Abnormal Liver Function Tests as Predictors of Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Women With Preeclampsia

Jennifer R. Kozic, Samantha J. Benton, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Beth A. Payne, Laura A. Magee, Peter von Dadelszen, J. Mark Ansermino, Anne Marie Côté, Geoff Cundiff, Andrée Gruslin, Dany Hugo, K. S. Joseph, Sayrin Lalji, Shoo K. Lee, Jing Li, Paula Lott, Jennifer Menzies, Jean Marie Moutquin, Annie B. Ouellet, James A. RussellDorothy Shaw, Graeme N. Smith, D. Keith Still, George Tawagi, Brenda Wagner, Barry N. Walters, Swati Mahajan, Amanda Noovao, Phillipa M. Kyle, M. Peter Moore, David Hall, D. Wilhelm Steyn, Christine Biryabarema, Florence Mirembe, Annettee Nakimuli, Fiona Broughton Pipkin, Pamela Loughna, James J. Walker, William Grobman, Eleni Tsigas, Mario Merialdi, Mariana Widmer, PIERS (Preeclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk) Study Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate whether (1) the absolute magnitude of liver function test values, (2) the percentage change in liver function test values over time, or (3) the rate of change in liver function test values over time predicts adverse maternal outcomes in women with preeclampsia. Methods: We used data from the PIERS (Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk) study, a prospective multicentre cohort study assessing predictors of adverse maternal outcomes in women with preeclampsia. Women with at least one liver function test performed at the time of hospital admission were included. Liver functions were tested by serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, total bilirubin, and the international normalized prothrombin time ratio. Parameters investigated were absolute levels, change within 48 hours of hospital admission, change from admission to delivery or outcome, and rate of change from admission to delivery or outcome of each liver function test. The ability of these parameters to predict adverse outcomes was assessed using logistic regression analyses and by calculating the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). Results: Of the 2008 women, 1056 (53%) had at least one abnormal liver function test result. The odds of having an adverse maternal outcome were higher in women with any abnormal liver function test than in women with normal results. When test results were stratified into quartiles, women with results in the highest quartile (lowest quartile for albumin) were at higher risk of adverse outcomes than women in the lowest quartile for all parameters (highest for albumin). The absolute magnitude of AST, ALT, and LDH predicted adverse maternal outcomes (AST: ROC AUC 0.73 [95% CI 0.67 to 0.97]; ALT: ROC AUC 0.73 [95% CI 0.67 to 0.79]; LDH: ROC AUC 0.74 [95% CI 0.68 to 0.81]). Neither change of liver function test results, within 48 hours of admission or from admission to delivery or outcome, nor rate of change were predictive. Conclusion: We found abnormal liver function test results to be associated with an increased risk for adverse maternal outcomes. Levels of AST, ALT, and LDH were found to be modestly predictive of these outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)995-1004
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada
Volume33
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Funding

We acknowledge the funding support of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (operating grants, salary: Peter von Dadelszen); UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development & Research Training in Human Reproduction; Preeclampsia Foundation; International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FIGO); Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (salary: Laura A. Magee, Peter von Dadelszen); and Child and Family Research Institute (salary award: Peter von Dadelszen).

Keywords

  • Liver function tests
  • Maternal adverse outcomes
  • Preeclampsia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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