ASSESSMENT OF IMMUNOLOGICAL CORRELATES AMONG PRE-ECLAMPTIC WOMEN IN YENAGOA, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA
Gloria T. Ogbede*, Simeon G. George, Nelson E. Onitsha and Ferdinand C. Ezeiruaku
ABSTRACT
Background: The 5.69% prevalence of pre-eclampsia in Yenagoa, the South-South region of Nigeria is alarming and therefore calls for additional markers that will enhance the diagnosis of the disease. Aim: This study was aimed at assessing immunological correlates among pre-eclamptic women in Yenagoa, South-South Nigeria. Method: Ninety-one pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (gestation > 20 weeks, blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg) and ninety-one normotensive pregnant women at gestation > 20 weeks were enrolled in the study. Venous blood was collected from each of the subjects, followed by assaying for Immunoglobulin- (Ig) G, IgM, Tumor Necrosis Factor – alpha (TNF-∝), Interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). SPSS Windows Version 26 was used for all statistical analyses. Differences between groups was determined by the independent samples t-test. The association between demographic variables and cellular immune responses was determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Data was considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: Results showed that BMI, BP, educational level, family history of pre-eclampsia, and primipaternity were significantly associated with pre-eclampsia (p < 0.05). TNF-α and CRP levels were significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia cases (p < .01). Significant correlations were observed between TNF-α, SBP (r = -0.231, p < 0.05), DBP (r = -0.214, p < 0.05), BMI (r = -0.277, p < 0.01), IgM (r = -0.683, p < 0.01), and IL-6 (r = -0.416, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The correlation between pre-eclampsia demographic variables and each of TNF-α and CRP is a pointer to the predictive relevance of these markers in Yenagoa.
Keywords: Pre-eclampsia, immunological parameters, systemic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure.
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