Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2011 May;54(5):229-235. 10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.5.229.

Clinical usefulness of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor in Korean women with preeclampsia

• Lee HB
• Kil KC
• Nam SY
• Shin JE
• Cheon JY
• Lee Y

• KMID: 2078016
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.5.229

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical significance of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in preeclampsia.
METHODS
We conducted a case-control study analyzing serum levels of sFlt-1, sEng and PlGF in women with preeclampsia (n=30) and normal pregnancy (n=30) in the third trimester. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of each peptide in diagnosing preeclampsia.
RESULTS
The mean serum level of sFlt-1 and sEng in women with preeclampsia was significantly higher than normal pregnancy. But the mean serum level of PIGF had no significant difference between two groups. The cut-off values of sFlt-1 and sEng showing differential significance were 26.3 ng/mL and 21.1 ng/mL each. Then the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value was all over 80%. Serum levels of sFlt-1 and sEng were not significantly different between intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and non-IUGR group among preeclamptic women.
CONCLUSION
Serum levels of both sFlt-1 and sEng may be useful in diagnosing patients with preeclampsia. The serum levels of these factors may not correlate with poor perinatal outcomes.

Keyword

Preeclampsia; Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1; Soluble endoglin; Placental growth factor; Intrauterine growth restriction

MeSH Terms

Case-Control Studies
Female
Humans
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tyrosine
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
Tyrosine
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1 in women with preeclampsia. P<0.01 by t-test. Upper line of the box: mean ± standard deviation (SD). Lower line of the box: mean-SD. Bold line in the box: mean. Upper line above the box: maximum level. Lower line below the box: minimum level. The mean serum level of sFlt-1 in women with preeclampsia was significantly higher than that of the normal group (58.7 ± 39.1 ng/mL vs. 16.0 ± 9.8 ng/mL).

• 

  Fig. 2 Serum levels of soluble endoglin (sEng) in women with preeclampsia. P<0.01 by t-test. Upper line of the box: mean ± standard deviation (SD). Lower line of the box: mean-SD. Bold line in the box: mean. Upper line above the box: maximum level. Lower line below the box: minimum level. The mean serum level of sEng in women with preeclampsia was significantly higher than that of the normal group (67.7 ± 36.3 ng/mL vs. 13.7 ± 8.9 ng/mL).

• 

  Fig. 3 Serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) in women with preeclampsia. P=0.883 by t-test. Upper line of the box: mean ± standard deviation (SD). Lower line of the box: mean-SD. Bold line in the box: mean. Upper line above the box: maximum level. Lower line below the box: minimum level. The mean serum level of PlGF in women with preeclampsia was not significantly different between both groups (144.7 ± 91.6 ng/mL vs. 134.9 ± 84.9 ng/mL).

• 

  Fig. 4 Receiver operator characteristic curves of serum sFlt-1 and sEng for diagnosing preeclampsia. sEng, soluble endoglin; sFlt-1, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1. sFlt-1 and sEng were excellent markers for diagnosing patients with preeclampsia from those with normal pregnancy. Cut-off value of sFlt-1 is 26.3 ng/mL and sEng is 21.1 ng/mL.

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