Beta‑cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism among non‑diabetic women with recurrent miscarriages

Abstract

Background Subclinical beta-cell (β-cell) dysfunction is an endocrine abnormality and its association with recurrent miscar riages (RM) has not been extensively studied. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of β-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism [fasting blood glucose (FBG)≥5.1 mmol/L] among non-diabetic women with recurrent miscarriages and to establish if there was an association between RM and β-cell dysfunction and FBG≥5.1 mmol/L. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study involving 80 women with miscarriages at≤13 weeks gestation and 80 women with normal pregnancies at≤13 weeks of gestation with at least one successful live-birth and no history of miscarriage (comparison group). Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. From each participant, FBG and fasting insulin were assayed. β-Cell function was computed. The data obtained was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 22.0. Results A signifcantly higher prevalence of β-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism were observed among non-diabetic women with RM compared to age-matched controls (38.8% vs 10.0%, P<0.001) and (27.5% vs 6.3%, P=0.005) respectively. The mean β-cell function of the cases was 59.0% of the controls (264.41±105.13 vs 447.82±181.24, P<0.001). Mean FBG was signifcantly higher in the case-group compared to the controls (4.77±1.14 mmol/L vs 3.58±0.78 mmol/L, P<0.001). There was a significant association between RM and FBG≥5.1 mmol/L and low β-cell function (P<0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that women with recurrent miscarriages are more likely to have impaired β-cell function and abnormal glucose metabolism (FBG≥5.1 mmol/L)