Associations of Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance With Attenuated Executive Function Post‐Preeclampsia: A Nested Case–Control Study

TL;DR

Women who had preeclampsia and also have metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance show worse executive function, such as working memory and task focus, years later.

Contribution

This study identifies metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance as novel risk factors for long-term cognitive issues after preeclampsia.

Findings

Metabolic syndrome is linked to a 4.20 times higher risk of reduced executive function after preeclampsia.

Insulin resistance is strongly associated with impaired executive function, with an odds ratio of 7.26.

Over half of the cognitive decline after preeclampsia may be attributed to insulin resistance.

Abstract

Preeclampsia contributes to maternal cognitive problems, particularly involving executive functions. These higher‐order cognitive functions—including working memory, organisation of materials, and task focus—are essential for adaptive, purposeful, and goal‐directed behaviour. Similar cognitive problems are observed in metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. This study investigates whether these conditions are also associated with executive function after preeclampsia.

Nested case–control study.

Maastricht University Medical Centre+, a tertiary care hospital.

Women 0.5 to 30 years after preeclampsia.

The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Adults provided a measure of executive function performance. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III defined metabolic syndrome. The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) quantified insulin resistance. Participants were matched on age, postpartum time, and educational attainment. Associations of attenuated executive function with metabolic syndrome, its constituents, and insulin resistance were examined with conditional logistic regression.

Odds ratios and population attributable fractions for the associations of attenuated executive function with metabolic syndrome, its constituents, and insulin resistance.

In 155 matched pairs, attenuated executive function was associated with metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 4.20 (95% confidence interval 1.58–11.14)), hyperglycaemia (2.96 (1.13–7.79)), and obesity (3.86 (2.00–7.47)). Attenuated executive function related to HOMA‐IR (7.26 (3.75–14.07)), and was 13% (6%–20%) attributable to metabolic syndrome and 56% (49%–67%) to insulin resistance.

Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are associated with attenuated executive function after preeclampsia. Our findings provide leads for future studies focused on improving post‐preeclamptic cognitive performance.

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