Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Emerging evidence indicates that ethnicity and BMI may influence glycemic control, hence understanding these relationships can improve management.
This study assesses how ethnicity and BMI( Body Mass Index) affect fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels in GDM patients at Westmead Hospital. This is with the aim to identify any potential disparities that could inform targeted interventions.
A retrospective analysis of GDM patients recording their blood glucose levels via Health2Sync ( a mobile application) was conducted. Participants included East and Southeast Asian, European, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Other ethnicities. Blood glucose readings were analyzed alongside BMI data to examine associations with statistical comparisons to identify significant differences across groups.
There was no significant difference found in fasting blood glucose levels across the different ethnicities. However, BMI was positively correlated with both fasting and post-prandial glucose levels despite no statistical significance, with higher BMI associated with worse glycemic control. Post-prandial glucose was significantly elevated in Indian, Middle Eastern, and East/Southeast Asian populations compared to Europeans. These findings indicate that BMI influences glycemic levels universally, and that certain ethnic groups experience higher post-meal glucose responses.
In summary, BMI substantially impacts fasting and post-prandial glucose levels, with variations influenced by ethnicity. Culturally tailored dietary guidance and weight management are essential components of effective GDM care. Recognising these differences allows for more personalised and effective interventions to improve outcomes. Future research should prioritise integrated, culturally tailored, multidisciplinary models of GDM care that account for both BMI and ethnic diversity.
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- Carbillon, L., benbara, amelie and Cosson, E. (2023) Gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia and future cardiovascular disease: Need to consider both BMI and gestational weight gain to investigate the link [Preprint]. doi:10.22541/au.168753065.59179990/v1.