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A Qualitative Assessment of Provider and Client Experiences With 3- and 6-Month Dispensing Intervals of Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Multimonth dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a differentiated model of care that can help overcome health system challenges and reduce the burden of HIV care on clients. Although 3-month dispensing has been the standard of care, interest has increased in extending refill intervals to 6 months. We explored client and provider experiences with MMD in Malawi as part of a cluster randomized trial evaluating 3- versus 6-month ART dispensing.Methods:Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 ART providers and 62 stable, adult clients with HIV on ART. Clients and providers were evenly divided by arm and were eligible for an interview if they had been participating in the study for 1 year (clients) or 6 months (providers). Questions focused on perceived challenges and benefits of the 3- or 6-month amount of ART dispensing. Interviews were transcribed, and data were coded and analyzed using constant comparison.Results:Both clients and providers reported that the larger medication supply had benefits. Clients reported decreased costs due to less frequent travel to the clinic and increased time for income-generating activities. Clients in the 6-month dispensing arm reported a greater sense of personal freedom and normalcy. Providers felt that the 6-month dispensing interval reduced their workload. They also expressed concerned about clients' challenges with ART storage at home, but clients reported no storage problems. Although providers mentioned the potential risk of clients sharing the larger medication supply with family or friends, clients emphasized the value of ART and reported only rare, short-term sharing, mostly with their spouses. Providers mentioned clients' lack of motivation to seek care for illnesses that might occur between refill appointments.Conclusions:The 6-month ART dispensing arm was particularly beneficial to clients for decreased costs, increased time for income generation, and a greater sense of normalcy. Providers' concerns about storage, sharing, and return visits to the facility did not emerge in client interviews. Further data are needed on the feasibility of implementing a large-scale program with 6-month dispensing.




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Insights Into Provider Bias in Family Planning from a Novel Shared Decision Making Based Counseling Initiative in Rural, Indigenous Guatemala




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National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans Supporting the Vision of Universal Health Coverage




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Issues and Events




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Erratum. Ten-Year Outcome of Islet Alone or Islet After Kidney Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Parallel-Arm Cohort Study. Diabetes Care 2019;42:2042-2049




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Sex Disparities in Cardiovascular Outcome Trials of Populations With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sex differences have been described in diabetes cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs).

PURPOSE

We systematically reviewed for baseline sex differences in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV protection therapy in diabetes CVOTs.

DATA SOURCES

Randomized placebo-controlled trials examining the effect of diabetes medications on major adverse cardiovascular events in people ≥18 years of age with type 2 diabetes.

STUDY SELECTION

Included trials reported baseline sex-specific CV risks and use of CV protection therapy.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently abstracted study data.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We included five CVOTs with 46,606 participants. We summarized sex-specific data using mean differences (MDs) and relative risks (RRs) and pooled estimates using random effects meta-analysis. There were fewer women than men in included trials (28.5–35.8% women). Women more often had stroke (RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.09, 1.50), heart failure (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.21,1.40), and chronic kidney disease (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.17; 1.51). They less often used statins (RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.86, 0.93), aspirin (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.71, 0.95), and β-blockers (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.88, 0.97) and had a higher systolic blood pressure (MD 1.66 mmHg; 95% CI 0.90, 2.41), LDL cholesterol (MD 0.34 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.29, 0.39), and hemoglobin A1c (MD 0.11%; 95% CI 0.09, 0.14 [1.2 mmol/mol; 1.0, 1.5]) than men.

LIMITATIONS

We could not carry out subgroup analyses due to the small number of studies. Our study is not generalizable to low CV risk groups nor to patients in routine care.

CONCLUSIONS

There were baseline sex disparities in diabetes CVOTs. We suggest efforts to recruit women into trials and promote CV management across the sexes.




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Effects of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Metrics of Glycemic Control in Diabetes: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides important information to aid in achieving glycemic targets in people with diabetes.

PURPOSE

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CGM with usual care for parameters of glycemic control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

DATA SOURCES

Many electronic databases were searched for articles published from inception until 30 June 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

We selected RCTs that assessed both changes in HbA1c and time in target range (TIR), together with time below range (TBR), time above range (TAR), and glucose variability expressed as coefficient of variation (CV).

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from each trial by two investigators.

DATA SYNTHESIS

All results were analyzed by a random effects model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95% CI. We identified 15 RCTs, lasting 12–36 weeks and involving 2,461 patients. Compared with the usual care (overall data), CGM was associated with modest reduction in HbA1c (WMD –0.17%, 95% CI –0.29 to –0.06, I2 = 96.2%), increase in TIR (WMD 70.74 min, 95% CI 46.73–94.76, I2 = 66.3%), and lower TAR, TBR, and CV, with heterogeneity between studies. The increase in TIR was significant and robust independently of diabetes type, method of insulin delivery, and reason for CGM use. In preplanned subgroup analyses, real-time CGM led to the higher improvement in mean HbA1c (WMD –0.23%, 95% CI –0.36 to –0.10, P < 0.001), TIR (WMD 83.49 min, 95% CI 52.68–114.30, P < 0.001), and TAR, whereas both intermittently scanned CGM and sensor-augmented pump were associated with the greater decline in TBR.

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity was high for most of the study outcomes; all studies were sponsored by industry, had short duration, and used an open-label design.

CONCLUSIONS

CGM improves glycemic control by expanding TIR and decreasing TBR, TAR, and glucose variability in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.




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Evaluation of Factors Related to Glycemic Management in Professional Cyclists With Type 1 Diabetes Over a 7-Day Stage Race

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors related to glycemic management among members of a professional cycling team with type 1 diabetes over a 7-day Union Cycliste Internationale World Tour stage race.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

An observational evaluation of possible factors related to glycemic management and performance in six male professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes (HbA1c 6.4 ± 0.6%) during the 2019 Tour of California.

RESULTS

In-ride time spent in euglycemia (3.9–10.0 mmol/L glucose) was 63 ± 11%, with a low percentage of time spent in level 1 (3.0–3.9 mmol/L; 0 ± 1% of time) and level 2 (<3.0 mmol/L; 0 ± 0% of time) hypoglycemia over the 7-day race. Riders spent 25 ± 9% of time in level 1 (10.1–13.9 mmol/L) and 11 ± 9% in level 2 (>13.9 mmol/L) hyperglycemia during races. Bolus insulin use was uncommon during races, despite high carbohydrate intake (76 ± 23 g ⋅ h–1). Overnight, the riders spent progressively more time in hypoglycemia from day 1 (6 ± 12% in level 1 and 0 ± 0% in level 2) to day 7 (12 ± 12% in level 1 and 2 ± 4% in level 2) (2[1] > 4.78, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes have excellent in-race glycemia, but significant hypoglycemia during recovery overnight, throughout a 7-day stage race.




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Intrahepatic Fat and Postprandial Glycemia Increase After Consumption of a Diet Enriched in Saturated Fat Compared With Free Sugars

OBJECTIVE

Debate continues regarding the influence of dietary fats and sugars on the risk of developing metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the effect of two eucaloric diets, one enriched with saturated fat (SFA) and the other enriched with free sugars (SUGAR), on intrahepatic triacylglycerol (IHTAG) content, hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and whole-body postprandial metabolism in overweight males.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Sixteen overweight males were randomized to consume the SFA or SUGAR diet for 4 weeks before consuming the alternate diet after a 7-week washout period. The metabolic effects of the respective diets on IHTAG content, hepatic DNL, and whole-body metabolism were investigated using imaging techniques and metabolic substrates labeled with stable-isotope tracers.

RESULTS

Consumption of the SFA diet significantly increased IHTAG by mean ± SEM 39.0 ± 10.0%, while after the SUGAR diet IHTAG was virtually unchanged. Consumption of the SFA diet induced an exaggerated postprandial glucose and insulin response to a standardized test meal compared with SUGAR. Although whole-body fat oxidation, lipolysis, and DNL were similar following the two diets, consumption of the SUGAR diet resulted in significant (P < 0.05) decreases in plasma total, HDL, and non-HDL cholesterol and fasting β-hydroxybutyrate plasma concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of an SFA diet had a potent effect, increasing IHTAG together with exaggerating postprandial glycemia. The SUGAR diet did not influence IHTAG and induced minor metabolic changes. Our findings indicate that a diet enriched in SFA is more harmful to metabolic health than a diet enriched in free sugars.




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Both Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Are Associated With Lower Heart Rate Variability: The Maastricht Study

OBJECTIVE

Low heart rate variability (HRV), a marker for cardiac autonomic dysfunction, is a known feature of type 2 diabetes, but it remains incompletely understood whether this also applies to prediabetes or across the whole glycemic spectrum. Therefore, we investigated the association among prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and measures of glycemia and HRV.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In the population-based Maastricht Study (n = 2,107; mean ± SD age 59 ± 8 years; 52% men; normal glucose metabolism [n = 1,226], prediabetes [n = 331], and type 2 diabetes [n = 550, oversampled]), we determined 24-h electrocardiogram-derived HRV in time and frequency domains (individual z-scores, based upon seven and six variables, respectively). We used linear regression with adjustments for age, sex, and major cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

After adjustments, both time and frequency domain HRV were lower in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes as compared with normal glucose metabolism (standardized β [95% CI] for time domain: –0.15 [–0.27; –0.03] and –0.34 [–0.46; –0.22], respectively, P for trend <0.001; for frequency domain: –0.14 [–0.26; –0.02] and –0.31 [–0.43; –0.19], respectively, P for trend <0.001). In addition, 1-SD higher glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and 2-h postload glucose were associated with lower HRV in both domains (time domain: –0.16 [–0.21; –0.12], –0.16 [–0.21; –0.12], and –0.15 [–0.20; –0.10], respectively; frequency domain: –0.14 [–0.19; –0.10], –0.14 [–0.18; –0.09], and –0.13 [–0.18; –0.08], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes were independently associated with lower HRV. This is further substantiated by independent continuous associations between measures of hyperglycemia and lower HRV. These data strongly suggest that cardiac autonomic dysfunction is already present in prediabetes.




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Underweight Increases the Risk of End-Stage Renal Diseases for Type 2 Diabetes in Korean Population: Data From the National Health Insurance Service Health Checkups 2009-2017

OBJECTIVE

There is a controversy over the association between obesity and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in people with or without type 2 diabetes; therefore, we examined the effect of BMI on the risk of ESRD according to glycemic status in the Korean population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study monitored 9,969,848 participants who underwent a National Health Insurance Service health checkup in 2009 from baseline to the date of diagnosis of ESRD during a follow-up period of ~8.2 years. Obesity was categorized by World Health Organization recommendations for Asian populations, and glycemic status was categorized into the following five groups: normal, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), newly diagnosed diabetes, diabetes <5 years, and diabetes ≥5 years.

RESULTS

Underweight was associated with a higher risk of ESRD in all participants after adjustment for all covariates. In the groups with IFG, newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, diabetes duration <5 years, and diabetes ≥5 years, the hazard ratio (HR) of the underweight group increased with worsening glycemic status (HR 1.431 for IFG, 2.114 for newly diagnosed diabetes, 4.351 for diabetes <5 years, and 6.397 for diabetes ≥5 years), using normal weight with normal fasting glucose as a reference. The adjusted HRs for ESRD were also the highest in the sustained underweight group regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes (HR 1.606 for nondiabetes and 2.14 for diabetes).

CONCLUSIONS

Underweight showed more increased HR of ESRD according to glycemic status and diabetes duration in the Korean population. These associations also persisted in the group with sustained BMI during the study period.




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Diabetes, Cognitive Decline, and Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Diverse Hispanics/Latinos: Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging Results (HCHS/SOL)

OBJECTIVE

Hispanics/Latinos are the largest ethnic/racial group in the U.S., have the highest prevalence of diabetes, and are at increased risk for neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, little is known about the relationship between diabetes and cognitive decline and disorders among diverse Hispanics/Latinos. The purpose of this study is to clarify these relationships in diverse middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The Study of Latinos–Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) is an ancillary study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). HCHS/SOL is a multisite (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA), probability-sampled (i.e., representative of targeted populations), and prospective cohort study. Between 2016 and 2018, SOL-INCA enrolled diverse Hispanics/Latinos aged ≥50 years (n = 6,377). Global cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were the primary outcomes.

RESULTS

Prevalent diabetes at visit 1, but not incident diabetes at visit 2, was associated with significantly steeper global cognitive decline (βGC = –0.16 [95% CI –0.25; –0.07]; P < 0.001), domain-specific cognitive decline, and higher odds of MCI (odds ratio 1.74 [95% CI 1.34; 2.26]; P < 0.001) compared with no diabetes in age- and sex-adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes was associated with cognitive decline and increased MCI prevalence among diverse Hispanics/Latinos, primarily among those with prevalent diabetes at visit 1. Our findings suggest that significant cognitive decline and MCI may be considered additional disease complications of diabetes among diverse middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos.




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The Prognosis of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Nonalbuminuric Diabetic Kidney Disease Is Not Always Poor: Implication of the Effects of Coexisting Macrovascular Complications (JDDM 54)

OBJECTIVE

Nonalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become the prevailing phenotype in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether its prognosis is poorer than that of other DKD phenotypes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 2,953 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, enrolled in an observational cohort study in 2004, were followed until 2015. On the basis of albuminuria (>30 mg/g creatinine) and reduced eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) at baseline, participants were classified into the four DKD phenotypes—no-DKD, albuminuric DKD without reduced eGFR, nonalbuminuric DKD with reduced eGFR, and albuminuric DKD with reduced eGFR—to assess the risks of mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and renal function decline.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up of 9.7 years, 113 patients died and 263 developed CVD. In nonalbuminuric DKD, the risks of death or CVD were not higher than those in no-DKD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.02 [95% CI 0.66, 1.60]) and the annual decline in eGFR was slower than in other DKD phenotypes. The risks of death or CVD in nonalbuminuric DKD without prior CVD were similar to those in no-DKD without prior CVD, whereas the risks in nonalbuminuric DKD with prior CVD as well as other DKD phenotypes were higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonalbuminuric DKD did not have a higher risk of mortality, CVD events, or renal function decline than the other DKD phenotypes. In nonalbuminuric DKD, the presence of macrovascular complications may be a main determinant of prognosis rather than the renal phenotype.




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The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Diabetes Management

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is a chronic health condition contributing to a substantial burden of disease. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10.9 million people were newly insured by Medicaid between 2013 and 2016. Considering this coverage expansion, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could significantly affect people with diabetes in their management of the disease. This study evaluates the impact of the Medicaid expansion under the ACA on diabetes management.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study includes 22,335 individuals with diagnosed diabetes from the 2011 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It uses a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the impact of the Medicaid expansion on self-reported access to health care, self-reported diabetes management, and self-reported health status. Additionally, it performs a triple-differences analysis to compare the impact between Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states considering diabetes rates of the states.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in Medicaid expansion states as compared with non–Medicaid expansion states were evident in self-reported access to health care (0.09 score; P = 0.023), diabetes management (1.91 score; P = 0.001), and health status (0.10 score; P = 0.026). Among states with large populations with diabetes, states that expanded Medicaid reported substantial improvements in these areas in comparison with those that did not expand.

CONCLUSIONS

The Medicaid expansion has significant positive effects on self-reported diabetes management. While states with large diabetes populations that expanded Medicaid have experienced substantial improvements in self-reported diabetes management, non–Medicaid expansion states with high diabetes rates may be facing health inequalities. The findings provide policy implications for the diabetes care community and policy makers.




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Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: The SCALE Insulin Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Most individuals with type 2 diabetes also have obesity, and treatment with some diabetes medications, including insulin, can cause further weight gain. No approved chronic weight management medications have been prospectively investigated in individuals with overweight or obesity and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg versus placebo on weight loss in this population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Satiety and Clinical Adiposity—Liraglutide Evidence (SCALE) Insulin was a 56-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational, multicenter trial in individuals with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin and ≤2 oral antidiabetic drugs.

RESULTS

Individuals were randomized to liraglutide 3.0 mg (n = 198) or placebo (n = 198), combined with intensive behavioral therapy (IBT). At 56 weeks, mean weight change was –5.8% for liraglutide 3.0 mg versus –1.5% with placebo (estimated treatment difference –4.3% [95% CI –5.5; –3.2]; P < 0.0001). With liraglutide 3.0 mg, 51.8% of individuals achieved ≥5% weight loss versus 24.0% with placebo (odds ratio 3.41 [95% CI 2.19; 5.31]; P < 0.0001). Liraglutide 3.0 mg was associated with significantly greater reductions in mean HbA1c and mean daytime glucose values and less need for insulin versus placebo, despite a treat-to-glycemic-target protocol. More hypoglycemic events were observed with placebo than liraglutide 3.0 mg. No new safety or tolerability issues were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In individuals with overweight or obesity and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 3.0 mg as an adjunct to IBT was superior to placebo regarding weight loss and improved glycemic control despite lower doses of basal insulin and without increases in hypoglycemic events.




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Dalcetrapib Reduces Risk of New-Onset Diabetes in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE

Incident type 2 diabetes is common among patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and is associated with an adverse prognosis. Some data suggest that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors reduce incident type 2 diabetes. We compared the effect of treatment with the CETP inhibitor dalcetrapib or placebo on incident diabetes in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In the dal-OUTCOMES trial, 15,871 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with dalcetrapib 600 mg daily or placebo, beginning 4–12 weeks after an acute coronary syndrome. Absence of diabetes at baseline was based on medical history, no use of antihyperglycemic medication, and hemoglobin A1c and serum glucose levels below diagnostic thresholds. Among these patients, incident diabetes after randomization was defined by any diabetes-related adverse event, new use of antihyperglycemic medication, hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5%, or a combination of at least two measurements of serum glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L (fasting) or ≥11.1 mmol/L (random).

RESULTS

At baseline, 10,645 patients (67% of the trial cohort) did not have diabetes. During a median follow-up of 30 months, incident diabetes was identified in 403 of 5,326 patients (7.6%) assigned to dalcetrapib and in 516 of 5,319 (9.7%) assigned to placebo, corresponding to absolute risk reduction of 2.1%, hazard ratio of 0.77 (95% CI 0.68–0.88; P < 0.001), and a need to treat 40 patients for 3 years to prevent 1 incident case of diabetes. Considering only those with prediabetes at baseline, the number needed to treat for 3 years to prevent 1 incident case of diabetes was 25. Dalcetrapib also decreased the number of patients who progressed from normoglycemia to prediabetes and increased the number who regressed from diabetes to no diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome, incident diabetes is common and is reduced substantially by treatment with dalcetrapib.




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Medication Adherence During Adjunct Therapy With Statins and ACE Inhibitors in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Suboptimal adherence to insulin treatment is a main issue in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. However, to date, there are no available data on adherence to adjunct noninsulin medications in this population. Our aim was to assess adherence to ACE inhibitors and statins and explore potential determinants in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

There were 443 adolescents with type 1 diabetes recruited into the Adolescent Type 1 Diabetes Cardio-Renal Intervention Trial (AdDIT) and exposed to treatment with two oral drugs—an ACE inhibitor and a statin—as well as combinations of both or placebo for 2–4 years. Adherence was assessed every 3 months with the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and pill count.

RESULTS

Median adherence during the trial was 80.2% (interquartile range 63.6–91.8) based on MEMS and 85.7% (72.4–92.9) for pill count. Adherence based on MEMS and pill count dropped from 92.9% and 96.3%, respectively, at the first visit to 76.3% and 79.0% at the end of the trial. The percentage of study participants with adherence ≥75% declined from 84% to 53%. A good correlation was found between adherence based on MEMS and pill count (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Factors associated with adherence were age, glycemic control, and country.

CONCLUSIONS

We report an overall good adherence to ACE inhibitors and statins during a clinical trial, although there was a clear decline in adherence over time. Older age and suboptimal glycemic control at baseline predicted lower adherence during the trial, and, predictably, reduced adherence was more prevalent in subjects who subsequently dropped out.




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Increase in Endogenous Glucose Production With SGLT2 Inhibition Is Unchanged by Renal Denervation and Correlates Strongly With the Increase in Urinary Glucose Excretion

OBJECTIVE

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition causes an increase in endogenous glucose production (EGP). However, the mechanisms are unclear. We studied the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on EGP in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and without diabetes (non-DM) in kidney transplant recipients with renal denervation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Fourteen subjects who received a renal transplant (six with T2D [A1C 7.2 ± 0.1%] and eight non-DM [A1C 5.6 ± 0.1%) underwent measurement of EGP with [3-3H]glucose infusion following dapagliflozin (DAPA) 10 mg or placebo. Plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and titrated glucose-specific activity were measured.

RESULTS

Following placebo in T2D, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (143 ± 14 to 124 ± 10 mg/dL; P = 0.02) and fasting plasma insulin (12 ± 2 to 10 ± 1.1 μU/mL; P < 0.05) decreased; plasma glucagon was unchanged, and EGP declined. After DAPA in T2D, FPG (143 ± 15 to 112 ± 9 mg/dL; P = 0.01) and fasting plasma insulin (14 ± 3 to 11 ± 2 μU/mL; P = 0.02) decreased, and plasma glucagon increased (all P < 0.05 vs. placebo). EGP was unchanged from baseline (2.21 ± 0.19 vs. 1.96 ± 0.14 mg/kg/min) in T2D (P < 0.001 vs. placebo). In non-DM following DAPA, FPG and fasting plasma insulin decreased, and plasma glucagon was unchanged. EGP was unchanged from baseline (1.85 ± 0.10 to 1.78 ± 0.10 mg/kg/min) after DAPA, whereas EGP declined significantly with placebo. When the increase in EGP production following DAPA versus placebo was plotted against the difference in urinary glucose excretion (UGE) for all patients, a strong correlation (r = 0.824; P < 0.001) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal denervation in patients who received a kidney transplant failed to block the DAPA-mediated stimulation of EGP in both individuals with T2D and non-DM subjects. The DAPA-stimulated rise in EGP is strongly related to the increase in UGE, blunting the decline in FPG.




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Trends in Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Admissions for Hyperglycemic Crises in Adults With Diabetes in the U.S., 2006-2015

OBJECTIVE

To report U.S. national population-based rates and trends in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) among adults, in both the emergency department (ED) and inpatient settings.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed data from 1 January 2006 through 30 September 2015 from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and National Inpatient Sample to characterize ED visits and inpatient admissions with DKA and HHS. We used corresponding year cross-sectional survey data from the National Health Interview Survey to estimate the number of adults ≥18 years with diagnosed diabetes to calculate population-based rates for DKA and HHS in both ED and inpatient settings. Linear trends from 2009 to 2015 were assessed using Joinpoint software.

RESULTS

In 2014, there were a total of 184,255 and 27,532 events for DKA and HHS, respectively. The majority of DKA events occurred in young adults aged 18–44 years (61.7%) and in adults with type 1 diabetes (70.6%), while HHS events were more prominent in middle-aged adults 45–64 years (47.5%) and in adults with type 2 diabetes (88.1%). Approximately 40% of the hyperglycemic events were in lower-income populations. Overall, event rates for DKA significantly increased from 2009 to 2015 in both ED (annual percentage change [APC] 13.5%) and inpatient settings (APC 8.3%). A similar trend was seen for HHS (APC 16.5% in ED and 6.3% in inpatient). The increase was in all age-groups and in both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Causes of increased rates of hyperglycemic events are unknown. More detailed data are needed to investigate the etiology and determine prevention strategies.




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Differential Health Care Use, Diabetes-Related Complications, and Mortality Among Five Unique Classes of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Singapore: A Latent Class Analysis of 71,125 Patients

OBJECTIVE

With rising health care costs and finite health care resources, understanding the population needs of different type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patient subgroups is important. Sparse data exist for the application of population segmentation on health care needs among Asian T2DM patients. We aimed to segment T2DM patients into distinct classes and evaluate their differential health care use, diabetes-related complications, and mortality patterns.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Latent class analysis was conducted on a retrospective cohort of 71,125 T2DM patients. Latent class indicators included patient’s age, ethnicity, comorbidities, and duration of T2DM. Outcomes evaluated included health care use, diabetes-related complications, and 4-year all-cause mortality. The relationship between class membership and outcomes was evaluated with the appropriate regression models.

RESULTS

Five classes of T2DM patients were identified. The prevalence of depression was high among patients in class 3 (younger females with short-to-moderate T2DM duration and high psychiatric and neurological disease burden) and class 5 (older patients with moderate-to-long T2DM duration and high disease burden with end-organ complications). They were the highest tertiary health care users. Class 5 patients had the highest risk of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR] 12.05, 95% CI 10.82–13.42]), end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis initiation (HR 25.81, 95% CI 21.75–30.63), stroke (HR 19.37, 95% CI 16.92–22.17), lower-extremity amputation (HR 12.94, 95% CI 10.90–15.36), and mortality (HR 3.47, 95% CI 3.17–3.80).

CONCLUSIONS

T2DM patients can be segmented into classes with differential health care use and outcomes. Depression screening should be considered for the two identified classes of patients.




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Every Fifth Individual With Type 1 Diabetes Suffers From an Additional Autoimmune Disease: A Finnish Nationwide Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantify the excess risk of autoimmune hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, Addison disease, celiac disease, and atrophic gastritis in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with nondiabetic individuals in Finland.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study included 4,758 individuals with T1D from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study and 12,710 nondiabetic control individuals. The autoimmune diseases (ADs) were identified by linking the data with the Finnish nationwide health registries from 1970 to 2015.

RESULTS

The median age of the FinnDiane individuals at the end of follow-up in 2015 was 51.4 (interquartile range 42.6–60.1) years, and the median duration of diabetes was 35.5 (26.5–44.0) years. Of individuals with T1D, 22.8% had at least one additional AD, which included 31.6% of women and 14.9% of men. The odds ratios for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, Addison disease, and atrophic gastritis were 3.43 (95% CI 3.09–3.81), 2.98 (2.27–3.90), 4.64 (3.71–5.81), 24.13 (5.60–104.03), and 5.08 (3.15–8.18), respectively, in the individuals with T1D compared with the control individuals. The corresponding ORs for women compared with men were 2.96 (2.53–3.47), 2.83 (1.87–4.28), 1.52 (1.15–2.02), 2.22 (0.83–5.91), and 1.36 (0.77–2.39), respectively, in individuals with T1D. Late onset of T1D and aging increased the risk of hypothyroidism, whereas young age at onset of T1D increased the risk of celiac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the largest studies quantifying the risk of coexisting AD in adult individuals with T1D in the country with the highest incidence of T1D in the world. The results highlight the importance of continuous screening for other ADs in individuals with T1D.




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Risk of Ipsilateral Reamputation Following an Incident Toe Amputation Among U.S. Military Veterans With Diabetes, 2005-2016

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether the risk of subsequent lower-limb amputations and death following an initial toe amputation among individuals with diabetes has changed over time and varies by demographic characteristics and geographic region.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records from 1 October 2004 to 30 September 2016, we determined risk of subsequent ipsilateral minor and major amputation within 1 year after an initial toe/ray amputation among veterans with diabetes. To assess changes in the annual rate of subsequent amputation over time, we estimated age-adjusted incidence of minor and major subsequent ipsilateral amputation for each year, separately for African Americans (AAs) and whites. Geographic variation was assessed across VHA markets (n = 89) using log-linear Poisson regression models adjusting for age and ethnoracial category.

RESULTS

Among 17,786 individuals who had an initial toe amputation, 34% had another amputation on the same limb within 1 year, including 10% who had a major ipsilateral amputation. Median time to subsequent ipsilateral amputation (minor or major) was 36 days. One-year risk of subsequent major amputation decreased over time, but risk of subsequent minor amputation did not. Risk of subsequent major ipsilateral amputation was higher in AAs than whites. After adjusting for age and ethnoracial category, 1-year risk of major subsequent amputation varied fivefold across VHA markets.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one-third of individuals require reamputation following an initial toe amputation, although risks of subsequent major ipsilateral amputation have decreased over time. Nevertheless, risks remain particularly high for AAs and vary substantially geographically.




d

The Synergic Association of hs-CRP and Serum Amyloid P Component in Predicting All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by increased death rate. In order to tackle this dramatic event, it becomes essential to discover novel biomarkers capable of identifying high-risk patients to be exposed to more aggressive preventive and treatment strategies. hs-CRP and serum amyloid P component (SAP) are two acute-phase inflammation proteins, which interact physically and share structural and functional features. We investigated their combined role in associating with and improving prediction of mortality in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Four cohorts comprising 2,499 patients with diabetes (643 all-cause deaths) were analyzed. The improvement of mortality prediction was addressed using two well-established prediction models, namely, EstimatioN oF mORtality risk in type 2 diabetiC patiEnts (ENFORCE) and Risk Equations for Complications of Type 2 Diabetes (RECODe).

RESULTS

Both hs-CRP and SAP were independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratios [HRs] [95% CIs]: 1.46 [1.34–1.58] [P < 0.001] and 0.82 [0.76–0.89] [P < 0.001], respectively). Patients with SAP ≤33 mg/L were at increased risk of death versus those with SAP >33 mg/L only if hs-CRP was relatively high (>2 mg/L) (HR 1.96 [95% CI 1.52–2.54] [P < 0.001] and 1.20 [0.91–1.57] [P = 0.20] in hs-CRP >2 and ≤2 mg/L subgroups, respectively; hs-CRP-by-SAP strata interaction P < 0.001). The addition of hs-CRP and SAP significantly (all P < 0.05) improved several discrimination and reclassification measures of both ENFORCE and RECODe all-cause mortality prediction models.

CONCLUSIONS

In type 2 diabetes, hs-CRP and SAP show opposite and synergic associations with all-cause mortality. The use of both markers, possibly in combination with others yet to be unraveled, might improve the ability to predict the risk of death in the real-life setting.




d

Multilevel Variation in Diabetes Screening Within an Integrated Health System

OBJECTIVE

Variation in diabetes screening in clinical practice is poorly described. We examined the interplay of patient, provider, and clinic factors explaining variation in diabetes screening within an integrated health care system in the U.S.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of primary care patients aged 18–64 years with two or more outpatient visits between 2010 and 2015 and no diagnosis of diabetes according to electronic health record (EHR) data. Hierarchical three-level models were used to evaluate multilevel variation in screening at the patient, provider, and clinic levels across 12 clinics. Diabetes screening was defined by a resulted gold standard screening test.

RESULTS

Of 56,818 patients, 70% completed diabetes screening with a nearly twofold variation across clinics (51–92%; P < 0.001). Of those meeting American Diabetes Association (ADA) (69%) and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (36%) screening criteria, three-quarters were screened with a nearly twofold variation across clinics (ADA 53–92%; USPSTF 49–93%). The yield of ADA and USPSTF screening was similar for diabetes (11% vs. 9%) and prediabetes (38% vs. 36%). Nearly 70% of patients not eligible for guideline-based screening were also tested. The USPSTF guideline missed more cases of diabetes (6% vs. 3%) and prediabetes (26% vs. 19%) than the ADA guideline. After adjustment for patient, provider, and clinic factors and accounting for clustering, twofold variation in screening by provider and clinic remained (median odds ratio 1.97; intraclass correlation 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening practices vary widely and are only partially explained by patient, provider, and clinic factors available in the EHR. Clinical decision support and system-level interventions are needed to optimize screening practices.




d

Trends in Bone Mineral Density, Osteoporosis, and Osteopenia Among U.S. Adults With Prediabetes, 2005-2014

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate trends in bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of osteoporosis/osteopenia in U.S. adults with prediabetes and normal glucose regulation (NGR) and further investigate the association among prediabetes, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and fracture.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We collected and analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys during the period from 2005 to 2014. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD data were available for 5,310 adults with prediabetes and 5,162 adults with NGR >40 years old.

RESULTS

A shift was observed toward a lower BMD and a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck and lumbar spine in U.S. adults >40 years old with prediabetes since 2005, especially in men <60 and women ≥60 years old. A shift toward a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck was also observed in adults >40 years old with NGR. Moreover, prediabetes was associated with a higher prevalence of hip fracture, although participants with prediabetes had higher BMD and a lower prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis at the femoral neck.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a declining trend in BMD from 2005 to 2014 in U.S. adults >40 years old with prediabetes and NGR, and this trend was more significant in men <60 years old. Populations with prediabetes may be exposed to relatively higher BMD but a higher prevalence of fracture.




d

Possible Modifiers of the Association Between Change in Weight Status From Child Through Adult Ages and Later Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association between changes in weight status from childhood through adulthood and subsequent type 2 diabetes risks and whether educational attainment, smoking, and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) modify this association.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from 10 Danish and Finnish cohorts including 25,283 individuals, childhood BMI at 7 and 12 years was categorized as normal or high using age- and sex-specific cutoffs (<85th or ≥85th percentile). Adult BMI (20–71 years) was categorized as nonobese or obese (<30.0 or ≥30.0 kg/m2, respectively). Associations between BMI patterns and type 2 diabetes (989 women and 1,370 men) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regressions and meta-analysis techniques.

RESULTS

Compared with individuals with a normal BMI at 7 years and without adult obesity, those with a high BMI at 7 years and adult obesity had higher type 2 diabetes risks (hazard ratio [HR]girls 5.04 [95% CI 3.92–6.48]; HRboys 3.78 [95% CI 2.68–5.33]). Individuals with a high BMI at 7 years but without adult obesity did not have a higher risk (HRgirls 0.74 [95% CI 0.52–1.06]; HRboys 0.93 [95% CI 0.65–1.33]). Education, smoking, and LTPA were associated with diabetes risks but did not modify or confound the associations with BMI changes. Results for 12 years of age were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

A high BMI in childhood was associated with higher type 2 diabetes risks only if individuals also had obesity in adulthood. These associations were not influenced by educational and lifestyle factors, indicating that BMI is similarly related to the risk across all levels of these factors.




d

Early Childhood Antibiotic Treatment for Otitis Media and Other Respiratory Tract Infections Is Associated With Risk of Type 1 Diabetes: A Nationwide Register-Based Study With Sibling Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The effect of early-life antibiotic treatment on the risk of type 1 diabetes is debated. This study assessed this question, applying a register-based design in children up to age 10 years including a large sibling-control analysis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

All singleton children (n = 797,318) born in Sweden between 1 July 2005 and 30 September 2013 were included and monitored to 31 December 2014. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for parental and perinatal characteristics, were applied, and stratified models were used to account for unmeasured confounders shared by siblings.

RESULTS

Type 1 diabetes developed in 1,297 children during the follow-up (median 4.0 years [range 0–8.3]). Prescribed antibiotics in the 1st year of life (23.8%) were associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.19 [95% CI 1.05–1.36]), with larger effect estimates among children delivered by cesarean section (P for interaction = 0.016). The association was driven by exposure to antibiotics primarily used for acute otitis media and respiratory tract infections. Further, we found an association of antibiotic prescriptions in pregnancy (22.5%) with type 1 diabetes (adjusted HR 1.15 [95% CI 1.00–1.32]). In general, sibling analysis supported these results, albeit often with statistically nonsignificant associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Dispensed prescription of antibiotics, mainly for acute otitis media and respiratory tract infections, in the 1st year of life is associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes before age 10 years, most prominently in children delivered by cesarean section.




d

Incidence and Associations of Chronic Kidney Disease in Community Participants With Diabetes: A 5-Year Prospective Analysis of the EXTEND45 Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of and factors associated with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in people with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified people with diabetes in the EXamining ouTcomEs in chroNic Disease in the 45 and Up Study (EXTEND45), a population-based cohort study (2006–2014) that linked the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study cohort to community laboratory and administrative data in New South Wales, Australia. The study outcome was the first eGFR measurement <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 recorded during the follow-up period. Participants with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline were excluded. We used Poisson regression to estimate the incidence of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and multivariable Cox regression to examine factors associated with the study outcome.

RESULTS

Of 9,313 participants with diabetes, 2,106 (22.6%) developed incident eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 over a median follow-up time of 5.7 years (interquartile range, 3.0–5.9 years). The eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 incidence rate per 100 person-years was 6.0 (95% CI 5.7–6.3) overall, 1.5 (1.3–1.9) in participants aged 45–54 years, 3.7 (3.4–4.0) for 55–64 year olds, 7.6 (7.1–8.1) for 65–74 year olds, 15.0 (13.0–16.0) for 75–84 year olds, and 26.0 (22.0–32.0) for those aged 85 years and over. In a fully adjusted multivariable model incidence was independently associated with age (hazard ratio 1.23 per 5-year increase; 95% CI 1.19–1.26), geography (outer regional and remote versus major city: 1.36; 1.17–1.58), obesity (obese class III versus normal: 1.44; 1.16–1.80), and the presence of hypertension (1.52; 1.33–1.73), coronary heart disease (1.13; 1.02–1.24), cancer (1.30; 1.14–1.50), and depression/anxiety (1.14; 1.01–1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

In participants with diabetes, the incidence of an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was high. Older age, remoteness of residence, and the presence of various comorbid conditions were associated with higher incidence.




d

Initial Glycemic Control and Care Among Younger Adults Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among adults under age 45. Onset of type 2 diabetes at a younger age increases an individual’s risk for diabetes-related complications. Given the lasting benefits conferred by early glycemic control, we compared glycemic control and initial care between adults with younger onset (21–44 years) and mid-age onset (45–64 years) of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from a large, integrated health care system, we identified 32,137 adults (aged 21–64 years) with incident diabetes (first HbA1c ≥6.5% [≥48 mmol/mol]). We excluded anyone with evidence of prior type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus, or type 1 diabetes. We used generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, to examine differences in glycemic control and care at 1 year.

RESULTS

Of identified individuals, 26.4% had younger-onset and 73.6% had mid-age–onset type 2 diabetes. Adults with younger onset had higher initial mean HbA1c values (8.9% [74 mmol/mol]) than adults with onset in mid-age (8.4% [68 mmol/mol]) (P < 0.0001) and lower odds of achieving an HbA1c <7% (<53 mmol/mol) 1 year after the diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.70 [95% CI 0.66–0.74]), even after accounting for HbA1c at diagnosis. Adults with younger onset had lower odds of in-person primary care contact (aOR 0.82 [95% CI 0.76–0.89]) than those with onset during mid-age, but they did not differ in telephone contact (1.05 [0.99–1.10]). Adults with younger onset had higher odds of starting metformin (aOR 1.20 [95% CI 1.12–1.29]) but lower odds of adhering to that medication (0.74 [0.69–0.80]).

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with onset of type 2 diabetes at a younger age were less likely to achieve glycemic control at 1 year following diagnosis, suggesting the need for tailored care approaches to improve outcomes for this high-risk patient population.




d

Global Disability Burdens of Diabetes-Related Lower-Extremity Complications in 1990 and 2016

OBJECTIVE

No study has reported global disability burden estimates for individual diabetes-related lower-extremity complications (DRLECs). The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study presents a robust opportunity to address this gap.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

GBD 2016 data, including prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs), for the DRLECs of diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcer, and amputation with and without prosthesis were used. The GBD estimated prevalence using data from systematic reviews and DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool. YLDs were estimated as the product of prevalence estimates and disability weights for each DRLEC. We reported global and sex-, age-, region-, and country-specific estimates for each DRLEC for 1990 and 2016.

RESULTS

In 2016, an estimated 131 million people (1.8% of the global population) had DRLECs. An estimated 16.8 million YLDs (2.1% global YLDs) were caused by DRLECs, including 12.9 million (95% uncertainty interval 8.30–18.8) from neuropathy only, 2.5 million (1.7–3.6) from foot ulcers, 1.1 million (0.7–1.4) from amputation without prosthesis, and 0.4 million (0.3–0.5) from amputation with prosthesis. Age-standardized YLD rates of all DRLECs increased by between 14.6% and 31.0% from 1990 estimates. Male-to-female YLD ratios ranged from 0.96 for neuropathy only to 1.93 for foot ulcers. The 50- to 69-year-old age-group accounted for 47.8% of all YLDs from DRLECs.

CONCLUSIONS

These first-ever global estimates suggest that DRLECs are a large and growing contributor to the disability burden worldwide and disproportionately affect males and middle- to older-aged populations. These findings should facilitate policy makers worldwide to target strategies at populations disproportionately affected by DRLECs.




d

Associations Between Racial and Ethnic Groups and Foot Self-Inspection in People With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Daily foot self-inspection may permit earlier detection and treatment of a foot lesion, reducing the risk of infection and lower-limb amputation (LLA). Though race and ethnicity are strongly associated with LLA risk, with higher risk seen in African Americans (AA), American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI), associations between foot self-inspection and racial and ethnic groups are inconsistent. We aimed to assess differences in foot self-inspection among people with diabetes by race/ethnicity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using national, cross-sectional data from the 2015–2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys and including 88,424 individuals with diabetes, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and associated 95% CIs of daily foot checking for sores or irritation by racial and ethnic groups using log-binomial linear regression models, after accounting for survey weights.

RESULTS

Compared with whites (who had a weighted prevalence [P] of daily foot self-inspection of 57%), AA (P 67%, PR 1.18 [95% CI 1.14, 1.23]), AI/AN (P 66%, PR 1.15 [95% CI 1.07, 1.25]), and NH/PI (P 71%, PR 1.25 [95% CI 1.03, 1.52]) had higher prevalences of daily foot self-inspection. The prevalence of daily foot inspection was significantly lower among Asians (P 35%, PR 0.62 [95% CI 0.48, 0.81]) and Hispanics (P 53%, PR 0.93 [95% CI 0.88, 0.99]) compared with whites. Associations did not vary importantly by insulin use, years since diabetes diagnosis, or having received diabetes self-management education.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher frequency of foot self-inspection in racial and ethnic groups at elevated risk of diabetes-related LLA is not sufficient to eliminate LLA disparities; additional interventions are needed to achieve this aim.




d

The Long-term Effects of Metformin on Patients With Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Disease

OBJECTIVE

Metformin is the first pharmacological option for treating type 2 diabetes. However, the use of this drug is not recommended in individuals with impaired kidney function because of the perceived risk of lactic acidosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of 10,426 patients with type 2 DKD from two tertiary hospitals. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) progression. The secondary outcome was metformin-associated lactic acidosis. Taking into account the possibility that patients with less severe disease were prescribed metformin, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted.

RESULTS

All-cause mortality and incident ESRD were lower in the metformin group according to the multivariate Cox analysis. Because the two groups had significantly different baseline characteristics, PSM was performed. After matching, metformin usage was still associated with lower all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.65; 95% CI 0.57–0.73; P < 0.001) and ESRD progression (aHR 0.67; 95% CI 0.58–0.77; P < 0.001). Only one event of metformin-associated lactic acidosis was recorded. In both the original and PSM groups, metformin usage did not increase the risk of lactic acidosis events from all causes (aHR 0.92; 95% CI 0.668–1.276; P = 0.629).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present retrospective study, metformin usage in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, especially those with CKD 3B, decreased the risk of all-cause mortality and incident ESRD. Additionally, metformin did not increase the risk of lactic acidosis. However, considering the remaining biases even after PSM, further randomized controlled trials are needed to change real-world practice.




d

Optimization of Metformin in the GRADE Cohort: Effect on Glycemia and Body Weight

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the effect of optimizing metformin dosing on glycemia and body weight in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a prespecified analysis of 6,823 participants in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE) taking metformin as the sole glucose-lowering drug who completed a 4- to 14-week (mean ± SD 7.9 ± 2.4) run-in in which metformin was adjusted to 2,000 mg/day or a maximally tolerated lower dose. Participants had type 2 diabetes for <10 years and an HbA1c ≥6.8% (51 mmol/mol) while taking ≥500 mg of metformin/day. Participants also received diet and exercise counseling. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c during run-in.

RESULTS

Adjusted for duration of run-in, the mean ± SD change in HbA1c was –0.65 ± 0.02% (–7.1 ± 0.2 mmol/mol) when the dose was increased by ≥1,000 mg/day, –0.48 ± 0.02% (–5.2 ± 0.2 mmol/mol) when the dose was unchanged, and –0.23 ± 0.07% (–2.5 ± 0.8 mmol/mol) when the dose was decreased (n = 2,169, 3,548, and 192, respectively). Higher HbA1c at entry predicted greater reduction in HbA1c (P < 0.001) in univariate and multivariate analyses. Weight loss adjusted for duration of run-in averaged 0.91 ± 0.05 kg in participants who increased metformin by ≥1,000 mg/day (n = 1,894).

CONCLUSIONS

Optimizing metformin to 2,000 mg/day or a maximally tolerated lower dose combined with emphasis on medication adherence and lifestyle can improve glycemia in type 2 diabetes and HbA1c values ≥6.8% (51 mmol/mol). These findings may help guide efforts to optimize metformin therapy among persons with type 2 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control.




d

A Special Thanks to the Reviewers of Diabetes Care




d

In This Issue of Diabetes Care




d

Markers of Early Life Infection in Relation to Adult Diabetes: Prospective Evidence From a National Birth Cohort Study Over Four Decades




d

Facility-Level Variation in Cardiac Stress Test Use Among Patients With Diabetes: Findings From the Veterans Affairs National Database




d

Bariatric Surgery in Patients With Obesity and Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)




d

Diabetes Care




d

Association of early disease progression and very poor survival in the GALLIUM study in follicular lymphoma: benefit of obinutuzumab in reducing the rate of early progression




d

Pre-transplant testosterone and outcome of men after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Testosterone is an important determinant of endothelial function and vascular health in men. As both factors play a role in mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), we retrospectively evaluated the impact of pre-transplant testosterone levels on outcome in male patients undergoing alloSCT. In the discovery cohort (n=346), an impact on outcome was observed only in the subgroup of patients allografted for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n=176, hereafter termed ‘training cohort’). In the training cohort, lower pre-transplant testosterone levels were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) for a decrease of 100 ng/dL: 1.11, P=0.045]. This was based on a higher hazard of non-relapse mortality (NRM) (cause-specific HR: 1.25, P=0.013), but not relapse (cause-specific HR: 1.06, P=0.277) in the multivariable models. These findings were replicated in a confirmation cohort of 168 male patients allografted for AML in a different center (OS, HR: 1.15, P=0.012 and NRM, cause-specific HR: 1.23; P=0.008). Next, an optimized cut-off point for pre-transplant testosterone was derived from the training set and evaluated in the confirmation cohort. In multivariable models, low pre-transplant testosterone status (<250 ng/dL) was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio 1.95, P=0.021) and increased NRM (cause-specific HR 2.68, P=0.011) but not with relapse (cause-specific HR: 1.28, P=0.551). Our findings may provide a rationale for prospective studies on testosterone/androgen assessment and supplementation in male patients undergoing alloSCT for AML.




d

Relationship between factor VIII activity, bleeds and individual characteristics in severe hemophilia A patients

Pharmacokinetic-based prophylaxis of replacement factor VIII (FVIII) products has been encouraged in recent years, but the relationship between exposure (factor VIII activity) and response (bleeding frequency) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between FVIII dose, plasma FVIII activity, and bleeding patterns and individual characteristics in severe hemophilia A patients. Pooled pharmacokinetic and bleeding data during prophylactic treatment with BAY 81-8973 (octocog alfa) were obtained from the three LEOPOLD trials. The population pharmacokinetics of FVIII activity and longitudinal bleeding frequency, as well as bleeding severity, were described using non-linear mixed effects modeling in NONMEM. In total, 183 patients [median age 22 years (range, 1-61); weight 60 kg (11-124)] contributed with 1,535 plasma FVIII activity observations, 633 bleeds and 11 patient/study characteristics [median observation period 12 months (3.1-13.1)]. A parametric repeated time-to-categorical bleed model, guided by plasma FVIII activity from a 2-compartment population pharmacokinetic model, described the time to the occurrence of bleeds and their severity. Bleeding probability decreased with time of study, and a bleed was not found to affect the time of the next bleed. Several covariate effects were identified, including the bleeding history in the 12-month pre-study period increasing the bleeding hazard. However, unexplained inter-patient variability in the phenotypic bleeding pattern remained large (111%CV). Further studies to translate the model into a tool for dose individualization that considers the individual bleeding risk are required. Research was based on a post-hoc analysis of the LEOPOLD studies registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: 01029340, 01233258 and 01311648.




d

Accuracy of the Ottawa score in risk stratification of recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism, knowledge of the estimated rate of recurrent events is important for clinical decision-making regarding anticoagulant therapy. The Ottawa score is a clinical prediction rule designed for this purpose, stratifying patients according to their risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism during the first six months of anticoagulation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies validating either the Ottawa score in its original or modified versions. Two investigators independently reviewed the relevant articles published from 1st June 2012 to 15th December 2018 and indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Nine eligible studies were identified; these included a total of 14,963 patients. The original score classified 49.3% of the patients as high-risk, with a sensitivity of 0.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6-0.8], a 6-month pooled rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism of 18.6% (95%CI: 13.9-23.9). In the low-risk group, the recurrence rate was 7.4% (95%CI: 3.4-12.5). The modified score classified 19.8% of the patients as low-risk, with a sensitivity of 0.9 (95%CI: 0.4-1.0) and a 6-month pooled rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism of 2.2% (95%CI: 1.6-2.9). In the high-risk group, recurrence rate was 10.2% (95%CI: 6.4-14.6). Limitations of our analysis included type and dosing of anticoagulant therapy. We conclude that new therapeutic strategies are needed in patients at high risk for recurrent cancer-associated venous thromboembolism. Low-risk patients, as per the modified score, could be good candidates for oral anticoagulation. (This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews as: PROSPERO CRD42018099506).




d

The contact system proteases play disparate roles in streptococcal sepsis

Sepsis causes an activation of the human contact system, an inflammatory response mechanism against foreign surfaces, proteins and pathogens. The serine proteases of the contact system, factor XII and plasma kallikrein, are decreased in plasma of septic patients, which was previously associated with an unfavorable outcome. However, the precise mechanisms and roles of contact system factors in bacterial sepsis are poorly understood. We, therefore, studied the physiological relevance of factor XII and plasma kallikrein in a mouse model of experimental sepsis. We show that decreased plasma kallikrein concentration in septic mice is a result of reduced mRNA expression plasma prekallikrein gene, indicating that plasma kallikrein belong to negative acute phase proteins. Investigations regarding the pathophysiological function of contact system proteases during sepsis revealed different roles for factor XII and plasma kallikrein. In vitro, factor XII decelerated bacteria induced fibrinolysis, whereas plasma kallikrein supported it. Remarkably, depletion of plasma kallikrein (but not factor XII) by treatment with antisense-oligonucleotides, dampens bacterial dissemination and growth in multiple organs in the mouse sepsis model. These findings identify plasma kallikrein as a novel host pathogenicity factor in Streptococcus pyogenes sepsis.




d

Dynamin 2 is required for GPVI signaling and platelet hemostatic function in mice

Receptor-mediated endocytosis, which contributes to a wide range of cellular functions, including receptor signaling, cell adhesion, and migration, requires endocytic vesicle release by the large GTPase dynamin 2. Here, the role of dynamin 2 was investigated in platelet hemostatic function using both pharmacological and genetic approaches. Dnm2fl/fl Pf4-Cre (Dnm2Plt/) mice specifically lacking dynamin 2 within the platelet lineage developed severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding diathesis and Dnm2Plt/ platelets adhered poorly to collagen under arterial shear rates. Signaling via the collagen receptor GPVI was impaired in platelets treated with the dynamin GTPase inhibitor dynasore, as evidenced by poor protein tyrosine phosphorylation, including that of the proximal tyrosine kinase Lyn on its activating tyrosine 396 residue. Platelet stimulation via GPVI resulted in a slight decrease in GPVI, which was maintained by dynasore treatment. Dynasore-treated platelets had attenuated function when stimulated via GPVI, as evidenced by reduced GPIbα downregulation, α-granule release, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and spreading onto immobilized fibrinogen. By contrast, responses to the G-protein coupled receptor agonist thrombin were minimally affected by dynasore treatment. GPVI expression was severely reduced in Dnm2Plt–/– platelets, which were dysfunctional in response to stimulation via GPVI, and to a lesser extent to thrombin. Dnm2Plt–/– platelets lacked fibrinogen in their α-granules, but retained von Willebrand factor. Taken together, the data show that dynamin 2 plays a proximal role in signaling via the collagen receptor GPVI and is required for fibrinogen uptake and normal platelet hemostatic function.




d

Cardiac biomarkers are prognostic in systemic light chain amyloidosis with no cardiac involvement by standard criteria

Patients with systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) with no evidence of cardiac involvement by consensus criteria have excellent survival, but 20% will die within 5 years of diagnosis and prognostic factors remain poorly characterised. We report the outcomes of 378 prospectively followed Mayo stage I patients (N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide <332 ng/L, high sensitivity cardiac troponin <55 ng/L). The median presenting N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide was 161 ng/L, high sensitivity cardiac troponin 10 ng/L, creatinine 76 μmol/L and mean left ventricular septal wall thickness, 10 mm. Median follow up was 42 (1-117 months), with 71 deaths; median overall survival was not reached (78% survival at 5 years). Although no patients had cardiac involvement by echocardiogram, a proportion (n=25/90, 28%) had cardiac involvement by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Age, autonomic nervous system involvement, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide >152 ng/L, high sensitivity cardiac troponin >10 ng/L and cardiac involvement by magnetic resonance imaging were predictive for survival; on multivariate analysis only N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide >152 ng/L (P<0.008, hazard ratio [HR] 3.180, confidence interval [CI]: 1.349-7.495) and cardiac involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (P=0.026, HR=5.360, CI: 1.219-23.574) were prognostic. At 5 years, 70% of patients with N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide >152 ng/L were alive. In conclusion, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide is prognostic for survival in patients with no cardiac involvement by consensus criteria and cardiac involvement is detected by magnetic resonance imaging in such cases. This suggests that N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide thresholds for cardiac involvement in AL may need to be redefined.




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IL6R-STAT3-ADAR1 (P150) interplay promotes oncogenicity in multiple myeloma with 1q21 amplification

1q21 amplification is an important prognostic marker in multiple myeloma. In this study we identified that IL6R (the interleukin-6 membrane receptor) and ADAR1 (an RNA editing enzyme) are critical genes located within the minimally amplified 1q21 region. Loss of individual genes caused suppression to the oncogenic phenotypes, the magnitude of which was enhanced when both genes were concomitantly lost. Mechanistically, IL6R and ADAR1 collaborated to induce a hyper-activation of the oncogenic STAT3 pathway. High IL6R confers hypersensitivity to interleukin-6 binding, whereas, ADAR1 forms a constitutive feed-forward loop with STAT3 in a P150-isoform-predominant manner. In this respect, ADAR1-P150 acts as a direct transcriptional target for STAT3 and this STAT3-induced-P150 in turn directly interacts with and stabilizes the former protein, leading to a larger pool of proteins acting as oncogenic transcription factors for pro-survival genes. The importance of both IL6R and ADAR1-P150 in STAT3 signaling was further validated when concomitant knockdown of both genes impeded IL6-induced-STAT3 pathway activation. Clinical evaluation of various datasets of myeloma patients showed that low expression of either one or both genes was closely associated with a compromised STAT3 signature, confirming the involvement of IL6R and ADAR1 in the STAT3 pathway and underscoring their essential role in disease pathogenesis. In summary, our findings highlight the complexity of the STAT3 pathway in myeloma, in association with 1q21 amplification. This study therefore reveals a novel perspective on 1q21 abnormalities in myeloma and a potential therapeutic target for this cohort of high-risk patients.




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Genomic alterations in high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia frequently affect cell cycle key regulators and NOTCH1-regulated transcription

To identify genomic alterations contributing to the pathogenesis of high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) beyond the well-established role of TP53 aberrations, we comprehensively analyzed 75 relapsed/refractory and 71 treatment-naïve high-risk cases from prospective clinical trials by single nucleotide polymorphism arrays and targeted next-generation sequencing. Increased genomic complexity was a hallmark of relapsed/refractory and treatment-naïve high-risk CLL. In relapsed/refractory cases previously exposed to the selective pressure of chemo(immuno)therapy, gain(8)(q24.21) and del(9)(p21.3) were particularly enriched. Both alterations affect key regulators of cell-cycle progression, namely MYC and CDKN2A/B. While homozygous CDKN2A/B loss has been directly associated with Richter transformation, we did not find this association for heterozygous loss of CDKN2A/B. Gains in 8q24.21 were either focal gains in a MYC enhancer region or large gains affecting the MYC locus, but only the latter type was highly enriched in relapsed/refractory CLL (17%). In addition to a high frequency of NOTCH1 mutations (23%), we found recurrent genetic alterations in SPEN (4% mutated), RBPJ (8% deleted) and SNW1 (8% deleted), all affecting a protein complex that represses transcription of NOTCH1 target genes. We investigated the functional impact of these alterations on HES1, DTX1 and MYC gene transcription and found derepression of these NOTCH1 target genes particularly with SPEN mutations. In summary, we provide new insights into the genomic architecture of high-risk CLL, define novel recurrent DNA copy number alterations and refine knowledge on del(9p), gain(8q) and alterations affecting NOTCH1 signaling. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with number NCT01392079.




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An increase in MYC copy number has a progressive negative prognostic impact in patients with diffuse large B-cell and high-grade lymphoma, who may benefit from intensified treatment regimens

MYC translocations, a hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma, occur in 5-15% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and have a negative prognostic impact. Numerical aberrations of MYC have also been detected in these patients, but their incidence and prognostic role are still controversial. We analyzed the clinical impact of MYC increased copy number on 385 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma screened at diagnosis for MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 rearrangements. We enumerated the number of MYC copies, defining as amplified those cases with an uncountable number of extra-copies. The prevalence of MYC translocation, increased copy number and amplification was 8.8%, 15%, and 1%, respectively. Patients with 3 or 4 gene copies, accounting for more than 60% of patients with MYC copy number changes, had a more favorable outcome compared to patients with >4 copies or translocation of MYC, and were not influenced by the type of treatment received as first-line. Stratification according to the number of MYC extra-copies showed a negative correlation between an increasing number of copies and survival. Patients with >7 copies or the amplification of MYC had the poorest prognosis. Patients with >4 copies of MYC showed a similar, trending towards worse prognosis compared to patients with MYC translocation. The survival of patients with >4 copies, translocation or amplification of MYC seemed to be superior if intensive treatments were used. Our study underlines the importance of fluorescence in situ hybridization testing at diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma to detect the rather frequent and clinically significant numerical aberrations of MYC.




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CXCR4 upregulation is an indicator of sensitivity to B-cell receptor/PI3K blockade and a potential resistance mechanism in B-cell receptor-dependent diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway components represent promising treatment targets in multiple B-cell malignancies including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In in vitro and in vivo model systems, a subset of DLBCLs depend upon BCR survival signals and respond to proximal BCR/phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) blockade. However, single-agent BCR pathway inhibitors have had more limited activity in patients with DLBCL, underscoring the need for indicators of sensitivity to BCR blockade and insights into potential resistance mechanisms. Here, we report highly significant transcriptional upregulation of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in BCR-dependent DLBCL cell lines and primary tumors following chemical spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibition, molecular SYK depletion or chemical PI3K blockade. SYK or PI3K inhibition also selectively upregulated cell surface CXCR4 protein expression in BCR-dependent DLBCLs. CXCR4 expression was directly modulated by fork-head box O1 via the PI3K/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 signaling axis. Following chemical SYK inhibition, all BCR-dependent DLBCLs exhibited significantly increased stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) induced chemotaxis, consistent with the role of CXCR4 signaling in B-cell migration. Select PI3K isoform inhibitors also augmented SDF-1α induced chemotaxis. These data define CXCR4 upregulation as an indicator of sensitivity to BCR/PI3K blockade and identify CXCR4 signaling as a potential resistance mechanism in BCR-dependent DLBCLs.