Gestational diabetes mellitus: Beliefs, emotions and treatment compliance: A Pakistani Cohort.

Abstract

To find out the factors regarding patient’s beliefs and concerns about Gestational Diabetes and its treatment. Study Design: Purposive Sampling. Setting: Diabetes Clinic & Antenatal Clinic of Lahore General Hospital/ Post Graduate Medical Institute/ Ameer ud Din Medical College, Lahore. Period: July 2019 to December 2019. Material & Methods: 46 females who were 24-38 weeks pregnant and having gestational diabetes mellitus, type1 diabetes mellitus or having type 2 diabetes mellitus first diagnosed during pregnancy were enrolled. Data was collected by an interview based questionnaire, analyzed using SPSS version 23, and 95% confidence interval was used as test of significance. Results: The mean age was 27±9 years. 20% of the participants were Illiterate 80% were literate. GDM in the all three trimesters was 45.6%, 39% and15% respectively.  30.5% were hypertensive and 100% adopted lifestyle modifications, 89% were using insulin and 10.8% were taking metformin. 33% had history of instruments delivery and 36% had adverse pregnancy or perinatal outcomes. Regarding patients belief’s, 10% believed in diet control, 26% were not comfortable with lab and physician’s counselling, 38% were in state of denial, 26% were unaware of screening, 70% were frightened of unexpected diagnosis and consequences. 18% were concerned of target organs damage, 16% were concerned of mode of delivery, 25% regarding subsequent pregnancy, 53% were concerned about insulin treatment and its duration and 33% were keen to know about adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions: Educational status is not known to influence gestational diabetes mellitus, Major concern of patient with GDM was her health and surroundings, treatment options, adverse effect on baby and subsequent pregnancies outcomes.