Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus a Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased worldwide and, of course, adverse outcomes for the health of the mother, fetus and neonate, and the resulting healthcare costs have increased. The World Health Organization affirms that healthy lifestyle habits that go with physical, mental, and psychosocial health and range from preconception to postpartum are essential to achieve successful pregnancies. Objective: Conducting a scoping review of the psychosocial risk factors associated with GDM. Materials and Methods: The databases consulted were PubMed / Medline and Cochrane. Studies on psychosocial risk factors in pregnant women older than 18 years, with a diagnosis of GDM, from 2010 to 2020, in English and Spanish, published in peer-reviewed journals, were selected. A standardized data extraction form was developed. Results: 1188 articles on this topic were found, 93 of which were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The findings yielded several main issues such as conflicts with cultural practices, social stigma, influence of ethnicity / race, low educational level, sleep quality, physical limitations, problems with breastfeeding, concern for the health of the mother and baby, low perception of risk of GDM and DM2 in the future, stress, anxiety and depression, limited knowledge about GDM, lack of partner / family / social support, low levels of self-care and self-efficacy in glycemic control, lack of support from health professionals and difficulties with changes in lifestyle. Discussion and Conclusion: All the identified psychosocial risk factors must be taken into account either by adapting existing prevention and promotion programs or by developing new programs. Interventions should not end with pregnancy and the psychological impact and risk of developing T2D after delivery should be considered, as well as multiethnic populations and the most demographically and socioeconomically vulnerable groups. In addition, they should be included in the Clinical Practice Guidelines and in prevention, promotion and intervention programs for the health and quality of life of women with GDM.