Is autoimmune thyroid dysfunction a risk factor for gestational diabetes?
OBJECTIVE
Some recent studies have related autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and gestational diabetes (GD). The common factor for both conditions could be the existence of pro-inflammatory homeostasis. The study objective was therefore to assess whether the presence of antithyroid antibodies is related to the occurrence of GD.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Fifty-six pregnant women with serum TSH levels ≥ 2.5 mU/mL during the first trimester were retrospectively studied. Antithyroid antibodies were measured, and an O'Sullivan test was performed. GD was diagnosed based on the criteria of the Spanish Group on Diabetes and Pregnancy.


RESULTS
Positive antithyroid antibodies were found in 21 (37.50%) women. GD was diagnosed in 15 patients, 6 of whom (10.71%) had positive antibodies, while 9 (16.07%) had negative antibodies. Data were analyzed using exact logistic regression by LogXact-8 Cytel; no statistically significant differences were found between GD patients with positive and negative autoimmunity (OR = 1.15 [95%CI = 0.28-4.51]; P=1.00).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of thyroid autoimmunity in women with TSH above the recommended values at the beginning of pregnancy is not associated to development of GD. However, GD prevalence was higher in these patients as compared to the Spanish general population, suggesting the need for closer monitoring in pregnant women with TSH levels ≥ 2.5 mU/mL.
['Pascual Corrales|Eider|E|', 'Andrada|Patricia|P|', 'Aubá|María|M|', 'Ruiz Zambrana|Alvaro|A|', 'Guillén Grima|Francisco|F|', 'Salvador|Javier|J|', 'Escalada|Javier|J|', 'Galofré|Juan C|JC|']
D000328:Adult D001327:Autoimmune Diseases D016640:Diabetes, Gestational D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007037:Hypothyroidism D011247:Pregnancy D012189:Retrospective Studies D012307:Risk Factors
Autoimmunity Gestational diabetes Autoinmunidad Diabetes gestacional Hipotiroidismo Hypothyroidism