Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
06:46
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
International survey on gestational diabetes
Mary-Anne Doyle1, Shajia Khan, Dabia Al-Mohanadi
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. madoyle@ottawahospital.on.ca
Summary
International guidelines for gestational diabetes (GDM) lack consensus. A survey of Medical Women's International Association (MWIA) members revealed significant global variability in GDM screening, diagnosis, and management practices.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Obstetrics
- Global Health
Background:
- Existing guidelines for gestational diabetes (GDM) screening, diagnosis, and management lack international consensus.
- Variability in clinical practice may affect GDM prevalence rates and disease cost estimations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current gestational diabetes (GDM) practices among members of the Medical Women's International Association (MWIA).
- To identify international variations in GDM screening, diagnosis, and management.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was developed and distributed to MWIA members by the MWIA and the University of Ottawa's Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
- 125 members completed the survey detailing their GDM management approaches.
Main Results:
- 83% of participants recommended universal screening for GDM, largely following published guidelines.
- Significant variability was observed in screening methods (50 g glucose challenge test vs. fasting blood glucose) and diagnostic procedures (various oral glucose tolerance tests, immediate treatment, or other measures).
- Insulin was the most recommended treatment (75%) for GDM when diet and lifestyle modifications were insufficient.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights substantial international variation in GDM screening, diagnosis, and management.
- This global practice variability may lead to underestimation of GDM prevalence and associated costs.
- Developing a single, internationally accepted diagnostic algorithm for GDM may be challenging due to these widespread practice differences.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
01:26Diabetes Mellitus: Introduction
Diabetes mellitus consists of chronic metabolic disorders characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. This elevated blood glucose results from defects in insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or both. Insulin, produced by pancreatic β-cells, is essential for maintaining glucose homeostasis by facilitating cellular glucose uptake for energy or storage. Disruptions in insulin production or function lead to glucose accumulation in the bloodstream, causing the clinical features and long-term...
01:29Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...