Administration of a diabetes-specific formula can improve postprandial glycemic control and delay insulin use in gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial from two centers

Ruihua Yang; Weiling Han; Wei Zheng; Dong Xu; Jing He; Xianxian Yuan; Li Zhang; Zhihong Tian; Guanghui Li

doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.001

Administration of a diabetes-specific formula can improve postprandial glycemic control and delay insulin use in gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial from two centers

Clin Nutr. 2024 Nov 6;43(12):265-274. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ruihua Yang¹, Weiling Han¹, Wei Zheng¹, Dong Xu², Jing He², Xianxian Yuan¹, Li Zhang¹, Zhihong Tian¹, Guanghui Li³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China.
² Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
³ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China. Electronic address: liguanghui@ccmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 点击这里下载-->> 39536397
DOI: 点击这里下载-->> 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.001

Abstract

Background and aims: There have been limited studies on the application of a diabetes-specific formula in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the role of which has not been well studied. We explored the effect of a diabetes-specific formula on blood glucose levels, insulin use and pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients.

Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 112 GDM patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (56) and the control group (56). Both groups received individualized dietary counseling. The intervention group consumed a soy-protein-based, high-monounsaturated-fatty-acid, and multi-fiber diabetes-specific formula as milk replacement for breakfast and an extra meal after dinner. All participants were followed up every two weeks until delivery. The blood glucose levels, insulin use and pregnancy outcomes between the groups were compared.

Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower 2h postprandial blood glucose levels after breakfast (5.84 ± 0.56 vs. 6.15 ± 0.44 mmol/L, p = 0.008), and exhibited higher postprandial time in range values (83.80 % vs. 78.95 %, p = 0.045). The intervention group used insulin later (33 vs. 28 weeks, p = 0.015) and for fewer days (36 vs 78 days, p = 0.024), but no differences in the proportion, dose or frequency of insulin use between the groups. There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between the groups.

Conclusions: The diabetes-specific formula significantly decreased postprandial blood glucose levels and improved postprandial glycemic control in GDM patients. Moreover, it delayed the initiation of insulin use and reduced the duration of insulin therapy. Our findings may offer a potential new approach for achieving better personalized blood glucose control in GDM patients.

Registration number of clinical trial: NCT03957603 (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov).

Keywords: Blood glucose; Diabetes-specific formula; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Glycemic control; Insulin.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03957603