Incidence of post-partum metabolic syndrome (Mets) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in tertiary care hospital Lahore 2013–2014

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. The reported prevalence of GDM is 7% worldwide while 8% in Pakistan. About 19.5% of the women with GDM develop post-partum metabolic syndrome. Methods: A prospective cohort study carried out at tertiary-care hospital in Lahore from Jan 2013 - Dec 2014 to determine the incidence of Mets in women with GDM. After informed consent, women with and without GDM were enrolled during 28th week of pregnancy. Demographic and personal data were recorded. Presence of Mets was evaluated 6 months after delivery measuring their blood pressure, anthropometry, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and triglycerides. Cumulative incidence of Mets, means of blood pressure, anthropometric measures were calculated. Comparisons of general characteristic and component of metabolic syndrome were done by student t-test. Results: 102 women with GDM and 104 without GDM were followed. The Cumulative Incidence of Mets was 33% in GDM while 15.4% in non-GDM (P-value = 0.002). GDM group were significantly older than non-GDM group (P-Value < 0.001). In GDM group 29 (28.4%) had impaired FBS while in non-GDM group 7 (7%) had impaired FBS. Diabetes developed in 27 (26.5%) of GDM group while none of non-GDM group. BMI blood pressure fasting glucose, and triglycerides were significantly higher in GDM group than non-GDM group. Conclusion: The study highlights that GDM group has more risk of developing Mets. They should be monitored as high risk for other cardiovascular diseases along with diabetes after delivery. Keywords: metabolic syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus, postpartum period