The Role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble endoglin (sEng) plasma levels as risk factors for predicting the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women

Background: Preeclampsia is a complex and life-threatening pregnancy complication that contributes to substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. One pathogenesis of preeclampsia is the imbalance of angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis factors with an increased inflammatory response in preeclampsia. C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, and soluble endoglin plasma levels (sEng), an antiangiogenic protein, play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Despite numerous efforts to identify early markers of preeclampsia, no single marker has been universally effective. This study explores the combined role of CRP and sEng as risk factors for predicting preeclampsia. This study aimed to evaluate the role of CRP and sEng as risk factors for predicting preeclampsia in pregnant women. Methods: An observational analytic study with a case-control design was conducted, involving 48 pregnant women: 24 with preeclampsia and 24 normotensive controls. CRP plasma levels were measured using the immunoturbidimetry method, and sEng plasma levels were measured using ELISA. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve determined the optimal cut-off point for CRP and sEng plasma levels. The identified cut-off point was subsequently applied in logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between elevated plasma levels of CRP, sEng, and the increased risk of preeclampsia. Ethical clearance and research permits have been provided for this study. Results: CRP and sEng plasma levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than in the control group. High CRP plasma levels (≥7.76 mg/dL) showed an Odds Ratio (OR) of 12.05 (95% CI: 3.49–41.51; p < 0.001), while high sEng plasma levels (≥2.45 ng/mL) demonstrated an OR of 4.60 (95% CI: 5.23–40.47; p < 0.001). CRP and sEng were significant predictors of the risk of preeclampsia. Conclusion: Both the plasma level CRP and sEng are significant biomarkers for predicting the risk of preeclampsia, but CRP offers a more practical advantage in clinical settings. While both markers were strongly associated with preeclampsia risk, CRP's odds ratio was higher than sEng, suggesting that CRP may provide more substantial predictive power. However, combining both biomarkers could improve overall diagnostic accuracy.