Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiological profile and outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), determining risk factors for increased vigilance.
Subjects and methods: We studied 924 pregnancies in 916 patients between November 6, 2001 and September 21, 2009.
Results: Risk factors were found in 95.1% of cases. The prevalence of maternal diabetes, paternal diabetes and diabetes in other family members was 24.3%, 9.4% and 24.7%, respectively. Predictive factors for insulin use were: screening fasting glucose (FG) ≥ 85, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) FG ≥ 95, 2h glucose after 75 g ≥ 200 mg/dL, previous GDM, obesity, HbA1c > 6%, and the association of risk factors including family history of diabetes mellitus and obesity or previous GDM, the last one the most relevant (p < 0,05).
Conclusions: Risk factors were very sensitive for GDM detection, and provision of family history strengthens its relationship with T2DM. Greater vigilance is recommended for patients with predictive factors for insulin requirement.