Association of urinary misfolded protein quantification with preeclampsia and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective case study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between the detection of misfolded proteins in urine and preeclampsia (PE) as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 400 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at our hospital from January 2022 to May 2023. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The study documented the incidence of PE, positive urine misfolded protein detection rate, and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Factors influencing the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes were also analyzed.

Results: Out of the 400 pregnant women, 22 cases (5.50 %) developed PE. A total of 15 cases tested positive for misfolded proteins in urine, with 14 cases (63.64 %) of PE and 1 case (0.26 %) without PE. A history of smoking/secondhand smoke exposure (OR=3.592, 95 %CI: 3.217-4.012), oligohydramnios (OR=3.992, 95 %CI: 3.363-4.739), thyroid dysfunction (OR=2.164, 95 %CI: 1.835-2.552), the use of risky medications during pregnancy (OR=3.788, 95 %CI: 3.046-4.710), mild PE (OR=4.908, 95 %CI: 3.710-6.492), severe PE (OR=6.151, 95 %CI: 3.576-10.579), and a positive test for urinary misfolded proteins (OR=5.897, 95 %CI: 4.016-8.658) were all identified as risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions: The rate of positive urinary misfolded protein detection was relatively high, but there was a certain rate of false positives. Furthermore, a positive test for urinary misfolded proteins and the severity of PE was associated with an increased incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.