The increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among women of reproductive age poses significant health risks for both mothers and their fetuses. Optimising blood glucose levels during pregnancy is particularly challenging, even with a combination of oral antidiabetic agents and insulin therapy. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been shown to lower glucose levels in non-pregnant populations and has demonstrated safety in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid diseases. In addition to its glucose-lowering effects, HCQ also exhibits immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Given that both T2DM and pregnancy are pro-inflammatory states, inadequate glycaemic control may exacerbate adverse pregnancy outcomes. We hypothesise that adjunctive treatment with HCQ in this cohort could improve glycaemic control, reduce systemic inflammation and subsequently lower the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This is a prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial involving 56 pregnant women diagnosed with T2DM. Participants will be randomly allocated, using computerised randomisation software, into either a control group receiving standard care or an intervention group receiving standard care with HCQ 200 mg daily. The primary outcomes will be the difference in glycaemic parameters and inflammatory markers. Secondary outcomes include the assessment of pregnancy outcomes between the groups, such as gestational age at delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, fetal macrosomia and shoulder dystocia.

This protocol has been approved by the National University of Malaysia Ethics Committee (JEP-2023–866). Study findings will be disseminated via presentations at academic conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals and professional training and meetings to healthcare professionals.

This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06319560) on 23 January 2024.

To examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES), financial subsidies and awareness-related factors such as age, cancer stage and family history, and the uptake of cancer genetic testing, with a focus on equitable access to care.

Retrospective cohort study.

Tertiary care cancer genetics service in Singapore.

The study population included 2687 individuals of all ages, genders and ethnicities who attended pretest counselling between 2014 and 2020 and were eligible for genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes.

The primary outcome was the uptake of genetic testing. The main explanatory variables were SES (proxied by Housing Index), subsidy status, age, cancer stage and family history. Analyses examined whether associations varied across SES and age subgroups.

Receipt of financial subsidies was strongly associated with testing uptake (adjusted OR 9.15, 95% CI 2.68 to 31.20). Uptake exceeded 90% among subsidised individuals across all socioeconomic strata, compared with 56–68% among non-subsidised individuals, with the largest gains in the lowest SES group (43 vs 28 percentage points (pp) in the highest). The level of subsidy was not associated with uptake. Younger patients (18–39 years) had higher uptake than those aged 60+ (66% vs 57%); patients with advanced cancer (stage IV) had the highest uptake (82% vs 57–66% in earlier stages); and family history was associated with increased uptake, strongest for having a child with cancer (+28 pp). Interaction analysis suggested that the additive effects of subsidies were greatest in lower SES groups and in older adults.

Financial subsidies were strongly associated with higher genetic testing uptake. Awareness indicators like age, cancer stage and family history were associated with higher uptake. The association between subsidies and uptake varied by SES and age, suggesting that subsidies may help reduce disparities and improve equitable access to genetic testing services.