1) Why was this study conducted?

Preeclampsia is a multiorgan disorder that is significantly associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is defined by the presence of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria in women who are at least 20 weeks pregnant. The etiology of preeclampsia remains unknown; its clinical presentation and dynamics vary, and no method can predict its occurrence. In Peru, preeclampsia incidence is greater than 10%, and it accounts for 22% of maternal deaths. Genome and genetic epidemiologial studies have found an association of preeclampsia and certain gene polymorphisms and variants. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility gene polymorphisms related to endothelial function, angiogenesis, immunologic and inflammatory processes, and metabolic syndrome in Peruvian preeclamptic women.

2) What were the most relevant results of the study?

No association was found between the studied genetic markers and preeclampsia. However, in the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene, significant differences mainly in the GG genotype and G allele were found, wherein the frequencies were higher in the cases than in the controls.

3) What do these results contribute?

This study contributes to our knowledge of the genetic factors associated with preeclampsia, an emergent research topic in Peru. High genetic mixing and other factors may partially explain the conflicting findings for the Peruvian population.