Definition, size of the problem, screening and diagnostic criteria: who should be screened, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of screening.
The epidemic of obesity and increased prevalence of diabetes necessitates reconsideration of its definition and screening by separating type 2 diabetic women from women with gestational diabetes to provide a better model of care. The unique problems concerning an undiagnosed type 2 diabetic woman are not major issues in the gestational diabetic woman. This review underscores the need for a unique diagnosis for women with moderate to severe hyperglycemia and/or other evidence of long-standing diabetes complications, and the urgent need for more intensive surveillance and treatment than is otherwise available for gestational diabetic women.
Jovanovic
Lois
L
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Santa Barbara, California 93105, USA. ljovanovic@sansum.org
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence