Maternal educational level and the risk of persistent post-partum glucose metabolism disorders in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Persistent post-partum glucose metabolism disorders are frequent in women with GDM and associated with lower maternal educational level. Interventions aimed at this risk group may contribute towards a decrease in prevalence of post-partum glucose metabolism disorders.

<p>Progression to Abnormal Glucose Tolerance and Its Related Risk Factors Among Women with Prior Gestational Diabetes in Rural Communities of China</p>

“…Similar to previous studies of other ethnic groups, the present study showed that advanced age, ethnic minority status, and low educational level are risk factors for progression to AGT among women with prior GDM. 13,14,21 However, women with minority nationalities were also at a higher risk of developing AGT in the present study; this result was inconsistent with the results of a previous study in China. 10 Given nearly half of the participants (45.6%) in the present study were ethnic minorities, there likely was adequate power to detect a difference.…”

“…Women with less than nine years of education were also more likely to develop AGT in the present study; this result was in line with the results of studies of Portuguese women at sixweek follow-up and studies of South African women with prior GDM at five-to-six-year follow-up. 13,14 Receipt of treatment for GDM during pregnancy was significantly associated with the progress from prior GDM to AGT among women in rural China. This finding was consistent with the findings of previous studies.…”

“…Maternal age and educational background have been identified as sociodemographic factors. [12][13][14] Advanced maternal age has consistently been associated with progression to AGT among women with prior GDM. 12 Additionally, women with lower educational levels are more likely to develop persistent AGT in Portuguese and South African populations.…”

“…12 Additionally, women with lower educational levels are more likely to develop persistent AGT in Portuguese and South African populations. 13,14 Family history of diabetes and receipt of treatment for GDM during pregnancy have also been identified as strong predictors of the development of AGT in Korea, Germany, and South Africa. [14][15][16] As for lifestyle behaviors, physical activity and dietary patterns have direct and indirect impacts on insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis and have been found to be closely associated with the development of AGT after delivery among women with prior GDM.…”

Progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors after hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in Cape Town, South Africa

“…Of the women with dyslipidemia, 66% were already on treatment for diabetes at the time of follow-up, and it is well known that uncontrolled diabetes is associated with higher triglyceride and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels [56], and the participants with an established diabetes diagnosis were more likely to have been screened for dyslipidemia as part of standard care [57]. Although no other long term follow-up studies have shown a similar association between T2DM and education as ours, Gante [58] found an association between lower education and persistent postpartum glucose disorders in Portuguese women at 6 weeks follow-up. In our study and our setting, education is a good indicator of socioeconomic status, and therefore may be associated with an inability to access healthier lifestyle options such as better diets.…”