Evaluation of screening methods for Gestational diabetes mellitus in Sweden

• Introduction: The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (SNBHW) adopted the IADPSG criteria in 2015. However these criteria have not been implemented by the healthcare regions. In this cross-sectional, population-based study we evaluated the test characteristics of current screening methods in Sweden (risk factors or 2 hour OGTT) and different values of fasting blood glucose as indicators to perform an oral glucose tolerance test for diagnosing GDM. GDM is based on the IADPSG criteria (1.75 odds ratio (OR)) and HAPO data of 2.0 OR for adverse pregnancy outcomes.Method: Between 1994-1996 all pregnant women (n= 3616) in Örebro county were offered a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test with determination of fasting capillary blood glucose and 2-hour capillary blood glucose was used to diagnose GDM. Random blood glucose was measured four to six times during pregnancy. Data on traditional risk factors and BMI were registered during the maternal healthcare visits.Results: 15.5% women met the IDPSG criteria (1.75 OR) based on only two values in the OGTT, and 9.0% were diagnosed if using an OR of 2.0. Current screening methods in Sweden showed 33 % and 39 % sensitivity when using the IADPSG criteria and HAPO data of 2.0 OR, respectively. A fasting cut-off value of 4.8 mmol/l when using the IADPSG criteria (1.75 OR) showed 92 % sensitivity, 95 % specificity and occurred in 19% of the patients. A fasting cut-off value of 5.1 mmol/l when using the HAPO data of 2.0 OR showed 92 % sensitivity, 98 % specificity and occurred in 10% of the patients.Conclusion: Current screening methods for GDM screening in Sweden is poorly predictive of GDM according to the IADPSG criteria (1.75 OR) and HAPO data (2.0 OR), but fasting glucose showed good test characteristics and results in a lower rate of OGTTs.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

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kon (subject category)