Increased prevalence of diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome in women with a history of preterm birth: a case-control study

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that endocrine and metabolic factors predispose to preterm birth. A cross-sectional, case-control study. Namsos Hospital district (Namsos, Norway). Women from the Namsos Hospital district with previous preterm births (n = 114) were compared with matched controls with term births (n = 127). A clinical examination including transvaginal ultrasound was performed. Fasting blood samples were collected and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis (Rotterdam criteria) and serum levels of androgens, glucose and insulin. Twenty-nine of 114 women (25.4%) met the PCOS criteria among women with preterm birth, compared with 18 of 127 (14.2%) among controls (P = 0.03). Eight (7.1%) women with preterm birth were diagnosed with diabetes compared with none in the control group (P < 0.01). Hirsutism was present in 34 (29.8%) women with preterm birth versus 12 (9.4%) in the control group (P < 0.01). The prevalences of PCOS, diabetes and hirsutism are increased among women with a history of preterm birth. This indicates that endocrine and/or metabolic factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of preterm birth. Women experiencing preterm delivery may have an increased risk of developing diabetes and PCOS later in life.