Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by using a Specific GDMQ-36 Questionnaire: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has physical, social, mental, and psychological consequences that can affect mothers’ Quality of Life (QOL). This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the QOL of mothers with GDM and its associated factors using a specific questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 mothers with GDM who were referred to clinics affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University and Qom University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2019–2020. The specific QOL questionnaire for women with GDM (GDMQ-36) and the demographic questionnaire were completed for participants. Independent variables were entered into the multiple linear regression model and were analyzed. RESULTS: The total Mean(SD) score of the QOL of mothers with GDM who participated in the study was 46.83 (11.66) based on percentage. The highest and lowest QOL Mean (SD) scores were obtained on the support 76.50 (14.50) and concerns about a high-risk pregnancy 31.40 (19.80), subscales, respectively. The total QOL score decreased by 7.14 and 5 points on average in mothers treated with medication regimens and mothers who had a pre-high school education, respectively. The support subscale score increased by 5 points in mothers who had a previous history of GDM. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the QOL of women with GDM had been severely affected by concerns about a high-risk pregnancy. Some individual and social factors can be associated with the QOL of mothers with GDM and its subscales.