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IntroductionPre-eclampsia, a multisystem disorder in pregnancy, is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, we lack methods for objective assessment of organ function in pre-eclampsia and predictors of organ impairment during and after pre-eclampsia. The women’s and their partners’ experiences of pre-eclampsia have not been studied in detail. To phenotype different subtypes of the disorder is of importance for prediction, prevention, surveillance, treatment and follow-up of pre-eclampsia.The aim of this study is to set up a multicentre database and biobank for pre-eclampsia in order to contribute to a safer and more individualised treatment and care.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre cohort study. Prospectively recruited pregnant women ≥18 years, diagnosed with pre-eclampsia presenting at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Uppsala University Hospital and at Södra Älvsborgs Hospital, Sweden, as well as normotensive controls are eligible for participation. At inclusion and at 1-year follow-up, the participants donate biosamples that are stored in a biobank and they are also asked to participate in various organ-specific evaluations. In addition, questionnaires and interviews regarding the women’s and partner’s experiences are distributed at follow-up.Ethics and disseminationBy creating a database and biobank, we will provide the means to explore the disorder in a broader sense and allow clinical and laboratory discoveries that can be translated to clinical trials aiming at improved care of women with pre-eclampsia. Further, to evaluate experiences and the psychological impact of being affected by pre-eclampsia can improve the care of pregnant women and their partners. In case of incidental pathological findings during examinations performed, they will be handled in accordance with clinical routine. Data are stored in a secure online database. Biobank samples are identified through the women’s personal identification number and pseudonymised after identification in the biobank before analysis.This study was approved by the regional ethical review board in Gothenburg on 28 December 2018 (approval number 955-18) and by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority on 27 February 2019 (approval number 2019-00309).Results from the study will be published in international peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberISRCTN13060768
Objectives We aimed to assess cognitive function in women with pre-eclampsia stratified by severity, before and after onset of disease. Design Prospective case control study Setting Single center study at a referral hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Population Pregnant women between 20 and 42 weeks gestation with eclampsia, pulmonary oedema, pre-eclampsia without severe features a normotensive pregnancy. Methods Women were included at diagnosis (cases) or at admission for delivery (controls). Two cognitive assessments, the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ) to assess the cognitive function subjectively before inclusion in the study, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to assess the current cognitive function objectively before discharge from the hospital after delivery were performed. Main outcome measures Total-and subscores from the CFQ and MoCa tests. Results We included 61 women with eclampsia, 28 with pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema, 38 with pre-eclampsia without severe features and 26 with normotensive pregnancies. There was no difference in cognitive function from early pregnancy between groups. Women with eclampsia and pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema scored lower on the MoCA assessment at time of discharge compared to women with normotensive pregnancies. The results were attenuated in pulmonary oedema after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion Women with pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema and in particular eclampsia had impaired cognitive function after onset of disease compared to normotensive pregnant controls. The impairment did not seem to be present before onset of disease. Women with pre-eclampsia without severe features did not have impaired cognitive function.
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