Diabet Med. 2022 Nov 20:e15008. doi: 10.1111/dme.15008. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: To examine health behaviours and risk factors in women with pre-existing diabetes or previous gestational diabetes mellitus who are planning pregnancy.
METHODS: Health behaviour, risk factor and demographic data obtained from a digital pregnancy planning advisory tool (Tommy’s charity UK) were analysed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, stratified by diabetes type.
RESULTS: Data from 84,359 women, including 668 with type 1 diabetes, 707 with type 2 diabetes, and 1,785 with previous gestational diabetes obtained over a 12-month period (September 2019-September 2020) were analysed. 65%, 95%CI (61,68%) of women with type 2 diabetes and 46%, 95%CI (43,48%) with previous gestational diabetes were obese (BMI ≥30kg/m2 ), compared with 26%, 95%CI (26,26%) without diabetes. Use of folic acid supplements was low; 41%, 95%CI (40,41%) of women without diabetes and 42%, 95%CI (40,45%) with previous gestational diabetes reported taking folic acid (any dose) while 47%, 95%CI (43,50%) women with type 1 diabetes and 44%, 95%CI (40,47%) women with type 2 diabetes respectively reported taking the recommended dose (5mg). More women with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes reported smoking (20%, 95%CI (17,23%) and 23%, 95%CI (20,26%) respectively) and taking illicit/recreational drugs (7%, 95%CI (6,10%) and 9%, 95% CI (7,11%)) compared to women without diabetes (smoking 17%, 95% CI (16,17%), drug use 5%, 95%CI (5,5%)). Alcohol consumption, low levels of physical activity and of fruit and vegetable intake were also evident.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of online pregnancy planning advisory tools to reach high-risk women and emphasises the need to improve pre-pregnancy care for women with pre-existing diabetes and previous gestational diabetes, many of whom are actively seeking advice. It is also the first to describe pre-pregnancy health behaviours in women with previous gestational diabetes.
PMID:36404391 | DOI:10.1111/dme.15008
