Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of developing diabetes after pregnancy (DAP), especially 5-10 years postpartum. Two well-known diabetes prevention trials demonstrated a significant reduction in DAP incidence using metformin and troglitazone; however, since their publication, several novel classes of anti-hyperglycemic agents have emerged. This review aimed to conduct a systematic literature search for new evidence in support of pharmacotherapy in DAP prevention and to analyze the results based on special considerations for women of reproductive potential. The only studies whose primary outcome was DAP incidence were those examining metformin, the thiazolidinediones troglitazone and pioglitazone, and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor vildagliptin. Metformin was effective in DAP reduction and was well tolerated, but participants were on average 12 years beyond their GDM pregnancy. Troglitazone was also shown to prevent DAP, but was withdrawn from the market due to hepatotoxicity. There was no comparator arm in the pioglitazone study, which limits its interpretability. The vildagliptin study was underpowered. There are ongoing trials with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, but none with diabetes incidence as a primary outcome. This review highlights the limited evidence base for pharmacological prevention of DAP.
Keywords: Diabetes after pregnancy; Diabetes and pregnancy; Diabetes prevention; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Postpartum diabetes.
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