RISK-FACTORS FOR PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN WOMEN AT HIGH-RISKFOR THE CONDITION

To analyze determinants of the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) with or without proteinuria, we compared characteristics of wome n enrolled in the Italian Study of Aspirin in Pregnancy who developed PIH and those who did not. A total of 756 women were included in the p resent analysis; of these, 132 women (17%) developed PIH during the tr ial. The risk of developing PIH tended to increase with maternal age: in comparison with women age 20-25 years, the odds ratio (OR) estimate s of risk ratio were 3.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-7.1] in wom en age 26-30 years and 4.2 (95% CI = 1.9-8.8) in those age >30 years. There was little relation between development of PIH and education. PI H risk increased according to nonpregnant body mass index; in comparis on with women with Quetelet's index (kg per m(2)) <25, the OR estimate s were 1.7 (95% CI = 1.1-2.7) and 2.1 (95% CI = 1.3-3.6), respectively , for women with a value for Quetelet's index of >25-30 and >30. Parou s women were at decreased risk of PIH: in comparison with nulliparas, the ORs were 0.7 (95% CI = 0.4-1.0) and 0.5 (95% CI = 0.3-0.9), respec tively, in women reporting 1 or greater than or equal to 2 births. The re was no important relation between previous spontaneous or induced a bortion and PIH risk.