Prepregnancy care in women with type 1 diabetes improves HbA1c and glucose variability without worsening hypoglycaemia time and awareness: Glycaemic variability during prepregnancy care

Abstract

AimsTo evaluate the impact of a prepregnancy care (PPC) programme, beyond HbA1c, on hypoglycaemia awareness and glycaemic variability (GV). MethodsProspective pilot study. We selected women with Type 1 diabetes who initiated a PPC programme with normal hypoglycaemia awareness (n = 24). Hypoglycaemia awareness, hypoglycaemic events and GV derived from masked-continuous glucose monitoring were evaluated in the first visit and within 2 weeks after pregnancy confirmation. ResultsThe duration was 16.5 ± 13.0 months. HbA1c significantly decreased (−0.8 ± 0.7; p < 0.001). The Clarke score increased (0[0–1] vs. 1[0–2] points, p = 0.164), 2 out of 24 were reclassified as having impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and 2 presented severe hypoglycaemia. GV decreased: standard deviation (p = 0.008), coefficient of variation (p = 0.021), mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (p = 0.007), average daily risk range (p < 0.001), J-index (p = 0.010), high blood glucose index (HBGI) (p = 0.004), continuous overall net glycaemic action (CONGA) (p = 0.018), mean of daily differences (p = 0.045) and glycaemic risk assessment diabetes equation (p = 0.012). Final HbA1c was associated with baseline J-index, CONGA and HBGI (β = 0.535, β = 0.466, β = 0.534, respectively; p < 0.05). ConclusionsA PPC programme improved HbA1c as well as GV with no significant impact on hypoglycaemia awareness. Moreover, GV could help to identify women less likely to achieve glycaemic targets. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.