title: Gestational diabetes history may signal deprivation in women with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in lower income groups, particularly in women. Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) has also been associated with lower income levels. What has not been studied is whether a past history of gestational diabetes retains an inverse association with income among women with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among women with type 2 diabetes, we assessed for an association between history of gestational diabetes and lower income/lower educational attainment (multiple waves of Canadian Community Health Survey [CCHS]) through logistic regression models adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), immigrant and marital status, smoking history, and physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to women in the highest income group, a gestational diabetes history was 71% more likely in the lower middle income group (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.74) and nearly two times more likely in the lowest income group (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.15-3.27). Associations with education were inconclusive. Compared to married women, single women (divorced/separated/never married) were nearly two times more likely to have a gestational diabetes history (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.17-2.49).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that women with diabetes and past history of gestational diabetes constitute a particularly deprived group. A gestational diabetes history in women with type 2 diabetes may signal a need to assess and address material resources and social support as part of the diabetes management plan.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Iliana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lega
authors.forename: Nancy Annette
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Kaberi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult