Ethnic differences in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a multiethnic cohort study.
To identify ethnic differences among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a multiethnic cohort.
This observational study included pregnant women with GDM (IADPSG criteria) attending a tertiary centre between January 2020-December 2023, classified according to their ethnic group as White, Black, Asian, or Other. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed.
A total of 633 women (513 White, 64 Black, 32 Asian, and 24 Other/Middle Eastern) were considered eligible for inclusion. Asian women had higher HbA1c than White, Black, and Other (5.5% (37 mmol/mol) vs. 5.1% (32 mmol/mol), 5.2% (33 mmol/mol), and 5.1% (32 mmol/mol), respectively, p < 0.001). The mean birth weight was higher in Asian than White, Black, or Other groups (3429 g vs. 3102 g, 3279 g, and 3159 g, respectively, p = 0.05). Insulin therapy during pregnancy was more common in Asian and Other/Middle Eastern than White and Black women (71% and 79.2% vs. 54.5% and 52.4%, respectively, p = 0.03) and was independently associated with Middle Eastern ethnicity (aOR 6.73, 95% CI 1.31–34.46, p = 0.02).
This study confirmed the presence of ethnic differences in pregnancies complicated by GDM and the higher metabolic burden in Asian and Middle Eastern populations. Ethnicity-specific strategies for GDM prevention and early screening should be implemented.
This observational study included pregnant women with GDM (IADPSG criteria) attending a tertiary centre between January 2020-December 2023, classified according to their ethnic group as White, Black, Asian, or Other. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed.
A total of 633 women (513 White, 64 Black, 32 Asian, and 24 Other/Middle Eastern) were considered eligible for inclusion. Asian women had higher HbA1c than White, Black, and Other (5.5% (37 mmol/mol) vs. 5.1% (32 mmol/mol), 5.2% (33 mmol/mol), and 5.1% (32 mmol/mol), respectively, p < 0.001). The mean birth weight was higher in Asian than White, Black, or Other groups (3429 g vs. 3102 g, 3279 g, and 3159 g, respectively, p = 0.05). Insulin therapy during pregnancy was more common in Asian and Other/Middle Eastern than White and Black women (71% and 79.2% vs. 54.5% and 52.4%, respectively, p = 0.03) and was independently associated with Middle Eastern ethnicity (aOR 6.73, 95% CI 1.31–34.46, p = 0.02).
This study confirmed the presence of ethnic differences in pregnancies complicated by GDM and the higher metabolic burden in Asian and Middle Eastern populations. Ethnicity-specific strategies for GDM prevention and early screening should be implemented.
Authors
Athanasiadou Athanasiadou, Markozannes Markozannes, Kanouta Kanouta, Mitropoulou Mitropoulou, Antsaklis Antsaklis, Pappa Pappa, Psaltopoulou Psaltopoulou, Daskalakis Daskalakis, Goulis Goulis, Vasileiou Vasileiou, Paschou Paschou
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