Subsequent risk of metabolic syndrome in women with a history of preeclampsia: data from the Health Examinees Study.

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether preeclampsia is independently associated with risk of future metabolic syndrome and whether any such primary associations are modified by different ages at first pregnancy.

METHODS

Based on the Health Examinees Study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Data of women (n = 49 780) who had experienced at least 1 pregnancy during their lifetime and had never been diagnosed with any metabolic disorder before their pregnancy were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated after adjusting for age, lifestyle characteristics, and reproductive factors. A stratified analysis was also conducted to estimate the extent of the primary association between preeclampsia and future metabolic syndrome by age at first pregnancy.

RESULTS

Women with a history of preeclampsia had significantly increased odds of developing metabolic syndrome (adjusted OR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.35), central obesity (adjusted OR 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25-1.47), elevated blood pressure (adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.41-1.67), or elevated fasting glucose (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.25) in later life. In the stratified analysis, women who first became pregnant at ages >35 years and had preeclampsia were found to be at significantly increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome later in life (adjusted OR 4.38; 95% CI, 1.62-11.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that preeclampsia increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in later life, and late age at first pregnancy can further exacerbate this risk.