Anxiety tied to increased blood sugar in pregnant women with diabetes: Study

Pregnancy is a time of increased vulnerability for the development of anxiety and depression. The estimated prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression varies between studies. The prevalence of antenatal depression is estimated to be between 7% and 20% in high- income countries while rates of 20% or more have been reported in low- and middle-income countries, although less research has been conducted in these areas.

Therefore, Björg Ásbjörnsdóttir and associates from the Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Departments of Endocrinology and Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark conducted this study to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes compared with pregnant women without diabetes. Secondly, to explore whether anxiety and/or depression symptoms in early pregnancy have an impact on blood sugar control and gestational weight gain.

The authors carried out a prospective cohort study of 90 consecutive singleton pregnant women with type 2 diabetes and 88 singleton pregnant women without diabetes. All women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire in early and late pregnancy. A score ≥8 in the anxiety or depression scale was used to define anxiety and/or depression symptoms.

It was seen that anxiety and/or depression symptoms were present in 40% of women with type 2 diabetes and 7% of women without diabetes in early pregnancy (Relative Risk=5.87 (95% Confidence Interval: 2.60-13.22). The figures were similar in late pregnancy. In women with type 2 diabetes and anxiety and/or depression symptoms in early pregnancy, HbA1c (mean±SD) was 52±14 vs. 49±11 mmol/mol (6.9±1.2 vs. 6.6±1.0%), p=0.31 in early pregnancy and 43±8 vs. 40±4 mmol/mol (6.1±0.7 vs. 5.8±0.4%), p=0.04 in late pregnancy compared with women without symptoms. Gestational weight gain was similar in both groups.

Hence, the authors concluded that "In women with type 2 diabetes, 40% had anxiety and/or depression symptoms in early pregnancy. Women with these symptoms obtained less optimal glycaemic control in late pregnancy but similar gestational weight gain as the remaining women."