Identification and validation of gestational diabetes subgroups by data-driven cluster analysis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous condition. Given such variability among patients, the ability to recognise distinct GDM subgroups using routine clinical variables may guide more personalised treatments. Our main aim was to identify distinct GDM subtypes through cluster analysis using routine clinical variables, and analyse treatment needs and pregnancy outcomes across these subgroups.

In this cohort study, we analysed datasets from a total of 2682 women with GDM treated at two central European hospitals (1865 participants from Charité University Hospital in Berlin and 817 participants from the Medical University of Vienna), collected between 2015 and 2022. We evaluated various clustering models, including k-means, k-medoids and agglomerative hierarchical clustering. Internal validation techniques were used to guide best model selection, while external validation on independent test sets was used to assess model generalisability. Clinical outcomes such as specific treatment needs and maternal and fetal complications were analysed across the identified clusters.

Our optimal model identified three clusters from routinely available variables, i.e. maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI (BMIPG) and glucose levels at fasting and 60 and 120 min after the diagnostic OGTT (OGTT0, OGTT60 and OGTT120, respectively). Cluster 1 was characterised by the highest OGTT values and obesity prevalence. Cluster 2 displayed intermediate BMIPG and elevated OGTT0, while cluster 3 consisted mainly of participants with normal BMIPG and high values for OGTT60 and OGTT120. Treatment modalities and clinical outcomes varied among clusters. In particular, cluster 1 participants showed a much higher need for glucose-lowering medications (39.6% of participants, compared with 12.9% and 10.0% in clusters 2 and 3, respectively, p<0.0001). Cluster 1 participants were also at higher risk of delivering large-for-gestational-age infants. Differences in the type of insulin-based treatment between cluster 2 and cluster 3 were observed in the external validation cohort.

Our findings confirm the heterogeneity of GDM. The identification of subgroups (clusters) has the potential to help clinicians define more tailored treatment approaches for improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.