Early onset of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasively assessed marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study was to investigate CIMT in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods

Mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy and risk of cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study

“…In the years after their index pregnancy, women with a history of gestational diabetes have an increased prevalence of several cardiometabolic derangements, including traditional vascular risk factors (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and metabolic syndrome 2,[16][17][18][19][20] impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and subclinical atherosclerosis 22,24,25 ). Thus, it is not surprising that gestational diabetes has been reported to be associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular disease.…”

Gestational Diabetes: Implications for Cardiovascular Health

“…Further, when compared with a group of normoglycemic pregnant women, age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched women with GDM have significantly higher common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of early subclinical atherosclerosis associated with increased risk for coronary events and stroke. CIMT has been positively correlated with increasing maternal age, BMI, elevated fasting and 1-hour glucose during 3-hour 100-g OGTT, and with prevalence of GDM [15]. Homocysteine levels, which have been directly correlated with atherosclerotic disease [16], are also higher in pregnant women with GDM compared with normoglycemic pregnant women, and significantly correlate with CIMT [15].…”

“…CIMT has been positively correlated with increasing maternal age, BMI, elevated fasting and 1-hour glucose during 3-hour 100-g OGTT, and with prevalence of GDM [15]. Homocysteine levels, which have been directly correlated with atherosclerotic disease [16], are also higher in pregnant women with GDM compared with normoglycemic pregnant women, and significantly correlate with CIMT [15]. Similarly, a study of women with a history of GDM who had not developed metabolic abnormalities by 6 years postpartum showed higher circulating levels of the inflammatory markers E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, as well as higher CIMT, compared to women without a GDM history, a relationship that was independent of BMI [17].…”

Gestational Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome

“…In addition to identifying women at risk for T2DM, GDM also has implications for future risk of CVD. Indeed, women with a history of GDM are at risk for sub-clinical atherosclerosis (Tarim et al, 2006). Studies also show an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in women with previous GDM (Carr et al, 2006;Lauenborg et al, 2005;Verma et al, 2002).…”