Pregnancy induced hypertension in women with gestational carbohydrate intolerance: the diagest study

Objective: To determine the relationship between pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational glucose intolerance. Methods: A 50 g, 1 h glucose loading test was offered to all pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation in 15 centres in northern France during 8 months in 1992. If the test was positive (≥7.2 mmol/l), the woman underwent a 3 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as soon as possible. Using the criteria of Carpenter and Coustan, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was defined by two abnormal values ( n=218) and gestational mild hyperglycemia (GMH) by one abnormal value ( n=130). Each control group was defined by a 50 g, 1 h loading test result of 27 and GDM, contrary to GMH and maternal age. Conclusions: PIH appears to be linked to the level of glucose intolerance during pregnancy, independently of other known factors of hypertension.