Gestational diabetes: screening uptake, current challenges and the future – a focused review

Authors

  • Elpida Vounzoulaki Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration- East Midlands (ARC-EM), Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3137-8295
  • Kamlesh Khunti Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration- East Midlands (ARC-EM), Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK
  • Bee K Tan Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
  • Melanie J Davies Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK
  • Clare L Gillies Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration- East Midlands (ARC-EM), Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15277/bjd.2020.236

Keywords:

gestational diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, post-partum screening, United Kingdom

Abstract

The increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in women with a history of previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been established and is well recognised. Post-partum screening for T2DM is essential to identify those at higher risk and allow for the implementation of preventative interventions. However, attendance rates for post-partum glucose screening in women with previous GDM remain substantially low, with only half of them attending screening. This review aimed to outline the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) post-partum screening recommendations and compare them with the guidelines being used worldwide, provide information on post-partum screening uptake and possible determinants of uptake in the UK, and to briefly discuss both patient health implications and the financial burden associated with T2DM progression in the context of the National Health Service (NHS).

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2020-06-05

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