Uptake, feasibility, cost and cost effectiveness of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary care
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN02232125 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN02232125 |
| Protocol serial number | NA |
| Sponsor | Health Research Board (Ireland) |
| Funder | Health Research Board (Ireland) |
- Submission date
- 31/08/2012
- Registration date
- 27/09/2012
- Last edited
- 27/11/2015
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that affects women during pregnancy. It is common and is associated with serious complications for the mother and baby. While the need for GDM screening is broadly accepted, there is a debate as to what form this should take, with some advocating universal screening of all pregnant women and others selective screening of high-risk subgroups only. The aim of this study is to find out whether screening all pregnant women for GDM in primary care is clinically effective and cost effective.
Who can participate?
Pregnant women visiting the maternity clinic at Galway University Hospitals (GUH) at 18-20 weeks gestation.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to either primary care or secondary care screening for GDM. All women are invited for an oral glucose tolerance test (a test for GDM) at 24-28 weeks gestation.
In the primary care screening group, women are tested in their local GP clinic. In the secondary care screening group, women are tested in the maternity unit at GUH. All women with GDM are offered consultations with a dietician and a diabetes nurse specialist and are instructed to self-monitor their blood sugar levels over the remainder of their pregnancy. Women who do not respond to lifestyle changes after two weeks are prescribed insulin for the remainder of their pregnancy. Data is collected to examine how well screening works in primary care compared to screening in secondary care.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Not provided at time of registration.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2012 to September 2014.
Who is funding the study?
This study is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB), an Irish government agency.
Who is the main contact?
Professor Fidelma Dunne
fidelma.dunne@nuigalway.ie
Contact information
Scientific
National University of Ireland
Galway (NUI Galway)
School of Medicine
Clinical Sciences Institute
University Road
Galway
Eire
Ireland
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Uptake, feasibility, cost and cost effectiveness of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary care |
| Study objectives | The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary care. Null hypothesis: There is no difference between universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary care and secondary care. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Clinical Research Ethics Committee, Galway University Hospital, 03/08/2012, ref: C.A. 753 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| Intervention | The target population for the study includes all women, ordinarily resident in the Galway University Hospitals (GUH) catchment area, who present with pregnancy . Following recruitment, eligible women will be randomized to either the primary care or secondary care screening groups. All women who consent to participate in the study, regardless of their randomized screening group, will be invited for a 2-hour 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at between 24-28 weeks gestation. The process of care for each group will differ only in terms of the setting where testing is provided: Primary Care Screening Group: All women randomized to this group will be tested in their local GP clinic. Following randomization, a study researcher will notify each woman that her screening will be conducted at the GP clinic. In addition, a letter, Study Information Sheet, and a GDM Screening Test Pack will be sent to the woman's GP. The GP will be asked to contact the woman to attend the clinic for the purposes of conducting an OGTT at between 24-28 weeks gestation. The GP will be asked to perform the OGTT using the materials provided and, as per usual care, to send the test sample to the laboratory at GUH for analysis. Secondary Care Screening Group: All women randomized to this group will be tested in the maternity unit at GUH. Following randomization, a study researcher will notify each woman that their screening will be conducted at the hospital. A study researcher will send the name of the woman to the maternity clinic with the instruction to contact the woman to attend the clinic for the purposes of conducting an OGTT at between 24-28 weeks gestation. As per usual care, the test samples will be sent to the laboratory at GUH for analysis. Laboratory Analysis, Diagnosis and Patient Notification All test samples will be analyzed at the laboratory at GUH. Each ATLANTIC DIP study test sample will have a study-specific label to enable identification. The Roche Modular Analytics <P> Chemistry Systems will be employed to measure plasma glucose. The hexokinase method is used and is based on the work of Schmidt, Peterson and Young, is a recognized reference method. GDM will be defined according to the new International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria (IADPSG, 2010). We will apply the cut-off values for a diagnosis of GDM of: fasting, 1 hour or 2 hour glucoses ≥5.1mmol/l (92mg/dl), 10mmol/l (180mg/dl) or 8.5mmol/l (153mg/dl) respectively. Primary Care Screening Group: As per usual care, the laboratory will send the test results directly to the GP clinic and the GP will inform the woman of her result. For positive test results, the GP will be directed to contact the maternity clinic at GUH to make an appointment to initiate an appropriate GDM treatment regimen. The maternity clinic will be requested to make an appointment at the GDM clinic for those women diagnosed with GDM and to inform them of same. Secondary Care Screening Group: As per usual care, the laboratory will send the test results directly to the maternity clinic that in turn will inform the woman of her result. The maternity clinic will be requested to make an appointment at the GDM clinic for those women diagnosed with GDM and to inform them of same. For positive test results, the woman will be contacted to attend the maternity unit to initiate an appropriate GDM treatment regimen. Post Screening: Diagnosis, GDM Treatment, Antenatal Care, Delivery, and Neonatal Care All women with positive results will be contacted by the maternity clinic to attend the hospital for GDM treatment. This will involve lifestyle intervention, blood glucose self-monitoring and, if required, insulin. In terms of lifestyle intervention, all women with GDM will be offered consultations with a dietician and/or a diabetes nurse specialist. In terms of self-monitoring, all women will be instructed to self-monitor over the remainder of their pregnancy. Women who do not respond to lifestyle intervention after two weeks will be prescribed insulin for the remainder of their pregnancy. Antenatal care for women with GDM will be provided by specialists in diabetes and obstetrics in secondary care and by GPs in primary care. All deliveries will take place at the maternity unit at GUH where the process of care may consist of normal vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery (including forceps and/or ventose), elective caesarean section, and/or emergency caesarean section delivery. Where necessary, an infant of a woman with GDM may be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at GUH. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Uptake of screening offer |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. GDM prevalence |
| Completion date | 30/09/2014 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 784 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Women who present with pregnancy at the maternity clinic at Galway University Hospitals (GUH) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Pregnant women with pre-diagnosed diabetes or pre-diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Ireland
Study participating centre
Eire
Ireland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/11/2015 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 17/01/2014 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
