Metabolic Syndrome in Thai Women Previously Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

The study of metabolic syndrome after delivery and its relationship to gestational diabetes (GDM) in Thai is lacking.

To compare the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome after delivery in GDM and normal pregnant Thai women.

A case-control study was performed at Thammasat University Hospital. Women with previous history of GDM (n = 56) and normal pregnant women (n = 51) delivered during 2007-2013 were enrolled. All of them underwent metabolic profile evaluation and 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test in 2013-2014. Risk factors of metabolic syndrome were assessed by logistic regression model.

Women were recruited a mean of 2.97±)1.15 years after delivery. Compared to the control group, the mean current age, median body mass index (BMI) before pregnant, current BMI, waist/height ratio and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in GDM group. Metabolic syndrome was more in the GDM group (26.8% (15/56) vs. 7.8% (4/51), OR 4.3, 95% CI: 1.32-13.99). Only a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 before index pregnancy was a significant independent factor for this condition (OR 7.18, 95% CI 1.79-28.80; p = 0.005). After delivery, GDM group had more insulin resistance, assessed by HOMA-IR, less insulin sensitivity assessed by Masuda index and QUICKI score and less insulin secretion assessed by HOMA-B, comparing to control group without metabolic syndrome.

Previously diagnosed GDM women have higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome after delivery. Obesity before pregnant is a strong independent risk factor for this condition.