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Published on: January 28, 2013
Early second trimester retinol-binding protein-4 values in cases with or without gestational diabetes mellitus risk
Asli Yarci Gursoy1, Gulsah Aynaoglu, Gamze Sinem Caglar
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ufuk University, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) levels did not differ between pregnant individuals with or without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk factors in early pregnancy. This suggests RBP-4 is not an early indicator for GDM risk screening.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Obstetrics
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) is linked to insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
- Early screening for GDM is recommended for individuals with risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate RBP-4 levels in early pregnancy among women with and without GDM risk factors.
- To compare RBP-4 values with standard GDM screening tests.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 79 pregnant women with GDM risk factors and 46 controls.
- Measurement of RBP-4, fasting plasma glucose, and 50-g glucose challenge test in the early second trimester.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in RBP-4 levels was observed between the risk and control groups (P=0.055).
- Fasting plasma glucose and 50-g glucose challenge test results were significantly higher in the risk group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Early second-trimester RBP-4 levels are not affected by the presence of GDM risk factors.
- RBP-4 does not appear to be a reliable early biomarker for GDM risk in pregnant individuals.
Aim:
Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) has been correlated with different degrees of insulin resistance including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Presence of risk factors for GDM is an indication for early screening. We studied RBP-4 values in the early second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant subjects with or without GDM risk factors and compared the results by routine GDM screening methodology.
Methods:
Seventy-nine patients with at least one GDM risk factor and 46 patients without any GDM risk factors were enrolled in the cross-sectional study as risk and control groups, respectively. In the early second trimester, RBP-4 values were measured, in addition to fasting plasma glucose and 50-g glucose challenge test in all subjects.
Results:
The RBP-4 values in 16-18th weeks of pregnancy were not significantly different between risk and control groups (95.3 ± 20.1 vs 103.1 ± 24.4 μg/mL, respectively; P = 0.055) although fasting plasma glucose levels and 50-g glucose challenge test results were higher in the risk group than the control group (75.3 vs 69.3 mg/dL and 112.4 vs 97.5 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Presence of GDM risk factors does not have an impact on early second trimester RBP-4 values in pregnant subjects.
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