Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Gestational diabetes is a state of glucose intolerance, regardless of its severity, discovered during pregnancy in a woman not known to have diabetes before pregnancy. It is associated with a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies and progression to type 2 diabetes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the perception by parturients of the risk of recurrence and type 2 diabetes, to evaluate their knowledge of preventive measures and their adherence to these measures, and thus, to light on the value of monitoring these patients even after delivery.

Materials and Methods: Prospective descriptive study conducted at the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology of the UHC Ibn Rochd – Casablanca, in patients followed for gestational diabetes, and having answered a questionnaire that we established in order to evaluate their knowledge in particular concerning the risk of progression to T2D and the benefit of follow-up.

Result: The average age of our parturients was 31 years (22-45), with an average gestational age of 28SA, the average body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy was 29.3 kg/m², with an average weight of 11.3 kg (9-15) during pregnancy. Treatment by lifestyle and dietary rules was sufficient in 68.7% of our parturients and 40.8% had a family history of type 2 diabetes. The majority considered themselves at high risk of becoming diabetic (65.4%), but 38.2% had no not changed their diet, and 85.5% had not changed their physical activity. Among our patients, 15% were postpartum, and all were aware of the value of follow-up, but none had maintained the lifestyle and dietary rules after childbirth. The perception of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was not significantly influenced by gestational age at the discovery of diabetes, nor by previous BMI or weight gain during pregnancy. However, patients treated with insulin, as well as those with a family history of type 2 diabetes, considered themselves at greater risk of becoming diabetic (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Gestational diabetes is a risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes. Parturients are often unaware of this risk, and lost sight after the delivery. Hence the interest of highlighting these data when educating parturients with gestational diabetes, in order to make them aware of this risk, and thus, encourage them to pursue a healthy lifestyle with regular follow-up, even after childbirth.