Various screening and diagnosis approaches for gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a secondary analysis of a randomized non-inferiority field trial
Authors: Ramezani Tehrani Fahimeh , Sheidaei Ali , Rahmati Maryam , Farzadfar Farshad , Noroozzadeh Mahsa , Hosseinpanah Farhad , Abedini Mehrandokht , Hadaegh Farzad , Valizadeh Majid , Torkestani Farahnaz , Khalili Davood , Firouzi Faegheh , Solaymani-Dodaran Masoud , Ostovar Afshin , Azizi Fereidoun , Behboudi-Gandevani Samira 
Published: December 2023

Introduction

We evaluate which screening and diagnostic approach resulted in the greatest reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes due to increased treatment.

Research design and methods

This study presents a secondary analysis of a randomized community non-inferiority trial conducted among pregnant women participating in the GULF Study in Iran. A total of 35 430 pregnant women were randomly assigned to one of the five prespecified gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening protocols. The screening methods included fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in the first trimester and either a one-step or a two-step screening method in the second trimester of pregnancy. According to the results, participants were classified into 6 groups (1) First-trimester FPG: 100–126 mg/dL, GDM diagnosed at first trimester; (2) First trimester FPG: 92–99.9 mg/dL, GDM diagnosed at first trimester; (3) First trimester FPG: 92–99.9 mg/dL, GDM diagnosed at second trimester; (4) First trimester FPG: 92–99.9 mg/dL, healthy at second trimester; (5) First trimester FPG<92 mg/dL, GDM diagnosed at second trimester; (6) First trimester FPG<92 mg/dL, healthy at second trimester. For our analysis, we initially used group 6, as the reference and repeated the analysis using group 2, as the reference group. The main outcome of the study was major adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Results

Macrosomia and primary caesarean section occurred in 9.8% and 21.0% in group 1, 7.8% and 19.8% in group 2, 5.4% and 18.6% in group 3, 6.6% and 21.5% in group 4, 8.3% and 24.0% in group 5, and 5.4% and 20.0% in group 6, respectively. Compared with group 6 as the reference, there was a significant increase in the adjusted risk of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission in groups 1, 3, and 5 and an increased risk of macrosomia in groups 1, 2, and 5. Compared with group 2 as the reference, there was a significant decrease in the adjusted risk of macrosomia in group 3, a decreased risk of NICU admission in group 6, and an increased risk of hyperglycemia in group 3.

Conclusions

We conclude that screening approaches for GDM reduced the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes to the same or near the same risk level of healthy pregnant women, except for the risk of NICU admission that increased significantly in groups diagnosed with GDM compared with healthy pregnant women. Individuals with slight increase in FPG (92–100 mg/dL) at first trimester, who were diagnosed as GDM, had an even increased risk of macrosomia in comparison to those group of women with FPG 92–100 mg/dL in the first trimester, who were not diagnosed with GDM, and developed GDM in second trimester

Trial registration

IRCT138707081281N1 (registered: February 15, 2017).