Objective:

Determine the factors associated with pregnancy-induced arterial hypertension (PIH) in women living at altitude.

Methods:

The research was observational, analytical of cases and controls. It was carried out at the Regional Maternal and Child Teaching Hospital El Carmen de Huancayo, Peru, located at 3,259 meters above sea level. The sample was calculated using Epidat 3.0. 80% power level, with frequency of 27% for cases, 17% for controls, precision of 5% and odds ratio (OR) = 2. X2 was used for statistical analysis squared, binomial logistic regression, and multivariate.

Results:

940 (100%) pregnant women were included, with a mean age of 36.7 years ± 5.8 years (range: 15 to 44 years). The most frequent clinical manifestations of pregnant women with PIH were: edema (63.1%), headache (61.9%), epigastric pain (51.4%), ringing in the ears (41.9%), hyperreflexia (26, 4%), and scotomas (19.8%). The risk factors associated with a higher probability of PIH compared to normotensive pregnant women were: obesity (78.1% vs 39.2%); OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 2.31-5.42; p = 0.000); and extreme age (27.1% vs 17.3%; OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.319; p = 0.000).

Conclusions:

The most frequent symptoms in PIH are edema, headache, and epigastric pain. The factors associated with a higher risk of PIH were obesity and extreme age in pregnant women living at high altitudes.

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