Medical record validation of maternally reported history of preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we assessed the validity of maternally self-reported history of preeclampsia.


METHODS
This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from prenatal questionnaires and one questionnaire obtained 2 months postpartum from the mother. All women who delivered in hospital and returned a 2-month postpartum questionnaire (n = 4,330) were selected.


RESULTS
Of the 4,330 women, 76 out of 152 (50%) women who self-reported preeclampsia appeared not to have had the disease according to the definition (International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy). From the women who self-reported not to have experienced preeclampsia, 11 out of 4,178 (0.3%) had suffered from preeclampsia. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 and 0.98, respectively. Higher maternal education level and parity were associated with a better self-reported diagnosis of preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
The validity of maternal-recall self-reported preeclampsia is moderate. The reduced self-reported preeclampsia might suggest a lack of accuracy in patient-doctor communication with regard to the diagnostic criteria of the disease. Therefore, doctors have to pay attention to make sure that women understand the nature of preeclampsia.
Coolman
Marianne
M
The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.coolman@erasmusmc.nl
de Groot
Christianne J M
CJ
Jaddoe
Vincent W
VW
Hofman
Albert
A
Raat
Hein
H
Steegers
Eric A P
EA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011939:Mental Recall; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires