Mito A, Arata N, Jwa SC, Sakamoto N, Qiu D, Murashima A, Ichihara A, Matsuoka R, Sekizawa A, Ohya Y, and Kitagawa M
Introduction: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases later in life., Objectives: To assess the prevalence of subsequent hypertension and other life-style diseases five years after delivery in women who experienced pregnancy- induced hypertension., Methods: A total of 1527 women who delivered singletons were registered at the National Center for Child Health and Development and Showa University Hospital Mother and child health center of integrated perinatal period between 2003 and 2005. After five years, these women were invited to participate in this study by mail, and 816 women completed the analysis. The women visited our hospital and underwent a medical examination. Women who were pregnant and nursing at the time when the physical examination was conducted were excluded from this survey. The outcomes assessed included the prevalences of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia., Results: The number of PIH cases was 27 (3.3%: PIH group), whereas 787 women were used as controls subjects. The mean blood pressure five years after delivery was higher in the PIH group than in the control group (91.6±15.5mmHg vs 82.4±8.8mmHg, respectively; p<0.001), and the prevalence of hypertension five years after labor was 18.5% in the PIH group and 2.9% in the controls (odds ratio UOR Y=6.2; 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.2-17.5; p=0.003). Moreover, regarding high-normal blood pressure (>130/85mmHg), the prevalence was 33.4% in the PIH group and 6.1% in the control subjects (OR=7.2; 95% CI=3.1-16.3; p=0.003). No differences in the prevalences of subsequent diabetes or dyslipidemia were observed., Conclusion: Five years after the index pregnancy, women who experienced PIH exhibit an increased risk for subsequent hypertension. Therefore, the blood pressure of women with history of PIH should be regularly monitored after delivery., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)