Objective:

To compare serum CA-125 concentrations in patients with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women.

Methods:

A case-control study was conducted between January 2014 and December 2024 at the Hospital Central “Dr. Urquinaona” in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The study included women with singleton pregnancies. A group of pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia (group A) was compared to a control group of pregnant women with similar maternal age and body mass index (group B). Serum CA-125 concentrations were measured before delivery and the initiation of medical treatment.

Results:

210 pregnant women were selected, with 105 in group A and 105 healthy individuals in group B. There were no significant differences in maternal age, gestational age, or body mass index. However, group A showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as lower newborn weight (p < 0.0001). Laboratory parameters also revealed elevated levels of hemoglobin, aminotransferases, creatinine, and proteinuria in group A (p < 0.0001), with a lower platelet concentration. Group A also had significantly higher CA-125 concentrations (43.2 ± 6.9 IU/mL compared with 26.8 ± 4.1 IU/mL). A cutoff value of 34 IU/mL showed high discriminatory ability for the diagnosis of preeclampsia (area under the curve of 0.989).

Conclusion:

Preeclamptic women have higher serum CA-125 concentrations compared to healthy normotensive pregnant women.