C-reactive protein in preeclamptic and healthy normotensive patients

Objective: To compare concentrations of C-reactive protein in patients with preeclampsia and healthy normotensive pregnant women. Method: We selected 70 patients. Thirty-five patients with preeclampsia were selected as cases (group A) and 35 healthy normotensive women with the same age and body mass index as those in group A were selected as controls (group B). Blood samples were collected in all patients before labor and immediately after diagnosis in group B to determine C-reactive protein concentrations. Results: C-reactive protein concentrations differed significantly between patients in the study group (group A: 6.1 +/- 2.2 mg/l) and those in the control group (group B: 3.5 +/- 0.8 mg/l; P<.05). There was a weak, positive and significant correlation with values of systolic blood pressure( r=.314; P<.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=.266; P<.05). A cutoff value of 180 pg/ml had an area under the curve of 0.86, a sensitivity of 76.3%, specificity of 81.2%, positive predictive value of 82.8%, and a negative predictive value of 74.2%. Conclusions: C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia than in healthy normotensive pregnant women. (C) 2013 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.