Health related quality of life two to five years after gestational diabetes mellitus: cross-sectional comparative study in the ATLANTIC DIP cohort.
BACKGROUND
There is no consensus on the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for the mother in the short or long term. In this study we examined HRQOL in a group of women who had GDM in the index pregnancy 2 to 5 years previously and compared it to a group of women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in the index pregnancy during the same time period.


METHODS
The sample included 234 women who met International Association of Diabetes Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria for GDM in the index pregnancy and 108 who had NGT. The sample was drawn from the ATLATIC-DIP (Diabetes In Pregnancy) cohort - a network of antenatal centers along the Irish Atlantic seaboard serving a population of approximately 500,000 people. HRQOL was measured using the visual analogue component of the EQ-5D-3 L instrument in a cross-sectional survey.


RESULTS
The difference in HRQOL between GDM and NGT groups was not significant when adjusted for the effects of the covariates. HRQOL was negatively affected by increased BMI and abnormal glucose tolerance post-partum in the NGT group. Moderate alcohol consumption was positively associated with HRQOL in the NGT group only. The negative association with smoking on HRQOL was substantially higher in the GDM group.


CONCLUSIONS
A diagnosis of GDM does not appear to have an adverse effect on HRQOL, 2 to 5 years after the index pregnancy. On the contrary, its diagnosis might lead to the development of coping strategies, which, consequently attenuates the adverse effect of the subsequent acquisition of abnormal glucose tolerance post-partum on HRQOL. Women whose pregnancy was affected by GDM are more susceptible to the adverse effects on HRQOL of alcohol use and tobacco smoking.
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. danyliv@gmail.com.|School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. danyliv@gmail.com.
Andriy
A
Danyliv
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. paddy.gillespie@nuigalway.ie.
Paddy
P
Gillespie
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. ciaran.oneill@nuigalway.ie.
Ciaran
C
O'Neill
School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. enoctor@yahoo.com.
Eoin
E
Noctor
School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. angela.odea@nuigalway.ie.|Galway Diabetes Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. angela.odea@nuigalway.ie.
Angela
A
O'Dea
School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. marie.m.tierney@nuiglaway.ie.|Galway Diabetes Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. marie.m.tierney@nuiglaway.ie.
Marie
M
Tierney
School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. brian.mcguire@nuigalway.ie.|Galway Diabetes Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. brian.mcguire@nuigalway.ie.
Brian E
BE
McGuire
Discipline of General Practice, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. liam.glynn@nuiglaway.ie.
Liam G
LG
Glynn
School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. fidelma.dunne@nuiglaway.ie.|Galway Diabetes Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. fidelma.dunne@nuiglaway.ie.
Fidelma P
FP
Dunne
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose