Objective: To investigate whether women with a history of preeclampsia have more signs of hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in the premenopausal period than women with history of normotensive pregnancies.
Design: Case-control study.
Setting: University Hospital.
Sample: Eighteen women with a history of preeclamptic first pregnancy and 19 women with prior normotensive first pregnancy studied 23-24 years after delivery.
Methods: Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Matsuda's whole-body insulin sensitivity index, serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin, and total and free calculated testosterone were assessed. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotype was defined using Rotterdam criteria.
Main outcome measures: Insulin sensitivity, metabolic syndrome and signs of hyperandrogenism.
Results: Insulin sensitivity and total and free testosterone were similar in the two groups. However, in women with prior preeclampsia and FSH below the median, calculated free testosterone levels were higher than in women with prior preeclampsia and FSH above the median (median 13.4 range (8.0-22.5) vs. 7.1 (5.1-20.5), p = 0.03). Of the women with previous preeclampsia, 17% (3/18) had metabolic syndrome and 11% (2/18) PCOS, versus 11% (2/19) and 0% of the controls, respectively.
Conclusions: In women with prior preeclampsia, premenopause was not associated with insulin resistance, but signs of hyperandrogenism were present if FSH was within a premenopausal level.