Determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus: a hospital-based case–control study in coastal South India

A public health problem that has been on the rise in the twenty-first century is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). There are serious adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health following GDM. Potential complications can be reduced by early detection of risk factors, which predispose women to GDM. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with GDM. A case–control study was carried out among antenatal women admitted to hospitals affiliated to Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. The study population consisted of cases, who were GDM patients, and controls, who were age-matched, non-GDM patients. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for entering and analysing data. Both univariate and multivariate analysis was done for determining the factors responsible for GDM. The mean age of cases was 29.54 (± 4.3) years and of controls was also 29.54 (± 4.2). There was no significant difference while comparing the socioeconomic status across the study groups. Irregular menstrual cycle (OR = 2.78, CI = 0.94–08.4, P = 0.06) and history of type 2 diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives (OR = 5.26, CI = 2.13–12.99, P ≤ 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors. It was found in our study that irregular menstrual history, history of GDM in previous pregnancy, history of type 2 diabetes mellitus in first-degree relative and history of GDM in first-degree relative are all independent risk factors of GDM.