Incidence of Postpartum Diabetes and Glucose Intolerance among Filipino Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus seen at a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Objective. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes. This study aims to determine the incidence of postpartum diabetes and/or glucose intolerance among Filipino GDM patients who delivered at a tertiary hospital in Manila and to compare the risk factors present among these women. Methodology. 173 Filipino patients were included in this 3-year prospective cohort study. Demographics, clinical variables, and feto-maternal outcomes were recorded. 124 patients returned for follow-up and postpartum glycemic status was determined using 75g oral glucose tolerance test. Results. The incidence of diabetes and prediabetes postpartum was 7.3% and 34.7% respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that multigravid patients (OR=2.84; 95% CI 1.20,6.70) and those with postpartum obesity (OR=2.84; 95% CI 1.20,6.70) are more likely to have prediabetes. Diagnosis of GDM at an earlier trimester increases the odds of having postpartum diabetes (OR=3.05; 95% CI 1.02,9.18). Also, if the body mass index falls under obese class II postpartum, the probability increases 115 times (95% ci 3.96,3357.83; p=0.006). Conclusion. The incidence of postpartum glucose intolerance among Filipino women with GDM is high. Clinicians should be more vigilant and strategies to implement compliance to postpartum glucose testing must be formulated to increase rates of follow-up testing among these women.