Short summary

With this project we aim to gain a better understanding in the interplay between psychological distress and well-being, metabolic health and health behaviors after pregnancies complicated by GDM.

Rationale

Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk to experience psychological distress after delivery. Beyond emotional suffering, psychological distress is linked to adverse metabolic health and can hamper changes in health behaviours. However, prior studies mainly focused on depression and studies exploring associations with metabolic health and health behaviours are limited. Therefore, this project aims to explore cross-sectional associations between psychological distress and metabolic health and health behaviours 3-months after pregnancy.

Description of the cohort

For this project, data of the baseline assessment of the Face-it trail will be used. The Face-it study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) targeted to women with previous GDM (clinicaltrails.gov number: NCT03997773). This multi-center study (Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus) aims to examine if additional support from health care providers postpartum leads to a reduced Body Mass Index (BMI) in the intervention group at follow-up (1 year after delivery), as compared to standard care, thus indicating a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. All women considered eligible for the Face-it study will be eligible for the present project.

Data and biological material

Sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, ethnicity, educational level, and household income), previous depression diagnosis and anti-depressant use were assessed by self-constructed questionnaires that were part of the Face-it trial. Moreover, women participating in this trail completed questionnaires regarding well-being (WHO-5), anxiety (GAD-7) and perceived stress (PSS). Data from Medical Birth Records (i.e., information regarding the birth and/or eventual pregnancy complications, birth weight, Apgar score, preterm delivery, insulin treatment of GDM) were collected as a part of the face-it trial at enrolment/baseline examination. Additionally, blood samples were collected and anthropometric measures and blood pressure were recorded.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Steno Diabetes Center Odense

• Dorte Møller Jensen
• Christina Anne Vinter
• Frans Pouwer

Health Promotion Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen

• Helle Terkildsen Maindal
• Karoline Kragelund Nielsen
• Inger Katrine Dahl-Petersen
• the Face-it study group

Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus

• Per Ovesen
• Ulla Kampmann

Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet

• Peter Damm
• Elisabeth Reinhardt Mathiesen