Metabolic profile after 5 years of index pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background : Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing in Bangladesh like that of south-east Asia [1] and it is imperative to know about the risk of developing adverse metabolic outcomes in the form of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease among these women with history of GDM [2]. This study will help to assess the extent of metabolic syndrome among Bangladeshi women with or without previous GDM.

Aim:  Aim of this study is to observe the metabolic profiles of women with history of GDM after ≥5 years of index pregnancy.

Method: This retrospective cohort study included 101 women with a history of GDM and 101 women without GDM. They were investigated for glucose (by 75 gm OGTT) and fasting lipid profile after ≥5 years of index pregnancy. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using IDF criteria.  Binary logistic regression analysis was done to predict the influence of GDM and other cofactors over metabolic syndrome.

Results: Baseline characteristics were statistically similar in GDM and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Risk of metabolic syndrome with the elapse of time ≥5 years of index pregnancy complicated by GDM was significantly higher than that of NGT [59 vs 33;p 0.0146]. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed previous history of GDM (β= 0.667; p 0.032) and BMI (β=-.135; P 0.001) were independent  risk factor for  metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion: The risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are significantly higher in women with previous history of GDM after 5 years of index pregnancy.

Bangladesh J Medicine 2026; Vol. 37, No. 2(1): pp. 239