Condensation: In women with a history of preeclampsia skin autofluorescence as marker of tissue AGEs accumulation is increased, supporting a common causal metabolic or vascular link between preeclampsia and cardiovascular diseases.
Objective: To investigate whether skin autofluorescence (AF), as marker of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), is elevated in women with a 4-year history of severe preeclampsia.
Methods: About 17 formerly preeclamptic women and 16 controls were included. Skin AF and several traditional cardiovascular risk factors were recorded.
Results: In comparison to controls, formerly preeclamptic women had higher skin AF of the legs, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), HbA1C, and triglycerides in serum.
Conclusion: Skin AF as well as cardiovascular risk factors is elevated in formerly preeclamptic women. These results suggest a common causal vascular link between preeclampsia and cardiovascular diseases.