Relationship between proteinuria and changes in antepartum and postpartum choroidal thickness in patients with pre-eclampsia

Abstract Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder characterised by systemic vascular resistance and endothelial dysfunction. It is known to influence choroidal thickness (CT). No previous studies have explored the antepartum and postpartum changes in CT with respect to the protein-creatinine ratio (PCR), a measure of proteinuria that is a clinical hallmark of PE. This study evaluated the correlations between antepartum and postpartum CT and the PCR in patients with PE. In this retrospective study, sixty-six eyes (66 patients) were analysed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median PCR value (2.36 mg/mg): group 1 (< 2.36 mg/mg) and group 2 (≥ 2.36 mg/mg). Ophthalmologic clinical data were collected and assessed. We observed higher antepartum CT and higher mean arterial pressure in group 2 than in group 1. Moreover, postpartum CT decreased significantly in group 2. In the multivariate analysis, CT changes were correlated with antepartum CT and PCR after logarithm transformation. In conclusion, a greater decrease in CT was observed in group 2 than in group 1. Further, the PCR showed a correlation with the extent of CT reduction.