BJ Government Medical College launches new study to assess TB, HIV, diabetes among pregnant women

The launch of the study coincides with the World TB week. “Titled `PraGaTHi’, this study will explore how the changes in immunity due to pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) increase the risk of Tuberculosis or TB in pregnant and postpartum women,” said Dr Sanjaykumar Tambe, Principal Investigator and Professor and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BJ Government Medical College, Pune.

This study will also determine the persistence of abnormal glucose metabolism in women with GDM during the postpartum period and risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in these women. Dr Tambe further noted that this study is very important as active TB is a leading infectious cause of maternal deaths in India. Lower immunity during pregnancy increases the risk of TB during pregnancy and the postpartum phase for all women.

Dr Sanjiv Thakur, Dean of BJ Government Medical College said that for decades, the college has been conducting many clinical research studies among people affected by TB and HIV, including women living with HIV, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins. “We are proud that these researches have contributed to national and international guidelines. On the occasion of World TB Day (March 24), we are honoured to continue and enhance these partnerships with Johns Hopkins University and Weill Cornell Medical College, in securing a healthy future, and understand the interplay between TB, diabetes and HIV that adversely affects expecting mothers and their children,” Dr Thakur added.

“Women are at higher risk of TB even if they are on ART medication and the disease is well controlled. Additionally, GDM affects 16 per cent of pregnant women and results in poor maternal-infant outcomes and increases the risk of TB infections in these women,” said Dr Jyoti Mathad, Principal Investigator from Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA.

“Women with GDM are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus after delivery. The study is designed to be a longitudinal one and will describe HIV’s effect on GDM risk and GDM’s effect on the immune response to M. tuberculosis (MTB) in pregnancy,” Dr Mathad continued. The study will be implemented at Sassoon General Hospital, BJGMC, Pune, in BJ Government Medical College-Johns Hopkins University Clinical Research Site, Pune, India in collaboration with the NGO, ‘PRAYAS’.

Dr Vidya Mave, BJ Government Medical College-Johns Hopkins University Clinical Research Site Leader and Director said, “Combining and studying the impact of these diseases on each other fills an important knowledge gap around women, pregnancy, and risk of TB in India. The role of such studies is that they help us determine critical aspects of maternal and child health and provide opportunities to prevent TB and long-term effects of GDM in the mother and children.”