Abstract:
Background: Insulin resistance (IR) has been implicated as an aetiological
factor in recurrent first trimester miscarriages (RM), however, there are
insufficient and conflicting evidence regarding its contribution to the
occurrence of RM. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association
between insulin resistance and recurrent first- trimester miscarriages in
comparison with first-trimester normal pregnancies. Design: Comparative
cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study involved 80 women with
history of RM and 80 women with first-trimester pregnancies with at least one
live birth and no history of miscarriage (control group). Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain relevant information
including age, gravidity, parity, gestational age and number of consecutive
miscarriages. From each participant fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin
were assayed by automated colorimetric enzymatic analysis and BIOS Human
insulin ELISA kits respectively. Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using
IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results: Prevalence of IR in case and control groups
were 48.8% and 27.5% respectively. Insulin resistance was significantly higher
in cases compared to the controls. Fasting blood glucose was significantly
higher in women with RM than in the control group. There was no significant
difference between fasting insulin of women with RM and controls.
Conclusion: This study suggests that women with recurrent first-trimester
miscarriages are more likely to have underlying insulin resistance with higher
fasting blood glucose levels compared to women with normal first trimester
pregnancies.
