METHOD: Data from 1,538 women were analyzed. At the first visit for prenatal care, the 50-gram glucose challenge test was followed by the 75-gram glucose tolerance test in those who screened positive. GDM was diagnosed based on the WHO (1999) criteria. Maternal complete blood count was obtained at the first visit, hospitalization for birth, and after birth. Receiver operator characteristic curves were generated to establish thresholds. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to establish independent predictors of GDM.
RESULTS: GDM was diagnosed in 182/1,538 (11.8%). GDM was associated with hemoglobin level, hematocrit and erythrocyte count at the first visit for prenatal care only. Hemoglobin threshold at the first visit was established at 11.5 g/dl. After adjustment, high hemoglobin [AOR 1.5 (95% CI 1.0-2.1); p = 0.027] remained predictive of GDM.
CONCLUSIONS: High maternal hemoglobin level at the first prenatal visit is independently predictive of GDM.
METHODS: A total of 1065 patients aged ≥18 years with T2DM initiating insulin therapy in normal clinical course were enrolled from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. Participants' data was recorded by the treating physicians. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed using questionnaires completed by participants.
RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.2 years with mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 10.0%. About 66% of patients had an HbA1c ≥9.0% at insulin initiation despite 74% of them being on two or more oral antidiabetic agents at the time of insulin initiation. Basal insulin was initiated in 72% and premixed insulin in 27% of patients. Changes in insulin therapy was observed in 63% of patients and, by the end of study, 28% achieved HbA1c levels of <7.5%. The proportion of patients completely satisfied with their insulin treatment increased over the study course and the quality of life (QoL) score increased from baseline to the study end.
CONCLUSION: As high HbA1C levels indicate a delayed start of insulin therapy, timely initiation and early intensification of insulin therapy is necessary in the region to achieve adequate glycemic control in time and prevent diabetes complications. Data from PROs suggests that the insulin treatment improves QoL in most patients.