The value of serum fructosamine in comparison with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as a screening test for detection of gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single assay of serum fructosamine as a screening test for gestational diabetes in comparison with the oral glucose tolerance test. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 210 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Colombo South Teaching Hospital. A 75g oral glucose tolerance test and serum fructosamine assay in the fasting state and 2 hours after ingestion of oral glucose was performed. The statistical significance of fructosamine values were assessed by Student's t-test and the reliability of the test was assessed by calculating the sensitivity and specificity. There was no significant difference in serum fructosamine levels when measured fasting and 2 hours after ingestion of 75 grams of glucose. In comparison with 75g glucose tolerance test single assay of serum fructosamine gave a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 94.5% with regard to detection of gestational diabetes mellitus. Therefore a single assay serum fructosamine test at any time of the day can be recommended as a screening test for detection of gestational diabetes mellitus.