The association of first trimester high blood pressure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Objective. To determine the relationship between blood pressure measured during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Design and methods. A total of 209 pregnant women were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus between weeks 24 and 28 of gestation, as defined by WHO criteria. Blood pressure, weight and waist circumference data were obtained by review of the medical records. Results. An elevated blood pressure at first trimester of pregnancy was associated with a six-fold increase in the risk of the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.8, 95 % CI 1.9-17.5, p = 0.001) compared with non-hypertensive women. Arterial hypertension (including controlled forms) in the first trimester of pregnancy was followed by a three-fold (OR = 3.04, 95 % CI 1.5-6.3) increase in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus compared with non-hypertensive women (p = 0.005). Conclusion. Obtained data indicate that women with elevated blood pressure in the first trimester of pregnancy have an increased risk of the development of gestational diabetes mellitus.