title: Is there a socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus?
abstract: Previous studies have shown an association between Type 2 diabetes and lower socioeconomic status. This link is less clear in those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We test for a socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of GDM by analysing data on 9,842 pregnant women who were offered testing for GDM in the Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy universal screening programme. A bivariate probit model relating GDM prevalence to socioeconomic status was estimated, controlling for variation in screening uptake rates across socioeconomic groups. The estimated increased prevalence of GDM is 8.6% [95% CI 2.7%-12.0%] for women in the lowest socioeconomic group when compared to the highest, suggesting a strong socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of GDM. This gradient is found to be driven by differences in personal, clinical and lifestyle factors across socioeconomic groups.
authors: School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway. john.cullinan@nuigalway.ie
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Cullinan
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Gillespie
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Owens
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Avalos
authors: F P
authors: FP
authors: Dunne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class