Toxaemia of pregnancy and risk of mortality in later life: evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether toxaemia of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of mortality, in particular premature death.

METHODS

A cohort nested within the Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study focusing on women who never used oral contraceptives. A total of 2865 parous women with a history of toxaemia of pregnancy were compared with 11,460 parous women without such a history. Adjusted hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for death from all causes, vascular disease and cancer. Risk of premature death before the age of 65 years was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Women with a history of toxaemia had a significant increased risk of death from any cause (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04-1.39) and from vascular disease (adjusted HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.05-1.82). Women with a history of toxaemia who did not subsequently develop hypertension or vascular disease had significantly increased risks of all-cause and vascular mortality. These risks were not found among women who developed these conditions. Toxaemia of pregnancy was not associated with premature death.

CONCLUSION

Toxaemia of pregnancy was associated with increased mortality but not premature death.