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Research

As of 2005, there were 20.8 million people, or 7% of the United States population, with diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is the leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputation, kidney disease, and nerve damage and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States [1]. If trends continue linearly from now until 2050, researchers have predicted a 225% increase in the number of Americans with diagnosed DM [2]. In 2002, the direct and indirect costs of health care associated with DM were estimated at $132 billion.1 Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes first recognized during pregnancy [3]. In the United States, GDM is present in up to 14% of pregnancies depending on the population being studied. Women diagnosed with GDM have a 20-50% chance of developing type 2 diabetes (DM2) within 5-10 years of their pregnancy [4]. Diagnosis of GDM is more common in women who are overweight, women who are 25 years or older, and women of certain racial groups (i.e. Non-Hispanic White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian) [5]. The focus of the proposed intervention is to target all women who have had a GDM diagnosis and are therefore at a high risk for developing DM2.

References

  1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Diabetes Statistics. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.floyd.lib.umn.edu/dm/pubs/statistics/index.htm. Accessed January 26, 2007.
  2. Engelgau MM, Geiss LS, Saaddine JB, et al. The evolving diabetes burden in the united states. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140:945-950.
  3. Department of Health and Human Services. National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/DDTSTRS/template/ndfs_2005.pdf. Accessed September 17, 2007.
  4. American Diabetes Association. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2004;27 Suppl 1:S88-90.
  5. Minnesota Department of Health. Diabetes in Minnesota. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Health; 2007:1-2. Available from: http://www.health.state.mn.us/diabetes/FactSheet2006final.pdf. Accessed March 30, 2007.