Role of HbA1c in diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus
Sikandar Hayat Khan1, Robina Manzoor2, Aasyia Hanif Baig2
1Department of Pathology, PNS Hafeez, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) shows promise for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus. This biomarker can potentially reduce the need for the standard oral glucose tolerance test in pregnant individuals.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses risks to maternal and fetal health.
- Accurate and efficient diagnostic methods for GDM are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a diagnostic biomarker for GDM.
- To compare HbA1c performance against the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as the gold standard.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 280 pregnant subjects.
- Simultaneous evaluation of HbA1c and 2-hour OGTT.
- Subjects were categorized into GDM (Group A) and non-GDM (Group B) based on OGTT results.
Main Results:
- GDM prevalence was 17.85% (50 out of 280 subjects).
- Significant differences in HbA1c levels were observed between GDM and non-GDM groups (p<0.002).
- HbA1c demonstrated a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 84.78% for GDM diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- HbA1c testing, with appropriate adjustments, can serve as a valuable tool in GDM screening.
- This biomarker may help decrease the reliance on the conventional OGTT, improving diagnostic efficiency.
Objective:
To evaluate glycated haemoglobin as a biomarker for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus while keeping the oral glucose tolerance test as the gold standard.
Methods:
The cross-sectional study was conducted from Januray, 2016, to January, 2018, at PNS Hafeez Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan and comprised of pregnant subjects who were first subjected to 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test along with the first evaluation of glycated haemoglobin. Clinical evaluation, including history and measurements of anthropometric indices and blood pressure, were also done. On the basis of the results, the subjects were grouped as those having gestational diabetes mellitus (group A) and those without it (group B). Data was analysed using SPSS 15.
Results:
Of the 280 subjects, gestational diabetes mellitus was found in 50(17.85%). Differences in glycated haemoglobin between the groups was significant (p<0.002). Glycated haemoglobin test provided sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 84.78%.
Conclusions:
With due adjustments, glycated haemoglobin testing can help in reducing the frequency of oral glucose tolerance test.
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