Course introduction

Overview

This online course, prepared by Patricia Gatbonton, explores the issue of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) especially in the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (the ASEAN region).

The course describes the risk factors and region-specific guidelines for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, paying special attention to issues raised by the patient’s ethnicity.

The roles of nutrition and exercise are considered, leading to an understanding of the importance of good glucose control in improving maternal and fetal outcomes.

Learning objectives

After successfully completing this course you will be able to:

• Describe the prevalence of GDM in the ASEAN region
• Compare the differences between the relevant treatment guidelines (Endocrine Society, ADA, IDF, UNITE CPG)
• Explain the importance of close collaboration between diabetologists and gynaecologists, particularly during labor and delivery
• Recognise the need for post partum screening and follow-up of GDM patients.

Target audience

Endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals treating diabetes.

Instructions for participation

There are no fees for participating in this online activity.

This online course is expected to take approximately 60 minutes for completion.

As you progress through the course material there are several short true/false and multiple-choice questions. The answers to the questions are provided in the following slides or video. These questions are not part of the course assessment but provide focus for you to reflect on the material covered in the previous section.

Once you have completed the activity, you should undertake the final assessment test comprising 12 questions. If you achieve a score of 80% or greater you will be able to download a certificate.

Disclosure

All EXCEMED programmes are organized solely to promote the exchange and dissemination of scientific and medical information. No forms of promotional activities are permitted. There may be presentations discussing investigational uses of various products. These views are the responsibility of the named speakers, and do not represent an endorsement or recommendation on the part of EXCEMED. This programme is made possible thanks to an educational grant received from Merck.

Faculty

Patricia B. Gatbonton, MD, FPCP, FPSEM 

Chairman of the Department of Medicine
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital,
Manila, the Philippines

Biography

Patricia Gatbonton, an Internal medicine (endocrinology) specialist, is Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Manila, Philippines. She is also the Chief copy editor of the Journal of ASEAN Endocrine societies. She has a passion for continuing medical education and public health education. Her award winning article, ‘Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus is probably Diabetic’ is a reminder to us all that we need to take every opportunity to improve communication with patients and the public about health issues.

Faculty disclosure

Disclosure of faculty relationships

EXCEMED adheres to guidelines of the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, which state that programs awarding continuing education credits must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. Investigative and other uses for pharmaceutical agents, medical devices, and other products (other than those uses indicated in approved product labeling/package insert for the product) may be presented in the program (which may reflect clinical experience, the professional literature or other clinical sources known to the presenter). We ask all presenters to provide participants with information about relationships with pharmaceutical or medical equipment companies that may have relevance to their lectures. This policy is not intended to exclude faculty who have relationships with such companies; it is only intended to inform participants of any potential conflicts so participants may form their own judgments, based on full disclosure of the facts. Further, all opinions and recommendations presented during the program and all program-related materials neither imply an endorsement, nor a recommendation, on the part of EXCEMED. All presentations solely represent the independent views of the presenters/authors. The following faculty provided information regarding significant commercial relationships and/or discussions of investigational or non-EMEA/FDA approved (off-label) uses of drugs.

Patricia B. Gatbonton has been an advisory board member for, and received speaker’s honoraria and CME travel grants from, Merck Serono, Eli Lilly and Novartis. She has received speaker’s honoraria and CME travel grants from Sanofi Aventis and Johnson & Johnson. She has also received Phase III and Post marketing Research grants &/or (Co-investigator) from GSK, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis.