Ethnic differences in protein biomarkers of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a proteomic study on the EORP cohort

Abstract

Aims The diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is often delayed due to the absence of disease-specific biomarkers. Recently, serum proteins—QSOX1, adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and ITIH3—have shown potential for improving diagnostic accuracy, especially when used with NT-proBNP. However, the influence of ethnicity on their expression remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether serum biomarker profiles differ among ethnic groups in a multinational PPCM cohort.

Methods and results Eighty-two PPCM patients from seven countries in the EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) provided demographic data and serum samples. Ethnicity was self-reported. Proteomic profiling at diagnosis was performed using DIA-based label-free LC–MS, and data were analysed with Spectronaut v15. Ethnic variation was evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA). Participants had a mean age of 30.5 ± 6.7 years; 75% had no hypertension during pregnancy. Median LVEF was 35% (IQR 27.0–41.1), with no ethnic differences. Middle Eastern women showed more severe LV dilatation. PCA revealed no significant clustering by ethnicity; PC1 and PC2 explained 15.2% and 12.0% of variance, respectively.

Conclusions QSOX1, ADIPOQ and ITIH3 exhibited consistent expressions across ethnic groups, supporting their use as universal PPCM biomarkers.