Prediction of Gestational Diabetes from First Trimester Serum Adiponectin Levels in Indian Women

The prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by serum adiponectin levels has shown promise in Western literature. This study looks at the first trimester serum adiponectin levels as a predictor of gestational diabetes in Indian women.

A total of 450 pregnant women were screened at 11-- 13 weeks of gestation and serum samples were stored. All the women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to diagnose GDM by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy study Group criteria at 24-- 28 weeks of gestation. Amongst these, 45 women who had developed GDM were compared with 45 controls. The first trimester serum adiponectin levels were compared between the two groups.

Mean first trimester adiponectin in GDM and non-GDM group was 7.21 ± 2.49 μg/ml and 12.20 ± 2.91 μg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that low adiponectin was the strongest independent risk factor followed by body mass index and HbA1c. Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that a cut-off value of adiponectin of 9.10 μg/ml in the first trimester was associated with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.6% in predicting GDM.

This is the first study from India which has studied the prediction of GDM by first trimester adiponectin levels. First trimester serum adiponectin may be a strong predictor of GDM in Asian Indian women.