Comparison of Pregnancy Mood Profiles in Gestational Diabetes and Preexisting Diabetes

Abstract

PURPOSE This study sought to answer the following questions: How does intensified diabetes management affect the patient's mood profile? Is there a relationship between levels of glycemic control and emotional profile? Which factors distinguish the emotional profile of women with pregestational diabetes from women with newly diagnosed gestational diabetes? METHODS A secondary analysis was conducted of women with newly diagnosed gestational diabetes (GDM), pregestational diabetes (PGDM), and nondiabetic controls. Those with diabetes were treated with an intensified approach. All participants responded to a questionnaire measuring bipolar subjective mood states. The relation between diabetes types, glucose characteristics during pregnancy, and mood were analyzed. RESULTS The mood profile was significantly associated with level of glycemic control in GDM women (comparable to controls). PGDM women were not affected by either level of glycemic control or diabetes class categories. The number of glucose determinations, marital status, and maternal age were related to mood profile for GDM women. CONCLUSIONS Because women with GDM and PGDM present different mood profiles in pregnancy, customized medical/behavioral goals may be needed to enhance compliance and optimize perinatal outcome.