OBJECTIVE—To examine factors associated with variation in the risk for type 2 diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published between January 1965 and August 2001, in which subjects underwent testing for GDM and then testing for type 2 diabetes after delivery. We abstracted diagnostic criteria for GDM and type 2 diabetes, cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes, and factors that predicted incidence of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS—A total of 28 studies were examined. After the index pregnancy, the cumulative incidence of diabetes ranged from 2.6% to over 70% in studies that examined women 6 weeks postpartum to 28 years postpartum. Differences in rates of progression between ethnic groups was reduced by adjustment for various lengths of follow-up and testing rates, so that women appeared to progress to type 2 diabetes at similar rates after a diagnosis of GDM. Cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes increased markedly in the first 5 years after delivery and appeared to plateau after 10 years. An elevated fasting glucose level during pregnancy was the risk factor most commonly associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS—Conversion of GDM to type 2 diabetes varies with the length of follow-up and cohort retention. Adjustment for these differences reveals rapid increases in the cumulative incidence occurring in the first 5 years after delivery for different racial groups. Targeting women with elevated fasting glucose levels during pregnancy may prove to have the greatest effect for the effort required.

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to examine rates and factors associated with recurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among women with a history of GDM.

Background The incidence of sudden cardiac death is roughly 3 times greater in men than in women. However, in patients treated for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the relationships between sex and survival after adjustment for age and cardiac rhythm are unclear. Methods and Results In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 7069 men and 2582 women who were treated for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Seattle and suburban King County between 1990 and 1998. We compared successful prehospital resuscitation (hospital admission) and survival from event to discharge in men and women. Women had markedly reduced rates of ventricular fibrillation (VF), slightly older age, fewer witnessed arrests, and fewer arrests in public locations than men. Although their unadjusted resuscitation rate was lower (29% versus 32%, P <0.0001), women had a greater likelihood of resuscitation than men after adjustment for VF (odds ratio [OR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.25) and after adjustment for VF plus additional factors (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.41). The difference in resuscitation rates between men and women decreased as they aged (test for trend, P <0.0001). Unadjusted survival rates were also lower in women than in men (11% versus 15%, P <0.0001). Women had similar survival after adjustment for VF (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.11) and after adjustment for VF plus additional factors (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.27). Conclusions The lower unadjusted resuscitation and survival rates observed in women were primarily due to women’s lower incidence of VF, a relatively favorable cardiac rhythm. After adjustment for VF and other factors, women had higher resuscitation rates than men, but similar rates of survival from event to discharge.

OBJECTIVE—To examine risk perception for diabetes among women with histories of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We surveyed 217 women with histories of GDM who were enrolled in a managed-care plan and who did not currently have diabetes. In a cross-sectional design, we assessed the associations between risk perceptions and current lifestyle behavioral practices, plans to modify behaviors, and recent lifestyle behavior changes. Multivariable models included participant characteristics as well as potential modifiers of risk perception (knowledge of diabetes risk factors, optimistic bias, perceived personal control, and beliefs in the benefits and barriers of lifestyle modification). RESULTS—Ninety percent of women recognized that GDM was a risk factor for future diabetes, but only 16% believed that they themselves had a high chance of developing diabetes; perceived risk increased to 39% when women were asked to estimate their risk assuming they maintained their current lifestyle. Women who consumed three or more but less than five servings a day of fruits and vegetables reported lower odds of moderate/high risk perception (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.39 [95% CI 0.16–0.92]) than women who consumed less than three servings a day, although this association was not significant after further adjustment for income. Women who perceived themselves to be at moderate/high risk more often planned to modify their future lifestyle behaviors (9.1 [0.16–0.92]). CONCLUSIONS—Despite understanding the association between GDM and postpartum diabetes, women with histories of GDM usually do not perceive themselves to be at elevated risk.

OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency has been reported to elevate A1C levels apart from glycemia. We examined the influence of iron deficiency on A1C distribution among adults without diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants included adults without self-reported diabetes or chronic kidney disease in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006 who were aged ≥18 years of age and had complete blood counts, iron studies, and A1C levels. Iron deficiency was defined as at least two abnormalities including free erythrocyte protoporphyrin >70 μg/dl erythrocytes, transferrin saturation <16%, or serum ferritin ≤15 μg/l. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <13.5 g/dl in men and <12.0 g/dl in women.RESULTS: Among women (n = 6,666), 13.7% had iron deficiency and 4.0% had iron deficiency anemia. Whereas 316 women with iron deficiency had A1C ≥5.5%, only 32 women with iron deficiency had A1C ≥6.5%. Among men (n = 3,869), only 13 had iron deficiency and A1C ≥5.5%, and only 1 had iron deficiency and A1C ≥6.5%. Among women, iron deficiency was associated with a greater odds of A1C ≥5.5% (odds ratio 1.39 [95% CI 1.11–1.73]) after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and waist circumference but not with a greater odds of A1C ≥6.5% (0.79 [0.33–1.85]).CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency is common among women and is associated with shifts in A1C distribution from <5.5 to ≥5.5%. Further research is needed to examine whether iron deficiency is associated with shifts at higher A1C levels.

The mid-life period is a critical window for increases in body weight and changes in body composition. In this review, we summarize the clinical experience of the menopausal transition by obesity status, and examine the evidence regarding the menopausal transition and reproductive hormones effects on body weight, body composition, or fat distribution. Mid-life obesity is associated with a different menopausal experience including associations with menstrual cycle length prior to the final menstrual period (FMP), age at the FMP, and higher prevalence of vasomotor symptoms. The menopausal transition is associated with weight gain and increased central body fat distribution; the majority of evidence suggests that changes in weight are due to chronological aging whereas changes in body composition and fat distribution are primarily due to ovarian aging. Continuous and regular physical activity during mid-life may be an efficacious strategy to counteract the age-related and menopause-related changes in resting energy expenditure and to prevent weight gain and abdominal adiposity deposition.