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Prospective Study of Gestational Diabetes and Fatty Liver Scores 9 to 16 Years After Pregnancy

Nov-19

Journal Article

Authors:

Donnelly, S.R.

Hinkle, S.N.

Rawal, S.

Grunnet, L.G.

Chavarro, J.E.

Vaag, A.

Wu, J.

Damm, P.

Mills, J.L.

Li, M.

Bjerregaard, A.A.

Thuesen, A.Cathrine B.

Gore-Langton, R.E.

Francis, E.C.

Ley, S.H.

Hu, F.B.

Tsai, M.Y.

Olsen, S.F.

Zhang, C.

Secondary:
J Diabetes

Volume:
11

Pagination:
895-905

Issue:
11

PMID:
31001915

DOI:
10.1111/1753-0407.12934

Keywords:
Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Biomarkers; body mass index; Denmark; Diabetes, Gestational; Fatty Liver; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Pregnancy; prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors

Abstract:
<p>BACKGROUND: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may be at an increased risk of liver complications because chronic hyperglycemia is a risk factor for liver fat accumulation and potential liver dysfunction. Large prospective studies examining liver fat accumulation following a GDM pregnancy are lacking.METHODS: The Diabetes & Women's Health Study (2012-2014) examined the association between GDM and subsequent fatty liver scores among 607 women with and 619 women without GDM in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Nine to 16 years postpartum, a clinical examination was performed, with measurement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-glutamyl transferase, from which fatty liver scoring indices were calculated to assess liver fat score, fatty liver index, hepatic steatosis index, and liver fat percentage. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for elevated liver scoring indices by GDM status were assessed adjusting for major risk factors, including prepregnancy body mass index.RESULTS: Women with prior GDM had higher adjusted ALT and AST levels than women without GDM (by 6.7% [95% CI 1.7-12.0] and 4.8% [95% CI 0.6-9.1], respectively). Women with GDM also had adjusted increased risks for elevated liver fat score (RR 2.34; 95% CI 1.68-3.27), fatty liver index (RR 1.59; 95% CI 1.27-1.99), and hepatic steatosis index (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.21-1.71).CONCLUSIONS: Women with GDM during pregnancy were at an increased risk for fatty liver 9 to 16 years postpartum. Gestational diabetes mellitus may serve as another risk indicator for the early identification and prevention of liver fat accumulation.</p>

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