Accuracy of fibronectin tests for the prediction of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2007 Jul;133(1):12-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2007.01.003. Epub 2007 Feb 12.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review systematically all studies that assessed the accuracy of maternal plasma fibronectin as a serum marker for early prediction of pre-eclampsia. We therefore assessed studies that reported on fibronectin as serum marker for pre-eclampsia before the 25th gestational week. For the selected studies, sensitivity and specificity were calculated and plotted in ROC-space. We included 12 studies, of which only 5 studies reported sufficient data to calculate accuracy estimates, such as sensitivity and specificity. These five studies reported on 573 pregnant women of whom 109 developed pre-eclampsia. At a sensitivity of at least 50%, specificities ranged between 72 and 96% for cellular fibronectin. For total fibronectin, these numbers were 42-94%. Fibronectin seems to be a promising marker for the prediction of pre-eclampsia, however, further studies are needed to determine whether the accuracy of this test is sufficient to be clinically relevant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological
  • Female
  • Fibronectins / blood*
  • Humans
  • Pre-Eclampsia / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Fibronectins