THE RELATION OF LIPOPROTEIN "A" AND PREECLAMPSIA IN IRANIAN WOMEN: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the relation between lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)] and preeclampsia in Iranian women.

Methods: In this case control study, 55 preeclampsia and 55 healthy women were recruited from two health centers and two educational hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. The preeclampsia diagnosis was confirmed by a gynecologist. Four ml fasting venous blood was drawn and taken to the laboratory immediately. The sera of samples was separated and kept in the micro tubes at temperature -28°C. Measuring of LP (a) was done using the Biorex kit and Alcyon auto-analyzer by ELISA method. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, ANOVA and multivariate Logistic regression.

Results: The level of LP (a) was significantly higher in the severe preeclampsia (65.7±32.9 mg/dL) compared to the mild preeclampsia (34.9±33.9 mg/dL) and healthy pregnant women (11.6±18.2 mg/dL), (p=0.001). Women who had higher level of LP (a) were 1.4 times more likely to affect with preeclampsia (OR= 1.41, p= 0.03, CI: 1.01-1.08). Also women who had higher body mass index were 1.05 more likely to show preeclampsia (OR= 1.05, p= 0.001, CI: 1.13-1.53).

Conclusion: The serum level of lipoprotein (a) is higher in the preeclamptic women compared to the normal pregnant women. Some screening methods for detection of LP(a) can be utilized for early detection of women at risk of preeclampsia.