Screening of postpartum diabetes in women with gestational diabetes: high-risk subgroups and areas for improvements-the STRONG observational study

The predictive ability of the triglyceride glucose index, fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance test for postpartum hyperglycemia in women with a GDM history

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the likelihood of hyperglycemia postpartum in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to identify the predictors.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort study involved 1 527 GDM patients who delivered at Peking University First Hospital from 1 January 2021, to 31 December 2021. According to the blood glucose level of postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), women were divided into a normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group and a hyperglycemia group, and their characteristics and risk factors of hyperglycemia were compared.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 33.9% (184/543) at 6-12 weeks postpartum. Compared with the NGT group, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of hyperglycemia group increased significantly during pregnancy and postpartum, the OGTT 1h postprandial glucose (PG) and 2hPG increased in the second trimester of pregnancy, the triglyceride (TG) increased in the first trimester of pregnancy and postpartum, the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index increased in the first trimester of pregnancy and postpartum, and the total cholesterol (TCHO) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased in the second trimester (p < 0.05). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in the first trimester [odds ratio (OR) = 3.583, p < 0.001], OGTT 2hPG in the second trimester (OR = 1.604, p < 0.001), the TyG index in the first trimester (OR = 1.863, p = 0.045) and FPG in third trimester (OR = 1.985, p = 0.024) were independent risk factors for postpartum hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-third of women with GDM have hyperglycemia 6-12 weeks after delivery. FPG and the TyG index in the first trimester, OGTT 2hPG in the second trimester and FPG in third trimester are risk factors for postpartum hyperglycemia.

Postpartum glucose intolerance after gestational diabetes mellitus: tailored prediction according to data-driven clusters and BMI-categories

Objectives

To account for the heterogeneity of gestational diabetes (GDM), this study investigated tailored predictors during pregnancy and at 6-8 weeks postpartum of glucose intolerance (GI) at 1-year postpartum. We identified predictors according to data-driven clusters, analogous to the newly proposed diabetes classification, and for clinical ease also based on BMI-categories.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the MySweetheart trial. It included 179 women with GDM who underwent a 75g oral glucose tolerance test and HbA1c measurement at 1-year postpartum. Predictors were determined according to: a) cluster analysis based on age, BMI, HOMA-IR and HOMA-B; and b) BMI-categories (normal weight [NW], and overweight/obesity [OW/OB]).

Results

We identified two clusters during pregnancy and at 6-8 weeks postpartum (for both time points an "insulin-resistant", and an "insulin-deficient" cluster). The "insulin-resistant" cluster was associated with a 2.9-fold (CI: 1.46-5.87; pregnancy) and 3.5-fold (CI: 1.63-7.52; at 6-8 weeks postpartum) increased risk of GI at 1-year postpartum. During pregnancy, the most relevant predictors of GI were history of previous GDM and fasting glucose for the "insulin-deficient" and NW category and HOMA-IR for the "insulin-resistant" and OW/OB category (all p ≤0.035). In the postpartum, predictors were more heterogenous and included the insulin-sensitivity-adjusted-secretion index and 1-h glucose in the "insulin-deficient" and NW women.

Main conclusions

In women with GDM, we identified "insulin-resistant" and "insulin-deficient" clusters with distinct risks of future GI. Predictors varied according to clusters or BMI-categories emphasizing the need for tailored risk assessments.

Efficacy of a phone reminder to improve adherence to post-partum glucose tolerance testing after gestational diabetes and clinical predictors of post-partum follow-up compliance

AIM

To assess the effectiveness of a phone reminder to improve adherence to post-partum glucose tolerance testing in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to identify clinical predictors of adherence to post-partum follow-up.

METHODS

Retrospective study including 543 women with GDM. We assessed the adherence rate to post-partum glucose tolerance testing in women who received a phone reminder (n = 297) compared to women not alerted (n = 246). Demographic and clinical variables were collected to identify the predictors of adherence to the post-partum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

RESULTS

The adherence to post-partum OGTT was higher in women who received the phone reminder compared to those not alerted (60.6 % vs. 35.4 %, p < 0.001). Women less compliant compared to those more compliant, had a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (29.3 ± 7.9 vs. 27.0 ± 6.1 Kg/m2, p = 0.03). The adherence was lower in pre-pregnant obese compared to non-obese women (42.7 % vs. 52.0 %, p < 0.05), in women with only one, compared to multiple OGTT alterations during pregnancy (44.5 % vs. 57.8 %, p < 0.05), and in women non-insulin treated compared to those insulin-treated (40.0 % vs. 57.1 % vs, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The phone reminder improved post-partum follow-up adherence. Pre-pregnancy BMI, number of OGTT alterations and type of therapy could identify poorly adherent women.

Cross-sectional study examining factors impacting on uptake of postpartum type 2 diabetes screening among women diagnosed with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy

AIMS

Early postpartum glucose screening of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) can identify women who have the highest risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance and T2DM. This study examines the association between demographics, events during pregnancy, socioeconomic status and postpartum T2DM screening.

METHODS

Using the French National Health Data System, this cross-sectional study included all deliveries where the mother had HIP in France in 2015, (n = 76,862). The odds ratio (OR) for attending postpartum screening was calculated via multi-level logistic regression.

RESULTS

T2DM screening uptake at six months postpartum was 42·9% [95 % Confidence Interval: 42·6-43·3]. Several characteristics were associated with lower uptake: living in the most deprived area(OR = 0·78[0·74-0·83]); being < 25 years-old (reference age group 25-29;≤17: 0.53 [0·31-0·90];18-24: 0.73[0·69-0·78]); smoking (0·65[0·62-0·68]); obesity (0·93[0·89-0·97]); caesarean delivery (0·95[0·92-0·99]). Factors associated with higher uptake included primiparity (1·30[1·26-1·34]); having followed the French recommendations for HIP screening (1·24[1·20-1·28]); insulin prescription (1·75[1·69-1·81]) and pre-eclampsia (1·30[1·19-1·42]). p < 0.01 is justified due to sample size.

CONCLUSION

Improving identification of factors affecting postpartum T2DM screening uptake, such as demographics, socioeconomic context and events during pregnancy, may lead to development of target interventions to aide adherence to screening regime and thereby diagnosis of women with prediabetes or diabetes, for whom secondary and tertiary prevention is crucial.

Metabolic alteration of circulating steroid hormones in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and the related risk factors

Background

Abnormally changed steroid hormones during pregnancy are closely related to the pathological process of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our aim was to systematically profile the metabolic alteration of circulating steroid hormones in GDM women and screen for risk factors.

Methods

This study was a case-control study with data measured from 40 GDM women and 70 healthy pregnant women during their 24-28 gestational weeks. 36 kinds of steroid hormones, including 3 kinds of corticosteroids, 2 kinds of progestins, 5 kinds of androgens and 26 kinds of downstream estrogens in serum were systematically measured using a combined sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method. The flux of different metabolic pathways of steroid hormones was analyzed. Logistic regression and ROC curve model analyses were performed to identify potential steroid markers closely associated with GDM development.

Results

Serum corticosteroids, progestins and almost all the estrogen metabolites via 16-pathway from parent estrogens were higher in GDM women compared with healthy controls. Most of the estrogen metabolites via 4-pathway and more than half of the metabolites via 2-pathway were not significantly different. 16α-hydroxyestrone (16OHE1), estrone-glucuronide/sulfate (E1-G/S) and the ratio of total 2-pathway estrogens to total estrogens were screened as three indicators closely related to the risk of GDM development. The adjusted odds ratios of GDM for the highest quartile compared with the lowest were 72.22 (95% CI 11.27-462.71, P _trend <0.001) for 16OHE1 and 6.28 (95% CI 1.74-22.71, P _trend <0.05) for E1-G/S. The ratio of 2-pathway estrogens to total estrogens was negatively associated with the risk of GDM.

Conclusion

The whole metabolic flux from cholesterol to downstream steroid hormones increased in GDM condition. The most significant changes were observed in the 16-pathway metabolism of estrogens, rather than the 2- or 4-pathway or other types of steroid hormones. 16OHE1 may be a strong marker associated with the risk for GDM.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes and recourse to postpartum oral glucose tolerance test in the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy)

OBJECTIVE

The occurrence of gestational diabetes (GDM) is increasing worldwide, and such a diagnosis is important for women's health beyond pregnancy. Therefore, many guidelines suggest the re-evaluation of glucose tolerance with a postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in women with GDM. This study reports the prevalence of GDM and the use of a postpartum OGTT in women assisted at maternity units in the Autonomous Province of Trento in the years 2017-2018, investigating the socio-demographic and health-care variables that can facilitate access to the test.

STUDY DESIGN

For the diagnosis of GDM, the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group criteria were used. The Birth Assistance Certificate and the Hospital Information System were used to retrieve clinical and socio-demographic data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the stratification of the use of a postpartum OGTT.

RESULTS

In total, 8,308 pregnant women were assisted at the maternity units in Trento. There were 532 recorded cases of GDM (266 cases per year) and the overall average prevalence was 6.4 % (95 % CI, 5.90-6.90), 4.9 % of whom were Italian (95 % CI, 4.38-5.42) and 10.4 %, foreigners (95 % CI, 9.13-11.67). 135 women diagnosed with GDM and residing in Trento out of 513 were evaluated using a postpartum OGTT (26.3%, CI 95% 22.50-30.10), with pathological results in 61 cases (45.2%). In the multivariate analyses, insulin therapy during pregnancy, delivery at a third-level birth point, and a discharge letter informing of the presence of GDM and of the need for a postpartum OGTT were independent factors associated with the probability of carrying out a postpartum OGTT.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of GDM in our study is lower than in previous Italian studies; however, it is consistent with European data. The proportion of women who were assessed using the postpartum OGTT is lower than that reported by previous studies. The health-care factors seem predominant among the socio-demographic characteristics of the cases in influencing access to the test. The awareness of women, the sharing of guidelines among the different sectors of the health system, and an optimal management of the discharge from the birth point are critical in ensuring an optimal follow-up in women with GDM.

Effects of Dietary Fiber on the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Advanced Maternal Age Women: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

SCOPE

To investigate whether dietary fiber supplementation may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in advanced maternal age Chinese women (≥35 years). Secondary outcomes include glucose metabolism, diet change, weight gain, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a randomized controlled trial, a dietary fiber group (19.56 g day^-1 ) or control group (standard prenatal care) was conducted from 20 to 24⁺⁶ gestational weeks in advanced maternal age women. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated 39-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). GDM was diagnosed by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 25-28 weeks. After intervention, the incidence of GDM was not significantly different between groups (21.6% vs 12.9%, p = 0.165). The mean increased in carbohydrate intake in the dietary fiber group is significantly lower than in the control group (-0.94 ± 92.12 g vs 32.27 ± 91.81 g, p = 0.032). In addition, the glucose tolerance, weight gain between 20 and 25 weeks, and preterm birth in the intervention group have improved compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with dietary fiber during pregnancy among advanced maternal age Chinese women do not lower the incidence of GDM, but improve glucose metabolism, gestational weight gain, and preterm birth.

Prevalence of Screening for Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Previously Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes: Factors Related to its Performance

OBJECTIVE

 To determine how many patients underwent screening for diabetes mellitus (DM) in the puerperium after a diagnosis of gestational DM (GDM) and which factors were related to its performance.

METHODS

 The present is a prospective cohort study with 175 women with a diagnosis of GDM. Sociodemographic and clinico-obstetric data were collected through a questionnaire and a screening test for DM was requested six weeks postpartum. After ten weeks, the researchers contacted the patients by telephone with questions about the performance of the screening. The categorical variables were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. The measure of association was the relative risk with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI), and values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant and tested through logistic regression.

RESULTS

 The survey was completed by 159 patients, 32 (20.1%) of whom underwent puerperal screening. The mean age of the sample was of 30.7 years, and most patients were white (57.9%), married (56.6%), and had had 8 or more years of schooling (72.3%). About 22.6% of the patients used medications to treat GDM, 30.8% had other comorbidities, and 76.7% attended the postnatal appointment. Attendance at the postpartum appointment, the use of medication, and the presence of comorbidities showed an association with the performance of the oral glucose tolerance test in the puerperium.

CONCLUSION

 The prevalence of screening for DM six weeks postpartum is low in women previously diagnosed with GDM. Patients who attended the postpartum consultation, used medications to treat GDM, and had comorbidities were the most adherent to the puerperal screening. We need strategies to increase the rate of performance of this exam.

Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in south and southeast Asian women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The burden of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is very high in south Asia (SA) and southeast Asia (SEA). Thus, there is a need to understand the prevalence and risk factors for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) postpartum, in this high-risk population.

AIM

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM among the women with history of GDM in SA and SEA.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and CINHAL till December 2021. Studies that had reported greater than six weeks of postpartum follow-up were included. The pooled prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were estimated by random effects meta-analysis model and I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of 13 studies revealed that the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM in post-GDM women were 25.9% (95%CI 18.94 to 33.51) and 29.9% (95%CI 17.02 to 44.57) respectively. Women with history of GDM from SA and SEA seem to have higher risk of developing T2DM than women without GDM (RR 13.2, 95%CI 9.52 to 18.29, p<0.001). The subgroup analysis showed a rise in the prevalence of T2DM with increasing duration of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The conversion to T2DM and prediabetes is very high among women with history of GDM in SA and SEA. This highlights the need for follow-up of GDM women for early identification of dysglycemia and to plan interventions to prevent/delay the progression to T2DM.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus pregnancy by pregnancy: early, late and nonrecurrent GDM

AIMS

To assess the GDM recurrence rate in a cohort of pregnant women with prior GDM, to compare two consecutive pregnancies complicated by GDM, to compare women with nonrecurrent and recurrent GDM and to stratify the latter in women with early and late recurrent GDM.

METHODS

Retrospective study including 113 women with GDM in an index pregnancy (G1), at least a postindex pregnancy (G2) and normal glucose tolerance in between. The GDM recurrence rate was assessed, and maternal and neonatal outcomes and pancreatic beta cell function of the index pregnancy were compared with those of the postindex pregnancy (G1 vs. G2). Women with nonrecurrent GDM were compared with those with recurrent GDM.

RESULTS

The GDM recurrence rate was 83.2% and the minimum prevalence of early recurrent GDM was 43,4%. The pregravid BMI of women with recurrent GDM increased between the two pregnancies (27.3 ± 5.98 vs. 28.1 ± 6.19 kg/m², p < 0.05). Women with recurrent GDM had a higher prepregnancy BMI than those with nonrecurrent GDM either at the index (27.3 ± 5.98 vs. 23.1 ± 4.78 kg/m², p < 0.05) or the postindex pregnancy (27 ± 6vs.24 ± 4,4 kg/m², p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

GDM shows a high recurrence rate in our cohort of slightly overweight women, with an early GDM minimum prevalence of 43.4%.

Risk stratification of women with gestational diabetes mellitus using mutually exclusive categories based on the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria for the development of postpartum dysglycaemia: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are more predisposed to develop postpartum diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to estimate the relative risk (RR) of postpartum dysglycaemia (prediabetes and DM) using mutually exclusive categories according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria cut-off points in patients with GDM, so as to establish a risk-stratification method for developing GDM management strategies.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

In this retrospective cohort study, 942 women who had been diagnosed with GDM (IADPSG criteria) at 24-28 weeks of gestation from November 2016 to April 2018 underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 6-12 weeks postpartum in a tertiary hospital of Singapore. Seven mutually exclusive categories (three one timepoint positive categories (fasting, 1 hour and 2 hours), three two timepoint positive categories (fasting+1 hour, fasting+2 hours and 1 hour+2 hours) and one three timepoint positive category (fasting+1 hour+2 hours)) were derived from the three timepoint antenatal OGTT according to the IADPSG criteria. To calculate the RRs of postpartum dysglyceamia of each mutually exclusive group, logistic regression was applied.

RESULTS

924 mothers with GDM, whose mean age was 32.7±4.7 years, were mainly composed of Chinese (45.4%), Malay (21.7%) and Indian (14.3%) ethnicity. The total prevalence of postnatal dysglycaemia was 16.7% at 6-12 weeks postpartum. Stratifying subjects into seven mutually exclusive categories, the RRs of the one-time, two-time and three-time positive groups of the antenatal OGTT test were 1.0 (Ref.), 2.0 (95% CI=1.3 to 3.1; p=0.001) and 6.7 (95% CI=4.1 to 10.9; p<0.001), respectively, which could be used to categorise patients with GDM into low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutually exclusive categories could be useful for risk stratification and early management of patients with prenatal GDM. It is plausible and can be easily translated into clinical practice.