Women's Health Issues
Volume 20, Issue 5 , Pages 323-328, September 2010

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Findings from a Population-Based Survey

  • Monica Hunsberger, PhD, MPH, RD, LD

      Affiliations

    • Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Monica Hunsberger, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, Oregon Health & Science University, Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, Mail Code GH 207, Portland, OR, 97239. Phone: 503-494-0704; fax: 503-494-7076.
    • ,
  • Kenneth D. Rosenberg, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Office of Family Health, Oregon Public Health Division, Portland, Oregon
    • Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
    • ,
  • Rebecca J. Donatelle, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Oregon State University, Department of Public Health, Corvallis, Oregon

Received 5 January 2010; received in revised form 17 June 2010; accepted 18 June 2010.

Abstract 

Purpose

We sought to explore racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a population-based sample.

Methods

Data from the Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a stratified, random sample of postpartum women who delivered in Oregon in 2004 and 2005 (n = 3,883; weighted response rate, 75.2%) and linked birth certificates were analyzed. Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic American Indian, and non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander (API) women were oversampled. We categorized women as having had GDM if they gave an affirmative answer on the birth certificate or the PRAMS survey.

Results

Non-Hispanic API women had the highest prevalence of GDM (14.8%); this was true for women with both a normal and a high body mass index (BMI). Asian women were more likely to have had GDM than Pacific Islander women. On multivariate analysis, non-Hispanic APIs were significantly more likely to have a pregnancy complicated by GDM (adjusted odds ratio, 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–4.13) than non-Hispanic White women.

Conclusion

Non-Hispanic API women, especially Asian women with both normal and high BMI, have increased risk of GDM. Future research should examine the unique risk factors experienced by Asians and health practitioners should be vigilant in screening for GDM regardless of BMI.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1049-3867(10)00082-4

doi:10.1016/j.whi.2010.06.003

Women's Health Issues
Volume 20, Issue 5 , Pages 323-328, September 2010

Article Tools