Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population.
| Group 1 SLE with normal pregnancy outcome (n = 21) | Group 2 SLE with adverse pregnancy outcome (n = 12) | Group 3 Healthy pregnant controls (n = 10) | Pa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline characteristics | ||||
| Maternal age (y)* | 34 (27–40) | 33 (28–38) | 35 (28–38) | NS |
| Nulliparity | 12 (57%) | 8 (67%) | 2 (20%) | NS |
| Pregnancy after assisted reproduction | 1 (5%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | NS |
| Gestational age at samplingb | 18.3 (15.7–22.6) | 18.1 (16.3–22.0) | 18.0 (17.0–22.7) | NS |
| BMI at samplingb | 23.4 (18.3–37.8) | 23.1 (17.4–30.8) | 22.8 (21.0–28.3) | NS |
| Lupus nephritis | 10 (48%) | 5 (42%) | NS | |
| Antiphospholipid antibody syndromec | 1 (5%) | 4 (33%) | <0.05 | |
| Hypertension at sampling b,d | 2 (10%) | 7 (58%) | <0.01 | |
| Medication at sampling | ||||
| Hydroxychloroquine | 5 (24%) | 3 (25%) | NS | |
| Sulfasalazine | 1 (5%) | 0 (0%) | NS | |
| Aspirin | 0 (0%) | 4 (33%) | <0.05 | |
| Heparin | 0 (0%) | 4 (33%) | <0.05 | |
| Prednisolone | 14 (67%) | 10 (83%) | NS | |
| Presence of lupus anticoagulante | 2/17 (12%) | 4 (33%) | NS | |
| WBC counts < 3,000/mm3 e | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | (—) | |
| Platelet counts < 100,000/mm3 e | 0 (0%) | 4 (33%) | <0.05 | |
| C3 (mg/dL)e | 118 (88–171) (n = 19) | 94 (32–147) (n = 11) | NS | |
| C4 (mg/dL)e | 20 (10–33) (n = 19) | 11.5 (7–47) (n = 11) | <0.01 | |
| Anti ds-DNA (IU/mL)e | 6.6 (<1.0–58.6) (n = 20) | 9.8 (<1.0–174) (n = 11) | NS | |
| Pregnancy outcomes | ||||
| Gestational age at delivery (wk)* | 38.6 (31.7–40.7) | 29.6 (20.6–40.3) | 38.8 (38.0–40.7) | <0.005 |
| Birthweight (g)* | 2990 (1650–4040) | 1130 (40–2590) | 3445 (2860–3690) | <0.001 |
| Cesarean delivery | 9 (43%) | 6 (50%) | 5 (50%) | NS |
| Sex (male) | 13 (62%) | 4 (33%) | 3 (30%) | NS |
| SLE flare during pregnancyf | 2 (10%) | 6 (50%) | <0.05 | |
*data are presented as median (range); NS, not significant; wk, weeks.
Pa, comparison between Groups 1 and 2.
bat sampling: at mid-trimester maternal blood sampling.
cDiagnosis made by attending physician (Rheumatologist) before mid-trimester maternal blood sampling.
dHigh blood pressure: history of hypertension or taking anti-hypertensive medication at mid-trimester maternal blood sampling.
eResult before mid-trimester maternal blood sampling or within one year after delivery.
fBased on review of medical records incorporating new or worsening clinical manifestations, laboratory measures, and medication doses or addition of new medications.