Influences of pregravid liver enzyme levels on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background & Aims Elevated liver enzymes are associated with later development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to assess the association between prepregnancy liver enzyme levels and subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods Data from a total of 236,109 women who participated in the National Health Screening Examination between 2011 and 2015 was analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus in relation to pregravid liver enzyme levels. Subgroup analyses were performed according to pregravid obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Results Approximately 5.7% and 1.1% of women developed gestational diabetes mellitus with and without insulin treatment requirement respectively. Pregravid gamma-glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransferase levels with greater than or equal to the 4th quartile were associated with significantly increased risks of gestational diabetes mellitus requiring insulin treatment in women with obesity and with MetS, (odds ratios [ORs] with 6.228 and 9.505, respectively, P < .001 for both). In women without obesity and without MetS, the risks of gestational diabetes mellitus requiring insulin treatment were also significant (ORs with 2.837 and 3.029, respectively, P < .001 for both). The elevated pregravid liver enzymes were associated with gestational diabetes mellitus without insulin treatment requirement, but minimally. Conclusions/interpretation The elevated pregravid liver enzyme levels were significantly associated with the subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, especially gestational diabetes mellitus requiring insulin treatment, not only in women with obesity or MetS, but also in women without obesity or MetS.