The Comparison of Insulin Resistance Between Women with Recurrent Miscarriages and Normal Women in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) has been implicated as an aetiological factor in recurrent first trimester miscarriages (RM), however, there is insufficient and conflicting evidence regarding its contribution to the occurrence of RM. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and recurrent first- trimester miscarriages in comparison with first-trimester normal pregnancies. Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study involved 80 women with a history of RM and 80 women with first-trimester pregnancies with at least one live birth and no history of miscarriage (control group). Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain relevant information including age, gravidity, parity, gestational age and number of consecutive miscarriages. From each participant fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin were assayed by automated colourimetric enzymatic analysis and BIOS Human insulin ELISA kits respectively. Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results: Prevalence of IR in case and control groups were 48.8% and 27.5% respectively. Insulin resistance was significantly higher in cases compared to the controls. Fasting blood glucose was significantly higher in women with RM than in the control group. There was no significant difference between fasting insulin of women with RM and controls. Conclusion: This study suggests that women with recurrent first-trimester miscarriages are more likely to have underlying insulin resistance with higher fasting blood glucose levels compared to women with normal first-trimester pregnancies.