Glucose metabolism tests and recurrent pregnancy loss: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

Correlation between PAPP-A serum levels in the first trimester of pregnancy with the occurrence of gestational diabetes, a multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between first-trimester Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) levels and subsequent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) development.

METHOD

The study was conducted on 5854 pregnant women who attended routine prenatal care. Maternal biomarkers, including PAPP-A and free beta hCG, were measured for all women in a referral laboratory and converted to MoM values. Pregnant women were divided into two groups, based on the serum concentration of PAPP-A, (PAPP-A > 0.4 (normal) and PAPP-A < 0.4 (low)). Data on the screening test for GDM and pregnancy outcomes were collected and analyzed with appropriate tests.

RESULT

Of the 5854 pregnant women, 889 (15.19%) developed GDM. The maternal PAPP-A MoM concentrations were significantly lower in GDM cases compared to controls. Indeed, gestational age at delivery and birth weight were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in PAPP-A MoM < 0.4, and the rate of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was significantly higher (p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of MoM concentration for predicting GDM were 53.3% and 51.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Lower maternal PAPP-A in early pregnancy can lead to glucose intolerance and increase the risk of subsequent GDM development. In addition, decreased serum concentration of PAPP-A is significantly correlated to lower birth weight and IUGR.

Impaired decidualization and relative increase of PROK1 expression in the decidua of patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss showing insulin resistance

A recent meta-analysis revealed that patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) show higher insulin resistance compared to healthy controls. However, the etiology of RPL remains unknown. Prokineticin (PROK1), a pleiotropic uterine endometrial protein, is important for implantation and decidualization and is regulated by hypoxia and insulin. In this study, we investigated the decidualization status and the role of PROK1 in the decidua of patients with unexplained RPL showing insulin resistance. Thirty-two patients with unexplained RPL were included in this study. Following the diagnosis of a miscarriage, the decidua and villi of the patient were surgically collected. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured, and HOMA-β was calculated. Using IHC and ELISA, the expression of IGFBP-1, PRL and PROK1 in the decidua and IGF-2 in the villi were analyzed in patients with euploid miscarriage with a high HOMA-β index (n = 8) and compared to controls (euploid miscarriage with normal HOMA-β: n = 12, aneuploid miscarriage with normal HOMA-β: n = 12). The co-localization of PROK1 and IGFBP-1 was observed in the decidua by IHC. In the decidua of RPL patients with high HOMA-β, the expression levels of IGFBP-1 and PRL were significantly lower, whereas the PROK1/IGFBP-1 ratio was significantly higher compared to that of the controls. IGF-2 expression in villi was significantly lower in RPL patients with high HOMA-β. Impaired decidualization and excessive PROK1 production may have pathological implications in patients with unexplained RPL with insulin resistance, especially under the state of hyper insulin production.

Before Is Better: Innovative Multidisciplinary Preconception Care in Different Clinical Contexts

CONTEXT

Implementation of pre-conception care units is still very limited in Italy. Nowadays, the population's awareness of the reproductive risks that can be reduced or prevented is very low. Purpose and main findings: We presented a new personalized multidisciplinary model of preconception care aimed at identifying and possibly reducing adverse reproductive events. We analyzed three cohorts of population: couples from the general population, infertile or subfertile couples, and couples with a previous history of adverse reproductive events. The proposal involves a deep investigation regarding family history, the personal histories of both partners, and reproductive history.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS

Preconception care is still neglected in Italy and under-evaluated by clinicians involved in natural or in vitro reproduction. Adequate preconception counseling will improve maternal and fetal obstetrical outcomes.

High Insulin Resistance in Saudi Women with Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Case-control Study

Background

Unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) accounts for >50% of the patients with RPL. Insulin resistance (IR) is a potential cause of unexplained RPL.

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and unexplained RPL among Saudi women.

Methods

This is a single-center, case-control study conducted at a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The study group comprised Saudi women with unexplained RPL, while the control group had Saudi women with at least one live birth and no RPL. Blood samples were taken to determine the fasting glucose (FG) and fasting insulin (FI) levels. Women with diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovarian syndrome were excluded. A homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) value ≥3 was considered as IR.

Results

The study and control groups comprised 43 and 56 women, respectively. Between the groups, there was a significant difference in the mean age (case: 37.9 ± 5.4 years; control: 32.2 ± 5.9 years; P < 0.0001) and the mean BMI (case: 31.5 ± 6.0; control: 26.1 ± 2.8; P < 0.0001). FG level was slightly higher in the control group (90.9 mg/dL vs 88.7 mg/dL; P = 0.068). FI level was significantly higher in the study group (16.33 μU/mL vs. 6.17 μU/mL; P < 0.0001). HOMA-IR of ≥3 was significantly more common in the study group (n = 22; 51.2%) than the control group (4; 7.1%) (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age and BMI, IR ≥3 was found to be independently associated with unexplained RPL (aOR: 13.2; 95% CI: 3.77-46.36).

Conclusions

This study showed that Saudi women with unexplained RPL had significantly higher levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance than those without a history of RPL. Therefore, it is recommended to assess IR in women with RPL.