While pregnancy among lupus patients continue to be considered generally safe, the possibility of adverse, lupus-related outcomes in lupus have eluded scientists until now. For complications related to lupus that does exist regarding pregnancy, doctors and scientists did not know just how to predict that risk. That may be changing with a new study presented to the American College of Rheumatology by researchers at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York. The study found a biomarker - an imbalance of certain proteins vital to pregnancy - to be predictive of pregnancy related complications in expectant mothers living with lupus.

 

Investigators found that an imbalance of angiogenic factors, proteins required for the development of the placenta and the health of blood vessels, is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. Increased levels of an anti-angiogenic protein called sFlt1 in pregnant lupus patients placed them at increased risk of placental insufficiency and preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening complication. Scientists determined that higher levels of sFlt1 reduce the activity of other angiogenic proteins (placental growth factor, PIGF; vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF) that are necessary for growth of the placenta and the mother's blood vessels.

 

"Pregnant women with lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome are at increased risk for adverse outcomes, particularly preeclampsia, yet identification of those destined for complications has been elusive," said Jane Salmon, MD, director of the Lupus and APS Center of Excellence at Hospital for Special Surgery and lead author of the study. "We prospectively studied patients to see if we could find a biomarker early in pregnancy that would predict a poor outcome."

 

Once again, the LFNC emphasizes that pregnancy among lupus remains generally safe, though with a higher level of risk for complications than the general population. With promising research, identification of risk factors is likely to become easier. Please consult your physician about your specific case and risk factors if you are, or planning to become, pregnant.

You can read more about the study here.