Gestational diabetes tied to increased risk for dyslipidaemia

Takeaway

• Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were at an increased risk for dyslipidaemia defined by triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with women with normal glucose tolerance.

Why this matters

• Findings highlight the need for increased awareness in patients and caregivers and healthy lifestyle modification to reduce the risk for dyslipidaemia in women with GDM history.

Study design

• Retrospective cohort study of 160,527 women (10,234 with GDM and 150,293 without GDM) who performed a 50-g glucose challenge test between March 1995 and May 2009.
• Data on each lipid components (TG, LDL-C and HDL-C) were evaluated.
• Funding: None disclosed.

Key results

• During a mean follow-up of 11 years, the cumulative risk for LDL-C, HDL-C and TG dyslipidaemia was 11.9%, 24.3% and 13.3% in women with GDM, respectively.
• GDM was associated with an increased risk for dyslipidaemia defined by:
  • TG (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.59; 95% CI, 1.53-1.66);
  • LDL-C (aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.29-1.42); and
  • HDL-C (aHR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.29-1.39).

Limitations

• Retrospective design.
• Study did not evaluate the metabolic characteristics of the cohort before and after the index pregnancy.