The role of clinical factors in the association of gestational diabetes amongst women aged 15-49 years residing in Yazd-Iran.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has occurred in Fourteen percent of all pregnancies in the world. Epidemiological evidences about risk factors of GDM may be different from region to region and are unknown, exactly. This study examines the role of clinical factors in the association of gestational diabetes in Yazd, Iran.

Methods: This study was carried out on 168 women with gestational diabetes and 168 women as controls after matching for age and place of residence. Each participant was interviewed about her pregnancy history and tobacco consumption. Information including BMI, weight before pregnancy and background of underlying diseases were recorded from information system in Health Centers. Finally, data were analyzed by using chi-square test, logistic regression and multiple correspondence analyze(MCA).

Results: History of gestational diabetes in past pregnancy OR = 3.2[95%CI:1.1, 9.7], a family history of gestational diabetes OR = 3.7 [95%CI:1.1, 11.5], a history of hookah smoking OR = 3.6 [95%CI:1.06, 12.3], being obese before pregnancy OR = 1.9[95%CI:1.01, 3.5], and weight gain during pregnancy OR = 0.5[95%CI:0.2, 0.9], were the most important determinants of gestational diabetes. There were not significant relation between GDM and underlying diseases, history of stillbirth, abortion, twinning, cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug abuse.

Conclusions: In this research modifiable risk factors for gestational diabetes were high BMI before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and history of hookah consumption. We advise that appropriate education, avoiding sedentary lifestyle, diet improvement and advertising which focus on tobacco consumption is playing as an important role in developing the chronic diseases, including GDM.