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Aims: To determine risk factors for 1‐year postpartum weight retention (PPWR) and glucose intolerance (prediabetes + diabetes) in women with a previous history of gestational diabetes (GDM) and prediabetes in early postpartum. Methods: In this exploratory analysis of the MELINDA randomized controlled trial, we report data of 167 women with prediabetes at the 6–16 weeks (early) postpartum oral glucose tolerance test after a recent history of GDM. Results: Of all participants, 45% (75) had PPWR >0 kg at 1‐year postpartum. Compared to women without PPWR, women with PPWR had higher gestational weight gain [10.5 ± 6.4 vs. 6.5 ± 4.5 kg, p < 0.001], higher BMI (p < 0.01) and a worse metabolic profile (higher waist circumference, worse lipid profile and more insulin resistance) (all p < 0.05) both in early and late postpartum. Of all women with PPWR, 40.0% developed metabolic syndrome, compared to 18.9% of women without late PPWR (p = 0.003). The only independent predictor for late PPWR was weight retention in early postpartum (p < 0.001). Of all participants, 55.1% (92) had glucose intolerance (84 prediabetes, 8 diabetes) 1‐year postpartum. Independent predictors for late postpartum glucose intolerance were lower gestational age at start insulin therapy in pregnancy and delivery by caesarean section (resp. p = 0.044 and 0.014). Conclusions: In women with a previous history of GDM and prediabetes in early postpartum, PPWR in early postpartum was a strong independent predictor for late PPWR, while earlier start of insulin therapy during pregnancy and delivery by caesarean section were independent predictors of glucose intolerance in late postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate whether single use of 4 mm needles combined with education about injection technique and lipohypertrophy affects HbA1c, hypoglycaemia and glucose variability. Methods: Insulin‐injecting people with diabetes recruited from nine Belgian diabetes centres were prospectively followed for 6 months. They were provided 4 mm pen needles and education concerning injection technique using an online platform (BD and Me™) based on the international Forum for Injection Technique & Therapy Recommendations focused on avoidance of lipohypertrophy zones and reduction of needle reuse. Results: A total of 171 people with diabetes were included of which 146 completed the study. At baseline, lipohypertrophy was present in 63.0% of those who completed the study, with 51.4% injecting in zones of lipohypertrophy, 37.0% incorrectly rotating and 95.9% reusing needles. After the intervention, 7.5% still injected in a lipohypertrophy zone, 4.1% rotated incorrectly and needle reuse decreased to 21.2%. The number of participants with severe hypoglycaemias (from 15.8% to 4.1%, p < 0.001), unexplained hypoglycaemias (from 46.6% to 16.4%, p < 0.001) and high glucose variability (from 64.4% to 29.5%, p < 0.001) was significantly reduced. HbA1c and total daily insulin dose remained stable. Conclusion: The combination of 4 mm pen needles and online education on injection techniques significantly reduced the number of people with severe hypoglycaemic episodes, unexplained hypoglycaemia and high glucose variability but did not improve HbA1c control nor lower insulin needs. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04659330. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]