Gestational diabetes and spousal health: the Finnish gestational diabetes study

The spouses of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seem to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We comparatively analysed the risk factors, lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and health of the spouses of women with (cases, n = 599) and without (controls, n = 586) GDM. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Finnish Gestational Diabetes study. Data of the spouses were collected using a structured questionnaire: socioeconomic factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, health, own perinatal health, and family history of diabetes and CVDs. Age-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. The mean ages of the cases and the controls were 33.5 years and 31.2 years, respectively [mean difference: 2.4 years, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68-3.02]. The mean body mass index of the cases (26.9 kg/m2) was 0.78 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.34-1.21) higher than that of the controls. Fewer cases attained the highest educational level (13.5% vs. 16.9%, aOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.90). The cases reported more often alcohol consumption (85.4% vs. 78.7%, aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16-2.17); chronic disease, impairment, or disability (17.4% vs. 12.6%, aOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.03-2.00); or mental disorder (8.0% vs. 5.1%, aOR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01-2.64). The cases reported more risk factors for adverse health outcomes, more chronic diseases and mental disorders than the controls. Therefore, lifestyle counselling should also be provided to the spouses of women with GDM.