Screening for Gastric Sensory Motor Abnormalities in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

ObjectiveTo determine the frequency of gastric sensory motor symptoms in youth with type 1 diabetes.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate symptoms of delayed gastric emptying in participants with type 1 diabetes, aged 12 to 25 years, using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) questionnaire. In addition, a 5-year (January 2015 to December 2019), a retrospective study was completed on all gastric emptying scans performed in youth at our institution.ResultsA total of 359 participants (mean age, 17.7 ± 3.33 years) with type 1 diabetes completed the GCSI questionnaire. Compared with nonresponders, responders were more likely to be non-Hispanic White (90% vs 86%; P =.003) and female patients (58% vs 44%; P <.0001), with a lower HbA1c (8.1 ± 1.8 vs 9.0 ± 2.1; P <.0001). At least 1 gastrointestinal symptom was reported in 270 (75%) of responders, of which nausea was the most common (71%). A GCSI score of ≥1.9 suggestive of more severe gastrointestinal symptoms was reported in 17% of responders. Participants with scores ≥1.9 were older (19.1 ± 3.0 vs 17.8 ± 3.3 years; P =.01). In the retrospective study, 778 underwent gastric emptying scan, 29 participants had type 1 diabetes and 11 (38%) showed delayed gastric emptying.ConclusionGastrointestinal symptoms related to gastric sensory motor abnormalities are seen in youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes. In particular, for those with higher GCSI scores, earlier recognition and referral may be warranted.     

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is seen at a younger age and at a higher prevalence in patients with type 1 diabetes than in the general population. It is well described that women with type 1 diabetes have a higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease than men with type 1 diabetes, unlike that seen in the general population. The pathophysiology behind this is unknown.ObjectiveWe performed a cross-sectional study to examine sex differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes between ages 13 and 20 years, compared with children of a similar age without type 1 diabetes.MethodsAll patients underwent a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan to measure body composition and a pulse wave test measure of arterial elasticity. Fasting serum lipid levels, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein C-III levels were measured in each patient. Twenty-nine children with type 1 diabetes (10 girls, 19 boys) and 37 healthy children (18 girls, 19 boys) participated.ResultsAlthough no sex differences for body mass index (P = 0.91) and glycosylated hemoglobin (P = 0.69) were seen, girls with type 1 diabetes had a significantly higher percent trunk fat compared with boys (P = 0.004). No sex differences were found (P > 0.05) for percent trunk fat in adolescents without diabetes. There was no sex difference among any other cardiovascular risk factors in either children with or without diabetes.ConclusionsFemale adolescents with type 1 diabetes have more centrally distributed fat, which may contribute to their relatively higher cardiovascular disease risk. Attenuation of the central distribution of fat through exercise and dietary modifications may help ameliorate their subsequent cardiovascular disease burden.     

Risk Factors for Hearing Impairment in Type 1 Diabetes

Objective: Studies have demonstrated that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a significant predictor of hearing impairment in type 1 diabetes. We identified additional factors associated with hearing impairment in participants with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and its observational follow-up, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study.Methods: A total of 1,150 DCCT/EDIC participants were recruited for the Hearing Study. A medical history, physical measurements, and a self-administered hearing questionnaire were obtained. Audiometry was performed by study-certified personnel and assessed centrally. Logistic regression models assessed the association of risk factors and comorbidities with speech- and high-frequency hearing impairment.Results: Mean age was 55 ± 7 years, duration of diabetes 34 ± 5 years, and DCCT/EDIC HbA1c 7.9 ± 0.9% (63 mmol/mol). In multivariable models, higher odds of speech-frequency impairment were significantly associated with older age, higher HbA1c, history of noise exposure, male sex, and higher triglycerides. Higher odds of high-frequency impairment were associated with older age, male sex, history of noise exposure, higher skin intrinsic florescence (SIF) as a marker of tissue glycation, higher HbA1c, nonprofessional/nontechnical occupations, sedentary activity, and lower low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Among participants who previously completed computed tomography and carotid ultrasonography, coronary artery calcification (CAC) >0 and carotid intima-medial thickness were significantly associated with high-but not speech-frequency impairment.Conclusion: Consistent with previous reports, male sex, age, several metabolic factors, and noise exposure are independently associated with hearing impairment. The association with SIF further emphasizes the importance of glycemia—as a modifiable risk factor—over time. In addition, the macrovascular contribution of CAC is novel and important.Abbreviations: AER = albumin excretion rate; CAC = coronary artery calcification; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DCCT/EDIC = Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; ETDRS = Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; IMT = intima-media thickness; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; OR = odds ratio; SIF = skin intrinsic fluorescence; T1D = type 1 diabetes     

Waist Circumference as a Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Excess waist circumference (WC) is a frequently used indicator of abdominal obesity and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Nonetheless, search of the literature revealed no prospective studies on the association between WC and CVD events in diabetic patients. In this study, the clinical significance and implications of WC as a cardiovascular and metabolic risk indicator was prospectively investigated in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, baseline data on WC, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were collected and subsequent CVD (coronary heart disease and stroke) events during the following 8 years were studied in 1,424 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients, and the cross ‐ sectional/longitudinal associations between WC and CVD risk factors/events were analyzed. Mean WC levels were significantly increased according to the number of coexisting risk factors. However, no significant difference in mean WC between subgroups with and without CVD events was noted, and excess WC alone was not predictive of subsequent CVD events either in male or female subjects even after adjustment for age, smoking, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In female patients, excess WC (≥80 cm) was predictive of CVD events only with the coexistence of hypertension. In Japanese diabetic patients, excess WC alone, although a good marker for clustering of CVD risk factors, did not raise the risk of CVD events unless accompanied by hypertension in female patients. Further investigations are necessary before WC as a risk factor can be utilized in clinical settings for the management of diabetes in this population.     

How Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Translate Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data into Diabetes Management Decisions

Objective: To understand how patients use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data in their diabetes management.Methods: We surveyed patients who regularly used CGM (>6 days per week), using 70 questions, many scenario-based. The survey had 6 sections: patient characteristics, general CGM use, hypoglycemia prevention and management, hyperglycemia prevention and management, insulin dosing adjustments (both for incidental hyperglycemia not at meals and at mealtimes), and real-time use versus retrospective analysis.Results: The survey was completed by 222 patients with type 1 diabetes. In response to a glucose of 220 mg/dL, the average correction dose adjustment based on rate of change arrows varied dramatically. Specifically, when the CGM device showed 2 arrows up (glucose increasing >3 mg/dL/minute), respondents stated they would increase their correction bolus, on average, by 140% (range, 0 to 600%). Conversely, 2 arrows down (glucose decreasing >3 mg/dL/minute) caused respondents to reduce their dose by 42%, with 24% omitting their dose entirely. Furthermore, 59% of respondents stated they would delay a meal in response to rapidly rising glucose, whereas 60% would wait until after a meal to bolus in response to falling glucose levels. With a glucose value of 120 mg/dL and a falling glucose trend, 70% of respondents would prophylactically consume carbohydrates to avoid hypoglycemia.Conclusion: CGM users utilize CGM data to alter multiple aspects of their diabetes care, including insulin dose timing, dose adjustments, and in hypoglycemia prevention. The insulin adjustments are much larger than common recommendations. Additional studies are needed to determine appropriate insulin adjustments based on glucose trend data.Abbreviations: A_1c = hemoglobin A_1c CGM = continuous glucose monitoring ROC = rate of change SMBG = self-monitored blood glucose     

Diabetes Status and Race are Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Obese Adolescents

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers in obese adolescents based on diabetes status and race in order to improve risk-reduction intervention strategies.MethodsThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of obese adolescents, age 10 to 21 years, who were evaluated at Children’s of Alabama between 2000 and 2012. Subjects were classified by glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) as having normoglycemia, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).ResultsThere were a total of 491 African American (AA) or Caucasian American (CA) subjects. Body mass index was not different between HbA_1c and racial groups. Compared to subjects with normoglycemia or prediabetes, subjects with T2DM had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC) (178.6 ± 43.8 mg/dL vs. 161.5 ± 32.5 mg/dL vs. 162.4 ± 30.6 mg/dL; P < .0001) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (107.4 ± 39.2 mg/dL vs. 97.0 ± 31.0 mg/dL vs. 97.5 ± 26.9 mg/dL; P = .0073). Compared with AA subjects, CA subjects had lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (40.4 ± 10.4 mg/dL vs. 44.3 ± 11.9 mg/dL; P = .0005) and higher non-HDL-C levels (129.6 ± 36.2 mg/dL vs. 122.5 ± 37.5 mg/dL; P = .0490). Of the characteristics studied, HbA_1c had the most significant positive association with dyslipidemia and was strongly correlated with both TC (β, 4.21; P < .0001) and non-HDL-C (β, 4.3; P < .0001).ConclusionObese adolescents with T2DM have more abnormal lipoprotein profiles than those with normoglycemia or prediabetes. Obese CA adolescents have more abnormal lipids than obese AA adolescents. HbA_1c was the characteristic most highly associated with abnormal lipoprotein profiles in our subjects. Our results show that CVD risk markers in obese adolescents vary by race and HbA_1c concentration. (Endocr Pract. 2015;21:165-173)     

Diabetic Polyneuropathy Relates to Bone Metabolism and Markers of Bone Turnover in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Greater Effects in Male Patients

BackgroundThere is evidence that diabetic polyneuropathy (PNP) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in type 1 diabetes but little is known about the impact of diabetic PNP on bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate differences in bone metabolism by measuring markers of bone turnover and BMD in men and postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and diabetic PNP compared with those without PNP. Gender differences were analyzed for both groups of patients.MethodsOne hundred twenty patients with type 2 diabetes, 68 without PNP (43 men, 25 women, mean age 62 [8] years) and 52 with PNP (28 men, 24 women, mean age 64 [8] years) were studied. Clinical parameters with bone turnover biomarkers such as osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen were measured in all patients. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to evaluate BMD was performed in a subgroup of patients.ResultsAfter controlling for age, body mass index, duration of diabetes, smoking, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance, serum C-reactive protein, creatinine, calcium, gamma-glutamyltransferase, parathyroid and sex hormones levels, presence of micro/macrovascular complications, statin- as well as diabetes-related therapies, levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide were significantly higher among patients with PNP when compared with patients without PNP (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). Differences in bone biomarkers were more pronounced among men with diabetes. BMD did not differ significantly between patients with and without PNP, independent of gender.ConclusionsMale patients with PNP exhibit a higher rate of bone turnover than men without PNP. High rate of bone turnover increases the susceptibility for developing osteoporosis. Prevention of diabetic PNP might also reduce the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Prevention of Weight Gain in Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione (TZD) commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, is associated with weight gain. Our study was designed to examine the effectiveness of three lifestyle‐treatment programs of varying intensity on prevention of pioglitazone‐induced weight gain and to measure the composition of the change in body weight. Thirty‐nine adult overweight and obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were all treated with pioglitazone and prospectively randomized to one of three lifestyle‐treatment programs with increasing level of intensity for 24 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography, and multifrequency bioimpedance analysis both before and after therapy. Subjects demonstrated a “dose‐response” effectiveness to three levels of lifestyle intervention to mitigate pioglitazone‐induced weight gain. Mean (s.d.) weight change (kg) for the usual, standard, and intensive lifestyle groups were 4.9 ± 4.9 (P = 0.005), 1.8 ± 3.4 (P = 0.02), and ?0.2 ± 4.4 (NS) respectively. Total body fat increased 2.6 ± 3.4 kg (P = 0.04) for the usual group and decreased for the intensive group ?0.4 ± 3.5 (NS). Change in abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) did not differ between groups, although ratio of visceral/subcutaneous fat decreased for the standard and intensive groups (NS). Both usual (P < 0.05) and standard care (NS) groups gained total body water. This is the first prospective, randomized study that demonstrates the beneficial effect of participation in a comprehensive lifestyle‐weight‐management program on lessening of weight gain associated with pioglitazone.     

Polymorphic Gene Markers of Lipid Metabolism Are Associated with Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

In groups of type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with and without clinical signs of diabetic nephropathy (n = 62 and 68, respectively), a search was made for associations between diabetic nephropathy and the polymorphic marker ε2/ε3/ε4 of apolipoprotein E gene (APOE), I/D marker of apolipoprotein B gene (APOB), and Ser447Ter marker of lipoprotein lipase-encoding gene (LPL). The risk of diabetic nephropathy was higher in the carriers of allele ε3 and genotype ε3/ε3 of the polymorphic marker ε2/ε 3/ε4 of APOE gene as well as in the carriers of allele I and APOB genotype I/I gene (OR = 2.08 and 2.16; 1.91 and 2.11, respectively). Conversely, the carriers of allele D showed a reduced risk of this complication (OR = 0.52). No significant differences in distribution of alleles and genotypes of the polymorphic marker Ser447Ter of LPL gene were found between the groups. Our results indicate that the genes encoding two major components of lipid metabolism are involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 931–937.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Yakunina, Shestakova, Voron’ko, Vikulova, Savost’yanov, Chugunova, Shamkhalova, Dedov, Nosikov.     

Risk Factors and Primary Prevention Trials for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting in the designated immune destruction of insulin producing β-cells, usually diagnosed in youth, and associated with important psychological, familial, and social disorders. Once diagnosed, patients need lifelong insulin treatment and will experience multiple disease-associated complications. There is no cure for T1DM currently. The last decade has witnessed great progress in elucidating the causes and treatment of the disease based on numerous researches both in rodent models of spontaneous diabetes and in humans. This article summarises our current understanding of the pathogenesis of T1DM, the roles of the immune system, genes, environment and other factors in the continuing and rapid increase in T1DM incidence at younger ages in humans. In addition, we discuss the strategies for primary and secondary prevention trials of T1DM. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of this disorder''s pathogenesis, risk factors that cause the disease, as well as to bring forward an ideal approach to prevent and cure the disorder.     

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Individuals With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Compared With Controls

ObjectiveData for the association between diabetes and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) susceptibility are conflicting. We aimed to evaluate this association using an analytical cross-sectional study design.MethodsStudy participants were recruited from endocrine clinics of our hospital and belonged to 3 groups: group 1 (type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM]), group 2 (type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]), and group 3 (controls). All participants submitted blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 immunoglobulin G antibody test (LIAISON; DiaSorin) and were interviewed for a history of documented infection.ResultsWe evaluated a total of 643 participants (T1DM, 149; T2DM, 160; control, 334; mean age, 37.9 ± 11.5 years). A total of 324 (50.4%) participants were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. The seropositivity rate was significantly higher in the T1DM (55.7% vs 44.9%, P = .028) and T2DM (56.9% vs 44.9%, P = .013) groups than in the control group. The antibody levels in seropositive participants with T1DM and T2DM were not significantly different from those in seropositive controls. On multivariable analysis, low education status (odds ratio [OR], 1.41 [95% CI, 1.03-1.94]; P = .035), diabetes (OR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.20-2.34]; P = .002), and overweight/obesity (OR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.10-2.10]; P = .012) showed a significant association with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. The association between diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was found to further increase in participants with coexisting overweight/obesity (adjusted OR, 2.63 [95% CI, 1.54-4.47]; P < .001).ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, assessed before the onset of the national vaccination program, was significantly higher in participants with T1DM and T2DM than in controls. The antibody response did not differ between seropositive participants with and without diabetes. These findings point toward an increased SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility for patients with diabetes, in general, without any differential effect of the diabetes type.     

Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism

IntroductionTo determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.MethodsPrevalence of type 2 DM in 609 patients with surgically verified primary hyperparathyroidism presenting between 1992 and 2003 in a tertiary care hospital setting was assessed retrospectively and compared with published data of type 2 DM prevalence in Michigan’s general population. Diagnosis of type 2 DM was made on the basis of documentation in the medical record of fasting or random blood glucose level thresholds according to the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria, history of diabetes mellitus, or therapy with antidiabetic medications.ResultsThe crude prevalence rate of type 2 DM in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was significantly higher than the prevalence in the Michigan general population (15.9% vs 7.8%, respectively; P < .001). However, this difference was not significant after age stratification except for the age group of 64 to 75 years. Because of the differential distribution of participants across age categories in the 2 groups, a standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) was estimated to account for the variance. After adjustment, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of DM between patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and the control population (SPR, 1.19 [95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.45]) except in men.ConclusionThe reported higher prevalence of type 2 DM in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism could not be confirmed in this large cohort of patients except for in older patients and in men. Because of the retrospective nature the study and the lack of appropriate controls, further studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:69-75)     

Menstrual and Reproductive Function in Women With Type 1 Diabetes

Objective: Menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess are reported to be more prevalent in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess among women with T1D and their age-matched controls.Methods: A survey requesting information regarding menstrual and reproductive histories was administered to all participants. Results were stratified according to age (18 to 40, 40 to 50, and >50 years).Results: There were no significant differences between women with and without diabetes in age at menarche, cycle length, or androgen excess in any group. Women who self-reported difficulty with glycemic control were more likely to report irregular menses than controls (P = .04). Among women who reported ever being pregnant, there were fewer pregnancies (P = .02) and live births (P = .002) in women with T1D. Women with T1D reported a lower frequency of oral contraceptive use (P = .003), despite being less likely to smoke (P = .016).Conclusion: Menstrual and reproductive abnormalities were not observed more frequently in women with T1D in this study. Subtle but measurable differences in menstrual and reproductive function were confined to the subgroup of women who perceived poor control of their diabetes. Additional prospective studies of T1D and menstrual and reproductive function would be useful.Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index CVD = cardiovascular disease DCCT = Diabetes Control and Complications Trial FAD = Familial Autoimmune and Diabetes HbA_1c = glycated hemoglobin HC = hormonal contraception T1D = type 1 diabetes     

Metformin Reduces Thyroid Cancer Risk in Taiwanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background

Whether metformin may affect thyroid cancer risk has not been studied. This study investigated the association between metformin use and thyroid cancer risk in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

The reimbursement databases of all diabetic patients from 1996 to 2009 were retrieved from the National Health Insurance. An entry date was set at 1 January 2006 and 1,414,723 patients with type 2 diabetes were followed for thyroid cancer incidence until the end of 2009. Incidences for ever-users, never-users and subgroups of metformin exposure using tertile cutoffs for cumulative duration of therapy and cumulative dose were calculated and adjusted hazard ratios were estimated by Cox regression. Additional sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

There were 795,321 ever-users and 619,402 never-users, with respective numbers of incident thyroid cancer of 683 (0.09%) and 1,614 (0.26%), and respective incidence of 24.09 and 87.33 per 100,000 person-years. The overall fully adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was 0.683 (0.598–0.780), and all categories of the dose-response parameters showed significantly lower risk with P-trends <0.0001. The protective effect of metformin on thyroid cancer incidence was also supported by sensitivity analyses, disregarding age (<50 or ≥50 years) and sex; and was not affected by excluding users of insulin, sulfonylurea, and insulin and/or sulfonylurea respectively, by previous diagnosis of other cancers or by potential detection examinations that might lead to differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for the first time that metformin use in patients with type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of thyroid cancer.     

Exenatide Therapy in Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated with Insulin

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of exenatide on clinical parameters in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose hyperglycemia is not adequately controlled despite treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, clinical progress of 52 obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide, 5 mcg twice daily, in an outpatient setting was reviewed. Treatment initiation was between September and December 2005. Mean follow-up period was 26 weeks. Thirty-eight patients took exenatide regularly (Group A); 14 patients discontinued exenatide because of insurance, personal, or economic reasons (Group B). Measurements at baseline and at follow-up included body weight; blood pressure; and levels of hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma lipids. Insulin dosage requirements were assessed.ResultsMean body weight (± standard error of the mean) decreased by 6.46 ± 0.8 kg (P < .001) in Group A and increased by 2.4 ± 0.6 kg in Group B (P < .001). In Group A, mean HbA_1c decreased by 0.6 ± 0.21% (P = .007), and the insulin dosage requirement decreased for rapid-acting and mixed insulins (P < .02). In Group A, means of the following parameters decreased: serum total cholesterol by 8.5 ± 3.3% (P = .03), triglycerides by 26 ± 7.6% (P = .01), systolic blood pressure by 9.2 ± 3.3 mm Hg (P = .02), and high-sensitivity CRP by 34 ± 14.3% (P = .05). These indices did not change in Group B.ConclusionExenatide effectively treats obese patients with type 2 diabetes on insulin, leading to weight loss and reduction in levels of HbA_lc, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and high-sensitivity CRP. (Endocr Pract 2007;13:444-450)     

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an Independent Risk Factor for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and histopathological relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and type 1 diabetes. We examined clinical pulmonary function parameters and transbronchial lung biopsies to assess associated histopathological changes in 12 type 1 diabetic patients presenting with dyspnea. Lung CT images pulmonary function tests from 12 diabetic patients without dyspnea and from 12 matched normal subjects served as controls. A similar histopathological analysis, including cytokine levels and pro-fibrotic markers, was performed on lung tissues in mice after the induction of experimental diabetes in an attempt to strengthen the link between diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV1, TLC, and DLco/VA) were significantly reduced in diabetic patients with dyspnea and without dyspnea, compared to controls. Both patient groups also had increased lung CT scores and symptoms compared to normal controls, though the greatest increases were in the diabetic patients with dyspnea. Chronic hyperglycemia induced in mice led to histopathological changes in the lungs that were similar to those found in the human diabetic subjects and included alveoli compression by hyperplastic interstitium infiltrated with inflammatory cells and fibrotic in nature. Two inflammatory related genes, TNF-α and PAI-1, and two fibrosis-related genes, CTGF and fibronectin, demonstrated increased mRNA and protein expression in diabetic mouse lungs. In conclusion, there were significant clinical and histopathological correlations between pulmonary fibrosis and the presence of type 1 diabetes. Diabetes was clinically associated with pulmonary fibrosis and dysfunction in humans, and diabetes induction led to a similar pulmonary fibrosis in an experimental model. These clinical and non-clinical data suggest that diabetes is an independent risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis.     

Extreme Levels of HbA1c Increase Incident ESRD Risk in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Competing Risk Analysis in National Cohort of Taiwan Diabetes Study

Background

Whether HbA1c is a predictor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetes patients remains unclear. This study evaluated relationship between HbA1c and ESRD in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Patients aged ≥ 30 years who were free of ESRD (n = 51 681) were included from National Diabetes Care Management Program from 2002–2003. Extended Cox proportional hazard model with competing risk of death served to evaluate association between HbA1c level and ESRD.

Results

A total of 2613 (5.06%) people developed ESRD during a follow-up period of 8.1 years. Overall incidence rate of ESRD was 6.26 per 1000 person-years. Patients with high levels of HbA1c had a high incidence rate of ESRD, from 4.29 for HbA1c of  6.0%–6.9% to 10.33 for HbA1c ≥ 10.0% per 1000 person-years. Patients with HbA1c < 6.0% particularly had a slightly higher ESRD incidence (4.34 per 1000 person-years) than those with HbA1c  of 6.0%–6.9%. A J-shaped relationship between HbA1c level and ESRD risk was observed. After adjustment, patients with HbA1c < 6.0% and ≥ 10.0% exhibited an increased risk of ESRD (HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.62–2.44; HR: 4.42, 95% CI: 3.80–5.14, respectively) compared with those with HbA1c of 6.0%–6.9%.

Conclusions

Diabetes care has focused on preventing hyperglycemia, but not hypoglycemia. Our study revealed that HbA1c level ≥ 7.0% was linked with increased ESRD risk in type 2 diabetes patients, and that HbA1c < 6.0% also had the potential to increase ESRD risk. Our study provides epidemiological evidence that appropriate glycemic control is essential for diabetes care to meet HbA1c targets and improve outcomes without increasing the risk to this population. Clinicians need to pay attention to HbA1c results on diabetic nephropathy.     

Clinical Profile of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Young Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Seen at a Diabetes Speciality Center in India

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence and clinical profile of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among young type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients at a tertiary care diabetes center in India.MethodsElectronic medical records of T1DM patients (age at first diagnosis of T1DM ≤ 25 years) registered between January 1992 and May 2013 who had undergone ultrasonography and denied history of any alcohol intake (n = 736) were reviewed. NAFLD was diagnosed if there was any degree of fatty liver. Retinopathy was initially assessed by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and later by retinal photography. Nephropathy was diagnosed if urine protein excretion was > 500 mg/day, and neuropathy was diagnosed if a patient’s vibration perception threshold on biothesiometry was ≥ 20 V.ResultsA total of 204/736 (27.7%) T1DM patients had NAFLD. Compared to T1DM subjects without NAFLD those with NAFLD had higher body mass index (BMI) (18.9 ± 4.2 vs. 20.2 ± 4.7 kg/m², P < .001), waist circumference (67.9 ± 13.2 vs. 71.9 ± 13.3 cm, P < .05), systolic blood pressure (110 ± 15 vs. 116 ± 18 mm Hg, P < .001) and diastolic blood pressure (72 ± 9 vs. 74 ± 10 mm Hg, P < .05), while fasting blood glucose (201 ± 101 vs. 183 ± 101 mg/dL, P < .05) and alkaline phosphatase (419 [12.5] vs. 315 [15.8], P < .001) levels were lower in patients with T1DM with NAFLD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between NAFLD and retinopathy (odds ratio [OR]: 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-3.43; P = .017, after adjusting for sex, duration of diabetes, overweight/obesity, hypertension, fasting plasma glucose, nephropathy, and nephropathy (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.02-3.50; P = .042), after adjusting for sex and fasting plasma glucose.ConclusionsThis study suggests that NAFLD is also seen among T1DM patients and that it has an independent and significant association with retinopathy and nephropathy. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:1249-1257)