Gestational diabetes mellitus: Is a diagnosis associated with an increase in maternal anxiety and stress in the short and intermediate term?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - To examine anxiety levels of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to compare these with glucose-tolerant (GT) women at similar stages of pregnancy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Prospective longitudinal study conducted on 50 women with GDM and 50 GT women. All women completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) forms and the Speilberger State-Trail Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the beginning of the third trimester, antepartum, and 6 weeks postpartum. Specific questions were also assessed using a Likert scale. RESULTS - Women with GDM, compared with GT women, had a higher level of anxiety (state rather than trait) at the time of the first assessment. However, before delivery and in the postpartum period, there were no significant differences in anxiety scores between the two groups. Women in both groups were positive about being tested for GDM and wished to be tested during future pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS - There were no sustained increased levels of anxiety for women diagnosed with GDM. Concerns expressed about causing sustained maternal anxiety by testing for GDM could not be substantiated.