An analysis of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and D-dimer in pre-eclamptic patients.

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma D-Dimer levels in mild and severe pre-eclampsia.

METHOD OF STUDY: Serum PCT, CRP, and D-Dimer levels were analyzed in 64 cases with pre-eclampsia as the study group and 33 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester as the control group. Pre-eclamptic group consisted of mild (n = 31) and severe pre-eclamptic subgroup (n = 33). Laboratory results were compared between the groups and diagnostic usefulness of these parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

PCT, CRP, and D-Dimer levels were significantly higher in study group than the control group (P = 0.001). PCT, CRP, and D-Dimer were significantly higher in the patients with severe pre-eclampsia than mild pre-eclampsia. There were significant positive correlations between these markers and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Logistic regression analysis using the control and pre-eclampsia group showed that higher PCT (OR, 15.68; 95%-CI, 3.15-78.10), CRP (OR, 14.29; 95%-CI, 3.08-66.34), and D-Dimer levels (OR, 4.97; 95%-CI, 1.22-20.29) were found to be risk factors significantly associated with pre-eclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study results confirm that evidence of a possible exaggerated systemic inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia especially in severe pre-eclampsia.