Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Uric Acid Levels among Pregnant Women Attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a common burden during pregnancy usually associated with adverse maternal and paternal outcomes. The uric acid serum level was identified as an important biochemical marker which can predict preeclampsia, a type of PIH. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of serum uric acid levels in association with blood pressure among pregnant women attending Ruhengeri Referral Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed and 80 pregnant women in different gestation trimesters participated in the study. Data was collected from September to October 2018. Digital sphygmomanometer was used to test blood pressures for participants. Blood samples were collected in red top tubes and centrifuged to obtain serum for uric acid levels. Using Humastar 80, uric acid levels were measured for each participant. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Bivariate correlation was used to analyse the relationship between uric acid levels and participants' blood pressure. Results: The median age was 27 in interquartile 23-31 ranging from 19 to 39 years. 58.75% of participants were in their 1 st trimester, followed by 21.25% in the 2 nd trimester and 20% in the 3 rd trimester. The prevalence of hypertension was 11.3% (7.5% for stage 1 and 3.8% for stage 2). Hyperuricemia was found in 15% of the participants. The mean of uric acid level was 7.12 ± 1.86 mg/dl in the hypertensive group and 4.49 ± 1.22 mg/dl in the non-hypertensive group. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between uric acid levels and systolic /diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was revealed. The association of hypertension and hyperuricemia was recorded with a strong correlation between blood pressures and serum uric acid levels. Examination of Uric acid levels among pregnant women should be routinely performed for early identification and management of hypertension.

Assessment of Kidney Impairment and Related Risk Factors in Pregnant Women Attending the University Center for Public Health and Rango Health Centers in the Southern Province of Rwanda

“…This finding was much lower than the 11.3% reported in a study conducted at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, in northern Rwanda in 2021. [27] The discordance in the findings with the present study could be attributed to differences in the underlying study population. In the present study only women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were enrolled whereas in the other study women in the first trimester were also enrolled.…”

Serum uric acid levels as a biomarker for perinatal outcomes among mothers with pre- eclampsia in Tanzania

“…The difference observed might be explained by distinct sample size and study participants involved in these two studies. In Rwanda study, the sample size was 80 which is a bit small compared 268 in our study, also they recruited all pregnancy women despites of differences in gestation age (14).…”

Elevated uric acid in gestational diabetes and its risk on pregnancy outcomes

“…As there is no clear universal definition of hyperuricemia in pregnancy, we use a cutoff point of 5 mg/dl as many studies state that the normal level of serum uric acid in normal pregnancy during the third trimester is around 5 mg/dl. 11 – 13 …”