Prevention of Type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes directed at the family context: a narrative review from the Danish Diabetes Academy symposium

Health promotion intervention among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus: penetration, participation, and baseline findings from the Face-it randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Face-it is a randomized controlled trial for women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their families designed to evaluate the effect of a health promotion intervention on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk and quality of life. This study examined (1) the penetration and participation rates for the Face-it trial, (2) the characteristics of the participating women and the potential differences in characteristics according to partner participation status, and (3) representativity of the women at baseline.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified women with GDM during pregnancy and invited them and their partners to a baseline examination 10-14 weeks after delivery. Representativity was assessed by comparing the baseline participants with non-participating women, the general population of women with GDM delivering in Denmark, and populations from other intervention trials.

RESULTS

The penetration rate was 38.0% (867/2279) and the participation rate was 32.9% (285/867). The 285 women who attended baseline had a mean age of 32.7 (±4.8) years and body mass index (BMI) of 28.1 (±5.4) kg/m2, and 69.8% had a partner who participated. The women participating with a partner were more often primiparous, born in Denmark (82.8% vs 68.2%), were younger, and more often had a BMI ≤24.9 kg/m2 (35.7% vs 21.2%) compared with women without a partner. Compared with the general population of women with GDM in Denmark, these women broadly had similar degree of heterogeneity, but had higher rates of primiparity and singleton deliveries, and lower rates of preterm delivery and prepregnancy obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

The penetration and participation rates were acceptable. We found a high rate of partner participation. Overall, women participating with a partner were comparable with those participating without a partner. Participating women were broadly similar to the general national GDM population, however with prepregnancy obesity, multiparity, preterm delivery, and multiple pregnancy being less represented.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03997773.

Using the COM-B model and Behaviour Change Wheel to develop a theory and evidence-based intervention for women with gestational diabetes (IINDIAGO)

BACKGROUND

In South Africa, the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) is growing, concomitant with the dramatically increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity among women. There is an urgent need to develop tailored interventions to support women with GDM to mitigate pregnancy risks and to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes post-partum. The IINDIAGO study aims to develop and evaluate an intervention for disadvantaged GDM women attending three large, public-sector hospitals for antenatal care in Cape Town and Soweto, SA. This paper offers a detailed description of the development of a theory-based behaviour change intervention, prior to its preliminary testing for feasibility and efficacy in the health system.

METHODS

The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the COM-B model of behaviour change were used to guide the development of the IINDIAGO intervention. This framework provides a systematic, step-by-step process, starting with a behavioural analysis of the problem and making a diagnosis of what needs to change, and then linking this to intervention functions and behaviour change techniques to bring about the desired result. Findings from primary formative research with women with GDM and healthcare providers were a key source of information for this process.

RESULTS

Key objectives of our planned intervention were 1) to address women's evident need for information and psychosocial support by positioning peer counsellors and a diabetes nurse in the GDM antenatal clinic, and 2) to offer accessible and convenient post-partum screening and counselling for sustained behaviour change among women with GDM by integrating follow-up into the routine immunisation programme at the Well Baby clinic. The peer counsellors and the diabetes nurse were trained in patient-centred, motivational counselling methods.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper offers a rich description and analysis of designing a complex intervention tailored to the challenging contexts of urban South Africa. The BCW was a valuable tool to use in designing our intervention and tailoring its content and format to our target population and local setting. It provided a robust and transparent theoretical foundation on which to develop our intervention, assisted us in making the hypothesised pathways for behaviour change explicit and enabled us to describe the intervention in standardised, precisely defined terms. Using such tools can contribute to improving rigour in the design of behavioural change interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

First registered on 20/04/2018, Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR): PACTR201805003336174.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy play as spouse-pair risk factors of diabetes and hypertension: Insights from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND

Complicated pregnancies by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) are relatively common worldwide. The evidence is still inconclusive regarding the role of GDM and HDP as spousal risk factor of diabetes (DM) and hypertension (HTN). This study aimed to determine the spousal risk of development of DM and/or HTN in the context of GDM and/or HDP.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study involved couples who participated in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. A total of 3650 pairs of spouses were identified, and among them, 2820 met the inclusion criteria. Included participants, followed up 3-year intervals visits from 1999 to 2018. All pairs underwent standard data collection. GDM and HDP were the main exposure of interest in females, and DM and HTN were the main outcomes in both females and their spouses. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used for both females and their spouses, adjusting for age, consanguinity, waist-to-height ratio, physical activity, smoking, and parity.

RESULTS

Of 2820 females, 558 (19.79 %) had histories of GDM or HDP, and 72 (2.55 %) experienced both. Among females who experienced GDM and HDP, 24 (33 %) and 31 (33 %) developed DM and HTN during the follow-up. The corresponding numbers were 89 (16 %) and 191 (34 %) for those who experienced GDM or HPD, and 274 (13 %) and 623 (28 %) for the non-risk factors group. The incidences of DM were 9 (12 %), 100 (18 %), and 373 (17 %) for males whose spouses experienced both GDM and HDP, either one or none of them, respectively. Among males in these groups, 20 (28 %), 150 (27 %), and 630 (29 %) developed HTN, respectively. Females who never had history of GDM and HDP have 34 % (95 % CI: 21, 45) less hazard of being diabetic than their spouses if they have the same age and waist to hip ratio. In cases with histories of both GDM and HDP, the risk of females increases to 3.05 (95 % CI: 1.43, 6.52) times of their spouses. Also, females who had experienced GDM (HR: 3.51, 95 % CI: 2.23, 5.53), or HDP (HR: 2.80, 95 % CI: 1.72, 4.56) were at higher risk of developing DM compared with females who never had GDM or HDP. We found that females with neither GDM nor HDP were more likely than males to be hypertensive in the future by the hazard ratio of 1.21 (95 % CI: 1.06, 1.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Complicated pregnancies by GDM and/or HDP were associated with increased risk of development DM and HTN in later life of females and their spouses. Further studies are required to confirm these results. Preventive care programs should be considered pregnancy complications as couple-based risk factors for subsequent DM and HTN.

Coparenting-focused preventive intervention reduces postnatal maternal BMI and buffers impact of cortisol

OBJECTIVE

The postpartum period is a key life stage, contributing to increased maternal obesity risk. Current lifestyle interventions do not consider the role of a woman's partner in reducing stress and supporting lifestyle change. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an intervention that seeks to enhance coparenting relationship quality on maternal BMI from before conception to 12 months post partum and whether the intervention moderated the association of changes in cortisol and BMI.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was used to assess an intervention (eight classes: four during and four following pregnancy) focusing on enhancing couple coparenting relationships during pregnancy and post partum (n = 57) compared with standard care (n = 53).

RESULTS

The main outcome measures were changes in maternal BMI and cortisol. There was a smaller increase in BMI for mothers in intervention compared with control groups (mean [SE], -1.03 [0.42] kg/m2 , p = 0.015). There was an interaction between intervention status and cortisol change predicting BMI change (p = 0.026), such that cortisol change significantly predicted BMI change among mothers in the control (p = 0.049) but not the intervention groups (p = 0.204).

CONCLUSIONS

A coparenting intervention improved maternal postpartum BMI, with this effect potentially related to ameliorating the negative effect of stress, as measured by cortisol, on BMI. The role of enhanced coparenting in improving maternal anthropometry warrants urgent attention.

The experience of women with recent gestational diabetes during the COVID-19 lockdown: a qualitative study from Denmark

Background

Following COVID-19 and the lockdowns, maternity care and support for women after delivery have been temporary restructured. Studies show that COVID-19 adversely impacts pregnant and peripartum women in the general population, but experiences among women in the first year after delivery/in the wider postpartum period remain unexplored. Moreover, experiences among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are lacking; though it is a group with a potential high need for support after delivery. The aim of our study was to investigate (i) how women with recent GDM experienced COVID-19 and the first lockdown in Denmark, and (ii) the women’s risk perception and health literacy in terms of interaction with the healthcare system in relation to COVID-19.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study among 11 women with recent GDM (infants aged 2-11 months old). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in April-May 2020 by telephone or Skype for Business, when Denmark was under lockdown. We analysed data using a thematic qualitative content analysis.

Results

Three themes emerged: i) Everyday life and family well-being, ii) Worries about COVID-19 and iii) Health literacy: Health information and access to healthcare. The women were generally not worried about their own or their infant’s risk of COVID-19. The lockdown had a negative impact on everyday life e.g. routines, loneliness, breastfeeding uncertainties and worries for the infant’s social well-being; but better family dynamics were also described. It was challenging to maintain healthy behaviours and thus the women described worries for the risk of type 2 diabetes and GDM in subsequent pregnancies. The women missed peer support and face-to-face visits from health visitors and found it difficult to navigate the restructured care with online/telephone set-ups.

Conclusions

COVID-19 and the lockdown affected everyday life among women with recent GDM both positively and negatively. Our findings suggest a need for care that are responsive to psychological and social aspects of health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and support to limit worries about adaptation to motherhood and the infant’s social well-being. Communication focusing on the importance and relevance of contacting healthcare providers should also be strengthened.

Systematically developing a family-based health promotion intervention for women with prior gestational diabetes based on evidence, theory and co-production: the Face-it study

BACKGROUND

Women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes; however, this risk can be reduced by engaging in positive health behaviours e.g. healthy diet and regular physical activity. As such behaviours are difficult to obtain and maintain there is a need to develop sustainable behavioural interventions following GDM. We aimed to report the process of systematically developing a health promotion intervention to increase quality of life and reduce diabetes risk among women with prior GDM and their families. We distil general lessons about developing complex interventions through co-production and discuss our extensions to intervention development frameworks.

METHODS

The development process draws on the Medical Research Council UK Development of complex interventions in primary care framework and an adaptation of a three-stage framework proposed by Hawkins et al. From May 2017 to May 2019, we iteratively developed the Face-it intervention in four stages: 1) Evidence review, qualitative research and stakeholder consultations; 2) Co-production of the intervention content; 3) Prototyping, feasibility- and pilot-testing and 4) Core outcome development. In all stages, we involved stakeholders from three study sites.

RESULTS

During stage 1, we identified the target areas for health promotion in families where the mother had prior GDM, including applying a broad understanding of health and a multilevel and multi-determinant approach. We pinpointed municipal health visitors as deliverers and the potential of using digital technology. In stage 2, we tested intervention content and delivery methods. A health pedagogic dialogue tool and a digital health app were co-adapted as the main intervention components. In stage 3, the intervention content and delivery were further adapted in the local context of the three study sites. Suggestions for intervention manuals were refined to optimise flexibility, delivery, sequencing of activities and from this, specific training manuals were developed. Finally, at stage 4, all stakeholders were involved in developing realistic and relevant evaluation outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive description of the development of the Face-it intervention provides an example of how to co-produce and prototype a complex intervention balancing evidence and local conditions. The thorough, four-stage development is expected to create ownership and feasibility among intervention participants, deliverers and local stakeholders.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03997773 , registered retrospectively on 25 June 2019.

A Smartphone App (TRIANGLE) to Change Cardiometabolic Risk Behaviors in Women Following Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Intervention Mapping Approach

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication during pregnancy and is associated with an increased risk for the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Behavioral interventions can reduce this risk, but current solutions insufficiently address the requirements for such a program. The systematic development of a scalable mobile health (mHealth) promotion program for mothers during the first years post-GDM may contribute to solving this problem.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this project was to systematically plan and develop a theory- and evidence-based mHealth intervention to change cardiometabolic risk behaviors in women during the first 5 years post-GDM that meets women's expected standards of commercial health apps.

METHODS

The intervention mapping steps 1 to 4 structured the systematic planning and development of the mHealth program described in this paper. Steps 1 and 2 led to a theory- and evidence-based logic model of change for cardiometabolic health. Based on this model, the prevention program was designed (step 3) and produced (step 4) in cooperation with industrial partners to ensure a high technological standard of the resulting smartphone app for the iPhone (Apple Inc). Step 4 included a user study with women during the first 5 years post-GDM once a beta version of the app ("TRIANGLE") was available. The user study comprised 2 test rounds of 1 week (n=5) and 4 weeks (n=6), respectively. The tests included validated questionnaires on user acceptance, user logs, and think-alouds with semistructured interviews.

RESULTS

The novel TRIANGLE app is among the first self-paced smartphone apps for individual habit change in the 3 lifestyle areas of physical activity, nutrition, and psychosocial well-being. The 3 core features-a challenge system, human coaching, and a library-address 11 behavioral determinants with 39 behavior change methods to support lifestyle changes. Participants in the user study showed a high acceptance, high perceived quality, and high perceived impact of the TRIANGLE app on their health behaviors. Participants tested the app regularly, used it intuitively, and suggested improvements. We then adapted the TRIANGLE app according to the insights from the user study before the full TRIANGLE program production.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention mapping approach was feasible to plan and develop an innovative and scalable smartphone solution for women during the first 5 years post-GDM. The resulting TRIANGLE intervention has the potential to support behavior change for cardiometabolic disease prevention. However, the app needs further refinement and testing in clinical trials. Intervention mapping steps 5 (implementation plan) and 6 (evaluation plan) may support the integration of the TRIANGLE intervention into routine care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00012736; https://www.drks.de/DRKS00012736.

Reducing Postpartum Weight Retention: A Review of the Implementation Challenges of Postpartum Lifestyle Interventions

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a strong predictor of obesity in later life with long term health consequences in women. Suboptimal lifestyle behaviours (e.g., diet and physical activity) contribute to PPWR. Postpartum lifestyle interventions are known to be efficacious in reducing PPWR; however, there are challenges to their successful implementation. To inform implementation, this narrative review provides an overview of the factors that contribute to PPWR, the efficacy of existing postpartum lifestyle interventions and key determinants of effective implementation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) across intervention characteristics, implementation process, individual characteristics and outer and inner setting. We then suggest strategies to improve the translation of evidence into large-scale interventions that deliver on health impact in postpartum women. We have identified gaps that need to be addressed to advance postpartum lifestyle research, including the involvement of postpartum women and community members as key stakeholders for optimal reach and engagement, more complete reporting of intervention characteristics to optimize translation of evidence into practice, capacity building of health professionals and guidelines for postpartum lifestyle management.

Barriers and facilitators to a healthy lifestyle in postpartum women: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies in postpartum women and healthcare providers

A healthy postpartum lifestyle is vital for the promotion of optimal maternal health, return to pre-pregnancy weight and prevention of postpartum weight retention, but barriers exist. We performed a systematic review that aimed to describe the barriers and facilitators to a healthy lifestyle in the first 2 years postpartum from the perspectives of women and healthcare providers. Databases were searched for eligible studies published up to 26 August 2019. Following thematic analysis, identified themes were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour model. We included 28 qualitative and quantitative studies after screening 15,643 citations and 246 full texts. We identified barriers and facilitators relating to capability (e.g., lack of knowledge regarding benefits of lifestyle behaviours; limitations in healthcare providers' skills in providing lifestyle support), opportunity (e.g., social support from partners, family, friends and healthcare providers; childcare needs) and motivation (e.g., identifying benefits of exercise and perception of personal health; enjoyment of the activity or food). We suggest intervention components to include in lifestyle interventions for postpartum women based on the identified themes. Our findings provide evidence to inform the development of interventions to support postpartum women in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Women's perspectives on motivational factors for lifestyle changes after gestational diabetes and implications for diabetes prevention interventions

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy and constitutes a public health problem due to the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases. Most women face barriers in complying with preventive programs. This study aimed to explore motivational factors for lifestyle changes among women with a history of GDM and their suggestions for preventive programs.

Methods

This study used a qualitative approach in six focus group interviews with a total of 32 women. The selection criteria were time since onset of GDM, including women diagnosed with GDM, six months and five years after GDM, diagnosed and not diagnosed with diabetes. Inductive analysis was performed.

Results

The women reacted with anxiety about their GDM diagnosis and experienced persistent concerns about the consequences of GDM. They were highly motivated to take preventive initiatives, but faced major adherence challenges. The demotivating factors were lack of time and resources, too little family involvement, lack of knowledge and social norms that may obstruct healthy eating. A powerful motivational factor for complying with preventive strategies was the well-being of their children and partners.

Conclusions

Preventive initiatives should be rooted in the women's perception of GDM/diabetes and based on their experiences with barriers and motivational factors. The well-being and the quality of life within the family are dominant motivational factors which offer powerful potentials for supporting the women's coping capability. Further, there is a need to be responsiveness to the women and their families even a long time after the onset of GDM.

Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on the Cross-Sectoral Treatment Pathway for Women with Gestational Diabetes during and after Pregnancy-A Qualitative Study

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of adverse outcomes during and after pregnancy, including a long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. Women with GDM are treated by numerous healthcare professionals during pregnancy and describe a lack of preventive care after pregnancy. We aim to investigate healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the cross-sectoral treatment pathway for women with GDM—during and after pregnancy. A qualitative study was conducted using systematic text condensation. Nine healthcare professionals (two general practitioners, four midwives, two obstetricians and one diabetes nurse) were interviewed and eight health visitors participated in two focus group discussions., Three major themes emerged: (1) “professional identities”, which were identified across healthcare professionals and shaped care practices; (2) ”unclear guidelines on type 2 diabetes prevention after GDM”, which contributed to uncertainty about tasks and responsibilities during and after pregnancy; and (3) “cross-sectoral collaboration”, which relied heavily on knowledge transfers between hospitals, general practice and the local municipality. The findings implicate that clear, transparent guidelines for all sectors should be prioritized to strengthen cross-sectoral care to women with GDM during and after pregnancy. As a result, strong cross-sectoral care throughout the GDM care pathway may improve maternal health by supporting healthy behaviors, facilitate weight loss and reduce the risk of subsequent GDM and early onset diabetes.

Diabetes prevention interventions for women after gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of reviews

Aims

To present an overview of reviews of interventions for the prevention of diabetes in women after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with the overall aim of gaining information in order to establish local interventions.

Methods

Six databases were searched for quantitative, qualitative or mixed‐methods systematic reviews. All types of interventions or screening programmes were eligible. The outcomes were effectiveness of reducing diabetes incidence, encouraging healthy behavioural changes and enhancing women's perceptions of their increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes following GDM.

Results

Eighteen reviews were included: three on screening programmes and seven on participation and risk perceptions. Interventions promoting physical activity, healthy diet, breastfeeding and antidiabetic medicine reported significantly decreased incidence of postpartum diabetes, up to 34% reduction after any breastfeeding compared to none. Effects were larger if the intervention began early after birth and lasted longer. Participation in screening rose up to 40% with face‐to‐face recruitment in a GDM healthcare setting. Interventions were mainly based in healthcare settings and involved up to nine health professions, councillors and peer educators, mostly dieticians. Women reported a lack of postpartum care and demonstrated a low knowledge of risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Typical barriers to participation were lack of awareness of increased risk and low levels of support from family.

Conclusions

Lifestyle interventions or pharmacological treatment postpartum was effective in decreasing diabetes incidence following GDM. Women's knowledge of the risk of diabetes and importance of physical activity was insufficient. Early face‐to‐face recruitment increased participation in screening. Programmes aimed at women following a diagnosis of GDM ought to provide professional and social support, promote screening, breastfeeding, knowledge of risk factors, be long‐lasting and offered early after birth, preferably by face‐to‐face recruitment.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Women with Previous Gestational Diabetes: Reviewing the Implementation Gaps for Health Behavior Change Programs

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) places a woman at high risk of developing subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in the first 5 years postpartum. Engaging women in health behavior change during this period is challenging and current diabetes prevention programs were developed for middle-aged adults, all of which have limited the evidence on successful implementation for this high-risk population. In this review, we will first summarize the effects of existing diabetes prevention programs in women with a history of GDM. Second, we suggest that the programs need to be modified according to the facilitators and barriers faced by this population. Third, we propose that improving program penetration, fidelity, and participation is critical for population-level success. Finally, we outline the research priorities to improve the implementation of diabetes prevention programs for postpartum women with a history of GDM.

Unmet needs of women with GDM: a health needs assessment in Sandwell, West Midlands

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects over 4% of pregnancies in England. We investigated GDM epidemiology within ethnically diverse population and the current offer of services to women with previous GDM to reduce their type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk.

METHODS

(i) Analysis of routinely collected maternity data examining GDM incidence and risk factors; (ii) local authority self-assessment questionnaire on public health interventions targeting women with previous GDM and (iii) service development discussions regarding the current pathway and areas for improvement.

RESULTS

Of 9390 births between 2014 and 2018, 6.8% had a record of GDM. High body mass index (BMI), maternal age, and ethnicity (South Asian and some mixed ethnic backgrounds) were independent predictors of GDM. There were no public health commissioned services specifically targeting women with previous GDM. Weaknesses in transition from secondary to primary care and areas for improvement when screening for GDM were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

GDM burden in this population was high. Awareness should be raised on the importance of regular glucose testing and lifestyle modification to delay or prevent progression to T2DM, particularly within high risk groups. The potential for health visitors to contribute to this should be explored. Commissioners should review evidence to develop a flexible lifestyle services model to meet the specific needs of these women.

Manifest diabetes after gestational diabetes: a double-cohort, long-term follow-up in a Danish population

PURPOSE

The aim was to follow-up two cohorts of women with GDM to investigate the incidence and time of diagnosis of manifest diabetes mellitus (DM) postpartum and identify the risk factors for diabetes in our population.

METHODS

A follow-up study on two independent cohorts having oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 1991/1992 and 2011-2016: Cohort 1 consisted of 406 women including 54 with GDM and 352 with a non-GDM OGTT-test and cohort 2 had 433 women diagnosed with GDM. The first cohort had nearly 25 years of follow-up and gave information on magnitude, conversion rate and type of diabetes manifestation. The second cohort was started recently to evaluate whether newer diagnostic criteria and baseline information on the old cohort are still valid for prediction of diabetes risk.

RESULTS

The risk of manifest diabetes in cohort 1 at the end of follow-up was six times higher in women with previous GDM compared with non-GDM (RR = 6; 95% CI 4-11). We observed a 70% diabetes rate 25 years after pregnancy. Only family history of diabetes in cohort 2 was associated with conversion to manifest diabetes (p = 0.002), also after adjustment for age, BMI, non-Danish origin and smoking during pregnancy (p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: The incidence of diabetes after GDM is higher than that previously reported in Scandinavian populations and the rate of manifest diabetes rises steeply 15 years after pregnancy and after 40 years of age. The women of cohort 2 with recent GDM are at risk of DM at a higher rate. On this background our results are useful in identifying the time where GDM women may benefit from the effective implementation of evidence-based treatment to postpone and advert manifest DM.

High burden of cardiometabolic risk factors in spouses of Indian women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy

AIM

To evaluate the burden and association of cardiometabolic risk factors in the spouses of women with and without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.

METHODS

Women with (n = 204) and without (n = 197) hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, along with their spouses, participated in this cross-sectional study. The hyperglycaemia in pregnancy group included women with gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy. A detailed questionnaire was completed for all participants (men and women), documenting relevant personal and medical history, along with biochemical investigations (men).

RESULTS

A total of 401 couples were evaluated at the time point during the pregnancy of 24.7 ± 5.2 gestational weeks (mean ± sd). Dysglycaemia (prediabetes or diabetes), overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m² ) and metabolic syndrome were detected in 120 (58.9%), 123 (60.3%) and 98 spouses (48.3%) of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, an increased risk of dysglycaemia [odds ratio 1.43 (95% CI 0.95-2.17); P = 0.088], overweight/obesity [odds ratio 1.49 (95% CI 0.98-2.27); P = 0.064] and metabolic syndrome [odds ratio 2.00 (95% CI 1.30-3.07); P = 0.001] was seen in the spouses of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. The prevalence of these metabolic conditions was higher in spouses of women with diabetes in pregnancy compared to spouses of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

A high burden of cardiometabolic risk factors was observed in the spouses of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. The opportunity provided by pregnancy could be used by the healthcare system not only to improve the health of the woman and her offspring, but also her spouse.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a co-produced, complex, health promotion intervention for women with prior gestational diabetes and their families: the Face-it study

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of future diabetes in both mother, father and offspring. More knowledge is needed about how to effectively reduce the risk of diabetes through sustained behavioural interventions in these families. The Face-it intervention is a complex health promotion intervention embedded in multi-level supportive environments. The aim of the intervention is to reduce type 2 diabetes risk and increase quality of life among families in the first year following a GDM-affected pregnancy by promoting physical activity, healthy dietary behaviours and breastfeeding through a focus on social support, motivation, self-efficacy, risk perception and health literacy.

Methods

This national multicentre study is a two-arm randomised controlled trial including 460 women with GDM in a ratio of 2 (intervention):1 (usual care). The Face-it intervention consists of three main components: 1) additional visits from municipal health visitors, 2) digital health coaching tailored to family needs and 3) a structured cross-sectoral communication system in the health care system. The intervention runs from 3 to 12 months after delivery. The primary outcome is maternal body mass index at 12 months after delivery as a proxy for diabetes risk.

The women will be examined at baseline and at follow-up, and this examination will include blood tests, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), anthropometrics, blood pressure, self-reported diet and physical activity, breastfeeding, quality of life, health literacy, physical and mental health status, risk perception and social support. Aside from those data collected for OGTT and breastfeeding and offspring parameters, the same data will be collected for partners. Data on offspring anthropometry will also be collected. Information on pregnancy- and birth-related outcomes will be derived from the medical records of the woman and child.

Discussion

This randomised controlled trial seeks to demonstrate whether the Face-it intervention, addressing the individual, family and health care system levels, is superior to usual care in reducing diabetes risk for mothers and their families. Coupled with a process evaluation and an economic analysis, the study will provide evidence for policymakers and health services about health promotion among families affected by GDM and the potential for reducing risk of type 2 diabetes and associated conditions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03997773. Registered June 25, 2019 – Retrospectively registered.

Diabetes after pregnancy prevention trials: Systematic review for core outcome set development

Diabetes prevention intervention studies in women with previous gestational diabetes have increased, but no consensus exists on core outcomes to support comparisons and synthesis of findings. We aimed to systematically catalogue outcomes in diabetes after pregnancy prevention interventions with the goal of developing a core outcome set. Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Trials Register, and CINAHL were searched from inception to October 2017. Post‐partum lifestyle and diabetes screening intervention studies in women with previous gestational diabetes and/or their families were eligible. No limits were placed on intervention type, duration, or location. Two authors independently screened and performed data extraction on outcomes, measurement tools, and relevant study characteristics. We analysed data from 38 studies (29 randomised controlled trials and 9 pre–post intervention evaluations) comprising 12,509 participants. Most publications (80%) occurred between the years 2012 and 2017. Among 172 outcomes, we identified 36 outcome groups and classified them under three domains: health status (body weight, body composition, diabetes risk, cardiometabolic risk, diabetes development, mental health, pregnancy outcomes, and fitness), health behaviours (dietary, physical activity, diabetes screening, behaviour change, and breastfeeding), and intervention processes (implementation). The health status domain contained the most commonly reported outcomes, but measurement tools were very heterogeneous.

Despite the recent explosion in diabetes after pregnancy prevention studies, large variation in outcomes and measurement methods exists. Research is needed to define a core outcome set to standardise diabetes after pregnancy prevention interventions. The core outcome set should engage a wide group of stakeholders to identify impactful indicators for future trials.

The Avoiding Diabetes After Pregnancy Trial in Moms Program: Feasibility of a Diabetes Prevention Program for Women With Recent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a home-based diabetes prevention program, delivered by interdisciplinary certified diabetes educators (CDEs), and customized for postpartum women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

This pilot randomized trial recruited women with GDM from 24 to 40 weeks gestation from 4 centres, and trained 10 CDEs in behaviour coaching, physical activity (PA) and low glycemic index education. Women were randomized after 3 months postpartum to standard care (1 visit) or 1 of 3 24-week coaching interventions (1 visit and 12 telephone calls): i) PA and diet, ii) PA only or iii) diet only. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence and satisfaction.

RESULTS

Of 1,342 eligible patients, 392 were actively invited (29.3%) and 227 (16.9%) consented. Of these, 149 (65.6%) were randomized postpartum, of whom 131 (87.9%) started the program and 105 (70.5%) attended the final assessment. Intervention arm participants completed a median 75% (interquartile range, 50% to 92%) of telephone calls. Visit and call duration were a mean 71.4 (standard deviation, 13.8) and 18.1 (standard deviation, 6.5) minutes, respectively. Participants reported excellent/very good satisfaction 73% of the time, and 87% would recommend the program to others.

CONCLUSIONS

A home-based diabetes prevention program customized for postpartum women with GDM can be feasibly delivered by CDEs, and it is associated with >70% retention, adherence and satisfaction.

Concordance of glycaemic and cardiometabolic traits between Indian women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus and their spouses: an opportunity to target the household

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to investigate the concordance of dysglycaemia (prediabetes or diabetes) and cardiometabolic traits between women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their spouses.

METHODS

Using hospital medical records, women with GDM (diagnosed between 2012 and 2016) and their spouses were invited to participate in the study and to attend a scheduled hospital visit in a fasting state. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and medical data were collected, and a 75 g OGTT with serum insulin estimation, HbA_1c measurement and fasting lipid profile were performed at the visit. Prediabetes and diabetes were defined using ADA criteria and the metabolic syndrome was defined using IDF criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 214 couples participated in the study. Women were tested at a mean ± SD age of 32.4 ± 4.6 years and median (quartile [q]25-q75) of 19.5 (11-44) months following the index delivery, while men were tested at a mean ± SD age of 36.4 ± 5.4 years. A total of 72 (33.6%) couples showed concordance for dysglycaemia, while 99 (46.3%) and 51 (23.8%) couples were concordant for overweight/obesity and the metabolic syndrome, respectively. A total of 146 (68.2%) couples showed concordance for any of the above three factors. The presence of dysglycaemia in one partner was associated with an increased risk of dysglycaemia in the other partner (OR 1.80 [95% CI 1.04, 3.11]). Similarly, being overweight/obese (OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.22, 3.93]) and presence of the metabolic syndrome (OR 2.01 [95% CI 1.16, 3.50]) in one partner was associated with an increased risk of these conditions in the other partner. Both women and men were more likely to have dysglycaemia if they had a partner with dysglycaemia. Women with a partner with dysglycaemia had a significantly higher BMI, waist circumference and diastolic BP, and a significantly higher probability of low HDL-cholesterol (<1.29 mmol/l) and the metabolic syndrome compared with women with a normoglycaemic partner. No such differences were observed for men with or without a partner with dysglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The high degree of spousal concordance found in this study suggests social clustering of glycaemic and cardiometabolic traits among biologically unrelated individuals. This provides us with an opportunity to target the behavioural interventions at the level of the 'married couple', which may be a novel and cost-effective method of combating the current diabetes epidemic.

Gestational diabetes mellitus in mothers and long term cardiovascular disease in both parents: Results of over a decade follow-up of the Iranian population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed at evaluating whether the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in mothers is associated with increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both mothers and fathers.

METHODS

In this population-based study, 4308 Iranian women, aged 18-64 years, with at least 1 live-birth delivery, and free of CVD at baseline, were followed. Corresponding spouses were identified in 2547 cases. The association between history of GDM and incident CVD was assessed using multivariate Cox's proportional hazard in 3 models: model 1, unadjusted; model 2, adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking (for men), maternal parity, miscarriage, physical activity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, and model 3, further adjusted for diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 14.1 years, 314 mothers and 424 fathers experienced CVD. Women with history of GDM had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 95% CI of 1.85 (1.38-2.48) and 1.29 (0.96-1.75) for CVD in models 1 and 2, respectively. Furthermore, an independent association with CVD was observed in fathers with an adjusted HR of 1.35 (1.02-1.79) in the confounder adjusted model and even after further controlling for diabetes [1.36 (1.03-1.80)]. Moreover, all traditional risk factors, excluding BMI, showed an independent risk for CVD in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with prior GDM showed an increased risk of CVD that was not independent of important CVD risk factors. However, among men, spousal history of GDM was an independent risk factor for incident CVD, even after considering important traditional risk factors, including diabetes.

Women's views on lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes: a systematic review, qualitative synthesis and recommendations for practice

AIMS

After gestational diabetes, many women exhibit behaviours that increase their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. We aimed to systematically synthesize the literature that focuses on the views of women with a history of gestational diabetes on reducing their risk of developing diabetes postpartum through lifestyle and behaviour changes.

METHODS

We identified qualitative studies that examined the views of women with a history of gestational diabetes towards healthy eating and physical activity, Type 2 diabetes risk management or their experience of a diabetes prevention programme, and conducted a thematic synthesis to develop descriptive and then analytical themes. We also evaluated the quality of each study and the confidence that we had in our findings.

RESULTS

We included 21 articles after screening 23 160 citations and 129 full texts. We identified six themes of interacting influences on postpartum behaviour: role as mother and priorities; social support; demands of life; personal preferences and experiences; risk perception and information; and finances and resources (plus preferred format of interventions). These factors inhibited many women from addressing their own health, while they motivated others to persevere. We also developed 20 recommendations, most with high or moderate confidence, for effective promotion of healthy lifestyles in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

Many factors hinder healthy lifestyles after gestational diabetes, yet how women interpret them can motivate or prevent changes that reduce diabetes risk. As our recommendations emphasize, women's experiences and needs should be considered when designing strategies to promote healthier lifestyles in this population.

Exploring the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in women with previous gestational diabetes: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

Women with previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) have seven times the risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life compared to women without GDM. Physical activity can reduce this risk and most women with previous GDM are not physically active.

Aims

To explore: (1) effectiveness of physical activity interventions for women with previous GDM; (2) factors that women with previous GDM perceive influence their physical activity; (3) how these factors are addressed by the interventions.

Methods

A systematic review of quantitative (aim 1) and qualitative (aim 2) studies with a mixed-methods synthesis (aim 3) was conducted in October 2017 following Cochrane methodology. Of 8101 articles identified, twenty-eight studies were included in total: 18 in Review 1 and 10 in Review 2.

Results

Four interventions significantly increased physical activity and 14 had either mixed effectiveness or no changes in physical activity. Reporting of intervention components and study quality varied greatly. Relevant qualitative factors included accounting for childcare issues, social support and cultural sensitivities. Interventions that incorporated these factors were associated with effectiveness. Education about how to reduce future risk of Type 2 diabetes and using pedometers in interventions were not associated with intervention effectiveness. Other factors that future interventions should address consist of ‘putting others before yourself’; ‘putting off lifestyle change’; ‘lack of support from healthcare professionals’ and ‘being a healthy role model for families’.

Conclusion

Combining the results of qualitative and quantitative studies can provide a nuanced understanding of the effectiveness of physical activity and lifestyle interventions.

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Women with previous gestational diabetes are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

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Interventions to increase physical activity have not worked for this group.

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Mixed-methods reviews allow us to identify effective intervention components.

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Childcare, social support and cultural relevance are part of successful interventions.

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Interventions should incorporate this review's results to improve effectiveness.