Determination of the most important risk factors of gestational diabetes in Iran by group analytical hierarchy process

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of gestational diabetes has a significant increase during recent years. This disease has complications for mother and her baby. Screening is an opportunity for preventing of gestational diabetes complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to determine the most important risk factors for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Iran according to the expert's views by Group Analytical Hierarchy Process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, papers related to the prevalence and risk factors of GDM in Iran from 1992-2015 were reviewed. By studying texts and Up to Date databases, 10 risk factors for gestational diabetes were collected. Among these 10 items, the risk factors that have become significant based on studying literature in Iran were selected for analysis. Group Analytical Hierarchy Process (GAHP) questionnaire distributed among all experts. RESULTS: 8 risk factors of gestational diabetes were significant in Iran. The analysis of experts' views showed that "History of GDM or disorder in glucose tolerance in pregnancy" is the most important risk factor for developing GDM (40.7%). The second and third most important risk factors were "History of macrosomia (infant birth weight > 4.1 Kg)" (20.2%) and" History of diabetes in first degree relatives" (10.7%). CONCLUSION: Suggesting screening based on the determined order of these risk factors can reduce the cost and stress in pregnant women. Also, it makes patient identifying faster. The healthcare sector can consider these priorities determined in experts' views to prevent gestational diabetes.