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Association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of postpartum hypertension: a cohort study in women with gestational diabetes

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 31, pages 725–730 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Previous studies in general people indicated that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) increased the risk of subsequent hypertension after delivery. Some studies found that women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) had an increased risk of HDP. However, very few studies have assessed the association between HDP and the risk of postpartum hypertension among GDM women. To evaluate the association between HDP and the risk of postpartum hypertension among GDM women, a retrospective cohort study was conducted in 1261 women with prior GDM at their postpartum 1–5 years using the baseline data from Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program. Cox regression models were applied to assess the single and joint associations of having a history of HDP, maternal pre-pregnancy Body mass index (BMI) (normal weight, overweight and obesity), and weight change from preconception to post-delivery with the risk of subsequent hypertension among the GDM women. We found that GDM women with a history of HDP, high pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain >7 kg from preconception to post-delivery had an increased risk of postpartum hypertension. Joint effects analysis revealed that the positive association between a history of HDP in the index pregnancy and the risk of postpartum hypertension was consistent in GDM women with different levels of pre-pregnancy BMI or weight gain from preconception to post-delivery. In conclusion, a history of HDP, high pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain >7 kg from preconception to post-delivery increase the risk of subsequent hypertension in postpartum 1–5 years among GDM women.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the grant from European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)/Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS)/Lilly programme for Collaborative Research between China and Europe, Tianjin Women’s and Children’s Health Center and Tianjin Public Health Bureau. Dr GH was supported by grant from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01DK100790. We would also like to appreciate all families for participating in Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Programme. We would also like to appreciate all families for participating in Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Women’s and Children’s Health Center, Tianjin, China

    L Wang, J Leng, H Liu, S Zhang, J Wang, W Li, W Li, N Li & T Zhang

  2. Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    J Wang & G Hu

  3. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA

    A A Baccarelli

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    L Hou

  5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China

    X Yang

  6. Population Cancer Research program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Z Yu

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  1. L Wang
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  3. H Liu
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Correspondence to G Hu.

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Wang, L., Leng, J., Liu, H. et al. Association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of postpartum hypertension: a cohort study in women with gestational diabetes. J Hum Hypertens 31, 725–730 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2017.46

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