Comparison of the Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1/Placental Growth Factor Ratio Alone versus a Multi-Marker Regression Model for the Prediction of Preeclampsia-Related Adverse Outcomes after 34 Weeks of Gestation

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the predictive performance of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) / placental growth factor (PlGF)-ratio alone or in a multi-marker regression model for preeclampsia-related maternal and/or fetal adverse outcomes in women >34 weeks of gestation. Methods: We analyzed the data collected from 655 women with suspected preeclampsia. Adverse outcomes were predicted by multivariable and univariable logistic regression models. The outcome of patients was evaluated within 14 days after presentation with signs and symptoms of preeclampsia or diagnosed preeclampsia. Results: The full model integrating available, standard clinical information and the sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio had the best predictive performance for adverse outcomes with an AUC of 72.6%, which corresponds to a sensitivity of 73.3% and specificity of 66.0%. The positive predictive value of the full model was 51.4% and the negative predictive value was 83.5%. 24.5% of patients, who did not experience adverse outcomes but were classified as high risk by sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio (≥38), were correctly classified by the regression model. The sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio alone had a significantly lower AUC of 65.6%. Conclusions: Integrating angiogenic biomarkers in a regression model improved the prediction of preeclampsia-related adverse outcomes in women at risk after 34 weeks of gestation.