The plasma logarithm of the triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol ratio is a predictor of low risk gestational diabetes in early pregnancy

BackgroundThe plasma lipid profile changes atherogenically during normal pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can exacerbate the changes in metabolism. The logarithm of the ratio triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol is an atherogenic index of the plasma (AIP) and can be used as a marker for plasma atherogenicity.MethodsSerum of 576 unrelated Euro-Brazilian pregnant women was collected and the subjects were classified as healthy pregnant women (control, n = 288) and gestational diabetic patients (GDM, n = 288) according to the ADA 2010 criteria. Both studied groups were sub classified in 4 gestational periods: (i) 12–23, (ii) 24–28, (iii) 29–32 and (iv) > 32 weeks of gestation.ResultsExcept for the AIP, the other parameters showed low discrimination between control and GDM groups (ROC curves). When analyzed by ROC curves the AIP of subjects in the early period of gestation showed sensitivity and specificity of 82.6% and 83.4%, respectively, with a cut-off point of 0.099 (AUC 0.886, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe AIP is a valuable index to identify pregnant women with low risk of gestational diabetes before 24 weeks of gestation.

► The use of triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio in gestational diabetes is proposed. ► In early pregnancy (< 24 weeks) a log(TG/HDL-c) < 0.099 indicate a low risk for GDM. ► The log(TG/HDL-c) has potential as a valuable index for GDM.