Hepatic dysfunction in preeclampsia: association with high levels of gammaglutamyltransferase

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationships between elevated serum level of gammaglutamyltransferase (eGGT) and preeclampsia (PE) and related complications before 35 weeks of gestational age.

Methodology: Cross sectional study.

Population and source: 109 pregnant patients before 35 weeks of gestational age [Group I (G I) n = 55 pre-eclamptic patients and group II (G II) n = 54 non pre-eclamptic patients] of the hospitals Universitario San Vicente de Paúl and General de Medellín, between September 1^st,1999 and September 1^st, 2000.

Background: Association between eGGT and PE.

Statistical analysis: Kolmogorov-Smirnov´s test to evaluate normality, Spearman´s Rho to continuous variables; Mann-Witney's U test to compare the medians, Relationships by Odds Ratios.

Results: There were no differences between both groups when analyzing general characteristics. There was no association between eGGT and pregnant age, gestational age nor parity (Spearman´s rho - 0.03, 0.08 and 0.137 respectively).

The medians of gammaglutamyltransferase levels (mGGT) were 22.62 UI/L (range 4.76-142.79) and 17.63 (range 7.22 - 77.86) on G I and G II patients, respectively (p = 0.81, Mann-Witney's U test).

Eleven pre-eclamptic pregnant women in G I (20%) had eGGT [arbitrare cutoff > 49.0525 U/L, mayor or equal than percentile 95 (95p) of the controls] in front to 2 non pre-eclamptic women (3.7%) in G II (p = 0.009), odds ratio (OR) 6.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-45.02.

Fourteen patients in G I had complications attributable to PE, five resulted positive for eGGT in front to 6 positive women of 41 without complications in same group (p = 0.12).

Of twenty-five intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) events in G I, eight resulted positive for eGGT compared to three with eGGT of 30 in the same group which did not exhibit IUGR (p = 0.088). There were six IUGR events in 26 G II negative for eGGT patients that ended its gestation at the source hospitals.

Conclusion: eGGT level in pregnancy was defined > p95, like a concentration > 49,0525 UI/L and evidence of an association, though not causal, with severe PE was found.