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Beta-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism among non-diabetic women with recurrent miscarriages

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Subclinical beta-cell (β-cell) dysfunction is an endocrine abnormality and its association with recurrent miscarriages (RM) has not been extensively studied.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of β-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism [fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥ 5.1 mmol/L] among non-diabetic women with recurrent miscarriages and to establish if there was an association between RM and β-cell dysfunction and FBG ≥ 5.1 mmol/L.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study involving 80 women with miscarriages at ≤ 13 weeks gestation and 80 women with normal pregnancies at ≤ 13 weeks of gestation with at least one successful live-birth and no history of miscarriage (comparison group). Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. From each participant, FBG and fasting insulin were assayed. β-Cell function was computed. The data obtained was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 22.0.

Results

A significantly higher prevalence of β-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism were observed among non-diabetic women with RM compared to age-matched controls (38.8% vs 10.0%, P < 0.001) and (27.5% vs 6.3%, P = 0.005) respectively. The mean β-cell function of the cases was 59.0% of the controls (264.41 ± 105.13 vs 447.82 ± 181.24, P < 0.001). Mean FBG was significantly higher in the case-group compared to the controls (4.77 ± 1.14 mmol/L vs 3.58 ± 0.78 mmol/L, P < 0.001). There was a significant association between RM and FBG ≥ 5.1 mmol/L and low β-cell function (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that women with recurrent miscarriages are more likely to have impaired β-cell function and abnormal glucose metabolism (FBG ≥ 5.1 mmol/L).

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the residents in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Fertile Ground hospital/IVF-ET centre for their contributions in the recruitment of the subjects for the study. We appreciate the Research and Ethical Committees for granting us approval for this study. We wish to say thank Mr. Ajiji of Chemical Pathology department JUTH for helping with processing and storage of the samples.

Funding

Self-sponsored.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus, PMB 2238, Jos, Nigeria

    Adikpe Emmanuel Edugbe, Bitrus James, Anzaku Stephen Ajen, Onyeji John & Mikah Samaila

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

    Uche Augustine Akunaeziri

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

    Christopher Orokpo Egbodo

  4. Department of Chemical Pathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

    Chidiebere Lucius Imoh

Authors
  1. Adikpe Emmanuel Edugbe
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  2. Bitrus James
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  3. Uche Augustine Akunaeziri
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  4. Christopher Orokpo Egbodo
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  5. Chidiebere Lucius Imoh
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  6. Anzaku Stephen Ajen
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  7. Onyeji John
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  8. Mikah Samaila
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Contributions

AEE: Conceptualization, original manuscript writing, data collection, data analysis/interpretation, and funding. UAA: Conceptualization, data collection, editing and proof reading. BJ: Manuscript review and editing. COE: Manuscript review and editing. CLI: Methodology, laboratory analysis, and interpretation of analysed data. OJ: Data collection. ASA: Supervision and editing. MS: Writing review and editing. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, read, and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adikpe Emmanuel Edugbe.

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Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approvals were obtained from the Research and Ethical Committees of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State Specialist Hospital, and Fertile Ground Hospital.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication.

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Edugbe, A.E., James, B., Akunaeziri, U.A. et al. Beta-cell dysfunction and abnormal glucose metabolism among non-diabetic women with recurrent miscarriages. Arch Gynecol Obstet 301, 559–564 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05407-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05407-2

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