Comparison of metabolic syndrome variables among pregnant women with and without eclampsia.
BACKGROUND
Similarities in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and metabolic syndrome have been described. This study is aimed at determining whether metabolic syndrome variables occur in eclampsia.


METHODS
Consecutive 45 patients with eclampsia were prospectively compared with age, gestational age and parity-matched women with uncomplicated pregnancy. The main outcome measures included plasma lipids, glucose, electrolytes and uric acid levels.


RESULTS
The patients were predominantly made up of ethnic Hausa primigravidae aged 15-30 years (mean: 19.5 +/- 4.2 years). As expected, patients with eclampsia had significantly higher blood pressure than controls: (systolic 163.0 +/- 24.7 vs. 124.8 +/- 18.1 mmHg, p = 0.001; diastolic 120.8 +/- 8.7 vs. 79.6 +/- 10.7 mmHg, p = 0.001). Compared to the controls, the eclamptics also had significantly higher total plasma cholesterol (5.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L, p = 0.001), triglyceride (1.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.2 mmol/L, p = 0.01), uric acid (10.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.8 mol/L, p = 0.005) and blood glucose (6.3 +/- 2.3 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.0 mg/dL, p = 0.01). The risk for intrapartum eclampsia was significantly increased for women with hypercholesterolemia [odds ratio (OR) = 6.9; 95% CI: 2.5-20.7] hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.79-14.32) and hyperuricemia (OR = 35.3; 95% CI: 9.6-14.3).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that markers of metabolic syndrome also exist in this cohort of pregnant women with eclampsia and could suggest that both conditions are linked.
Isezuo
Simeon A
SA
Department of Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, PMB 2370, Sokoto, Nigeria. simeonisezuo@yahoo.com
Ekele
Bisalla A
BA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies