Proinsulin in GDM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Proinsulin in the Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
IRAS ID
226586
Contact name
Sarah Dowrick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
ABMU Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
In pregnancy, some women’s bodies are unable to process glucose (sugar) properly- this is referred to as gestational diabetes mellitus. It is a condition that is present only in pregnancy and glucose levels usually normalise after the birth of the baby. Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of complications to both the baby (large baby, shoulder getting stuck in the birth canal and still birth) and the mother (prolonged labour). Hence, it is important to screen and diagnose the condition. Early diagnosis and management has been shown to reduce this risk by up to 60%. Currently, women with a risk factor (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2, family history of diabetes in a first degree relative, previous history of diabetes or previous large baby i.e. birth weight >4.5 kgs) are offered an oral glucose tolerance test (a glucose drink with blood samples before and 2 hours after the drink) at 24-28 weeks.
We would like to do the same test (oral glucose tolerance test) but with an additional blood sample for proinsulin, insulin and C-peptide earlier at 16-18 weeks, in addition to the recommended test at 24-28 weeks to see if this new test is able to diagnose the condition at an earlier stage in pregnancy. Proinsulin is converted into insulin and C-peptide which are secreted by the pancreas in response to glucose. Proinsulin is normally released in small quantities but concentrations increase with the onset of diabetes before glucose levels rise.
This project will aim to establish if measurement of the concentration of proinsulin will provide an earlier and accurate means of identifying gestational diabetes mellitus.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
17/WA/0194
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion