The STORK Groruddalen research programme: A population-based cohort study of gestational diabetes, physical activity, and obesity in pregnancy in a multiethnic population. Rationale, methods, study population, and participation rates.
BACKGROUND
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and obesity may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers and offspring. We have set up a research programme to identify predictors for GDM and fetal growth in a multiethnic population in Oslo to improve the identification of high risk pregnancies and reduce adverse short and long-term outcomes for mothers and offspring.


OBJECTIVE
To present the rationale, methods, study population and participation rates.


METHODS
Population-based cohort study of pregnant women attending the Child Health Clinics (CHC) in Groruddalen, Oslo, and their offspring. Questionnaire data, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and fasting blood and urine samples are collected (gestational weeks 8-20 and 28, and 12 weeks postpartum) and an oral glucose tolerance test (28 weeks). Physical activity is measured, three ultrasound measurements are performed and paternal questionnaire data collected. Routine hospital data are available for all mothers and offspring. Umbilical venous blood and placentas are collected, sampled, and stored and neonatal anthropometric measurements performed. Ethnicity is self-reported country of birth.


RESULTS
823 women were included, 59% of non-Western origin. The participation rate was 74% (64-83% in main ethnic groups), mean age 29.8 years (95% CI 29.5-30.1) and median parity 1 (inter-quartile range 1). The cohort is representative for women attending the CHC with respect to ethnicity and age. A slight selection towards lower parity (South Asians) and age (Africans) was found. Few were lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Unique information is collected from a representative group of multiethnic women to address important public health problems and mechanisms of disease. Participation rates are high in all ethnic groups.
Oslo Diabetes Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, University of Oslo, Norway. a.k.jenum@medisin.uio.no
Anne K
AK
Jenum
Line
L
Sletner
Nanna
N
Voldner
Siri
S
Vangen
Kjersti
K
Mørkrid
Lene F
LF
Andersen
Britt
B
Nakstad
Torild
T
Skrivarhaug
Odd-Harald
OH
Rognerud-Jensen
Borghild
B
Roald
Kåre I
KI
Birkeland
D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D009664:Norway / Q000208:ethnology; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000208:ethnology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires