The study of relationship between menorrhagia and gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or recognition during pregnancy. Approximately, 4% of pregnancies are affected by diabetes mellitus, 90% of which represents gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Detection of risk factors of GDM may reduce the risk of complications. One of the new risk factors is menorrhagia. This study was conducted to identify the relation between menorrhagia and gestational diabetes This case-control study was performed on the pregnant women who were referred to GDM and prenatal clinics in the endocrinology and metabolism centers of Shariati, and Taleghani hospitals as well as Iran endocrinology and metabolism institute of Tehran. In this study, data collection from the patients were carried out by interview method. Sampling was performed by convenience method. Case group included 60 women with gestational diabetes and control group included 60 women without gestational diabetes that they were selected at the same period of time. Demographic characteristics, history of menorrhagia and its etiology, were compared between two groups. We excluded subject with history of fetal macrosomia (weight >4500g), pre-pregnancy diabetes, diabetes in previous pregnancy, neonatal morbidity and mortality, recurrent abortion, smoking before and during pregnancy and preterm delivery. The case and control subjects were matched based on their age, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, diabetes mellitus in first-degree relative and the history of still-birth or malformed fetus or neonates. Demographic characteristics and etiology of menorrhagia were similar between two groups. Relative frequencies of menorrhagia were 41.7 % and 6% in the case and the control group, respectively (p<001, Odds Ratio=6.43). A history of menorrhagia can be an independent predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus. If selective screening is implemented for gestational diabetes mellitus, such history should be considered in the decision of whom to test.