diabetes mellitus Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(12):712-718
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001200002
PURPOSE: to verify the fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns of large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses in pregnancies at term complicated by pregestational diabetes. METHODS: fetal surveillance was performed weekly in 64 fetuses of mothers with pregestational diabetes. Inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of pregestational diabetes mellitus, single pregnancy, alive fetus, absence of fetal anomalies, and computerized cardiotocography performed at the 37th week of gestation. Exclusion criteria included: postnatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies and delivery not performed at the local hospital. The FHR patterns were studied with computerized cardiotocography and the parameters were analyzed according to a fetal weight as LGA (birth weight above percentile 90). The cardiotocography parameters included: basal FHR, episodes of high variation, episodes of low variation, and short-term variation. RESULTS: forty-two patients fulfilled the proposed criteria. Ten (23.8%) newborns were LGA. Normal criteria were met in all performed examinations. FHR accelerations (above 15 bpm) were present in 7 (70%) LGA cases and in 29 (90.6%) non-LGA (p=0.135). Accelerations were more frequent in the non-LGA group (1.5±1.3 accelerations/10 min) when compared to LGA group (0.8±0.9 accelerations/10min, p=0.04, Mann-Whitney test). The high variation episodes were detected in all cases. The mean FHR variation in these episodes was different in the LGA group (16.2±2.5 bpm) when compared to the non-LGA group (19.7±4.2 bpm, p=0.02, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSION: the FHR patterns of non-LGA (higher frequency of accelerations and higher FHR variation in the high variation episodes) reflect parameters commonly analyzed by traditional cardiotocography of a healthy fetus. This fact appears to confirm the patterns of better oxygen supply to the fetuses less compromised by diabetes in pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(12):712-718
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001200002
PURPOSE: to verify the fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns of large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses in pregnancies at term complicated by pregestational diabetes. METHODS: fetal surveillance was performed weekly in 64 fetuses of mothers with pregestational diabetes. Inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of pregestational diabetes mellitus, single pregnancy, alive fetus, absence of fetal anomalies, and computerized cardiotocography performed at the 37th week of gestation. Exclusion criteria included: postnatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies and delivery not performed at the local hospital. The FHR patterns were studied with computerized cardiotocography and the parameters were analyzed according to a fetal weight as LGA (birth weight above percentile 90). The cardiotocography parameters included: basal FHR, episodes of high variation, episodes of low variation, and short-term variation. RESULTS: forty-two patients fulfilled the proposed criteria. Ten (23.8%) newborns were LGA. Normal criteria were met in all performed examinations. FHR accelerations (above 15 bpm) were present in 7 (70%) LGA cases and in 29 (90.6%) non-LGA (p=0.135). Accelerations were more frequent in the non-LGA group (1.5±1.3 accelerations/10 min) when compared to LGA group (0.8±0.9 accelerations/10min, p=0.04, Mann-Whitney test). The high variation episodes were detected in all cases. The mean FHR variation in these episodes was different in the LGA group (16.2±2.5 bpm) when compared to the non-LGA group (19.7±4.2 bpm, p=0.02, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSION: the FHR patterns of non-LGA (higher frequency of accelerations and higher FHR variation in the high variation episodes) reflect parameters commonly analyzed by traditional cardiotocography of a healthy fetus. This fact appears to confirm the patterns of better oxygen supply to the fetuses less compromised by diabetes in pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):691-697
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100010
This is both a synthesis and a review of the major research findings, with the aim of validating Rudge's group IB. In this group of pregnants, screening for gestational diabetes was positive while the diagnosis was negative (normal 100 g-oral glucose tolerance test 100 g-OGTT). Nonetheless, the variations in glucose levels observed throughout the day, and confirmed by the glycemic profile (GP), characterized diurnal hyperglycemia, which accounts for maternal risk and adverse perinatal outcome. The description of this group is unique for both the establishment of the diagnosis during gestation and the follow-up of both the mother and the infant. These pregnancies have been erroneously classified as "low risk" and have not been diagnosed or treated. The IB group corresponds to 13.8% of the pregnant women screened in our service. This rate, added to the 7% of pregnancies complicated by diabetes, increase the occurrence of hyperglycemic disorders during gestation to up to 20.0%. In Rudge's group IB: a) perinatal mortality rate is 41‰, which is similar to that observed among diabetic pregnant women and 10 times higher than that found among non-diabetics; b) the observed placental abnormalities (both morphological and functional) differed from those seen in non-diabetic and diabetic pregnant women, indicating an adjustment to maintain functional activities that facilitated the passage of glucose to the fetus and explained fetal macrosomia (53.8% in non-treated pregnancies); c) maternal risk for hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia was high and seemed to reproduce a model of metabolic syndrome, favoring the potential risk for future diabetes; d) 10 years after the index-pregnancy, type 2 diabetes was confirmed in 16.7% of the women in group IB. The authors suggest the development of multicentric studies in order to identify biomarkers specific for Rudge's group IB and establish protocols for the diagnosis of gestational hyperglycemic disorders using the combination GP + 100g-GTT as a standard. This procedure may cause an impact on the morbidity/mortality rate among pregnancies complicated by diurnal hyperglycemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):691-697
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100010
This is both a synthesis and a review of the major research findings, with the aim of validating Rudge's group IB. In this group of pregnants, screening for gestational diabetes was positive while the diagnosis was negative (normal 100 g-oral glucose tolerance test 100 g-OGTT). Nonetheless, the variations in glucose levels observed throughout the day, and confirmed by the glycemic profile (GP), characterized diurnal hyperglycemia, which accounts for maternal risk and adverse perinatal outcome. The description of this group is unique for both the establishment of the diagnosis during gestation and the follow-up of both the mother and the infant. These pregnancies have been erroneously classified as "low risk" and have not been diagnosed or treated. The IB group corresponds to 13.8% of the pregnant women screened in our service. This rate, added to the 7% of pregnancies complicated by diabetes, increase the occurrence of hyperglycemic disorders during gestation to up to 20.0%. In Rudge's group IB: a) perinatal mortality rate is 41‰, which is similar to that observed among diabetic pregnant women and 10 times higher than that found among non-diabetics; b) the observed placental abnormalities (both morphological and functional) differed from those seen in non-diabetic and diabetic pregnant women, indicating an adjustment to maintain functional activities that facilitated the passage of glucose to the fetus and explained fetal macrosomia (53.8% in non-treated pregnancies); c) maternal risk for hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia was high and seemed to reproduce a model of metabolic syndrome, favoring the potential risk for future diabetes; d) 10 years after the index-pregnancy, type 2 diabetes was confirmed in 16.7% of the women in group IB. The authors suggest the development of multicentric studies in order to identify biomarkers specific for Rudge's group IB and establish protocols for the diagnosis of gestational hyperglycemic disorders using the combination GP + 100g-GTT as a standard. This procedure may cause an impact on the morbidity/mortality rate among pregnancies complicated by diurnal hyperglycemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(10):579-584
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999001000003
Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of maternal perception of fetal movements (MPFM) in diabetic pregnant women, using Apgar score at the 1st and 5th min of life, intrapartum fetal distress and neonatal hypoxia as parameters. Methods: two hundred and nine diabetic women evaluated at the High Risk Prenatal Care Clinic of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) were analyzed retrospectively between June 1988 and May 1996. All patients had MPFM records within three days before delivery, fetal heart rate recordings during labor, gestational age greater than 30 weeks and a complete neonatal evaluation. MPFM was classified as normal if seven movements were recorded in 60 min. Results: the sensitivity of the test was 23 and 29% for Apgar score <7 at the 5th min and intrapartum fetal distress, respectively, and close to 50% for neonatal hypoxia (45.5%). Specificity was near 95% for the three standards, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 80% for fetal distress, increasing to 97 and 98% for Apgar >7 at 5 min and neonatal hypoxia. Conclusions: MPFM is a useful test to identify diabetic women needing fetal evaluation with more complex techniques, given the high NPV, that indicates the capacity to separate the cases where the fetus is in good condition.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(10):579-584
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999001000003
Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of maternal perception of fetal movements (MPFM) in diabetic pregnant women, using Apgar score at the 1st and 5th min of life, intrapartum fetal distress and neonatal hypoxia as parameters. Methods: two hundred and nine diabetic women evaluated at the High Risk Prenatal Care Clinic of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) were analyzed retrospectively between June 1988 and May 1996. All patients had MPFM records within three days before delivery, fetal heart rate recordings during labor, gestational age greater than 30 weeks and a complete neonatal evaluation. MPFM was classified as normal if seven movements were recorded in 60 min. Results: the sensitivity of the test was 23 and 29% for Apgar score <7 at the 5th min and intrapartum fetal distress, respectively, and close to 50% for neonatal hypoxia (45.5%). Specificity was near 95% for the three standards, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 80% for fetal distress, increasing to 97 and 98% for Apgar >7 at 5 min and neonatal hypoxia. Conclusions: MPFM is a useful test to identify diabetic women needing fetal evaluation with more complex techniques, given the high NPV, that indicates the capacity to separate the cases where the fetus is in good condition.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(5):257-263
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000500002
Purpose: to evaluate the evolution of gestation, metabolic control and perinatal outcome of pregestational diabetic patients and to perform a comparative study of the results of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type I) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II). Methods: retrospective analysis of 57 pregestational diabetic woman charts who began a prenatal follow-up in the Service of Maternofetal Medicine of the Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand of the Universidade Federal do Ceará, in the period from January 1995 to December 1998. The 57 pregnant women included in the study were divided into groups: the first, composed of 28 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type I), and the second with 29 pregnant women with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II), controlled with diet or with oral hypoglycemics before pregnancy. Results: there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to the need of hospitalization for glycemia control (39.2% x 27.5%) and maternal complications, such as: chronic arterial hypertension (14.2% x 27.5%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (14.2% x 17.2%), premature rupture of membranes (3.5% x 10.3%), urinary tract infection (10.7% x 6.8%), and preterm labor (3.5% x 6.8%). However, episodes of maternal hypoglycemia were more frequent among insulin-dependent patients (35.7% x 3.4%). The perinatal results were similar. We observed a great number of congenital anomalies and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: there was no difference in the incidence of obstetric and clinical complications between insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent patients, except for maternal hypoglycemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(5):257-263
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000500002
Purpose: to evaluate the evolution of gestation, metabolic control and perinatal outcome of pregestational diabetic patients and to perform a comparative study of the results of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type I) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II). Methods: retrospective analysis of 57 pregestational diabetic woman charts who began a prenatal follow-up in the Service of Maternofetal Medicine of the Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand of the Universidade Federal do Ceará, in the period from January 1995 to December 1998. The 57 pregnant women included in the study were divided into groups: the first, composed of 28 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (type I), and the second with 29 pregnant women with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II), controlled with diet or with oral hypoglycemics before pregnancy. Results: there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to the need of hospitalization for glycemia control (39.2% x 27.5%) and maternal complications, such as: chronic arterial hypertension (14.2% x 27.5%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (14.2% x 17.2%), premature rupture of membranes (3.5% x 10.3%), urinary tract infection (10.7% x 6.8%), and preterm labor (3.5% x 6.8%). However, episodes of maternal hypoglycemia were more frequent among insulin-dependent patients (35.7% x 3.4%). The perinatal results were similar. We observed a great number of congenital anomalies and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: there was no difference in the incidence of obstetric and clinical complications between insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent patients, except for maternal hypoglycemia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(3):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000300009
PURPOSE: to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) in surgeries for the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: the study was conducted on 140 women submitted to treatment of invasive breast cancer during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. SSI was defined as infection occurring up to 30 days after surgery and was related to the operation, according to the standard criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. SSI were considered to be superficial when they involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue and deep when they involved deep tissues at the site of incision, such as fascia and muscles. The risk factors related to patient were age, hormonal status, staging, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin, and the factors related to surgery were type of operation, time of hospitalization, duration of surgery, and formation of seroma and hematoma. Data concerning numerical nonparametric variables were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and quantitative variables were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: of the 140 patients studied, 29 (20.7%) presented SSI, which were superficial in 19 (13.6%) and deep in 10 (71%); 111 patients did not present SSI and represented the control group. The risk factors associated with the patient and the disease were locally advanced stage (odds ratio = 27; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and obesity, represented by a mean BMI of 32.2 kg/m² in the patients with SSI and a mean BMI of 27.2 kg/m² in the control group (p<0.0001). The factors related to treatment of the disease were the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.5), the duration of surgery, whose median value was 165 minutes for the patients who developed the infection and 137 minutes for the control group (p=0.02), and the number of days of use of the postoperative drain, whose median value was 6 days for the patients with SSI and 5 days for the control group (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: on the basis of the identification of risk factors such as advanced stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and obesity, preoperative care for these patients should be emphasized. The use of an accurate surgical technique may reduce the impact of other factors such as surgical time and time of use of the drain.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(3):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000300009
PURPOSE: to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) in surgeries for the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: the study was conducted on 140 women submitted to treatment of invasive breast cancer during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. SSI was defined as infection occurring up to 30 days after surgery and was related to the operation, according to the standard criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. SSI were considered to be superficial when they involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue and deep when they involved deep tissues at the site of incision, such as fascia and muscles. The risk factors related to patient were age, hormonal status, staging, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin, and the factors related to surgery were type of operation, time of hospitalization, duration of surgery, and formation of seroma and hematoma. Data concerning numerical nonparametric variables were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and quantitative variables were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: of the 140 patients studied, 29 (20.7%) presented SSI, which were superficial in 19 (13.6%) and deep in 10 (71%); 111 patients did not present SSI and represented the control group. The risk factors associated with the patient and the disease were locally advanced stage (odds ratio = 27; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and obesity, represented by a mean BMI of 32.2 kg/m² in the patients with SSI and a mean BMI of 27.2 kg/m² in the control group (p<0.0001). The factors related to treatment of the disease were the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.5), the duration of surgery, whose median value was 165 minutes for the patients who developed the infection and 137 minutes for the control group (p=0.02), and the number of days of use of the postoperative drain, whose median value was 6 days for the patients with SSI and 5 days for the control group (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: on the basis of the identification of risk factors such as advanced stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and obesity, preoperative care for these patients should be emphasized. The use of an accurate surgical technique may reduce the impact of other factors such as surgical time and time of use of the drain.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(1):31-36
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000100005
PURPOSE: to experimentally evaluate the diabetogenic effects of antiretroviral drugs on pregnant Wistar rats and the perinatal effects on the offspring. METHODS: adult female pregnant Wistar rats weighing 200-230 g were used. The antiretroviral drugs zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine (3TC) and nelfinavir (NFV) were used alone and in association at daily doses of ten times the dose normally used in pregnant women, proportionally to the animal's body weight. Seven groups were studied, including the control. The experiment started on day 0 of pregnancy and the pregnant animals were sacrificed on day 21. The fetuses were counted and weighed. Blood determinations of glucose, insulin, glucagon and lactate were performed on day 21. The retroperitoneal adipose tissue was weighed. Data were analyzed statistically by Student's t-test. RESULTS: the groups treated with 3TC, ZDV + 3TC and ZDV + 3TC + NFV showed decreasing values of maternal daily body weight gain, retroperitoneal adipose tissue weight and weight of fetuses (control group: 6.2 g; 3TC group variation: 4.1-5.6 g). The serum lactate levels were also decreased when compared to the control in these groups (control group: 5.8 mmol/mL; 3TC group variations: 3.2-3.7 mmol/mL). All antiretroviral-treated groups showed a decreasing number of fetuses when compared to the control (control group: 14.7; drug group variation: 11.1-12.7). All treated groups also showed decreasing serum values of insulin (control group: 6.2 µIU/mL; drug group variation: 2.1 to 2.7 µIU/mL) and increasing serum levels of glucagon when compared to the control (control group: 88.2 pg/mL; drug group variation: 99.7 to 120.7 pg/mL). There was no statistical significance of glucose levels when comparing treated groups to the control. CONCLUSIONS: the antiretroviral drugs interfered in carbohydrate metabolism of pregnant rats and reduced the number of fetuses. 3TC caused less maternal body weight gain, decreased fetus weight and lactate and insulin levels and increased serum glucagon.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(1):31-36
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000100005
PURPOSE: to experimentally evaluate the diabetogenic effects of antiretroviral drugs on pregnant Wistar rats and the perinatal effects on the offspring. METHODS: adult female pregnant Wistar rats weighing 200-230 g were used. The antiretroviral drugs zidovudine (ZDV), lamivudine (3TC) and nelfinavir (NFV) were used alone and in association at daily doses of ten times the dose normally used in pregnant women, proportionally to the animal's body weight. Seven groups were studied, including the control. The experiment started on day 0 of pregnancy and the pregnant animals were sacrificed on day 21. The fetuses were counted and weighed. Blood determinations of glucose, insulin, glucagon and lactate were performed on day 21. The retroperitoneal adipose tissue was weighed. Data were analyzed statistically by Student's t-test. RESULTS: the groups treated with 3TC, ZDV + 3TC and ZDV + 3TC + NFV showed decreasing values of maternal daily body weight gain, retroperitoneal adipose tissue weight and weight of fetuses (control group: 6.2 g; 3TC group variation: 4.1-5.6 g). The serum lactate levels were also decreased when compared to the control in these groups (control group: 5.8 mmol/mL; 3TC group variations: 3.2-3.7 mmol/mL). All antiretroviral-treated groups showed a decreasing number of fetuses when compared to the control (control group: 14.7; drug group variation: 11.1-12.7). All treated groups also showed decreasing serum values of insulin (control group: 6.2 µIU/mL; drug group variation: 2.1 to 2.7 µIU/mL) and increasing serum levels of glucagon when compared to the control (control group: 88.2 pg/mL; drug group variation: 99.7 to 120.7 pg/mL). There was no statistical significance of glucose levels when comparing treated groups to the control. CONCLUSIONS: the antiretroviral drugs interfered in carbohydrate metabolism of pregnant rats and reduced the number of fetuses. 3TC caused less maternal body weight gain, decreased fetus weight and lactate and insulin levels and increased serum glucagon.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(9):631-635
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000900003
PURPOSE: to evaluate maternal age of 40 and older as an independent risk factor for pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHOD: we conducted a retrospective cohort study involving analysis of medical records of 2047 women in labor, divided into groups of 298 aged 40 and older and 1749 aged under 40. A multiple logistic regression was done to evaluate the association of maternal age with the occurrence of PIH adjusted by parity, chronic arterial hypertension, diabetes and twin pregnancy. RESULTS: the incidence of PIH in patients aged 40 and over was 22.1% (66/298), higher than in patients aged under 40 (16%, 286/1463). PIH was diagnosed in 27.2% of primiparous (174/640), 47.6% of chronic hypertensive (30/66) and 27.1% of diabetic patients (13/48). Advancing maternal age, primiparity and chronic arterial hypertension were associated with the occurrence of PIH in univariate analysis (OR = 1.46, 2.58 and 4.69, respectively). There was no significant association with diabetes. After the adjustment we observed an increase in the strength of the association between maternal age and PIH (adjusted OR = 1.69), as well as parity and chronic arterial hypertension. CONCLUSION: maternal age of 40 and older was a risk factor for the occurrence of PIH independent of parity, chronic arterial hypertension and diabetes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(9):631-635
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000900003
PURPOSE: to evaluate maternal age of 40 and older as an independent risk factor for pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). METHOD: we conducted a retrospective cohort study involving analysis of medical records of 2047 women in labor, divided into groups of 298 aged 40 and older and 1749 aged under 40. A multiple logistic regression was done to evaluate the association of maternal age with the occurrence of PIH adjusted by parity, chronic arterial hypertension, diabetes and twin pregnancy. RESULTS: the incidence of PIH in patients aged 40 and over was 22.1% (66/298), higher than in patients aged under 40 (16%, 286/1463). PIH was diagnosed in 27.2% of primiparous (174/640), 47.6% of chronic hypertensive (30/66) and 27.1% of diabetic patients (13/48). Advancing maternal age, primiparity and chronic arterial hypertension were associated with the occurrence of PIH in univariate analysis (OR = 1.46, 2.58 and 4.69, respectively). There was no significant association with diabetes. After the adjustment we observed an increase in the strength of the association between maternal age and PIH (adjusted OR = 1.69), as well as parity and chronic arterial hypertension. CONCLUSION: maternal age of 40 and older was a risk factor for the occurrence of PIH independent of parity, chronic arterial hypertension and diabetes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):277-281
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400009
PURPOSE: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of microalbuminuria to predict preeclampsia. METHODS: a prospective study of 45 consecutive diabetic gestations that were tested for microalbuminuria before the 18th week, between the 18th and 24th week and between the 32nd and 36th week of gestation. All patients had their prenatal care done from January 2000 to December 2001. The DCA 2000 microalbumin/creatinine assay is a quantitative method for measuring low concentrations of albumin, creatinine and the albumin/creatinine ratio in urine. According to laboratory standards, an albumin/creatinine ratio >16 mg/g (1.8 mg/mmol) indicates incipient renal damage and risk for preeclampsia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the albumin/creatinine ratio were determined to predict the occurrence or the absence of preeclampsia, diagnosed through clinical criteria. RESULTS: of all patients, 17% developed preeclampsia. The sensitivity of albumin/creatinine ratio increased from 12.5% at 18 weeks to 25% between the 18th and 24th week and to 87% after the 32nd week. On the other hand, specificity presented a decreasing value from 97 to 89 and 83%, respectively). The positive predictive value was relatively low in the three different periods of evaluation (50, 33 and 53%, respectively. The negative predictive value was increased in the three stages of gestational age (83, 84 and 96%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: quantification of microalbuminuria could correctly predict the absence of preeclampsia but was less accurate to predict the occurrence of the disease in diabetic pregnancies.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):277-281
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400009
PURPOSE: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of microalbuminuria to predict preeclampsia. METHODS: a prospective study of 45 consecutive diabetic gestations that were tested for microalbuminuria before the 18th week, between the 18th and 24th week and between the 32nd and 36th week of gestation. All patients had their prenatal care done from January 2000 to December 2001. The DCA 2000 microalbumin/creatinine assay is a quantitative method for measuring low concentrations of albumin, creatinine and the albumin/creatinine ratio in urine. According to laboratory standards, an albumin/creatinine ratio >16 mg/g (1.8 mg/mmol) indicates incipient renal damage and risk for preeclampsia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the albumin/creatinine ratio were determined to predict the occurrence or the absence of preeclampsia, diagnosed through clinical criteria. RESULTS: of all patients, 17% developed preeclampsia. The sensitivity of albumin/creatinine ratio increased from 12.5% at 18 weeks to 25% between the 18th and 24th week and to 87% after the 32nd week. On the other hand, specificity presented a decreasing value from 97 to 89 and 83%, respectively). The positive predictive value was relatively low in the three different periods of evaluation (50, 33 and 53%, respectively. The negative predictive value was increased in the three stages of gestational age (83, 84 and 96%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: quantification of microalbuminuria could correctly predict the absence of preeclampsia but was less accurate to predict the occurrence of the disease in diabetic pregnancies.