The Effect of Depression and Stress Hormones on the Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Depression, Stress Hormones, and Gestational Diabetes Risk

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of depression and stress hormones on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM using serum cortisol, plasma adrenaline (A), plasma noradrenaline (NA), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Methods: 70 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were included in the patient group, and 70 pregnant women without GDM were included in the control group. International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group criteria were used for the diagnosis of GDM. Single-step 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Serum cortisol, A, and NA levels were measured. BDI was used to investigate depressive symptoms.
Results: The patient and control groups were similar in terms of age, BMI gravidity, and parity. When compared with the control group, A and NA levels were significantly higher in the patient group (p=0.016, p=0.033, respectively). BDI results in the patient group were similar to those in the control group (p=0.151). The mean A levels of 33 pregnant women with minimal depression were 110.59±35.03 pg/mL, the mean A levels of 31 pregnant women with mild depression were 126.65±22.33 pg/mL, and the mean A levels of pregnant women with moderate depression were 95.09±30.86 pg/mL. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.005).
Conclusion: This study suggests that the sympathoadrenal system may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of GDM in pregnant women rather than depression. However, larger prospective studies are needed to further elucidate the relationship between depression, stress hormones, and GDM.