Comparison of carotis intima media thicknesses at gestational weeks 24-26 and 36-38 in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and carotis intima media thickness (CIMT) is marker of subklinik atherosclerosis. In the present study we investigated the differences between patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) which is considered as a prediabetik status and normal pregnant women on CIMT measurement. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in our obstetric clinic between 01.07.2012 and 01.07.2013. Thirty patients with GDM and 30 unaffected pregnant women according to 75 gr OGTT at their 24-28 gestational weeks were included. Blood HDL, LDL, TG, HbA1C and CRP levels, BMI and CIMT of the all participants were measured. Adequate treatment was administrated the patients with GDM. CIMT measurements of the both groups were repeated at 36-40 gestational weeks. A comparison of the measurement was made between two groups and at different trimester. Findings: No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups on mean age, gravida, HbA1C, HDL, LDL, TG levels and BMI value. The mean CIMT measurements of the participants with and without GDM were 5.516±0.748 mm and4.983 ±0.724 mm, respectively. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (Mann Whitney U test p=0.016). No statistically significant differences observed between second and third trimesters of the GDM group on CIMT measurements. No statistically significant differences observed between second and third trimesters of the control group on CIMT measurements. Result: The CIMT measurements of the patients with GDM are higher than unaffected pregnant women. These findings show that patients with GDM have predisposition for atherosclerosis. An adequate treatment of the GDM may avoid the increase of CIMT. Further large studies on CIMT and GDM can help us to understand the underlying mechanism of atherosclerosis due to diabetes and preventive strategies to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality may be helpful for these patients.