Harold David McIntyre, Professor - Brisbane, Australia

Professor David McIntyre's visit to Denmark centres on the analysis of Danish and Australian data regarding elevated glucose levels in pregnancy and associated pregnancy complications. The ultimate aim is to both inform future clinical research and develop consensus based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) within the Danish health care system. This visit will allow him to gain a deeper understanding of Danish health care, to interact directly with a range of clinical and academic colleagues and to collaborate on data analyses.

The key questions for my research collaboration with Danish colleagues are:

1. What is the health burden of potentially preventable adverse pregnancy outcomes, associated with use of the current Danish process and diagnostic thresholds for GDM as compared to those recommended by IADPSG / WHO? (i.e. are there excess adverse outcomes in currently untreated women)
   
   
2. What would be the projected cost of changing from current Danish criteria to IADPSG criteria for GDM?  (i.e. additional diagnostic and treatment costs required for increased numbers of women classified as GDM)
   
   
3. In view of the balance between benefits and costs, can we reach a Danish consensus for best practice diagnosis and treatment of GDM?
   
   
4. Which further studies should be undertaken to advance our knowledge of and treatment for GDM?
   
   
5. What are the consequences of changing from current to IADPSG criteria for the socioeconomic distribution of GDM related adverse outcomes?

The primary aim of this research collaboration is improved recognition of, and care for, women with GDM in the Danish health care system. Professor David McIntyre will collaborate with Professor Peter Dam, University of Copenhagen (his primary host), with Associate Professor Dorte Møller Jensen, University of Southern Denmark and with Professor Per Ovesen, Aarhus University.