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Changes in Screening, Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review Publisher



Qaderi K1 ; Shamsabadi A2 ; Haseli A1 ; Ghane Ezabadi S3 ; Asadi L4 ; Jesmani Y5 ; Kalhor M6 ; Jamali B7 ; Kajbafvala M8 ; Khodavirdilou R9 ; Mohammadi A5 ; Rasoal D10
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Clinical Research Development Center, Motazedi Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health Information Technology, Esfarayen Faculty of Medical Science, Esfarayen, Iran
  3. 3. Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  4. 4. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
  8. 8. Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
  10. 10. School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden

Source: Heliyon Published:2024


Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical complication of pregnancy, and it can lead to complications for the mother and the infant/fetus. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to describe the changes in screening, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of gestational diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The systematic review was conducted from December 2019 until January 1, 2022. To find articles related to the purpose of the study, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and WHO were searched using relevant and validated keywords using MeSH/Emtree. Results: In total, 675 entries were ascertained from the database inquiry, and 17 scholarly works were deemed suitable for inclusion in the final review. The salient conclusions derived from this review were as follows: (a) During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in the use of OGTTs and a rise in the use of HbA1c assays for both GDM screening and diagnosing. (b) A predominant number of physicians incorporated some variation of telemedicine to remotely supervise and conduct follow-up evaluations of patients with GDM. Various strategies are presented for the provision of prenatal care to women afflicted with GDM, such as concentrating on high-risk demographics, the initiation of lifestyle modifications at early stages, and the implementation of remote patient monitoring techniques. The 'single test procedure' is identified as the most suitable for the preliminary screening of GDM. The OGTT should be assigned clinical precedence in patients at high risk during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) was established as the primary management strategy, and the most influential determinant of the transition from dietary adjustments to pharmacotherapy was the Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels during the second trimester. Conclusion: Suggested strategies for GDM screening and management during the pandemic integrated into routine antenatal care, emphasized the importance of remote diabetes education and technology utilization during health emergencies. © 2024