PIH) (n = 85) compared to normotensive controls (n = 23). Women with chronic hypertension or gestational diabetes mellitus were excluded. Severe and mild preeclampsia was defined according to standard criteria. Levels of adiponectin, leptin and resistin were measured in serum prior to delivery by radioimmunoassay or ELISA and were analyzed with non parametric tests. RESULTS: Adipokines levels were available for 20 (mean gestational age 38.3 G 1.7 wks) normotensive and 75 mPIH and sPIH women. (37.3 G 2.8 weeks). The rate of obesity (BMI R30 kg/m) was 43.5 and 65.9%, respectively, P = .04). Leptin levels gradually increased with maternal BMI; (!30 kg/m), class I and II obesity (30-39.9 kg/m) and extreme obesity (R40 kg/m), (19.2; 2.2-38.8, 27.5; 13-54.9, and 38.0; 9.2-66.0 ng/mL, P ! .05). After adjustment for maternal BMI, leptin was not associated with preeclampsia (OR1.03, 95%CI 0.99-1.08). Adiponectin and resistin levels were not correlated (Spearman’s rho0.85, P = .41) and there was no difference in their levels when compared between obese and non obese patients (9.2; 1.8-31.1 vs. 9.0; 2.6-30.4ug/mL, P = .11 and 1.5; 0.5-5.4 vs. 2.0; 0.7-7.9 ng/mL, P = .50 respectively), or between patients with and without preeclampsia. Leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels did not diverge between obese or non obese patients with and without preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Increase in maternal BMI is associated with increased serum leptin levels. In this study, there was no association between leptin, adiponectin or resistin levels and preeclampsia both in obese and non obese women.