Does gestational diabetes affect women's health-related quality of life after delivery?

Abstract

Objectives Our objective in this study was to investigate the effects of gestational diabetes (GDM) on women's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after delivery. This study investigates the differences between a GDM group and a control group. Study Design Using random sampling, 100 women who had had GDM were selected from a birth register. Glucose tolerance tests administered to these participants during pregnancy had yielded 1 or 2 abnormal values. The control group ( n = 100) consisted of women who had normal glucose tolerance test during pregnancy. The informants were invited to a personal meeting, where their weight and height were measured and where they also answered the 15D questionnaire. Data were analysed with χ 2 – test, Mann–Whitney-test, independent samples t-test and regression analysis. Results The results for investigating the HRQoL indicated no significant differences on the 15D dimensions between the GDM group and the control group. The HRQoL for both groups was weakest on the dimensions of sleeping, discomfort and symptoms. Furthermore, the control group had a lower vitality score than the GDM group did. Analysis of the influence of background factors on HRQoL showed that women in a relationship experienced higher quality of life than single women. Conclusion This study showed no indication that women's lowered HRQoL, as measured by the 15D instrument, could be partly explained by GDM. Women's HRQoL was insignificantly decreased on the dimension of vitality only, so finding motivation for lifestyle changes and diabetes self-care may become challenging.