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An opportunity not to be missed – how do we improve postpartum screening rates for women with gestational diabetes?
Author(s) -
Keely Erin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.2274
Subject(s) - gestational diabetes , medicine , type 2 diabetes , pregnancy , diabetes mellitus , obstetrics , glucose tolerance test , impaired glucose tolerance , postpartum period , gold standard (test) , population , gestation , endocrinology , environmental health , insulin resistance , genetics , biology
Summary The ability to detect postpartum dysglycaemia, intervene and prevent type 2 diabetes in this high‐risk population may be the most compelling reason to diagnose gestational diabetes. However, most studies show that less than 50% of women receive any glucose screening in the postpartum period and are thus denied this opportunity. Although many have advocated for simpler testing, the 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test remains the gold standard as fasting glucose level will miss 30–40% of cases of type 2 diabetes and will not detect isolated impaired glucose tolerance. Haemoglobin A 1c as a screening test has not been adequately studied. To improve postpartum screening rates, we need to increase awareness of the very high risk of type 2 diabetes, improve communication between providers, reduce fragmentation of care and introduce system factors that facilitate screening adherence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.