History of preeclampsia is not associated with an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the thyroid function in women with a history of preeclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome at least 2 years after delivery.


METHODS
Observational retrospective study.


METHODS
University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Women with a history of preeclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome (n = 310) or uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 363), between January 1990 and February 2003.


METHODS
Measurement of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and the use of a questionnaire about relevant history and family history of auto-immune diseases related to thyroid disease.


METHODS
Prevalence of primary thyroid dysfunction and antibodies to thyroid peroxidase.


RESULTS
Mean serum TSH values were not significantly different between the preeclampsia and control group (1.62 vs. 1.80 mU/l). The percentage of women who have (have had) hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively, did not differ significantly between the preeclampsia and the control group (3.3 vs. 6.1% and 10.0 vs. 7.7%). Furthermore the prevalence of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase was not significantly different (6.1 vs. 7.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Preeclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome are not associated with an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction in later life.
Dekker
Ruth R
RR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
Jochemsen
Bram M
BM
van Pampus
Maria G
MG
Santema
Job G
JG
Roozendaal
Caroline
C
Groen
Henk
H
Links
Thera P
TP
van Doormaal
Jasper J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D000906:Antibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase