Influence of diabetes mellitus on vertebral fractures in men with acromegaly

Acromegaly is frequently complicated by fragility vertebral fractures and diabetes mellitus. Since type 2 diabetes mellitus is a cause of secondary osteoporosis in the general population, in this cross-sectional study we aimed at investigating the association between diabetes mellitus and vertebral fractures in males with acromegaly. Fifty-seven patients (median age 47 years, range: 24-85) with active (21 cases) and controlled (36 cases) acromegaly and 57 control subjects were evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA and vertebral fractures by a quantitative morphometric analysis. Diabetes mellitus was found in 18 patients and 18 control subjects. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was higher in acromegalic patients as compared with the control subjects (50.9 vs. 10.5%; χ(2): 21.8; P < 0.001). Acromegalic patients with fractures had serum IGF-I values significantly higher (P = 0.009), longer duration of active disease (P < 0.001) and higher prevalence of active acromegaly (P = 0.007) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.04) as compared to patients who did not fracture. When acromegaly was active, the prevalence of vertebral fractures was high independently of the coexistent diabetes mellitus. On the contrary, when acromegaly was controlled the prevalence of vertebral fractures was significantly higher in patients with diabetes as compared to patients without diabetes (62.6 vs. 28.0%; P = 0.04). In both diabetic and non diabetic patients, vertebral fractures occurred independently of BMD. In conclusion, this study suggests that diabetes mellitus may be associated with an increased prevalence of vertebral fractures in males with acromegaly. However, this effect seems to be relatively attenuated in the presence of persistent GH hypersecretion.     

Association between chronic hepatitis B virus infection and diabetes among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

BACKGROUND: Asians have a higher prevalence of both diabetes (diabetes mellitus) and chronic hepatitis B virus infection compared to Caucasians. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hepatitis B virus infection was associated with diabetes mellitus among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records of 411 Asian and 424 Pacific Islanders seen at our medical centre over a 5-year period. Diabetes mellitus was defined by the presence of two or more random blood glucose levels > or =200mg/dL, an ICD-9 diagnostic code of diabetes mellitus, or use of medications for diabetes mellitus. Hepatitis B virus infection was defined by a positive HBsAg test. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 223 of the 835 subjects (26.7%), whereas hepatitis B virus infection was diagnosed in 56 (13.8%) of the 407 subjects tested for HBsAg. Overall, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in patients with hepatitis B virus than in those without hepatitis B virus (58.9% vs. 33.3%, P<0.001), and this remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding variables (OR=3.17; 95% CI, 1.58-6.35). When Asians and Pacific Islanders were analysed separately, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with hepatitis B virus was significantly higher than in those without hepatitis B virus among Asians (65.0% vs. 27.5%, P<0.001) but not in Pacific Islanders (43.8% vs. 37.1%, P=0.60). Among the 390 subjects who were tested for both hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 29.4% in uninfected subjects, 44.4% in patients with hepatitis B virus monoinfection, 47.2% in patients with hepatitis C virus monoinfection and 85.0% in patients with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus coinfection (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis B virus infection is strongly associated with diabetes mellitus among Asian Americans, but not in Pacific Islanders, whereas hepatitis C virus infection was associated with diabetes mellitus in both ethnic groups.     

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: variations related to screening strategy used

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in a large general obstetric population and its variations depending on the presence of risk factors, and to evaluate how the gestational diabetes screening strategies applied might modify the observed prevalence in the population. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The study population was a total of 2574 pregnant women. Information about risk factors, screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes was obtained. Frequency of risk factors under the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, and observed and expected prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus were calculated and compared for statistical significance. RESULTS: Age > or = 30 years, family history of diabetes, obesity and previous fetal macrosomia were the most frequent risk factors. Under ACOG recommendations, 45% of our general obstetric population would have been exempt from gestational diabetes mellitus screening, as compared with only 15.5% under ADA guidelines. Sixty-five patients were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes mellitus, giving an overall prevalence of 2.5% (confidence interval 2.0-3.2). Among the low-risk women, prevalence values were 0.6% and 0.5% respectively under ACOG and ADA criteria, whereas for those presenting one or more risk factors rates were 4% and 2.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our general obstetric population, gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence was found to be approximately six times lower among low-risk gravidae than among the high-risk subjects, suggesting that selective screening might be beneficial. Nevertheless, selective gestational diabetes mellitus screening under ADA criteria seems to entail the same disadvantages as the selective screening strategies without any apparent benefits.     

Associated tuberculosis and diabetes in Conakry, Guinea: prevalence and clinical characteristics.

SETTING: Anti-tuberculosis centres in Conakry. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with tuberculosis (TB), identify the associated risk factors and describe the clinical signs of the association of TB and diabetes. METHOD: A total of 388 patients with TB selected by simple random sampling from the register of cases diagnosed in Conakry were examined and administered a capillary blood glycaemia test to detect diabetes. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of diabetes were identified, giving a prevalence rate of 3.35% (95%CI 1.35-5.35). Four (31%) had not been diagnosed before the survey. The diagnosis of diabetes preceded that of TB by an average of 5 years (range 1-9 years). The clinical characteristics of TB (frequent exposure to infection, site and proportion of new and retreated cases) did not differ from one group to another. Increased age (P < 0.0001), obesity (P < 0.005), sedentary lifestyle (P < 0.0004), and previous family history of diabetes (P = 0.04) or obesity (P = 0.04) were significantly associated with diabetes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes among TB patients is higher than previously estimated for Guinea. Because of frequent co-morbidity, systematic testing for diabetes among TB patients may be recommended, particularly if risk factors are present.     

2007年北京市居民糖尿病与代谢综合征患病状况调查

目的 了解2007年北京市居民糖尿病与代谢综合征的患病情况.方法 采用整群随机抽样方法,于2007年9月至11月抽取本市3个地区,分别代表城市、城镇和农村地区进行调查.共有20岁以上常住居民3 484名参与调查.通过询问病史、体格检查、检测空腹血糖、血脂及口服糖耐量试验,并依据1999年WHO糖尿病诊断标准和2005年IDF代谢综合征全球共识定义进行诊断.使用EPI data 3.02软件建立数据库,SPSS 13.0软件进行统计分析.计量资料采用(-x)±s表示,两组间比较采用t检验,多组阳比较采用方差分析,计数资料比较采用卡方检验.结果 北京市居民糖尿病患病率为10.16%(城市10.97%、城镇11.95%、农村6.86%):其中已知糖尿病患病率为5.02%(城市6.14%、城镇6.62%、农村1.71%)(x2=54.06,P＜0.01);新诊断糖尿病患病率为5.14%(城市4.83%、城镇5.33%、农村5.15%)(x2=2.35,P＞0.05);空腹血糖受损患病率为1.35%(城市0.58%、城镇2.26%、农村1.43%)(x2=12.97,P＜0.01);糖耐量异常患病率为9.84%(城市10.52%、城镇9.68%、农村9.27%)(x2=3.99,P＞0.05);代谢综合征患病率为20.39%(城市17.34%、城镇23.30%、农村20.78%)(x2=35.38,P＜0.01).糖尿病患者平均知晓率为49.85%.结论 北京市糖尿病及代谢综合征患病率高,城镇和农村地区患病率呈现加速升高趋势.     

Abnormal glucose tolerance is the dominant risk factor in South African Indian women with myocardial infarction

Risk factors for coronary artery disease were determined at least 3 months following myocardial infarction in 90 Indian women between the ages of 26 and 60 years. The risk factors were analysed according to age (greater than 45 vs. less than or equal to 45 years) and also their prevalence was compared to that of 76 healthy age- and sex-matched Indian controls. In the total patient cohort, 98% had at least one major coronary risk factor. Older patients (greater than 45 years) were characterized by a higher risk profile: mean number of risk factors 2.7 compared to 1.9 in women less than or equal to 45 years (p less than 0.005). Diabetes mellitus was the commonest risk factor and was present in 78% of patients. While diabetes mellitus was detected with similar frequency in both age groups of patients (79 and 77%), hypertension, lipid aberrations and family history of myocardial infarction were encountered more frequently in the older women. Compared to the control population, the patients had a higher frequency of lipid abnormalities (p less than 0.0005), obesity (p less than 0.01) and a positive family history of myocardial infarction in first-degree relatives (p less than 0.01). The prevalence of smoking was low both among patients (10%) and control subjects (5%). This analysis thus indicated that of the identifiable risk factors, diabetes mellitus was most prominent in all age groups with hypertension and lipid aberrations being significant synergistic factors in the older women.     

The benefits of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis and risk factors for tuberculosis among Oglala Sioux Indians.

In a case-control study of 92 Indian patients, 46 with active tuberculosis (cases) and 46 tuberculin reactors without the disease (control subjects), significantly more control subjects than patients had prior adequate isoniazid chemoprophylaxis. While the Indian Health Service recommends treating all tuberculin reactors with isoniazid prophylaxis, most (75%) of our tuberculosis (TB) cases could have been prevented if the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society had been followed. Diabetes, alcohol abuse, and chronic renal failure were risk factors for active TB. Despite marked reductions in TB morbidity and mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives over the past 30 years, their TB rates are still two to three times higher than overall United States and white rates. Enhanced TB control programs with an emphasis on preventive therapy for patients at risk for developing active disease, especially those with diabetes and chronic renal failure, could decrease the incidence and eventually eliminate TB among American Indians and Alaska Natives.     

Lipoprotein (a) levels in diabetes mellitus: relationship to metabolic control.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of diabetes control on serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations. SETTING: Diabetes clinic of a large metropolitan public hospital, with primary- and secondary-care patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. Comparisons of lipoprotein (a) concentrations were made between a normal control group, a group of diabetic patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) less than 8.0%, and a group of diabetic patients with HbA1c of 8.0% or higher. PATIENTS: Ninety-five normal controls and 93 diabetic subjects (49 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 44 with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). RESULTS: Sixty diabetic subjects with HbA1c levels of 8.0% or higher had higher (25 mg/dL) median levels of lipoprotein (a) when compared with either 93 normal controls (8.8 mg/dL) or 33 diabetic patients with HbA1c less than 8.0% (7.5 mg/dL) (P = 0.008 and P = 0.012, respectively). A similar pattern of distribution of lipoprotein (a) levels according to degree of metabolic control was seen in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. No difference in the lipoprotein (a) distribution was noted between diabetic men and women. No correlation was observed between lipoprotein (a) levels and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. CONCLUSION: Lipoprotein (a) levels are elevated in poorly controlled diabetic patients. Increased levels of lipoprotein (a) may be a contributing factor to the high risk for atherosclerosis observed in diabetic patients.     

Impact of diabetes mellitus on cardiac surgery outcome

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is an established independent risk factor related to significant morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgical procedures. METHODS: Data on 16,184 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass between April 1996 and August 2001 were prospectively evaluated. Diabetes mellitus as a patient related risk factor was subjected to univariate analysis to identify potential associations to 28 intra- and postoperative outcome variables. Outcome variables having a significant association with diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05) were then subjected to a stepwise logistic regression model to identify the influence of diabetes mellitus as compared to additional 30 different patient related risk factors and treatment variables. Diabetes mellitus was defined as glucose intolerance treated either dietary, with oral hypoglycemics or with insulin. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 33.3 %. Compared to non-diabetic patients the group with diabetes mellitus was older (p < 0.0001) and had a significantly lower ejection fraction (p < 0.0001). 15 outcome variables having a significant association with diabetes mellitus were identified. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus could be identified as an independent predictor for 7 postoperative outcome variables (prolonged ICU-stay, sternal instability and/or infection, sternal revision and refixation respiratory insufficiency, postoperative delirium, perioperative stroke, renal dysfunction, postoperative reintubation). CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is a significant independent predictor for several postoperative outcome variables after cardiac surgery associated with higher postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospital stay.     

Glycemic control in older subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Fremantle Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether there were differences in glycemic control in older compared with younger subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the Fremantle Diabetes Study, a prospective study of diabetes care, control, and complications in an urban setting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,205 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 404 (33.3%) of whom were aged over 70 years and 83 (6.9%) aged over 80 years. MEASUREMENTS: Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, body mass index, and waist/hip ratio. RESULTS: In multiple linear regression analysis, age was inversely associated with glycemic control whereas duration of diabetes and treatment with either oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin were positively associated with glycemic control. For most age groups there was a significant worsening of glycemic control with duration of diabetes. Octogenarians differed significantly from younger age groups in that those with longer diabetes duration did not demonstrate the increase in hyperglycemia seen in other age groups. As a result, significantly greater proportions of these oldest diabetic subjects had satisfactory glycosylated hemoglobin levels compared with younger subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians do not demonstrate the usual progressive deterioration of glycemic control with diabetes duration seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The reasons for this difference are unknown but are likely to have clinical significance with regard to therapy and the development of diabetic complications.     

Tuberculosis and HIV infection association in a rural district of northern Uganda: epidemiological and clinical considerations.

59 (18.3%) of 323 patients with tuberculosis (TB) tested for HIV-1 antibody by ELISA technique (Wellcozyme) were seropositive. In the control group selected among the health personnel working in the Arua Hospital, 7.7% were found positive for HIV-1 antibody, thus showing a significantly lower prevalence compared with the TB patients (P < 0.005). The prevalence of HIV infection was 50% in the urban TB patients, 7% in TB patients living in rural areas surrounding Arua town and 1.6% in the peripheral rural setting. Of 27 TB patients with clinical AIDS, 18 died during the course of the study. The AIDS patients' survival rate was 46.4% 6 months after diagnosis, and 21.4% after 16 months, the median period of survival being 5.0 months. Risk factors, sputum conversion rate, clinical and radiological findings were analysed. No significant difference was found between seropositive and seronegative TB patients for clinical drug-related toxicity (P > 0.05).     

Increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in first-degree relatives of girls with a history of precocious pubarche

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether abnormal responses to an oral glucose load, dyslipidaemia and hyperandrogenaemia, which are commonly found in girls with a history of precocious pubarche, can also be detected in first-degree relatives of these patients. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Sixty first-degree relatives (age, 41.4 +/- 4.4 years; BMI, 26.9 +/- 3.3 kg/m2) of girls diagnosed with precocious pubarche were studied. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and the hirsutism score were assessed in the females. The study was performed during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in females and at random in males. MEASUREMENTS: All subjects underwent a standard 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured in baseline blood samples in all subjects, while serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels and the free androgen indices were determined only in females. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus were diagnosed according to the criteria of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus. RESULTS: Seven subjects (11.6%) had type 2 diabetes while a further 14 (23.3%) had IGT; prevalences significantly higher than those reported for the present population of the same age (type 2 diabetes, 2.5% and IGT, 7. 5%; P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). BMIs were similar in patients with either normal or abnormal glucose tolerance. Abnormal levels of at least two lipid parameters were found in 40% of subjects. Four out of 10 hirsute women and six non-hirsute women reported gestational diabetes. Mean serum SHBG levels were lower in female relatives compared with population controls (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: First-degree relatives of girls with precocious pubarche are at a higher risk of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes which, in most cases, is accompanied by an unfavourable lipid profile. Hyperandrogenism and an increased prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus are frequent among females. These data may prove useful in identifying a specific subset of the population at increased risk of developing metabolic disturbances known to predispose to cardiovascular disease.     

Increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus

Recent studies suggest that diabetes mellitus increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to quantify the risk of HCC among patients with both diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C in a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. We included 541 patients of whom 85 (16%) had diabetes mellitus. The median age at inclusion was 50 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 10.5% for patients with Ishak fibrosis score 4, 12.5% for Ishak score 5, and 19.1% for Ishak score 6. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an increased risk of diabetes mellitus for patients with an elevated body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.11; P = 0.060) and a decreased risk of diabetes mellitus for patients with higher serum albumin levels (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.63-1.04; P = 0.095). During a median follow-up of 4.0 years (interquartile range, 2.0-6.7), 11 patients (13%) with diabetes mellitus versus 27 patients (5.9%) without diabetes mellitus developed HCC, the 5-year occurrence of HCC being 11.4% (95% CI, 3.0-19.8) and 5.0% (95% CI, 2.2-7.8), respectively (P = 0.013). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of patients with Ishak 6 cirrhosis showed that diabetes mellitus was independently associated with the development of HCC (hazard ratio, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.35-7.97; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus increases the risk of developing HCC.     

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among patients with prior myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetic subjects in a group of long-term myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and to investigate their cardiovascular risk factors and medical care. METHODS: Glucose tolerance (OGTT WHO 1985), cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, urinary albumin), and primary medical care during the previous year were assessed among 244 patients without previously known diabetes (mean age +/- SD: 70.5 +/- 6.9 yrs; 75% males; time since incident infarction: 6.5 years (median), inter-quartile range: 4-9 years) from the population-based MONICA myocardial infarction registry in Augsburg (Germany). RESULTS: Proportion of undiagnosed diabetes among MI registry patients was 29/244, 12% (95%CI: 8-17%); impaired glucose tolerance was found in 27% (22-34%). Using fasting glucose according to ADA 1997 criteria, 11% (7-16%) had diabetes and 17% (12-22%) impaired fasting glucose. MI registry patients with newly detected diabetes (WHO or ADA) showed a more adverse risk factor profile (higher triglycerides, lower HDL-cholesterol, increased urinary albumin) than subjects with normal glucose tolerance after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, time since MI, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medication). No significant differences were observed for self-reported medical care during the previous year among diabetic compared to non-diabetic subjects (number of physician visits and basic investigations). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among the selected elderly long-term MI survivors. Because mortality rate after MI has been previously shown to be increased in diabetic patients, screening for glucose intolerance appears to be as essential as for standard cardiovascular risk factors.     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with risk for and mortality from cancer in a German primary care cohort

There is growing evidence that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have increased cancer risk. We examined the association between diabetes, cancer, and cancer-related mortality and hypothesized that insulin sensitizers lower cancer-related mortality. Participants in the Diabetes Cardiovascular Risk and Evaluation: Targets and Essential Data for Commitment of Treatment study, a nationwide cross-sectional and prospective epidemiological study, were recruited from German primary care practices. In the cross-sectional study, subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus had a higher prevalence of malignancies (66/1308, 5.1%) compared to nondiabetic subjects (185/6211, 3.0%) (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.41) before and after adjustment for age, sex, hemoglobin A_1c, smoking status, and body mass index. Patients on metformin had a lower prevalence of malignancies, comparable with that among nondiabetic patients, whereas those on any other oral combination treatment had a 2-fold higher risk for malignancies even after adjusting for possible confounders; inclusion of metformin in these regimens decreased the prevalence of malignancies. In the prospective analyses, diabetic patients in general and diabetic patients treated with insulin (either as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments) had a 2- and 4-fold, respectively, higher mortality rate than nondiabetic patients, even after adjustment for potential confounders (incidence of cancer deaths in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [2.6%] vs the incidence of cancer deaths in patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus [1.2%]). Our results suggest that diabetes and medications for diabetes, with the exception of the insulin sensitizer metformin, increase cancer risk and mortality.     

The impact of diabetes on tuberculosis treatment outcomes: evidence based on a cumulative meta-analysis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). It is also associated with worse tuberculosis treatment outcomes. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize evidence for the impact of diabetes on tuberculosis outcomes. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science from January 1980 to July 2015. The combinations of key words used were (((((“Tuberculosis”[Mesh]) OR (Tuberculosis OR pulmonary tuberculosis OR TB))) AND ((“Diabetes Mellitus”[Mesh]) OR (Diabetes Mellitus OR Diabetes OR DM))) AND (Outcome OR sequelae OR treatment OR therapy OR culture conversion OR failure OR death OR relapse OR recurrence)). We reviewed the full text of 70 papers and included 54 studies of which 16 reported culture conversion at 2 to 3 months, 24 reported the combined outcome of failure and death, 34 reported death, 8 reported relapse, and 7 reported drug-resistant recurrent tuberculosis. Patients with diabetes have an odds ratio (OR) through this cumulative meta-analysis for the combined outcome of failure and death of 1.96 (95 % CI, 1.64 to 2.33). The OR of death during tuberculosis treatment among the 34 unadjusted studies is 1.83 (95 % CI, 1.61 to 2.07). Diabetes is also associated with an increased risk of relapse (OR, 1.97; 95 % CI, 1.42 to 2.74). The OR for studies assessing sputum culture conversion after 2 to 3 months of tuberculosis therapy is 1.71 (95 % CI, 1.50 to 1.94). Diabetes increases the risk of failure and death combined, death, and relapse among patients with tuberculosis. This study highlights a need for increased attention to treatment of tuberculosis in people with diabetes, which may include testing for suspected diabetes, improving glucose control, and increasing clinical and therapeutic monitoring.     

Metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the prevalence and prognostic role of metabolic syndrome (METS) and diabetes in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a well known risk factor for patients with previous MI, but glycemic dysmetabolism develops over a protracted period of time. Scanty data are available on the role of METS in patients with previous MI. METHODS: Adjusted Cox's regression models, having diabetes, death, major cardiovascular events (CVE), and hospitalization for congestive heart failure (CHF) during follow-up as outcome events, were fitted on 11,323 patients with prior MI enrolled in the GISSI-Prevenzione Trial. RESULTS: At baseline, 21% and 29% of patients had diabetes mellitus and METS, respectively. The METS patients had a significant (93%) increased risk of diabetes during follow-up. As compared with control subjects, the probability of death and CVE were higher in both METS (+29%, p = 0.002; +23%, p = 0.005) and diabetic patients (+68%, p <0.0001; +47%, p <0.0001), although diabetic but not METS patients were more likely to be hospitalized for CHF (+89%, p <0.0003 and +24%, p = 0.241). Moderate (-6% to -10%) and substantial (>-10%) weight reduction were associated with a significant (18% and 41%, respectively) decreased risk of diabetes. Weight gain was significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes. The risk conferred by METS and diabetes tended to be higher among women. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MI, METS and diabetes were highly prevalent and are associated with increased risk of death and CVE. Diabetes is also associated with increased risk of hospitalization for CHF. Weight reduction significantly decreased the risk of becoming diabetic in patients with METS.     

The role of diabetes on the clinical manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective Diabetes is associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), possibly due to impaired immunity, and diabetes may exacerbate the clinical manifestations of TB. Our aim was to assess the role of diabetes in the clinical manifestations of TB. Methods We studied 1250 patients with pulmonary TB in an urban population in a cross‐sectional study in Tanzania. All participants were tested for diabetes and HIV co‐infection, and TB culture intensity was assessed. Levels of white blood cells, haemoglobin, acute phase reactants, CD4 count and HIV viral load were measured, and a qualitative morbidity questionnaire was used to identify the prevalence of disease‐related symptoms. Results Tuberculosis patients with diabetes had a higher neutrophil count (B 0.5 × 10⁹ cells/l, 95% CI 0.2; 0.9, P = 0.001) than non‐diabetic TB patients. Serum C‐reactive protein (B 18.8 mg/l, CI 95% 8.2; 29.4, P = 0.001) and alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (B 0.2 g/l, CI 95% 0.03; 0.3, P = 0.02) were similarly higher in patients with diabetes. Diabetes did not affect culture intensity or HIV status, but self‐reported fever was three times higher among participants with diabetes than in those without diabetes (OR 2.9, CI 95% 1.5; 5.7, P = 0.002). Conclusion Diabetes is associated with small changes in the manifestations of TB, but may have little clinical significance.     

Prospective evaluation of glucose metabolism in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

INTRODUCTION: Disturbances of glucose metabolism are associated with increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). It is not uncommon that IHD and its complications precede diagnosis of glucose metabolism disturbances. Since publication of the American Diabetes Association's 2004 Guidelines for the assessment of glucose metabolism, no prospective evaluation of prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been performed. AIM: Evaluation of prevalence of glucose balance disturbances in consecutive patients with stable IHD who underwent elective CABG procedures. METHODS: Prospective analysis of glucose metabolism was carried out on a group of 117 consecutive IHD patients (including 31 women) aged below 80 years, selected for elective CABG surgery. In all patients, history assessment and physical examination as well as basic biochemical studies and resting echocardiography were performed. Additionally, in all individuals without previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. RESULTS: History analysis revealed glucose balance disturbances in 35 (29.9%) patients, including diabetes mellitus in 33 (28.2%) subjects and impaired glucose tolerance in 2 (1.7%) individuals. Based on OGTT results, among the remaining 82 (70.1%) subjects without previously known glucose metabolism disturbances 4 (3.4%) patients had abnormal fasting glycaemia, 32 (27.4%) subjects had impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 12 (10.3%) individuals. No impaired glucose balance was found in only 34 (29.1%) examined subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Over 70% of all patients undergoing elective CABG procedure presented various forms of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances that were not diagnosed previously. Thus, it seems that the assessment of glucose regulation should be mandatory in all patients undergoing elective CABG surgery.     

Diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, and incident depressive symptoms among 70- to 79-year-old persons: the health, aging, and body composition study

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies find an elevated prevalence of depression among subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM). The causal mechanisms and temporal sequence of this association have not been clearly delineated. This study investigated the prospective relationship between DM and depressive symptoms. METHODS: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study was a cohort study conducted in the metropolitan areas of Memphis, Tenn, and Pittsburgh, Pa. The analysis included 2522 community-dwelling subjects, aged 70 to 79 years, without baseline depressive symptoms. Incident depressed mood was defined as use of antidepressants at follow-up visits or presence of depressive symptoms (score >or=10 on the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale). Presence of incident depressed mood at 2 consecutive annual clinic visits defined the incidence of recurrent depressed mood. Diabetes mellitus status, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and DM-related comorbidities were assessed at baseline. Diabetes mellitus status was further characterized as absent, controlled (HbA1c level <7%), or uncontrolled (HbA1c level >or=7%). Discrete time survival analysis was used to estimate depressive events risk. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 5.9 years, participants with DM had a higher age-, sex-, race-, and site-adjusted incidence of depressed mood (23.5% vs 19.0%) (P = .02) and recurrent depressed mood (8.8% vs 4.3%) (P<.001) than those without DM. Diabetes mellitus was associated with a 30% increased risk of incident depressed mood (odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.61), which was attenuated after adjustment for DM-related comorbidities (OR, 1.20; CI, 0.97-1.48). A stronger relationship was observed between DM and recurrent depressed mood (OR, 1.91; CI, 1.32-2.76), particularly among participants with poor glycemic control. CONCLUSION: Among well-functioning older adults, DM is associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms.