Research Investigates Tests And Interventions For Pre-Eclampsia, UK

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Hypertension
Article Date: 19 May 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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New research published by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme has assessed methods for predicting and preventing pre-eclampsia, to help guide clinical practice and future research in this area. Pre-eclampsia is part of a group of conditions which cause high blood pressure in pregnancy. It accounts for complications in up to eight per cent of all pregnancies and may have serious effects on mother and child. The precise cause for pre-eclampsia is unknown and therefore it is important that tests for predicting who will get it and interventions for its prevention are evaluated.

Researchers led by Professor Khalid Khan, University of Birmingham, reviewed existing evidence on current methods for predicting and preventing pre-eclampsia to identify combinations of tests and treatments which could be clinically and cost-effective. The team examined evidence on the accuracy of tests to predict pre-eclampsia, the effectiveness of interventions, and conducted an economic analysis of the combined effect of tests and interventions.

The research team found that none of the current tests available to help predict pre-eclampsia are accurate enough to be recommended for use. They concluded that offering low-dose aspirin to women at risk of pre-eclampsia could be effective and calcium supplementation could be considered for those with low dietary calcium intake.

"Ideally the most clinically and cost-effective approach to reducing pre-eclampsia would be the provision of an effective, affordable and safe intervention that could be applied to all mothers without the need for testing," says Professor Khan. "However more research needs to be conducted into both tests and treatment before a treat - all strategy could be suggested. Consideration should also be given as to whether we should continue using certain tests for identifying pre-eclampsia as these have not been found to be effective."

Published in Health Technol Assess 2008; 12:6. To view and download the full report visit http://www.hta.ac.uk/1337

1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal's 2006 Impact Factor (5.29) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, http://www.nihr.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.

2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.

National Institute for Health Research