Carbohydrate metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors 4 years after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes

Abstract

Aims The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and the metabolic syndrome in a cohort of previously gestational diabetic (GDM) women 4 years after delivery. Methods Sixty-eight prior GDM and a control group of 39 women with normal glucose tolerance during pregnancy were invited to participate in a follow-up study. Results The prevalence of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was 21%, 16%, and 6% among prior GDM women and 0%, 15%, and 0% among controls respectively ( P = 0.0039). Independently of the metabolic syndrome criteria used this status was found more frequently among women with prior GDM (all P < 0.05). The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome showed a dose–response relationship with the level of weight categories ( P < 0.005) as well as with the level of glucose intolerance ( P = 0.024). Conclusion According to our results a disturbed carbohydrate metabolism and a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors might be observed in previous GDM women 4 years after delivery.