Determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus: A case control study in a district tertiary care hospital in south India

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to identify the determinant factors of GDM. METHODS An unmatched case-control study was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the profile of study participants and binary logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of GDM. RESULTS GDM was associated with history of abortion (AOR 5.05 [95% CI: 2.65-9.63]), family history of diabetes mellitus (AOR 8.63 [95% CI: 5.19-14.35]), chronic hypertension (AOR 4.63 [95% CI: 1.27-16.86]), dietary diversification score (AOR 2.96 [95% CI: 2-4.46]), regular physical exercise (AOR 0.03 [95% CI: 0.01-0.04]), history of infertility (AOR 6.19 [95%CI: 1.86-20.16]), history of Caesarean section (AOR 3.24 [95% CI: 1.58-6.63]), previous history of GDM (AOR 8.21 [95% CI: 3.18-21.24]), previous history of intrauterine fetal death (AOR 3.96 [95% CI: 1.56-10.04]), literacy (AOR 0.6 [95% CI: 0.43-0.85]), body mass index (AOR 2.96 [95% CI: 2.08-4.2]), parity (AOR 1.78 [95% CI: 1.3-2.49]). CONCLUSIONS Regular physical exercise should be used as the main tool in preventing GDM.