title: Short-term outcome of patients with preeclampsia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preeclampsia constitutes a cause of increased mortality in mothers and fetuses. Screening for promoting factors is essential for adequate prevention in the event of any subsequent pregnancy, and for the adequate follow-up of concerned patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short-term outcome of patients with preeclampsia and to identify possible new factors predisposing them to the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-five patients having experienced preeclampsia between 2005 and 2010 from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Foch Hospital (Suresnes, France) were included in the study. All patients had undergone close clinical and standard biological follow-up immediately postpartum and then 3 months later with a reference practitioner. In severe cases, further investigation was carried out by full etiological examination with an assessment of both autoimmune and thrombophilic status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obesity and gestational diabetes were observed to be major risk factors for preeclampsia, which were found in 46% and 15% of the cases, respectively. The etiological assessment showed abnormalities in 11% of the patients. Impaired thrombophilia was found in 3% of the patients, impaired autoimmune status in 4%, a combination of both abnormalities in only 1% of the patients, and detection of renal abnormalities in 3% of the patients were observed. In the immediate postpartum period, 66% of patients had maintained elevated blood pressure levels, and 66% had proteinuria > 0.3 g/24 hours. At the 3-month postpartum assessment, persisting arterial hypertension was found in 16% of the patients, requiring continuation of antihypertensive therapy, and 22% of the patients had proteinuria over the accepted threshold (0.15 g/24 hours).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with preeclampsia have increased cardiovascular risk, necessitating lifestyle measures and long-term follow-up. Etiological assessment must be carried out, systematically aiming at the detection of promoting underlying diseases and adaptation of the management of subsequent pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koual
authors.forename: Hind
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abbou
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carbonnel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Picone
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ayoubi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: gestational hypertensive disorders; postpartum; preeclampsia