A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Ravi Retnakaran suggests a shift in diabetes testing for women after pregnancy could drastically improve screening rates and outcomes. The research indicates that a one-hour glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is more effective than the traditional two-hour test at predicting future diabetes risk, offering a more accessible and efficient alternative for postpartum women.
Gestational diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, yet many women fail to return for glucose screening after childbirth. The standard two-hour test, which requires fasting overnight and a lengthy waiting period, is often too time-consuming for new mothers.
Dr. Retnakaran, a clinician scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and an endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, highlighted the need for better compliance, noting that pregnancy often serves as a stress test, revealing early signs of diabetes susceptibility. Despite recommendations for women to undergo testing within six months post-delivery, only about half of those affected by gestational diabetes follow through.
In response to these challenges, the International Diabetes Federation recommended a shorter, one-hour glucose tolerance test. Evidence shows that the shorter test is not only more practical but also captures peak blood sugar levels more effectively, thus identifying those at elevated risk of diabetes with greater sensitivity.
The study conducted by Dr. Retnakaran and his team followed 369 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, comparing the predictive value of the one-hour and two-hour tests three months after delivery. The results demonstrated that the one-hour test was as effective as the two-hour test and even proved to be a stronger indicator of pre-diabetes risk five years later.
Dr. Retnakaran’s findings are especially timely given the rising global incidence of diabetes during pregnancy, with one in six pregnancies worldwide affected. The research opens the door to more accessible and timely diabetes prevention for new mothers, particularly with emerging treatments aimed at weight loss, which can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Moving forward, Dr. Retnakaran plans to conduct further clinical trials to confirm the benefits of the one-hour test and advocate for its adoption as the new standard in postpartum care.
Dr. Anne-Claude Gingras, Director of the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, emphasized that this study represents a significant advancement in healthcare, with the potential to reduce the societal burden of type 2 diabetes. It also reaffirms Sinai Health’s commitment to cutting-edge research in diabetes and maternal health.
This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health and the Sun Life Financial Program to Prevent Diabetes in Women.
Related topics:
Fenugreek-Based Nanoparticles Show Potential for Enhanced Diabetes Treatment
Rare Gene Variants Linked to Type 2 Diabetes in Asian Indian Families
AI Revolutionizes Diabetes Care: Tailored Solutions for a Growing Crisis
