Irregular
Menses Predict Gestational Diabetes
A history of irregular menses is an independent
predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus.
That,
according to a report in the May issue of the
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Gregory J. Locksmith and colleagues from the
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
analyzed demographic characteristics, body mass
index, and medical history for 85 pregnant women
with gestational diabetes and compared these data
with that from 85 matched controls.
Demographic and obstetric characteristics were
similar between cases and controls. However, mean
body mass index was higher in cases than in controls
(26.5 kg/m squared versus 24.5 kg/m squared, p
= 0.004). Cases also had a higher prevalence of
irregular cycles than controls did (24% versus
7%, p = 0.006).
After stratification for body mass index, the
researchers a strong association between irregular
cycles and gestational diabetes remained (odds
ratio 3.75). There were no significant differences
between cases and control in terms of mean maternal
glucose screening levels.
"We believe a history of irregular cycles
before pregnancy may be an effective surrogate
for polycystic ovarian syndrome and, as such,
a predictor for gestational diabetes mellitus
that is independent of other traditional risk
factors," Dr. Locksmith and colleagues note.
"Inclusion of these patients in the selective
screening population could increases the sensitivity
of the screening program without much effect on
the specificity," they add. Am J Obstet Gynecol
2003;188:1189-1191.
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FACT:
An analysis of clinical trials involving more
than 192,000 patients with hypertension shows
that low-dose diuretics are more effective at
preventing cardiovascular health problems than
any other blood-pressure medication, according
to University of Washington researchers and colleagues.
JAMA May 21
