title: Postpartum follow-up for women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
abstract: We sought to determine the frequency of postpartum follow-up for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. A retrospective cohort study of women with gestational diabetes mellitus from 2002 to 2008 ( N = 745) at an academic center was conducted. The primary outcome was either fasting blood glucose or 2-hour oral glucose tolerance, both measured at ≤6 months postpartum. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for statistical comparisons, and statistical significance was indicated by P < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals. The frequency of follow-up for the study cohort was 33.7%. Of these women, 28.3% had values consistent with impaired glucose tolerance and 2.0% were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Asian women were the most likely to follow up (43%), and Latinas had the lowest follow-up frequency (18%; P < 0.001). Compared with their counterparts, women ≥35 years old, nulliparas, and women with GDM subtype A2 were more likely to return for postpartum glucose testing (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 2.5; OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.7; OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.6, respectively). The frequency of postpartum follow-up for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus is exceedingly low. More effective strategies are needed to increase the postpartum and longitudinal follow-up for all women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stasenko
authors.forename: Yvonne W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Angie C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jelin
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: Aaron B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Caughey
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose