Higher serum uric acid levels linked with gestational diabetes mellitus risk

The findings of the study were:

Elevated uric acid levels before 24 weeks of gestation were strongly associated with the risk of GDM.

Compared to women with uric acid levels below 240umol/L, those with levels between 240-300 had a risk ratio (RR) for GDM of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.29-1.56), and those with levels above 300 had an RR of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.55-2.15).

The researchers also found that elevated uric acid levels were associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes, including GDM A2, preterm birth, and GDM combined with preeclampsia.

Based on these findings, the PI concluded that elevated uric acid levels before 24 weeks of gestation are associated with an increased risk of GDM and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. They suggest that measuring serum uric acid levels before 18 weeks of gestation may be particularly useful for identifying pregnant women at low or intermediate risk for GDM who may benefit from early intervention.

Reference:

Yue, C., Ying, C., & Li, X. (2023). Elevated serum uric acid is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: an observational cohort study. In The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The Endocrine Society. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac760