<b>Pharmacological Management of Gestational Hypertension and Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tertiary Hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan</b>

Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) drive substantial maternal–neonatal morbidity in low-resource settings, where screening pathways, pharmacotherapy, and supply chains are variable. Objective: To quantify prescribing patterns and guideline-concordant therapy for GH/GDM and identify patient- and system-level predictors of adherence and medication availability in tertiary hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Methods: We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study (December 2024–May 2025). Hospital logs (N=10,500) provided prevalence; an analytic cohort of pregnant women with confirmed GH and/or GDM (n=379) completed structured interviews with record verification. Primary outcome was guideline-concordant pharmacotherapy; secondary outcomes were adherence (good/poor) and medication availability (never/sometimes/always). Multivariable logistic, multinomial, and ordinal models adjusted for prespecified confounders; effects are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs. Results: In logs, GH prevalence was 2.21%, GDM 1.05%, and co-occurrence 0.35%. In the cohort, diagnoses were GH 61.2%, GDM 29.0%, and both 9.8%. Methyldopa (55.9%) and metformin (31.9%) predominated; insulin use was 0.53%. Knowledge of GH/GDM favored adherence (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16–0.52), and balanced diet improved adherence with stronger effects in overweight/obese strata (e.g., Overweight Balanced OR 24.98, 95% CI 3.99–156.42). Knowledge” was associated with higher recorded complications (mild OR 1.84; severe OR 6.98), consistent with surveillance/detection rather than causal harm. Medication availability was higher at Allied (OR 1.94 vs DHQ) and lower at Government General (OR 0.42); rural residence reduced availability (OR 0.24). Conclusion: Pharmacological management favored methyldopa and metformin with strikingly low insulin uptake, and availability varied by hospital and residence. Standardized screening, insulin pathways, targeted nutrition counseling, and supply-chain stabilization are immediate priorities.

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Journal
Journal of Health Wellness and Community Research
Published
2025-10-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.61919/37vmqp08
Primary Topic
Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
Type
article
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article

Pharmacological Management of Gestational Hypertension and Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tertiary Hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Humaira Muzaffar, Sidra Altaf, Tasawar Iqbal, Kainat Sawar
Journal of Health Wellness and Community Research
Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
article

Pharmacological Management of Gestational Hypertension and Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tertiary Hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Humaira Muzaffar, Sidra Altaf, Tasawar Iqbal, Kainat Sawar
article en

Abstract

Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) drive substantial maternal–neonatal morbidity in low-resource settings, where screening pathways, pharmacotherapy, and supply chains are variable. Objective: To quantify prescribing patterns and guideline-concordant therapy for GH/GDM and identify patient- and system-level predictors of adherence and medication availability in tertiary hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Methods: We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study (December 2024–May 2025). Hospital logs (N=10,500) provided prevalence; an analytic cohort of pregnant women with confirmed GH and/or GDM (n=379) completed structured interviews with record verification. Primary outcome was guideline-concordant pharmacotherapy; secondary outcomes were adherence (good/poor) and medication availability (never/sometimes/always). Multivariable logistic, multinomial, and ordinal models adjusted for prespecified confounders; effects are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs. Results: In logs, GH prevalence was 2.21%, GDM 1.05%, and co-occurrence 0.35%. In the cohort, diagnoses were GH 61.2%, GDM 29.0%, and both 9.8%. Methyldopa (55.9%) and metformin (31.9%) predominated; insulin use was 0.53%. Knowledge of GH/GDM favored adherence (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16–0.52), and balanced diet improved adherence with stronger effects in overweight/obese strata (e.g., Overweight Balanced OR 24.98, 95% CI 3.99–156.42). Knowledge” was associated with higher recorded complications (mild OR 1.84; severe OR 6.98), consistent with surveillance/detection rather than causal harm. Medication availability was higher at Allied (OR 1.94 vs DHQ) and lower at Government General (OR 0.42); rural residence reduced availability (OR 0.24). Conclusion: Pharmacological management favored methyldopa and metformin with strikingly low insulin uptake, and availability varied by hospital and residence. Standardized screening, insulin pathways, targeted nutrition counseling, and supply-chain stabilization are immediate priorities.

Journal of Health Wellness and Community Research
Government College University, Faisalabad (PK), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (PK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 64%
Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
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