Association between intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. A retrospective analysis

Objectives: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver specific disorder affecting 0.08%–27.6% pregnant women. It is characterized by reduced expression of the primary bile acid farnesoid receptor (FXR). In recent studies, it has been showed that FXR has an impact on normal glucose homeostasis. Based on that it was suggested that the level of bile acids correlates with glucose level. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between ICP and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).  Material and methods: 102 singleton patients complicated by ICP were included to the study and divided into two groups: non-GDM group (74 patients) and GDM group (28 patients). ICP was diagnosed based on the serum bile acids level > 10 μmol/L and GDM with the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and FIGO guidelines. Demographic and clinical outcome data (including maternal age, BMI and infant weight) and ICP and GDM biochemical markers were collected.  Results: The incidence of GDM in ICP patients was 27.45%. 73% of women included to the study developed mild cholestasis. Lower levels of serum bile acids were correlated with GDM group. When compared mean total bilirubin level was significantly higher in non-GDM group. Transaminases (ALT, AST) and neonate condition including mean birth weight revealed no significant difference between the groups. On the other hand, prevalence of large for gestational age was significantly higher in non-GDM group (p < 0.00001).  Conclusions: The incidence of ICP is higher in women with GDM

The influence of selected anthropometric parameters on psychomotor abilities among professional Rugby Union players

Abstract Background One of the most popular varieties of rugby is Rugby Union, in which a team consists of 15 players. Rugby Union is a full-contact sport, and players must demonstrate strength, endurance, speed and agility. During the match, players participate in multiple physical collisions and tackles, short-duration and high-intensity sprinting efforts. In addition, one of the elements affecting the effectiveness of the player’s game can be the reaction time of the rugby player to the visual stimulus and the ability to read the game and react to the situations on the pitch. The level of psychomotor abilities of a person or a player practising sports can be influenced by various factors, including age, body height, body weight, type of sport practised or level of training. The study aimed to analyse the psychomotor abilities of professional rugby union players, investigate the relationship between the selected anthropometric characteristics and psychomotor abilities, and compare obtained results with the control group. Methods The study covered 22 players of the Polish National Team (age: 29.3 ± 5.4) and 27 students in the control group (age: 24.3 ± 3.9). The tests were carried out using the Test2Drive computer system of tests. For psychomotor abilities analysis, four tests were used: Simple Reaction Test, Choice Reaction Time Test, Hand-Eye Coordination Test and Spatial Orientation Test. The statistical analysis compares groups using basic statistical measures, and statistically significant differences between groups were checked. In addition, multiple linear regression was used. Results The analysis showed statistically significant differences between the groups in the simple reaction time test and the movement time for the test assessing reaction time with choice and eye-hand coordination. Multiple regression analysis conducted for both groups showed a statistically significant influence of some anthropometric parameters on the examined psychomotor abilities. The calculated multiple regression models had a high fit. Conclusions The analysis showed that professional Rugby Union players have shorter movement time than the control group. For reaction time, statistically significant differences were observed only for simple reaction time. Moreover, linear regression analysis showed that body height and weight affect the selected psychomotor abilities

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy — prevalence and perinatal outcomes. A retrospective multicenter cohort study in Poland

Objectives: Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Recently adopted new criteria for the diagnosis of HIP as well as the greater prevalence of risk factors could have a significant impact on HIP prevalence. The objective of the study was to assess the rates of HIP and the associated complications. Material and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical records from pregnant women who delivered in eight tertiary hospitals in Poland in 2016. Results: The number of pregnant women with hyperglycemia totaled 1280 (7.25%), including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in 1169 (6.62%) women and pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) in 111 (0.63%). In addition to dietary modifications, 477 (41% of the GDM group) women received medical treatment (GDMG2). In women with PGDM multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) were used in 53 (47.7%) cases, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSII) in 57 (51.3%) cases and one woman was treated with metformin. The rate of cesarean sections was 69.4% and 62.9% for PGDM and GDM, respectively. Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants accounted for 38% and 21% of births in the PGDM and GDM groups, respectively. Of note are high rates of hyperbilirubinemia in infants born to mothers treated with insulin (13.5% for PGDM and 14.4% for GDMG2) vs infants born to mothers with diet (GDMG1) (3.4%). Conclusions: In Poland, the prevalence of HIP has nearly doubled in the past twenty years. Even with appropriate management, HIP is a significant risk factor for a cesarean section delivery, bearing an LGA infant and adverse neonatal outcomes