Is Mid-trimester Insulin Resistance Predictive of Subsequent Puerperal Infection? A Secondary Analysis of Randomized Trial Data.

ABSTRACT

Objective The objective of this study was to examine whether there is an association between insulin resistance and subsequent development of puerperal infection by measuring insulin resistance in the mid-trimester using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR). Methods Secondary analysis of low-risk nulliparas enrolled in a multicenter preeclampsia prevention trial. HOMAIR was measured on fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations among low-risk nulliparas between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation. Median HOMAIR was compared between women who did and did not develop puerperal infection using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Logistic regression was used to control for potential confounders. Results Of 1,180 women with fasting glucose and insulin available, 121 (10.3%) had a puerperal infection. Median HOMAIR was higher among those with subsequent puerperal infection (4.3 [interquartile, IQR 2.2-20.5] vs. 2.6 [IQR 1.5-6.7], p < 0.0001). After controlling for potentially confounding variables HOMAIR was only marginally associated with an increased risk of development of puerperal infection, adjusted odds ratio 1.01 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.02; p = 0.04) per unit increase. Elevated HOMAIR performed poorly as a predictor of puerperal infection, with a positive predictive value of 15% and a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion Though associated with an increased risk of puerperal infection, insulin resistance, measured by HOMAIR, is not a clinically useful predictor of puerperal infection.