Background:The risks of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The use of glucocorticoid and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies positive are among the factors reported to be associated with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in SLE patients. However, the relationship between GDM in Asian SLE patients is still obscure.Objectives:To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a multi-ethnic SLE cohort in Malaysia and the associated risk factors.Methods:This was a retrospective study of SLE pregnant women who have completed their antenatal care in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from 2004 until 2019. Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were as recommended in the guidelines by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Information on SLE disease activity and treatment at 6 months before pregnancy and during pregnancy were determined from the medical records. Univariate and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with GDM in the SLE patients.Results:A total of 89 patients with 202 pregnancies were included in the study. Malay was the predominant ethnic in this cohort (n=82, 67.2%), followed by Chinese (n=33,27.0%) and Indian (n=7, 5.7%). The most common system involvement of SLE was musculoskeletal (n=91, 74.6%), followed by haematological (n=78, 63.9%), lupus nephritis (54.9%, n=67) and mucocutaneous (n=66, 54.1%). The prevalence of GDM was 8.9% (n=18). More patients with GDM had positive anti-cardiolipin IgG antibody (aCL IgG) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) antibody as compared to the patients with no GDM, (55.6% vs 25.8%, p=0.01) and (50.0% vs 25.4%, p=0.05) respectively. On the other hand, the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in pregnancy was significantly lower in GDM patients (11.1%) as compared to no GDM group (39.1%), p=0.02. There was no significant difference in the ethnicity, SLE system involvement, disease activity status and immunosupressant use including steroid, azathioprine and cyclosporine A at 6 months before and during pregnancy between the GDM and non-GDM group. A forward logistic regression which include aCL IgG, LA and HCQ use in pregnancy, only the HCQ use remained significantly associated with lower risk of GDM in the model with OR= 0.12, 95% C.I = 0.02-0.94, p=0.04.Conclusion:Our study demonstrates the potential benefit of hydroxychloroquine in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in SLE patients. The prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies particularly aCL IgG and LA was found to be higher among patients with GDM. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm this association.References:[1]Dong Y, Dai Z, Wang Z, et al. Risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2019 May;19(1):179. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2329-0.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
The Placenta as a Target of Epigenetic Alterations in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Potential Implications for the Offspring
