Glycemic control and its associated factors among women with gestational diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care Centre, Puducherry, South India.

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, one in ten pregnancies is related with diabetes; 87.6% of which are gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Maternal hyperglycaemia affects the successful progression of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the proportion and the factors associated with poor glycaemic control among women with gestational diabetes.

METHODS

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Puducherry, South India from September to October 2019. Pregnant women diagnosed as GDM and on treatment for at least one month were approached consecutively for the study. A fasting blood sugar (FBS) ≥92 mg/dl and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) 1 hour ≥180 mg/dl or PPBS 2 hour ≥153 mg/dl were considered as poor glycaemic control.

RESULTS

A total of 301 women with GDM were included and the mean (SD) age was 27 (5) years. Of total, 29 (10%) reported GDM during their previous pregnancy and 95 (32%) got diagnosed before reaching the tertiary care hospital. Lifestyle modifications (77%) were the most common mode of management for GDM. Of total, 116 (38.5%; 95% CI 33%-44.3%) had poor glycaemic control. Multigravida women (46.9%) and those on pharmacological treatment for GDM had poor glycaemic control.

CONCLUSION

One-third of women with GDM at a tertiary care centre had poor glycaemic control. Therefore, a novel approach to improve awareness about GDM control both among pregnant women and the medical fraternity is needed.