Prevalence of Glucose Intolerance in Early Postpartum and Its Associated Factors Among Women With History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a known risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the future. The prevalence of glucose intolerance in the early postpartum period among women with GDM ranges between 13.5% to 50%, depending on the population. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of glucose intolerance 6 to 12 weeks postpartum and its associated factors among women with GDM in Putrajaya, a federal government administrative centre of Malaysia. Methods: All women with history of GDM who had oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) done 6 to 12 weeks postpartum at Putrajaya clinic from June 2013 to December 2016 were included. Sociodemographic data, details of GDM diagnosis and management, and postpartum OGTT results were collected. Results: There were 443 women with a mean age of 31.7 years. Postpartum OGTT showed 58 (13.2%) had prediabetes and 10 (2.1%) had diabetes. The independent risk factors associated with early postpartum glucose intolerance were 2-hour plasma glucose of diagnostic OGTT, gestational age of GDM diagnosis and HbA1c level in pregnancy. Conclusion: A diagnosis of postpartum glucose intolerance can occur early in women with history of GDM. Factors such as 2-hour plasma glucose of diagnostic OGTT, gestational age of GDM diagnosis and HbA1c level increase the risk of postpartum glucose intolerance.