Effects of WeChat platform-based nursing intervention on disease severity and maternal and infant outcomes of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Am J Transl Res. 2022 May 15;14(5):3143-3153. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of WeChat platform-based nursing intervention on the disease control and pregnancy outcomes of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A total of 112 patients with GDM treated in our hospital from December 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled, and their clinical data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 61 pregnant women were given routine nursing as the control group (Con group), and the other 51 were given WeChat platform-based interactive continuous nursing intervention as the observation group (Obs group). The blood glucose (BG) of the two groups before and after nursing was compared, and their self-management level and nursing satisfaction were evaluated. The maternal and infant outcomes of the two groups were also compared.

Results: Before nursing, BG and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the two groups were comparatively high, without notable difference between the two groups (P>0.05); after nursing, the levels of fasting blood glucose, 2 hour postprandial blood glucose (2h-PG), and HbA1c in the Obs group decreased significantly, and were significantly lower than those in the Con group (P<0.05). Additionally, the two groups were similar in self-management level scores before nursing (P>0.05), while after nursing, the scores of diet management, exercise management, BG monitoring management and foot care management in the Obs group increased and were significantly higher than those in the Con group (P<0.05). The Obs group expressed significantly higher nursing satisfaction than the Con group (χ2=6.078, P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in Obs group was lower than that in Con group (χ2-5.566, P<0.05). According to the analysis of risk factors, older age, pre-pregnancy BMI ≥24 kg/m2, and history of diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women, while WeChat platform-based interactive continuous nursing was a protective factor against adverse pregnancy outcome (P<0.05).

Conclusion: WeChat platform-based interactive continuous nursing intervention can help patients master comprehensive self-management skills to achieve good control of GDM, improve their satisfaction toward nursing and lower the risk of adverse outcome.

Keywords: WeChat platform; adverse maternal and child outcomes; gestational diabetes mellitus; nursing intervention.