Evaluation of a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

A screening breakfast test was designed and evaluated with good results in non-pregnant women. It was also considered whether to use this screening breakfast test in pregnant women. Forty pregnant women were evaluated between weeks 28 and 32 of gestation; they were diagnosed according to the values of international committees for gestational diabetes. Fourteen of the women were diagnosed as diabetic and 26 were negative. Each woman underwent a tolerance breakfast curve at 0;60;90;120;150 and 180 mins, in order to explore all possible absorption times. Results were analyzed by stratified prognostic test, the optimum time of 60 mins, and postload value of the breakfast test was used to discriminate subjects with and without gestational diabetes. The cut-off point was glucose > 140 mg/dl, with a significance level of p<0.01. A comparison was done of the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, in relation to the screening breakfast test and the glucose test. It was found that the breakfast test had a sensitivity of 92.8 percent; specificity of 96.1 percent and negative prognostic value of 92.8 percent and 96.1 percent, respective; whereas for the glucose test, the results were 100 percent; 76.9 percent; 70.0 percent and 100.0 percent, respectively. The breakfast test can be used as a screening test with similar results to the glucose test (AU)