The second trimester Doppler ultrasound examination is the best predictor of late pregnancy outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus and/or the antiphospholipid syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the predictive value of clinical examination, laboratory tests and Doppler ultrasound examination in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) pregnancies.


METHODS
A prospective study of 116 pregnancies followed in a single tertiary referral centre. Outcomes analysed were fetal/neonatal death and adverse pregnancy outcome. Univariate analysis was performed for: (i) medical and obstetric history; (ii) medical and obstetric clinical examination; (iii) biological data; (iv) Doppler ultrasound examination. Variables significantly associated with the outcomes in the univariate analysis were entered into a logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Sixteen out of 116 pregnancies ended in 12 fetal deaths and 4 embryonic losses. Hence, data for 100 pregnancies were analysed. Seven fetal deaths and one neonatal death occurred, associated with abnormal end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow at the second trimester (P < 0.006), a history of thrombophlebitis (P < 0.001) or notched uterine artery and growth restriction at the second trimester (P < 0.002). Multivariate analysis retained abnormal end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow (P = 0.047) and history of thrombophlebitis (P = 0.018) as significant predictors. Thirty-one adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred, associated with notched uterine artery (P < 0.00003), abnormal end-diastolic umbilical artery Doppler flow (P < 0.0006) and fetal growth restriction at the second trimester (P < 0.008), growth restriction (P < 0.00001) and notched uterine artery at the third trimester (P < 0.0008), use of heparin (P < 0.05) and history of thrombophlebitis (P < 0.04). Notched uterine artery at the second trimester remained the only predictor in multivariate analysis (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the second trimester Doppler ultrasound examination are the best predictors for late pregnancy outcome in SLE and/or APS.
Le Thi Huong
D
D
Department of Internal Medicine, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, 83 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. du.boutin@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Wechsler
B
B
Vauthier-Brouzes
D
D
Duhaut
P
P
Costedoat
N
N
Andreu
M R
MR
Lefebvre
G
G
Piette
J-C
JC
D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology