Early second trimester retinol-binding protein-4 values in cases with or without gestational diabetes mellitus risk factors: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) has been correlated with different degrees of insulin resistance includinggestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Presence of risk factors for GDM is an indication for early screening.We studied RBP-4 values in the early second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant subjects with or without GDMrisk factors and compared the results by routine GDM screening methodology.Methods: Seventy-nine patients with at least one GDM risk factor and 46 patients without any GDM riskfactors were enrolled in the cross-sectional study as risk and control groups, respectively. In the early secondtrimester, RBP-4 values were measured, in addition to fasting plasma glucose and 50-g glucose challenge testin all subjects.Results: The RBP-4 values in 16–18th weeks of pregnancy were not significantly different between risk andcontrol groups (95.3 ± 20.1 vs 103.1 ± 24.4 µg/mL, respectively; P = 0.055) although fasting plasma glucoselevels and 50-g glucose challenge test results were higher in the risk group than the control group (75.3 vs69.3 mg/dL and 112.4 vs 97.5 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.05).Conclusion: Presence of GDM risk factors does not have an impact on early second trimester RBP-4 values inpregnant subjects.