Result of ambulatory diet therapy in gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an ambulatory program for glycemic control of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 33 women with GDM whose FBS from OGTT > or = 105 mg/dl were scheduled to attend weekly ambulatory care for dietary therapy with their family. FBS and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose were monitored every visit for a few weeks. At the end of this program, those with poor glycemic control were admitted for further tight dietary control by conventional 3-day course after which insulin was finally started for the women whose glycemic control remained poor. RESULTS: After the ambulatory program, 14 of 33 cases (42.4%) achieved good glycemic control without hospitalization. Another 6 cases (18.2%) did not need insulin therapy after admission for 3-day intensive dietary therapy. Altogether, 20 out of 33 cases (60.6%) of GDM whose FBS from OGTT > or = 105 mg/dl could avoid insulin therapy after attending the ambulatory program alone or with additional 3-day intensive dietary therapy course. Similar effectiveness was observed from the authors' previous study on 3-day intensive dietary therapy alone. CONCLUSION: The authors' current ambulatory dietary therapy program has shown to be effective in achieving good glycemic control and avoiding unnecessary insulin therapy and admission in most cases of women with GDM. In the future, an even more effective ambulatory diet control may ascertain that once a woman is hospitalized, insulin should be started right away.

Effect of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission in women after diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission on glycemic control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: GDM women, with level of fasting blood glucose (FBS) at or above 105 mg/dl on their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), were hospitalized. After 3-day intensive dietary therapy, the women were stratified by FBS value and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose. Those with poor glycemic control, FBS at or above 105 mg/dl, were prescribed insulin therapy. RESULT: Between 1 August 2001 to 31 December 2002, a total of 9861 pregnant women were screened for clinical risk factors of GDM at their first antenatal visits, and 4663 had at least 1 risk. After 50-gm glucose challenge test and 100-gm OGTT GDM was diagnosed in 300 women. Only 18% (54 in 300 cases) of GDM had level of FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on OGTT. They were admitted in a special ward for further investigation and initial management. After 3 days of intensive dietary therapy, the FBS and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level were monitored and stratified in 3 groups. Only 42.6% of admission group (23 in 54 cases) still had FBS at or above 105 mg/dl and required insulin therapy (group 1). One third (18 in 54 cases) could avoid insulin therapy due to the level of FBS below 105 mg/dl and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose below 120 mg/dl (group 2). This second group was discharged, and due to attend the high risk pregnancy clinic a few weeks later The third group (group 3), comprising one fourth (13 in 54 cases), had FBS below 105 mg/dl but had a mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. This third group were also discharged and were monitored glycemic profile by FBS and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose every time during their visits to the high risk pregnancy clinic. According to criteria of 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl on two or more occasions within a 1-2 weeks interval, no one in group 3 needed insulin therapy afterward CONCLUSION: GDM women with FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on their OGTT, should be prescribed intensive dietary therapy alone for 3 days inside hospital rather than initiating insulin immediately after diagnosis. One third had a benefit of avoiding insulin therapy. Only 42% failed to achieve good glycemic control and still needed insulin therapy. One fourth showed optimal glycemic control after this intervention (FBS below 105 mg/dl) but had mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. Longer trial of dietary therapy should be considered in this last group to avoid over treatment of insulin therapy.

Risk factor-based selective screening program for gestational diabetes mellitus in Siriraj Hospital: result from clinical practice guideline.

A clinical practice guideline for the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently implemented at Siriraj Hospital. During the year 2000, a total of 9325 pregnant women were screened for clinical risk factors during their first antenatal visits, and 3770 had at least 1 risk. After the 50 g glucose challenge test and 100 g oral glucose tolerance test, GDM was diagnosed in 235 women. The incidence of GDM was 6.2 per cent (95% CI 5.5-7.1) among high-risk pregnant women, and 2.5 per cent (95% CI 2.2-2.9) of all pregnant women. Significant risk factors identified from the present study were family history of DM (adjusted OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.38-2.51), age > or = 30 years (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.72-3.39), history of unexplained intrauterine fetal death (adjusted OR 4.30, 95% CI 2.04-9.04), and obesity (adjusted OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.88-4.25). The risk of developing GDM also increased when more than 1 clinical risk factor was identified. The results support the value of this screening program for GDM. Every obstetrician should be aware of the need to screen for GDM in every pregnant woman and a similar program should also be introduced to other settings.