Why do Asian-born women have a higher incidence of gestational diabetes? An analysis of racial differences in body habitus, lipid metabolism and the serum insulin response to an oral glucose load.
We have observed a higher incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM) in Asian-born than in Caucasian women. Body habitus, serum lipid levels and the serum insulin response to a glucose load in pregnancy were compared in 15 women with normal glucose tolerance, 16 Caucasian women with GDM and 19 Asian-born women with GDM. Caucasian women with GDM, unlike Asian-born women with GDM, were obese compared with control women as measured by body mass index (p = 0.022). Both groups of GDM women had similar patterns of insulin response to oral glucose with a delayed insulin peak and an elevated 2-hour insulin level (p = 0.0021). In addition, the insulin response per unit of glycaemic stimulus (incremental insulin area/incremental glucose area at 1 hour) was reduced in both GDM groups (p = 0.035). Fasting serum triglyceride levels were higher in women with GDM although this was only significant in the Caucasian group (p = 0.014). Asian-born women with GDM had significantly lower (p = 0.041) serum cholesterol levels than Caucasian women with GDM. There was a significant correlation (p = 0.025) between glucose tolerance (area under the curve) and fasting serum triglyceride values. The relationship between lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in Asian-born and Caucasian women in pregnancy requires further investigation.
Shelley-Jones
D C
DC
Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria.
Wein
P
P
Nolan
C
C
Beischer
N A
NA
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009765:Obesity; D011247:Pregnancy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People
D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol