This study proposes an evidence-based strategy for screening postpartum dysglycemia.

The data in this study are derived from a large cohort of South Asian women who were followed on a long-term basis after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus using International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria in the index pregnancy.

We propose three screening strategies as an alternative to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during the postpartum period: FPG alone (the most economical approach), HbA1c alone (the most convenient approach), and combined FPG and HbA1c (the overall best approach).

Use of a combination cutoff [FPG ≥ 6.1 mmol/L or HbA1c ≥ 6.0% (42 mmol/mol)] avoided OGTT in 80.9% of the study cohort, without missing the diagnosis of diabetes in any study subject.