An evaluation of two different screening criteria in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to identify the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence difference according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria and International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria for 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods: This study was conducted at Erciyes University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A total of 320 pregnant who met the criteria were included in the study and 75 g OGTT was applied. Irrespective of the first results, the test was applied to most participants 2 weeks later. Results: The GDM prevalence was found to be 9.1% according to the ADA criteria and 19.4% according to the IADPSG criteria. According to the ADA criteria, GDM prevalence was found to be statistically significantly high (p < .05) in patients with risk factors. According to the IADPSG criteria no relationship was found between GDM prevalence and any of the risk factors (p > .05). The patients diagnosed with GDM were observed not to reach the threshold levels for HbA1c. Conclusion: According to the IADPSG criteria, GDM prevalence doubles and leads to an increase in healthcare costs and workloads. HbA1c has no role in the diagnosis of GDM.