Elevated serum NLRP3 as an independent risk factor for preeclampsia

This study aimed to explore the risk factors for preeclampsia and analyze the clinical significance of serum NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) levels in preeclampsia patients, with attention to their association with disease severity. This prospective observational study recruited 113 preeclampsia patients and 100 healthy pregnant women from July 2021 to July 2024. Serum NLRP3 and inflammatory marker levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, demographic and clinical data for all participants were collected, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for preeclampsia. Our results showed that serum NLRP3 levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia patients compared to healthy controls, with NLRP3 levels further elevated in patients with severe preeclampsia. Serum NLRP3 levels were positively correlated with serum interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-1β levels, and were also positively correlated with BMI. ROC analysis demonstrated that serum NLRP3 had diagnostic value for preeclampsia (AUC = 0.843, sensitivity 75.2%, specificity 76.0%) and for distinguishing severe preeclampsia (AUC = 0.795, sensitivity 83.0%, specificity 63.6%). Furthermore, elevated NLRP3 levels were identified as an independent risk factor for preeclampsia. This study indicated that serum NLRP3 was associated with preeclampsia and its severity. In addition, elevated NLRP3 levels were identified as an independent risk factor for preeclampsia.