Unveiling the risks and outcomes of preeclampsia: a case-control study in the UAE

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related disorder characterized by high blood pressure and often proteinuria, affecting 2–8% of pregnancies worldwide. Preeclampsia is linked to various factors, including diabetes, obesity, multiple pregnancies, primiparity, age over 30, family history, lifestyle habits, and chronic hypertension. This study aimed to identify the determinants of preeclampsia as well as the maternal-fetal outcomes associated with it. An unmatched case-control study included adults over 18 years old in the United Arab Emirates diagnosed with preeclampsia, who provided consent. Controls included those without preeclampsia. A total of 545 participants were included, with a 1:3 case-to-control ratio, recruited via convenience sampling from Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman. A content-validated questionnaire gathered data on socio-demographics, medical history, reproductive/obstetric history, surgical history, family history, and lifestyle factors from medical records and through Google Forms from the participants. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Age at first pregnancy at 17–20 (aOR = 4.909) and 21–29 years old (aOR = 3.209), thyroid disorders (aOR = 4.346), allergy (aOR = 6.899), and family history of hypertension (aOR = 3.323) were independent predictors of preeclampsia. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including persistent hypertension, postpartum depression, preterm birth, placental abruption, and neonatal respiratory distress, were also assessed. The results of this study highlight the importance of early detection of preeclampsia in at-risk individuals and addressing modifiable risk factors like stress and nutrition to reduce unfavourable pregnancy outcomes and to mitigate risk. Targeted interventions, such as raising pregnant women’s awareness, can help reduce the adverse outcomes. These findings also highlight the necessity for improving the overall maternal and fetal health and minimizing the complications that are associated with preeclampsia.