posted 12/18/02
54% of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) report
never having been told they were at increased risk for developing type 2
diabetes in later life.
That, according to analysis of data from the Stockholm Pregnancy
and Women's Nutrition (SPAWN) study.
Researchers at Huddinge
University Hospital in Stockholm report that 58 women were diagnosed with GDM in
1984-1985, based on a review of the Swedish medical register. Twenty-eight
participated in the current study, which compared their status at 15 years'
follow-up with that of 52 control subjects who were pregnant during the same
period.
Ten women with gestational
diabetes had developed type 2 diabetes, while none of the control subjects had
done so, Dr. Yvonne Linné and associates report in the International Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology for November.
When asked, 54% of the women with
GDM "claimed that they had no idea that they might run a higher risk than others
to develop clinically manifest type 2 diabetes mellitus at any time after
delivery." It was not possible to tell whether this finding represents selective
memory, inadequate follow-up, or lack of appropriate clinical routines, Dr.
Linné's group notes.
"Preventive long term follow up programs for GDM women thus seem essential to develop," they conclude.
Source:
Diabetes In Control Dot Com: Int J Obstet Gynaecol 2002;109:1227-1231.
Home - Table of Contents - Donate Now - About Diabetes - Warning Signs - Complications - Screening Test - Diabetes Terms - Site Search - Meet Mr. Diabetes® - Wake Up And Walk® Tour - Latest News - Headlines & News Stories - Health & Fitness - About Us - FAQ - Research Form - - Message Board - Privacy Policy - Legal Notices - How to Contact Us - Comments form - Suggestion Form - Our E-Mail Addresses - Our Address and Phone Numbers - Links - Contact Us