The predictive role of sTWEAK levels in pregnant women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding^*

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationships of TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK), a cytokine related to the TNF superfamily, its newly described soluble receptor sCD163, and the sTWEAK/sCD163 ratio with perinatal outcomes in women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding.

Materials and methods: Seventy (41 threatened abortion and 29 control) gestational-age-matched (6–14 weeks) pregnant women were included in the study. Antenatal complications (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, oligohydramniosis, polyhydramniosis), and perinatal outcomes (delivery mode, birth weight, delivery week) were recorded. Women with vaginal bleeding were divided into subgroups by pregnancy outcome (miscarriage or live birth) and subchorionic hematoma incidence. Statistical analyses were performed using the Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. p Values <.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in sTWEAK or sCD163 levels, in sTWEAK/sCD163 ratios, or antenatal complications between threatened abortion and control patients. Higher sTWEAK levels were significantly correlated with higher rates of miscarriage in the threatened abortion group (p = .014). sCD163 levels were significantly lower in the subchorionic hematoma subgroup of the threatened abortion group (p = .043).

Conclusions: sTWEAK levels may predict the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding.

Keywords:

• Vaginal bleeding
• pregnancy
• sTWEAK
• sCD163
• miscarriage

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This paper has been supported by grant from Mugla Sitki Kocman University Research Projects Coordination Office. Project Grant Number: 15/012 and title: Evaluation of the Relationship between sTWEAK (soluble TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis) levels and First Trimester Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnant Women.