Fundoscopic changes in patients of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia at tertiary care centre in Surat:

Introduction

Pregnancy is physiological change in human body accompanied by pathological changes sometimes. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension(PIH) is one of those important pathology accompanying pregnancy.1,2 According to national high blood pressure education program (NHBPEP-2000) and American college of obstetricians and gynecologists (ACOG-2002), PIH includes gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia.3,4 Incidence of Pre-eclampsia in nulliparous women ranges from 3-10% and of that eclampsia develops in about 1 in 2000 deliveries in developed countries and 4 in 2000 deliveries in developing country. Overall incidence of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia in hospital practice varies widely from 5-15%. The incidence in primigravida is 10% and in multigravida is 5%.5 Ocular involvement in Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia occurs in form of arteriolar attenuations, retinal changes, retinal detachment, etc. It affects visual pathways, from the anterior segment to the visual cortex. Complete blindness with eclampsia and pre-eclampsia is rare, incidences of which is 1-3%.6,7,8 Direct and Indirect Ophthalmoscopy can easily detect the pathological changes in the fundus and retinal blood vessels in particular that reflect the effect of hypertension throughout the vascular system. Ocular squeal are observed in 30% to 100% of patients with preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome.9 It has been suggested that retinal changes in preeclampsia may indirectly indicate the level of placental vascular status and, hence, placental insufficiency and fetal birth weight.10

In this present study, we have tried to evaluate and examine all the ophthalmoscopic changes in case of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia and have tried to analyze the impact of various manifestations on the visual morbidity and prognosis.

Materials and Methods

A cross sectional, hospital based study done on patients who are diagnosed and admitted at Ante Natal Ward at Tertiary Care Centre, New Civil Hospital, Surat in last two years. Patients who had preexisting systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension were excluded. Patients with hazy media with difficult fundus visualization were not included in the study.

A total of 251 patients were examined. Detailed history, general physical examination and systemic examination were recorded from available case records. Ocular and fundus examination was performed with indirect ophthalmoscope and various fundus changes noted.

The severity of disease was divided into pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, based on the following findings: Preeclampsia --- BP >140/90mmHg, proteinuria, and/or mild edema of legs; Eclampsia --- preeclampsia + convulsions.

The retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy) were graded according to Keith Wagener classification into:

Grade I: Mild generalized arterial attenuation,particularly of small branches;

Grade II: More evere grade I + focal arteriolar attenuation.

Grade III: Grade II + haemorrhages, hard exudates,cotton wool spots.

Grade IV: Grade III + optic disc swelling (Papilloedema).

Results

This study conducted on 251 patients of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia can be summarized as follows:

Out of 251 cases enrolled in the study, 223 cases (88%) had pre-eclampsia and 28 cases (12%) had eclampsia. Fundus changes were seen in 84 (33.47%) cases of Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. It is seen that fundus changes were more observed in cases with eclampsia (60%), followed by pre-eclampsia (30%). Most common retinal changes associated with Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia are is generalized arterial attenuation followed by focal arterial attenuation. Only one patient has retinal detachment and one patient has Papilloedema. In our study, none of the patient had hemorrhages or exudates. The mean age of patients was 24.79 years (SD=4.48) with majority were in the age group of 20-30 yrs.

Chi-Square test is applied for strength of association. Significant association was there in lower age group (p=0.001) and in primigravida (OR=5.387, p<0.05). Gestational age and proteinuria are not associated with retinopathy (p>0.05).

Discussion

In present study, the mean age of patients was 24.79 years. 251 patients were examined of which majority were in the age group of 20-25 yrs. Only 7 patients were above 35 years of age. Out of those cases, 21-30 years have more chances to develop retinopathy changes as compared to other age group.

Bhandari et al in their study observed that amongst the 48 cases of preeclampsia in the age group 18-22 years, 24 cases (50%) showed retinal changes. This was followed by 12 cases (36.36%) from 33 cases of Preeclampsia in the age-group 23-27 years. Next commonly affected age-group was 28-32 years with 14 cases and 7 cases (50%) of them showed retinal changes. Only 1 case out of 4 from age-group between 33-37 years showed changes in fundus.

Kapil AD et al in their study observed that 117 patients were examined only 5 patients were above 40 years of age (4.27%) whereas 7 were teenagers (5.98%). In their study 51 cases in age group of 21-30 years, 19 cases (37%) showed hypertensive retinopathy changes.11

Reddy et al in his study A total of 78 patients were examined; 59 (75.6%) were Malays, 13(16.7%) were Indians and 6(7.7%) were Chinese. The mean age of patients was 30.2 years (range 21-45 years).12

Present study correlates with Bhandari et al and Kapil AD et al in relation to age but not compatible with Reddy et al13 study which may be due to Reddy had included different cases from different geographic areas where child bearing age group may be late. This shows that younger the age, more are the possibilities of retinal changes in the eye.

In present study the gestational period ranged from 20 weeks to 36 weeks with mean 28.1 weeks (SD=4.46). So, 30% cases of gestational age <28, 37% cases of gestational age 29-32 weeks and 37% from gestational age >32 shows hypertensive retinal changes. However no significant association was found between gestational age and retinal changes which is also supported by same in Shah AP et al14 and Varija et al.15

In present study, majority of the patients were primigravida (35.06%) followed by second gravida (32.67%), Thirdgravidas (24.30%) and multigravida (7.97%).

Shah AP et al in their present study of 150 patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, 76 (50.67%) patients were primigravida. Of 76 patients who were primigravida, 5 (6.58%) patient developed hypertensive retinopathy. While out of 74 patients who were the multigravida, 13 (17.57%) patients developed hypertensive retinopathy. Kapil AD et al in their study observed that majority of the patients were primigravida (47.86%) followed by second gravida (20.51%), third gravid (18.80%) and multigravida (12.82%).

In all studies it is common that chances of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia are more in primigravida as compared to multigravida. Also, chances of hypertensive retinopathy increases in primigravida.

In our study, of 251 patients, 52.19% patient having +1 grade followed by 33.07% of +2 grade, +3 grade (10%) and +grade (4%). But no statistical significance found between grades of proteinuria and retinal changes (p>0.05) which is supported by Reddy et al.13

Conclusion

Grade I hypertensive retinopathy which includes arteriolar attenuation was the early and most common retinal change. Patients of eclampsia had more severe grade of hypertensive retinal changes in compare to cases of pre-eclampsia. Presentation was most common in early age group i.e. 21-25 years. Patients who where <20 years of age were three times more likely to have ocular fundus changes in comparison to older patients. Primigravida women are at more risk of retinal changes. There is no association of proteinuria and fundus changes. Regular fundus examination in patients of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia helps early detection and proper management of maternal and fetal outcomes.

Source of funding

None.

Conflict of interest

None.