Patterns of Gestational Hypertension or Preeclampsia Across 2 Pregnancies in Relationship to Chronic Hypertension Development: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background Gestational hypertension (GHTN) and preeclampsia are established risk indicators for chronic hypertension. While recurrence is associated with a greater risk, it is unclear whether there are differences in risk when these gestational complications occur for the first time in an earlier pregnancy versus first occurrence in a subsequent one. We hypothesized that the absence of recurrence reflects a transition toward a lower hypertension risk trajectory, whereas a new occurrence in a later pregnancy indicates a transition toward elevated risk. Methods and Results We analyzed linked data in Quebec, Canada, from public health care insurance administrative databases and birth, stillbirth, and death registries. Our retrospective cohort study included mothers with 2 singleton deliveries between April 1990 and December 2012. The primary exposure was patterns of GHTN or preeclampsia across 2 pregnancies (GHTN/preeclampsia in neither, first only, second only, or both). The outcome was incident chronic hypertension. We performed an adjusted multivariable Cox regression analysis. Among 431 980 women with 2 singleton pregnancies, 27 755 developed hypertension during the follow‐up period. Compared with those without GHTN/preeclampsia, those with GHTN/preeclampsia only in the first pregnancy had a 2.7‐fold increase in hazards (95% CI, 2.6–2.8), those with GHTN/preeclampsia only in the second had a 4.9‐fold increase (95% CI, 4.6–5.1), and those with GHTN/preeclampsia in both pregnancies experienced a 7.3‐fold increase (95% CI, 6.9–7.6). Patterns and estimates were similar when we considered GHTN and preeclampsia separately. Conclusions The magnitude of hypertension risk is associated with the number and sequence of GHTN/preeclampsia‐affected pregnancies. Considering both allows more personalized risk estimates.