Evaluation of inflammatory related markers in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aim: Subclinical inflammation has been suggested as an important factor in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Measuring the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) may be a simple and inexpensive method for assessing inflammatory status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the NLR and LMR and other commonly used inflammatory markers in women with GDM and to determine the correlation of NLR and LMR with metabolic parameters in gestational diabetic women. Material and Method: In this controlled cross-sectional study we examined 35 singleton, consecutive pregnant women with GDM and a control group of 40 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies, matched for body mass index and age. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy to diagnose GDM. The high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), NLR and LMR, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores of the two groups were also compared. Results: NLR levels were higher and LMR levels were lower in pregnant with GDM women compared with healthy ones. Although hs-CRP levels were found to be higher in the GDM group, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.08). While HbA1c, insulin, and HOMA-IR scores were significantly elevated in the GDM group compared with the healthy pregnant group, FBG levels were comparable. Discussion: Systemic inflammation was associated with GDM, and the association was independent of maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy. The results of this study suggest that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of GDM.