Context: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are common complications of pregnancy and the main cause of perinatal adverse outcomes. Clinicians mostly adopt comprehensive treatment strategies, including anticoagulants and micronutrients. At present, the clinical effects of a strategy combining labetalol + low-dose aspirin + vitamin E and calcium aren't completely clear.
Objective: The study intended to investigate the efficacy of a combined therapy of labetalol + low-dose aspirin + vitamin E and calcium for the treatment of HDP and the relationship of the levels of expression of microRNA-126 and placenta growth factor (PLGF) to outcomes, to provide better treatment strategies for patients.
Design: The research team performed a randomized controlled trial.
Setting: The study took place in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Jinan, China.
Participants: Participants were 130 HDP patients at the hospital between July 2020 and September 2022.
Intervention: The research team divided participants into two groups, with 65 participants each, using the random number table method: (1) a control group that received a combined therapy of labetalol + vitamin E and calcium and (2) an intervention group that received a combined therapy of labetalol + low-dose aspirin + vitamin E and calcium.
Outcome measures: The research team measured clinical efficacy, blood pressure parameters, 24 h urinary protein, microRNA-126, PLGF, and drug-related adverse reactions.
Results: The intervention group's efficacy rate was 96.92%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group at 83.08% (P = .009). Postintervention, the intervention group's systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly lower than those of the control group (all P < .05), while the microRNA-126 and PLGF levels were significantly higher (both P < .05). No significant differences existed in the rate of drug-related adverse reactions between the groups, at 4.62% and 6.15%, respectively (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: The combined therapy of labetalol + low-dose aspirin + vitamin E and calcium had a high efficacy rate and could significantly reduce blood pressure and 24h urine protein and significantly increase microRNA-126 and PLGF levels, with a high safety profile.