Open AccessIncreased cardiovascular disease risk in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage
Author(s) -
Wagner Marise M.,
Beshay Mary M.,
Rooijakkers Sophie,
Hermes Wietske,
Jukema J. Wouter,
Le Cessie Saskia,
De Groot Christianne J. M.,
Ballieux Bart E. P. B.,
Van Lith Jan M. M.,
Bloemenkamp Kitty W. M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.13392
Subject(s) - miscarriage , medicine , obstetrics , recurrent miscarriage , pregnancy , framingham risk score , risk factor , family history , medical history , gynecology , disease , genetics , biology
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Observational studies suggest that women with a history of recurrent miscarriage have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Material and methods Women who visited the recurrent miscarriage clinic at Leiden University Medical Center between 2000 and 2010 and who had their third consecutive miscarriage before the age of 31 years, were invited to participate in this follow‐up study (between 2012 and 2014). The reference group consisted of women with at least one uncomplicated pregnancy and no miscarriage, matched by zip code, age, and date of pregnancy. All women were invited for risk factor screening, including physical examination and blood collection. Main outcome measures were the (extrapolated) 10‐ and 30‐year cardiovascular risk scores using the Framingham risk score. A subanalysis was performed for women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. Results Thirty‐six women were included in both groups. Mean follow up was 7.5 years. Women with recurrent miscarriage had a significantly higher extrapolated 10‐year cardiovascular risk score (mean 6.24%, SD 5.44) compared with women with no miscarriage (mean 3.56%, SD 1.82, P = .007) and a significantly higher 30‐year cardiovascular risk score (mean 9.86%, SD 9.10) compared with women with no miscarriage (mean 6.39%, SD 4.20, P = .04). Similar results were found in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (n = 28). Conclusions Women with a history of recurrent miscarriage differ in cardiovascular risk profile at a young age compared with women with no miscarriage. The findings support an opportunity to identify women at risk of cardiovascular disease later in life and a possible moment for intervention.