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Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Women's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 9931

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Mukesh M. Agarwal

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Guest Editor

Medical Education, California University of Science and Medicine, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA
Interests: diabetes mellitus; lipids and lipoproteins; laboratory medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the second edition of Gestational Diabetes: Epidemiology around the World. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the mild to severe glucose intolerance, emerging later in pregnancy, reflects the underlying instances of diabetes mellitus (DM) in any population. DM is a modern-day plague which kills one human every six seconds; it is an epidemic devouring 12% of the world’s health expenditure and increasing exponentially. Thus, DM is ringing alarm bells for prevention worldwide. GDM—a harbinger of impending future DM—can help to contain this impending disaster if identified, and preventive measures such as lifestyle modification are applied effectively after delivery.

However, worldwide, the data on the epidemiology of gestational diabetes are incongruent. The prevalence varies from 1% to 28%, being confounded by the population ethnicity, the criteria (of the myriad available) used for diagnosis, screening methods, maternal age, weight, and socioeconomic status. An in-depth knowledge of the epidemiology of GDM in different countries and regions will help to understand the disparities and similarities facilitating international comparisons. A snapshot of the epidemiology of GDM in select countries will help us march towards our ultimate goal: decreasing maternal and fetal complications in pregnancy and DM in the entire population worldwide.

Papers addressing the epidemiology of GDM (reviews, position papers, brief reports, commentaries) in different countries/continents are invited for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Mukesh M. Agarwal
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

prevalence
gestational diabetes
criteria
OGTT

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Activity during Preconception Impacts Some Maternal Outcomes—A Cross-Sectional Study on a Population of Polish Women

by Adrian Kruszewski, Paulina Przybysz, Joanna Kacperczyk-Bartnik, Agnieszka Dobrowolska-Redo and Ewa Romejko-Wolniewicz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3581; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043581 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1436

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is an element of a healthy lifestyle and is safe in most pregnancies. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of physical activity levels before and during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and child. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a population of Polish women. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed electronically via maternity and parental Facebook groups. Results: The final research group included 961 women. The analysis showed that physical activity 6 months before pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but physical activity during pregnancy showed no such association. In all, 37.8% of women with low activity in the first trimester, in comparison to 29.4% of adequately active women, gained an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy (p = 0.0306). The results showed no association between activity level and pregnancy duration, type of delivery or newborn birth weight. Conclusions: Our study indicates that physical activity during the preconception period is crucial to GDM occurrence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World)

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15 pages, 767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prepregnancy Protein Source and BCAA Intake Are Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the CARDIA Study

by Meghana D. Gadgil, Katherine H. Ingram, Duke Appiah, Jessica Rudd, Kara M. Whitaker, Wendy L. Bennett, James M. Shikany, David R. Jacobs, Jr, Cora E. Lewis and Erica P. Gunderson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114142 - 29 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1744

Abstract

Diet quality and protein source are associated with type 2 diabetes, however relationships with GDM are less clear. This study aimed to determine whether prepregnancy diet quality and protein source are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Participants were 1314 Black and White women without diabetes, who had at least one birth during 25 years of follow-up in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort study. The CARDIA A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS) was assessed in the overall cohort at enrollment and again at Year 7. Protein source and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intake were assessed only at the Year 7 exam (n = 565). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between prepregnancy dietary factors and GDM. Women who developed GDM (n = 161) were more likely to have prepregnancy obesity and a family history of diabetes (p < 0.05). GDM was not associated with prepregnancy diet quality at enrollment (Year 0) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99, 1.02) or Year 7 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94, 1.00) in an adjusted model. Conversely, BCAA intake (OR:1.59, 95% CI 1.03, 2.43) and animal protein intake (OR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.02, 1.10) as a proportion of total protein intake, were associated with increased odds of GDM, while proportion of plant protein was associated with decreased odds of GDM (OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.99). In conclusion, GDM is strongly associated with source of prepregnancy dietary protein intake but not APDQS in the CARDIA study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World)

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9 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Multi-Ethnic, High-Risk Population: Adequacy of Screening for Diabetes Mellitus 6 Weeks after Delivery

by Mukesh M. Agarwal, Madan Lal and Chintan D. Vyas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113946 - 27 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1253

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is a marker for future type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); therefore, a meticulous follow-up after delivery can help identify women at risk for T2DM. In a cohort of 5504 pregnant women, the postpartum follow-up of all 1043 women with GDM for hyperglycemia in a multi-ethnic, high-risk Arab population was investigated. The prevalence of GDM was 18.9%. A total of 265 (25.4%) women returned for an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 4–6 weeks after delivery, with more South Asian than Arab women (p < 0.01). The other factors associated with return were (a) family history of T2DM, (b) lower basic metabolic index, (c) higher abortions and (d) lower gravida (p < 0.05), all with minimal effect. An abnormal postpartum OGTT was statistically associated with previous GDM history and hypoglycemic drug treatment, although these effects were small. Overall, the follow-up of women with GDM postpartum was dismal, ethnicity being the major factor influencing return. Urgent public measures are needed to educate women with GDM about follow-up highlighting (a) risk awareness for T2DM and (b) a healthy lifestyle after childbirth—if we are to turn the tide on the epidemic of T2DM plaguing the Arab world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World)

14 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Objectively-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors and Related Factors in Chinese Immigrants in the US with Prior Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

by Shuyuan Huang, Garrett I. Ash, Soohyun Nam, Sangchoon Jeon, Erin McMahon and Robin Whittemore

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811409 - 10 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1650

Abstract

Chinese immigrants in the US are disproportionately affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aims of this study were to describe their physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) patterns and to identify determinates of objectively-measured PA and SB among Chinese immigrants in the US with prior GDM. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 106 Chinese immigrants with prior GDM across the US. PA and SB were measured by GT9X+ hip accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Validated questionnaires in English and Chinese were used to assess knowledge and risk perceptions as well as cultural and psychosocial characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were performed. Only 27% of participants met the PA guidelines. The median duration of moderate–vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) per week was 79 (IQR 38–151) minutes. Participants had an average of 9.2 ± 1.4 h of sedentary time per day. Living with parents (who may provide family support) was associated with more MVPA minutes per week, more steps per day, and a greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Higher levels of acculturative stress were associated with fewer MVPA minutes per week. Being employed and having a lower BMI were associated with more SB. Strategies are needed to increase MVPA among this high-risk group, including decreasing acculturative stress and increasing family support. Different strategies are needed to decrease SB among this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World)

Review

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32 pages, 1156 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evolution of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus across Continents in 21st Century

by Dominik Franciszek Dłuski, Monika Ruszała, Gracjan Rudziński, Kinga Pożarowska, Kinga Brzuszkiewicz and Bożena Leszczyńska-Gorzelak

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15804; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315804 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2889

Abstract

Over the last few decades, several definitions of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been described. There is currently not enough research to show which way is the best to diagnose GDM. Opinions differ in terms of the optimal screening and diagnostic measures, in part due to the differences in the population risks, the cost-effectiveness considerations, and the lack of an evidence base to support large national screening programs. The basic method for identifying the disease is the measurement of glucose plasma levels which may be determined when fasting, two hours after a meal, or simply at any random time. The currently increasing incidence of diabetes in the whole population, the altering demographics and the presence of lifestyle changes still require better methods of screening for hyperglycemia, especially during pregnancy. The main aim of this review is to focus on the prevalence and modifications to the screening criteria for GDM across all continents in the 21st century. We would like to show the differences in the above issues and correlate them with the geographical situation. Looking at the history of diabetes, we are sure that more than one evolution in GDM diagnosis will occur, due to the development of medicine, appearance of modern technologies, and the dynamic continuation of research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Other Aspects of Gestational Diabetes around the World)

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