Abstract
Objective To examine the association between physical activity in early pregnancy and risk of pre-eclampsia.
Design Prospective cohort.
Setting Denmark.
Population A total of 85 139 pregnant Danish women, recruited between 1996 and 2002.
Methods The authors assessed leisure time physical activity in first trimester by a telephone interview and categorised women a priori into seven groups: 0 (reference), 1–44, 45–74, 75–149, 150–269, 270–419 and 420+ minutes/week. Pre-eclampsia diagnoses were extracted from the Danish National Patient Registry. A number of potential confounders were adjusted for by logistic regression.
Main outcome measures Pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia.
Results The two highest physical activity levels were associated with increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia compared with the nonexercising group, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.11–2.43) and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.07–2.95), whereas more moderate levels of physical activity (1–270 minutes/week) had no statistically significant association with risk of pre-eclampsia (total n = 85 139).
Conclusions We were unable to document a protective effect of leisure time physical activity against pre-eclampsia. Our data even suggest that leisure time physical activity exceeding 270 minutes/week in first trimester may increase risk of severe pre-eclampsia.
Design Prospective cohort.
Setting Denmark.
Population A total of 85 139 pregnant Danish women, recruited between 1996 and 2002.
Methods The authors assessed leisure time physical activity in first trimester by a telephone interview and categorised women a priori into seven groups: 0 (reference), 1–44, 45–74, 75–149, 150–269, 270–419 and 420+ minutes/week. Pre-eclampsia diagnoses were extracted from the Danish National Patient Registry. A number of potential confounders were adjusted for by logistic regression.
Main outcome measures Pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia.
Results The two highest physical activity levels were associated with increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia compared with the nonexercising group, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.11–2.43) and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.07–2.95), whereas more moderate levels of physical activity (1–270 minutes/week) had no statistically significant association with risk of pre-eclampsia (total n = 85 139).
Conclusions We were unable to document a protective effect of leisure time physical activity against pre-eclampsia. Our data even suggest that leisure time physical activity exceeding 270 minutes/week in first trimester may increase risk of severe pre-eclampsia.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 98-107 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | BJOG - an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Dec 2008 |
Keywords
- physical activity
- pre-eclampsia
- prospective cohort
- pregnancy