Hypertriglyceridemia and waist phenotype as markers in the prediction of gestational diabetes in Iraqi women

Abstract

Background and Objective: Abdominal visceral adiposity in early pregnancy can be considered as an indicator of the risk of impaired glucose tolerance in later pregnancy. Accordingly, the "hypertriglyceridemic waist" phenotype can be utilized as a clinical marker of visceral obesity. The present study aimed to assess the association between the hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype in early pregnancy and glucose intolerance in later pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out at AL-Elweyia Maternity Teaching Hospital for one year from 1st of January, 2012 to the 1st of January, 2013. A 100 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The women were allocated according to the waist girth equal to or greater than 85 cm and less than 85 cm. Plasma triglycerides and waist girth were measured at 11-14 weeks of gestation for all groups. Blood glucose was measured following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Results: A waist girth greater than 85 cm and a triglyceride level > 1.7 mmol L‒ 1 in the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of 2 h glucose > 7.8 mmol L‒ 1 following the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OR 7.75, p = 0.0003). This risk remains significant, even after the sample was controlled for maternal age and fasting glucose in the first trimester. Conclusion: Measurement of waist girth and plasma triglycerides levels (hyper-triglyceridemic-waist phenotype) during the early pregnancy may be useful as an early screening for the risk of gestational diabetes.