Perspectives on gestational diabetes mellitus in South Africa.

The field of gestational diabetes mellitus has attracted increasing attention and research in South Africa (SA) over the past decade, creating a better understanding of the disease burden, risk factors, availability of specialised healthcare services, and importantly the far-reaching maternal and childhood consequences beyond the pregnancy. This article brings together all the local published literature in the field and outlines the implications of this condition, together with recommendations regarding particular areas that require attention in order to prevent and alleviate the disease burden in SA.

Cardiometabolic outcomes of women exposed to hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy at 3-6 years post-partum in an urban South African setting.

Background: Hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy(HFDP) has far-reaching maternal consequences beyond the pregnancy. Our study evaluated the cardiometabolic outcomes in women with prior HFDP versus women without HFDP 3-6 years post-partum in urban South Africa.

Design And Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed of 103 black African women with prior HFDP and 101 without HFDP, 3-6 years post-partum at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto.

Consensus study on the health system and patient-related barriers for lung cancer management in South Africa.

Background: Lung cancer is the highest incident cancer globally and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly if identified at a late stage. Poor patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC's) might reflect contextual patient and health system constraints at multiple levels, that act as barriers to prevention, disease recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Lung cancer screening, even for high-risk patients, is not available in the public health sector in South Africa (SA), where the current HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics often take precedence.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes following the introduction of oral hypoglycaemic agents for gestational diabetes mellitus were comparable to insulin monotherapy in two historical cohorts.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a disorder of glucose intolerance first encountered during pregnancy, has far-reaching implications for both mother and child. Insulin therapy remains the 'gold standard' of care, with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) increasingly being viewed as potential alternatives.

Objectives: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in two cohorts of women with GDM exposed to either insulin monotherapy or OHAs.