Fibula fixation in the treatment of tibial pilon fractures – Is it really necessary?

BackgroundThere is a lack of consensus about the role of fibula fixation in these complex fractures, with only two clinical studies in the literature. We hypothesize that the fibula fracture need not be fixed in the tibial pilon fractures if primary stability can be achieved with tibial fixation alone.MethodsWe reviewed 79 patients with operatively treated tibial pilon with associated fibula fractures from 2007 to 2017 and divided them into two groups; patients with fibula fracture fixation and those without fixation. The primary outcome measure was any mechanical complications. Secondary outcomes were wound complications and other morbidities.ResultsThere were 54 (68.4%) patients with fibula fixation and 25 (31.6%) patients without fixation. There were no statistically significant differences in mechanical complications between the two groups. However, patients without fibula fixation were noted to have more wound complications (44% vs 25.9%, p = 0.108) although this was not statistically significant. In terms of removal of implant (ROI), there were no differences noted in patients with or without fibula fixation (33.3% vs 28%, p = 0.796). There were also no significant differences in ROI for those fixed with plate and screws when compared to those fixed with Rush rod and K wire within the group with fibula fixation.ConclusionFibula fixation in the treatment of tibial pilon fractures is not routinely necessary and does not result in decreased mechanical complications such as malunion, delayed union, nonunion and implant failure. Fibula fracture fixation should be reserved for cases where it may aid reduction or provide additional stability.     

SEE-diabetes,a patient-centered diabetes self-management education and support for older adults: Findings and information needs from providers’ perspectives

Background and aimsDiabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) can improve clinical and health outcomes of people with diabetes. However, DSMES has been underutilized because of many barriers. We aimed to develop a patient-centered educational aid, SEE-Diabetes (Support-Engage-Empower-Diabetes), that facilitates shared decision-making about DSMES between patient and provider during the follow-up visit. We investigated the information needs to inform the design of the SEE-Diabetes from the providers’ perspective.MethodsWe conducted an online survey (N = 42) and three focus groups (N = 13) involving providers who have experience managing diabetes in older patients. Survey collected demographics and assessed knowledge of DSMES. During the subsequent focus groups, participants evaluated the Assessment and Plan section of three clinic notes of older people with diabetes. We also demonstrated the potential workflow of DSMES documentation using SEE-Diabetes during clinical practice.ResultsThe survey showed 60% of providers were familiar with DSMES. Focus group findings showed clinic notes should convey concise information at an appropriate reading level, numbered problems, and less medical jargon to improve the readability of clinic notes. Application of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals was suggested to deliver effective diabetes self-care information.ConclusionsProviders should consider adopting validated DSMES guidelines along with goal-setting strategies to provide patient-centered care. The research team will integrate the provider recommendations when we develop SEE-Diabetes.     

"双固一通"艾灸法对糖尿病及糖尿病周围神经病变大鼠海马BDNF和NT-3蛋白的影响

目的观察“双固一通”艾灸法对糖尿病DM 及糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)大鼠血糖及海马中神经营养因子(BDNF)和神经营养素-3(NT-3)蛋白的影响。方法75只雄性SD大鼠随机分为A组、B组、C组、D组和E组,每组15只。A组为正常对照组,不进行任何干预,B组为DM模型组,造模后不行艾灸干预;C组为DM艾灸治疗组,采用艾条悬灸;D组为DPN模型组,造模后不行艾灸干预;E组为DPN艾灸治疗组,采用艾条悬灸。于造模后72 h、4周治疗结束后和8周治疗结束后空腹尾静脉采血测血糖,于4周治疗结束后和8周治疗结束后,用免疫组化试验方法检测各组大鼠海马中BDNF和NT-3蛋白表达情况。结果B组、D组与A组血糖水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),C组与B组比较,大鼠血糖水平降低(P<0.05);E组与D组比较,大鼠血糖水平降低(P<0.05)。B组、D组大鼠海马BDNF及NT-3免疫阳性神经元平均光密度值较A组明显减少(P<0.05);与B组比较,C组大鼠BDNF及NT-3免疫阳性神经元平均光密度值明显增加(P<0.05);与D组比较,E组大鼠BDNF及NT-3免疫阳性神经元平均光密度值明显增加(P<0.05)。结论“双固一通”艾灸法不仅可以起到明显的降糖效果,还可通过影响BDNF和NT-3蛋白的产生,保护糖尿病大鼠的感觉神经元,并对糖尿病及并发症周围神经病变起到治疗作用。     

Cost of postoperative complications: How to avoid calculation errors

Postoperative complications(PC) are a basic health outcome, but no surgery service in the world records and/or audits the PC associated with all the surgical procedures it performs. Most studies that have assessed the cost of PC suffer from poor quality and a lack of transparency and consistency. The payment system in place often rewards the volume of services provided rather than the quality of patients' clinical outcomes. Without a thorough registration of PC, the economic costs involved cannot be determined. An accurate, reliable appraisal would help identify areas for investment in order to reduce the incidence of PC,improve surgical results, and bring down the economic costs. This article describes how to quantify and classify PC using the Clavien-Dindo classification and the comprehensive complication index, discusses the perspectives from which economic evaluations are performed and the minimum postoperative follow-up established, and makes various recommendations. The availability of accurate and impartially audited data on PC will help reduce their incidence and bring down costs. Patients, the health authorities, and society as a whole are sure to benefit.     

射血分数保留性心力衰竭合并糖尿病的研究进展

心力衰竭是一种心脏结构或功能异常所致的临床综合征,据推测目前中国心血管病患者人数为2.9亿,其中心力衰竭占据450万。依据左心室射血分数,心力衰竭又分为射血分数降低性心力衰竭(HFrEF)和射血分数保留性心力衰竭(HFpEF)。近年来,HFpEF的发病率明显较HFrEF增加且已成为研究的热点。高血压、糖尿病和冠心病是常见能导致心力衰竭的基础疾病,其中糖尿病是最常见合并症之一。在美国,糖尿病在HFpEF中的患病率约为45%,但人们对这一人群的特征和结果了解甚少,在中国更是这样。现总结几项HFpEF治疗临床试验的数据,这些数据都表明糖尿病与HFpEF的发病率和长期死亡率增加有关,并讨论了HFpEF和糖尿病中的几种常见病理机制,包括钠潴留、代谢紊乱、骨骼肌功能受损和潜在的治疗靶点。随着对合并HFpEF和糖尿病的理解的增加,希望能为临床医生更好地提供有效的治疗方法。     

Relation between diabetes related distress and glycemic control: The mediating effect of adherence to treatment

AimsDiabetes related distress (DRD) is a negative emotional reaction to stresses associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management. This study estimated the burden of DRD and self-reported adherence to treatment (SRAT) among patients with DM and investigated their relationship with glycemic control.MethodsA cross sectional study of consented 157 diabetics was conducted using the17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS). It measures distress at four subscales: Emotional Burden (EB), Physician-related (PD), Regimen-related (RD) and Interpersonal Distress (ID). SRAT was assessed using Morisky’s scale. Glycemic control was assessed using the most recent HbA1c results. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used for adjustment of confounders and bootstrap Confidence Interval was used to test for the occurrence of mediating effect.ResultsAverage age was 44.5 ± 16.0 years, 65% were females, 79% had type 2 DM and nearly 55% has had DM for more than 7 years and the average HbA1c was 8.9 ± 2.2%. Clinically significant DRD was reported by 37% of the participants, EB and RD in 40.8%, PD in 46.5%, and ID among 32.5%. Younger patients showed higher level of stress compared to older participants and patients with type 1 DM showed higher level of stress in all DRD domains. Only 46% of patients were defined as having satisfactory SRAT and improvement of SRAT significantly enhanced the glycemic control (r = ?0.32, p < 0.01). DRD and low SRAT negatively correlated with HbA1c; increasing the DRD by one point may increase the HbA1c on average by 0.41 (C.I. 0.02–0.80) and will indirectly raise the HbA1c by 0.24 (C.I. 0.04–0.47) through the mediating effect of low SRAT.ConclusionDRD and low SRAT are commonly reported among DM patients and both are indirectly correlated. The mediating effect of low SRAT highlights the clinical role of DRD and clarifies the process by which distress affect the outcome of DM management.     

Effect of diabetes mellitus on pregnancy and birth outcomes in Wolaita Zone,Southern Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study

Background and aimsPresence of diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy is important cause of maternal and fetal complications. Studies that address the effect of DM on pregnancy and birth outcome are scarce in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DM on maternal and birth outcomes in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was done to compare maternal and birth outcomes of mothers with DM and non-DM who received maternity service in three hospitals and four health centers in Southern Ethiopia. A total of 136 exposed (with DM) and 272 unexposed (non-DM) mothers were included in the study. Data were extracted from medical records of mothers by experienced and trained data collectors. Means were compared for continuous variables. Logistic regression analysis model was used to check the effect of DM on pregnancy and birth outcome. Risk Ratio was calculated and p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsPregnancy of diabetic mothers was significantly complicated by pre-eclampsia when compared with non-diabetic mothers, (RR = 1.8: 95% CI; 1.2–2.7). The risk of macrosomia was higher for neonates of diabetic mothers than non-diabetic mothers, (RR = 1.9: 95% CI; 1.3–2.7). From multivariate analysis, mothers with DM were 2.9 times more likely to be delivered by caesarean section than non-diabetic mothers (RR = 2.9: 95%CI; 1.3–6.2) and the risk of pre-term delivery was 2.5 times higher among mothers with DM, (RR = 2.5: 95% CI; 1.1–6.2).ConclusionsDiabetes mellitus among pregnant mothers is associated with increased risk of pre-term delivery, macrosomia and maternal complications of pre-eclampsia and caesarian delivery. Early detection and management of DM should be one of the key activities to improve maternal and child mortality and morbidity.     

Exercise and Lifestyle Education program for Brazilians living with prediabetes and diabetes: A pilot randomized trial

AimsTo test the Diabetes College Brazil Study feasibility, the acceptability of study interventions and their preliminary effectiveness, and describe the study protocol modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSingle-center, double-blinded pilot randomized trial with two parallel groups, Exercise and Lifestyle Education (ExLE; 12-week exercise and educational interventions) and Exercise (Ex; 12-week exercise intervention only) involving patients with prediabetes or diabetes. Feasibility (eligibility, recruitment, retention, completeness of variables measures and participation rates), acceptability (satisfaction), and preliminary effectiveness of interventions (variables: functional capacity, physical activity (PA), exercise self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, health literacy, adherence to Mediterranean food pattern, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), anthropometric measures, cardiac autonomic control, depression, and quality of life (QofL)).ResultsEligibility, recruitment, retention, participation in exercise sessions, and education classes rates were 17%, 93%,82%, 76%, and 71%, respectively. Missing data in the post-intervention assessment (PA, HbA1c, cardiac autonomic control, anthropometric measures, depression, and QofL) were mainly related to research procedure modifications. The interventions were highly acceptable, and most variables improved farther in the ExLE, with moderate effect sizes for PA, diabetes knowledge, health literacy, cardiac autonomic control, and QofL.ConclusionsThe Diabetes College Brazil Study is feasible, and the ExLE may benefit Brazilians living with prediabetes and diabetes.     

皮肤晚期糖基化终产物无创检测技术在社区糖尿病早期筛查中的应用价值

目的评估皮肤晚期糖基化终产物(AGEs)无创检测技术在社区糖尿病早期筛查中的应用价值。方法于2018年1月至2019年1月选取社区健康体检、既往无糖尿病病史者701例,根据口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)结果分为正常糖耐量组443例、糖调节受损组198例和初诊糖尿病组60例。采用糖尿病无创检测技术对各组患者上臂皮肤AGEs进行检测,同时测定空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2 hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、胰岛素、C肽、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、肌酐、尿素等指标。另将研究对象分为<45岁、45~59岁、≥60岁三个年龄段,比较不同糖调节状态人群在不同年龄段AGEs水平的变化。采用单因素方差分析比较各组间一般资料、生化指标及皮肤AGEs水平差异,并进行Pearson相关性分析和logistic回归分析。结果<45岁、45~59岁、≥60岁糖尿病前期和糖尿病患者AGEs值均高于正常糖耐量者(P<0.05)。皮肤AGEs水平与FPG和HbA1c相关(r=0.215、0.233,P<0.01)。AGEs是糖尿病前期和糖尿病风险的独立危险因素[优势比(95%可信区间):1.054(1.025~1.084)、1.116(1.071~1.163)]。糖尿病无创检测技术识别糖尿病的受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积为0.721(95%可信区间:0.658~0.783),灵敏度为73.3%,特异度为61.3%;糖尿病无创检测技术识别糖尿病前期的ROC曲线下面积为0.601(95%可信区间:0.551~0.652),灵敏度为35.4%,特异度为87.1%。结论皮肤AGEs无创检测对评估糖尿病风险有一定应用价值,但可能不完全适用于糖尿病早期筛查。