Hemoglobin A1C inadequate for postpartum diabetes screening

June 19, 2012 in Diabetes

Hemoglobin A1C inadequate for postpartum diabetes screening

For postpartum women who have had gestational diabetes mellitus, the hemoglobin A1c test criteria alone or in combination with fasting glucose test criteria does not provide sensitive and specific diagnosis of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism compared with the gold-standard oral glucose tolerance test, according to a study published online June 11 in Diabetes Care.

(HealthDay) -- For postpartum women who have had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the hemoglobin A1c (A1C) test criteria alone or in combination with fasting glucose test criteria does not provide sensitive and specific diagnosis of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism compared with the gold-standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), according to a study published online June 11 in Diabetes Care.

María José Picón, M.D., Ph.D., of the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital in Malaga, Spain, and colleagues measured the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the A1C test, with or without the fasting glucose test, compared with the OGTT in 231 postpartum women with prior GDM one year after delivery.

The researchers found that, based on the OGTT, A1C test, fasting glucose test, and A1C-fasting glucose test criteria, the prevalence of abnormal was 45.89, 19.05, 38.10, and 46.75 percent, respectively. Compared with the OGTT, the A1C test had a sensitivity and PPV of 22.64 and 54.55 percent, respectively; while the fasting glucose criterion had a sensitivity and PPV of 83.02 and 100 percent, respectively. Using both together, the sensitivity and PPV were 83.02 and 81.48 percent, respectively; and these criteria classified 18 women with normal carbohydrate metabolism as having abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.

"In summary, the A1C test significantly underdiagnosed carbohydrate metabolism disorders in women who had had GDM," the authors write.

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal reference: Diabetes Care search and more info website

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

not rated yet  

Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Exercise prevents fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia

(HealthDay)—Moderate aerobic exercise prevents fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia in healthy males, according to a study published online May 14 in Diabetes.

Diabetes created May 17, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

DNA variant affects diabetes risk and treatment response

A DNA variant near a digestive enzyme does not only affect risk of developing diabetes but also affects the response to treatment, an international consortium of researchers including the University of Dundee has found.

Diabetes created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

The artificial pancreas that keeps tabs on sugar

(Medical Xpress)—Development of a sophisticated artificial pancreas holds potential to transform the lives of patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes created May 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study findings significant for treating infections in Type 1 diabetes

A small University at Buffalo study has found for the first time that in Type 1 diabetics, insulin injections exert a strong anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular and molecular level, while even small amounts of glucose ...

Diabetes created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Hospital hypoglycemia rates up in black men with diabetes

(HealthDay)—Home diabetes regimens partially explain the increased risk of having a hypoglycemia event during hospitalization among older African-American men with diabetes, according to a study published ...

Diabetes created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Consuming coffee linked to lower risk of detrimental liver disease, study finds

Regular consumption of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were being presented at the Digestive Disease ...

Ketamine shows significant therapeutic benefit in people with treatment-resistant depression

Patients with treatment-resistant major depression saw dramatic improvement in their illness after treatment with ketamine, an anesthetic, according to the largest ketamine clinical trial to-date led by researchers from the ...

Research examines new methods for managing digestive health

Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores new methods for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle.

New smartphone application improves colonoscopy preparation

The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). The preparation process, which begins days in ...

New research identifies practice changes to improve value and quality of GI procedures

There are significant cost and risk factors associated with two procedures commonly used to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal problems, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).

New research identifies risks, interventions for children's GI health

An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW).