Myo-inositol nutritional supplement for prevention of gestational diabetes (EMmY): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial with nested qualitative study

Chiamaka Esther Amaefule, Zoe Drymoussi, Francisco Jose Gonzalez Carreras, Maria Del Carmen Pardo Llorente, Doris Lanz, Julie Dodds, Lorna Sweeney, Elena Pizzo, Amy Thomas, James Heighway, Jahnavi Daru, Soha Sobhy, Lucilla Poston, Asma Khalil, Jenny Myers, Angela Harden, Graham Hitman, Khalid Saeed Khan, Javier Zamora, Teresa PérezMohammed S.B. Huda, Shakila Thangaratinam*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Objectives To determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised trial on the effects of myo-inositol in preventing gestational diabetes in high-risk pregnant women. Design A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot randomised trial with nested qualitative evaluation. Setting Five inner city UK National Health Service hospitals Participants Multiethnic pregnant women at 12 +0 and 15 +6 weeks' gestation with risk factors for gestational diabetes. Interventions 2 g of myo-inositol or placebo, both included 200 μg folic acid, twice daily until delivery. Primary outcome measures Rates of recruitment, randomisation, adherence and follow-up. Secondary outcome measures Glycaemic indices (including homoeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance HOMA-IR), gestational diabetes (diagnosed using oral glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks and by delivery), maternal, perinatal outcomes, acceptability of intervention and costs. Results Of the 1326 women screened, 58% (773/1326) were potentially eligible, and 27% (205/773) were recruited. We randomised 97% (198/205) of all recruited women (99 each in intervention and placebo arms) and ascertained outcomes in 90% of women (178/198) by delivery. The mean adherence was 52% (SD 44) at 28 weeks' and 34% (SD 41) at 36 weeks' gestation. HOMA-IR and serum insulin levels were lower in the myo-inositol vs placebo arm (mean difference -0.6, 95% CI -1.2 to 0.0 and -2.69, 95% CI -5.26 to -0.18, respectively). The study procedures were acceptable to women and healthcare professionals. Women who perceived themselves at high risk of gestational diabetes were more likely to participate and adhere to the intervention. The powder form of myo-inositol and placebo, along with nausea in pregnancy were key barriers to adherence. Conclusions A future trial on myo-inositol versus placebo to prevent gestational diabetes is feasible. The intervention will need to be delivered in a non-powder form to improve adherence. There is a signal for efficacy in reducing insulin resistance in pregnancy with myo-inositol. Trial registration number ISRCTN48872100.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere052788
Number of pages9
JournalBMJ open
Volume12
Issue number3
Early online date11 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 11 Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Keywords

  • 1506
  • Obstetrics and gynaecology
  • diabetes in pregnancy
  • health economics
  • maternal medicine
  • public health
  • qualitative research

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