ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) play potential roles in preeclampsia diagnosis. Nevertheless, studies on the use of sFlt-1, PlGF, and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in predicting preeclampsia have found contradictory results. Thus, more studies in different populations are needed. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to (i) examine the associations between sFlt-1, PlGF, or sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at gestational ages of 24-28â¯weeks and subsequent preeclampsia, and (ii) estimate predictive values of these markers in southern Vietnamese women. METHODS: We used a nested case-control design from a cohort of 490 pregnant women who were at risk of preeclampsia. The total sample size for statistical analysis consisted of 30 cases and 67controls. Levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF were quantified by using a fully automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay platform (Elecsys®/Cobas®). RESULTS: The median of sFlt-1 concentration was not statistically different between case and control groups. The median PlGF concentration was lower (349.7â¯pg/ml versus 534.6â¯pg/ml, Pâ¯<â¯.001) and the median sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was higher in the preeclampsia group (4.3 versus 1.9, Pâ¯<â¯.001). After adjusting for maternal age, gestational age, nullipara, and body mass index, the odds of preeclampsia in women with an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the fourth quartile were 10 times greater than in women with an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the other quartiles (95% confidence interval, 3.2-31.4; Pâ¯<â¯.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the literature that sFlt-1/PlGF ratio measured at gestational weeks 24-28 in southern Vietnamese women can separate preeclamptic from normotensive cases.
