Relationship between abnormal microvolt T-wave alternans and poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: Abnormal microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) predicts the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of these events, there is a dearth of available data on microvolt TWA measurements in type 2 diabetic populations. METHODS: We studied 59 consecutive type 2 diabetic outpatients without manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 35 non-diabetic controls who were matched for age, sex, and blood pressure values. Microvolt TWA analysis was performed non-invasively using the CH-2000 system during a sub-maximal exercise with the patient sitting on a bicycle ergometer. RESULTS: The frequency of abnormal TWA was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls (25.4 vs 5.7%; P < 0.01). Among diabetic patients, those with abnormal TWA (n = 15) had remarkably higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (8.1 +/- 0.9 vs 7.1 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.001) and slightly smaller time-domain heart rate variability parameters (i.e., RMSSD, root mean square of difference of successive R-R intervals) than those with normal TWA (n = 44). Gender, age, body mass index, lipids, blood pressure values, cigarette smoking, diabetes duration, microvascular complication status, QTc interval, and current use of medications did not significantly differ between the groups. In multivariate regression logistic analysis, HbA1c (OR 13.6, 95% CI 2.0-89.1; P = 0.0076) predicted abnormal TWA independent of RMSSD values and other potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that abnormal TWA is a very common condition (approximately 25%) among people with type 2 diabetes without manifest CVD and is closely correlated to glycemic control.     

Clinical review: How to identify high-risk surgical patients

Postoperative outcome is mainly influenced by ventricular function. Tests designed to identify myocardial ischemia alone will fail to detect cardiac failure and are thus inadequate as a screening test for identification of cardiac risk in noncardiac surgical patients. We find that the degree of cardiac failure is the most important predictor of morbidity and mortality. We use cardiopulmonary exercise testing to establish the anaerobic threshold as the sole measure of cardiopulmonary function as well as to detect myocardial ischemia. Patients with an anaerobic threshold < 11 ml/min/kg are at risk for major surgery, and perioperative management must be planned accordingly. Myocardial ischemia combined with moderate to severe cardiac failure (anaerobic threshold < 11 ml/min/kg) is predictive of the highest morbidity and mortality.     

Guar gum and glycemic control of pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic patients

The effect of guar gum preparation on the glycemic control of 12 pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic patients was investigated. The study was performed on inpatients and lasted 3 wk (from week 32 of pregnancy and onward). Weeks 32 and 34 were control periods during which time the patients had their normal diet only. During week 33, the diet was supplemented with guar. The mean blood glucose level of week 33 was 14% lower than that of week 32 (P less than 0.01) but equal to that of week 34. Mean fluctuations of blood glucose during individual days of the 3 wk were similar. The M-value declined significantly from week 32 to week 33, but the M-value of week 33 was not different from that of week 34. The average 24-h glycosuria declined by 63% from week 32 to week 33 (P less than 0.05), whereas the values of weeks 33 and 34 were not significantly different. The mean daily insulin doses of weeks 32, 33, and 34 were similar. The results show that whereas admission of pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic women to a diabetes ward exerts a favorable influence on diabetes control, no further improvement is obtainable if the diet is supplemented with guar.     

影响糖尿病患者血糖控制的行为因素的研究

目的 确定影响糖尿病患者血糖控制的行为因素，指导临床护士为糖尿病患者进行健康教育，促进糖尿病患者的血糖控制，延缓糖尿病并发症的发生和发展，提高其生活质量。方法 采用随机抽样法对糖尿病患者进行问卷调查，以明确影响糖尿病患者血糖控制的行为因素。结果 影响糖尿病患者血糖控制的因素包括消费模式、锻炼和血糖管理等三个主要行为因素。糖尿病患者较高的自我管理能力与较低的糖化血红蛋白水平显示了统计学意义（P〈0．0001）。结论 消费模式、锻炼和血糖管理等三个行为因素较好的预见了糖尿病患者的血糖控制，为发展更适合糖尿病患者的教育项目提供了一个科学的证据。     

Mild cognitive impairment: an opportunity to identify patients at high risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that subtle losses in cognitive function may be symptomatic of a transition to early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ongoing research is focusing on the identification of those individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who are most likely to convert to AD. Of the MCI subtypes, patients with amnestic MCI (a-MCI) are at greatest risk. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this article were to review the relationship between MCI, normal aging, and AD, and to summarize recent research on the diagnosis and potential treatment of MCI. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE using the terms mild cognitive impairment; cognitive impairment, no dementia; and dementia prodrome, with no restrictions as to year. Additional papers of interest were identified from the reference lists of the identified articles. The search was current as of February 2006. RESULTS: Guidelines and recommendations are being developed to assist physicians in diagnosing MCI, identifying its subtype and etiology, understanding the risks for conversion to AD, and managing disease progression. Given the existence of a subset of individuals with a-MCI, who are at greatest risk for progression to AD but still have high levels of cognition and function, the ability to improve symptoms and delay progression to AD would be particularly beneficial. In a 3-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 769 patients with a-MCI, treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil was associated with a significantly lower rate of progression to AD compared with placebo during the first 12 months of treatment (hazard ratio=0.42; 95% CI, 0.24-0.76; P=0.004) but not at later time points. Of other types of agents that have been investigated (antioxidants, estrogen replacement therapy, cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors), none have shown significant beneficial effects in delaying cognitive decline or progression to AD. New drugs such as secretase inhibitors, small molecules that disrupt amyloid aggregation, and immunotherapies are in preclinical development. CONCLUSIONS: MCI involves more substantial cognitive and memory decline than normal aging and represents a significant risk factor for the development of dementia. Further research is needed into treatments to delay the conversion from MCI to AD.     

Factors contributing to poor glycaemic control in diabetic patients at Mopani District

Diabetes mellitus is not only a major burden in the developed world, it is also an increasing health problem in less developed countries. Although health education could be a tool to achieve better glycaemic control, it is important to understand that health education should be adjusted to patients' literacy, cultural environment and economic status. Among other factors, lack of money has an influence on the outcome of diabetes mellitus. Thus the purpose of the study is to identify factors contributing to poor glycaemia control in diabetic patients. Data was collected using self-report questionnaire on a convenient sample of 32 diabetic patients and unstructured, open-ended interviews on eight patients' in order to allow them freedom of expressing themselves with regard to factors that contribute to poor glycaemic control on diabetic patients. Data was then analysed using a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The socioeconomic factors appeared to have significant influence on glycaemic control among participants, for instance 75% of the total subjects (32) indicated that they experienced problems of accessing health care services due to lack of money. Ignorance related to where to seek support system such as educational programme, and nutrition counselling were factors that were identified to contribute to diabetic patients' poor glycaemia control. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Provincial Department of Health and the managers of the institutions where the study was conducted. Recommendations for dealing with the identified factors have been formulated.     

Depression and poor glycemic control: a meta-analytic review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: Depression is common among patients with diabetes, but its relationship to glycemic control has not been systematically reviewed. Our objective was to determine whether depression is associated with poor glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Medline and PsycINFO databases and published reference lists were used to identify studies that measured the association of depression with glycemic control. Meta-analytic procedures were used to convert the findings to a common metric, calculate effect sizes (ESs), and statistically analyze the collective data. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Depression was significantly associated with hyperglycemia (Z = 5.4, P < 0.0001). The standardized ES was in the small-to-moderate range (0.17) and was consistent, as the 95% CI was narrow (0.13-0.21). The ES was similar in studies of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (ES 0.19 vs. 0.16) and larger when standardized interviews and diagnostic criteria rather than self-report questionnaires were used to assess depression (ES 0.28 vs. 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Depression is associated with hyperglycemia in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Additional studies are needed to establish the directional nature of this relationship and to determine the effects of depression treatment on glycemic control and the long-term course of diabetes.     

妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病围手术期处理

目的 探索妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病患者围手术期血糖控制的安全方法.比较胰岛素两种疗法对妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病患者围手术期治疗效果.方法 对35例妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病患者围手术期治疗进行回顾性分析,其中20例应用胰岛素泵(CSII)连续皮下给药,15例采用多次皮下胰岛素注射(MSII)给药方式.结果 两种疗法均能有效控制妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病患者围手术期血糖.胰岛素泵连续注射比多次注射血糖达标时间短[CSII(4.20±1.22)dvs MSII(6.02±1.36)d,(P＜0.05)],低血糖发生率低[CSII10% vs MSII 33.33%,(P＜0.05)],术中及术后未进食阶段血糖波动小[CSII(5.26±1.08)vs MSII(7.38±3.04),(P＜0.05)],术后并发感染和切口愈合不良并发症少(CSII 5% vs MSII 20%,P＜0.05).结论 两种疗法均能有效控制妇科恶性肿瘤合并糖尿病患者围手术期血糖.CSII比MSII更快、更有效地控制高血糖,并减少低血糖和感染的发生率.     

Poor glycemic control in diabetic patients seeking care in the ED

We hypothesized that diabetic patients in the emergency department (ED) have poorer glycemic control than patients seeking care at primary care clinics. A convenience sample of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values was gathered retrospectively from the ED, Endocrinology, and Family Medicine Clinics. Results were divided into controlled, poorly controlled, and extremely poorly controlled. The only differing pattern of patients (*P < .01) was in the extremely poorly controlled group consisting of 36% of the ED patients (confidence interval [CI], 29.23-42.69; n = 74) vs 18% of the Endocrinology patients (CI, 13.76-22.53; n = 56) and 19% of the Family Medicine patients (CI, 15.98-22.75; n = 105). A frequency distribution of the ED HbA1c values was bimodal. The first peak represents well-controlled diabetic patients. The second, higher peak comprises a larger number of patients (approximate n = 134, 73% of all 207 ED patients) who have poorer glycemic control. We conclude that a large number of ED diabetic patients have poorer glycemic control than the other clinics.     

Longitudinal measure of glycemic control and diabetic retinopathy

In a population-based study, 5431 diabetic people in southern Wisconsin who were mature at onset of diabetes were identified, and their charts were reviewed. Recent glycemic control was evaluated from these charts. An index of recent glucose control with at least three glucose determinations abstracted from the doctor's chart was constructed. A sample of 1370 of the 5431 individuals was examined as part of this study. An index of glucose control could be derived for 568 of 674 people using insulin and for 565 of 696 nonusers of insulin. Correlation of the index with the glycosylated hemoglobin obtained at the time of study was significant in insulin users and nonusers. Patients with the poorest blood glucose control as described by index of past control or by current glycosylated hemoglobin had higher rates of retinopathy compared with patients who had the best control. When both the index of past control and current glycosylated hemoglobin values were combined, rate ratios for retinopathy for people with poorest control compared with those with best control were slightly better than when each measure was used alone. These analyses suggest that in planning programs, health-care impact may be increased if past and current data are considered.     

Leisure time physical activity is associated with poor glycemic control in type 1 diabetic women: the FinnDiane study

OBJECTIVE: We studied the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and glycemic control, insulin dose, and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 1,030 type 1 diabetic patients participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study, a nationwide multicenter study. LTPA was assessed by a validated 12-month questionnaire and expressed in metabolic equivalent (MET) units. Patients were grouped as sedentary (LTPA <10 MET h/week, n = 247), moderately active (LTPA 10-40 MET h/week, n = 568), and active (LTPA >40 MET h/week, n = 215). Outcome measures were HbA(1c), insulin dose, and eGDR (estimate of insulin sensitivity based on waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, and HbA(1c)). RESULTS: LTPA correlated with HbA(1c) in women (r = -0.12, P = 0.007) but not in men (r = -0.03, P = 0.592). Sedentary women had higher HbA(1c) than moderately active and active women: 8.8 +/- 1.4% vs. 8.3 +/- 1.4% vs. 8.3 +/- 1.4% (P = 0.004), whereas HbA(1c) in men was 8.4 +/- 1.3% vs. 8.2 +/- 1.4% vs. 8.2 +/- 1.3% (P = 0.774), respectively. In men, insulin doses were 0.74 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.23 IU . kg(-1) . 24 h(-1) (P = 0.003). In both sexes, sedentary patients had lower eGDRs than active patients [median (interquartile range) 5.5 (4.0-8.2) vs. 6.8 (4.7-8.8) vs. 6.7 (4.6-8.6) mg . kg(-1) . min(-1); P < 0.01 for sedentary vs. others]. Age, obesity, smoking, insulin dose, social class, diabetic nephropathy, or cardiovascular disease did not explain the results. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of LTPA were associated with poor glycemic control in type 1 diabetic women. Men seem to use less insulin when physically active. Increased LTPA levels were associated with increased estimated insulin sensitivity. Longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify the effects of LTPA on type 1 diabetes.     

Probiotics ameliorates glycemic control of patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized clinical study

ObjectiveThis research aimed to explore the effects of probiotic administration on glycemic control and renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).MethodsThe 101 participants were randomly divided into two treatment groups and 76 patients were included in the final analysis. In 76 patients with diabetic nephropathy of type 2 diabetes, a randomized double‐blind and placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the administration of 3.2 × 10⁹ CFU probiotic supplements per day (Bifidobacterium bifidum, 1.2 × 10⁹ CFU, Lactobacillus acidophilus 4.2 × 10⁹ CFU, Streptococcus thermophilus 4.3 × 10⁹ CFU) for 12 weeks on glycemic control of patients, including fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), microalbuminuria/creatinine (mAlb/Cr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels. The placebo group daily received empty capsules filled with starch.ResultsAfter 12 weeks, the administration of probiotics demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (10.68 ± 3.24 mmol/L before vs. 7.81 ± 2.77 mmol/L after, p < 0.05), HbA1c (8.19 ± 1.60% before vs. 7.32 ± 1.20% after, p < 0.05) and mAlb/Cr (101.60 ± 22.17 mg/g before vs. 67.53 ± 20.11 mg/g after, p < 0.05), while only mAlb/Cr level was significantly lower in the probiotic group than in the placebo group after intervention (67.53 ± 20.11 mg/g vs. 87.71 ± 23.01, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant reduction of 2 h postprandial blood glucose level (18.95 ± 5.23 mmol/L vs. 17.35 ± 6.28 mmol/L, p = 0.24) and eGFR (84.34 ± 6.97 ml/min vs. 82.8 ± 8.72 ml/min, p = 0.45) in patients before and after probiotic intake. In addition, the placebo group failed to show any significant change of these parameters.ConclusionThis clinical study revealed probiotic administration could ameliorate glycemic control of patients with diabetic nephropathy, potentiating its therapeutic potential in clinical application.     

Diabetic Foot Prevention: A neglected opportunity in high-risk patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of foot prevention strategies among high-risk patients with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Electronic medical records were used to identify 150 patients on dialysis and 150 patients with previous foot ulceration or amputation with 30 months follow-up to determine the frequency with which patients received education, podiatry care, and therapeutic shoes and insoles as prevention services.

RESULTS

Few patients had formal education (1.3%), therapeutic shoes/insoles (7%), or preventative podiatric care (30%). The ulcer incidence density was the same in both groups (210 per 1,000 person-years). In contrast, the amputation incidence density was higher in the dialysis group compared with the ulcer group (58.7 vs. 13.1 per 1,000 person-years, P < 0.001). Patients on dialysis were younger and more likely to be of non-Hispanic white descent (P = 0.006) than patients with a previous history of ulcer or amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention services are infrequently provided to high-risk patients.The prevalence of foot complications is 250% higher among dialysis-treated patients than among patients without chronic kidney disease (1–3). Similarly, patients with a past ulcer history have a 34-times-greater risk of developing another ulcer (4,5). Programs to prevent foot ulcers and amputations generally involve therapeutic shoes and insoles, regular foot care, and patient education (6–8). This study evaluated the frequency of prevention services among high-risk patients.     

Standardized protocol to identify high-risk patients undergoing therapeutic apheresis procedures

As the scope of therapeutic apheresis (TA) expands and more procedures are requested for critically ill patients, adverse reactions (AR) associated with TA become a major concern for physicians, nurses, patients and their families. To assess the risks for ARs associated with patients' underlying diseases, we developed a preprocedure assessment tool with a set of high-risk criteria which included: (1) unstable vital signs, (2) active nonphysiological bleeding, (3) evidence of severe bronchoconstriction, (4) severe anemia, (5) projected extracorporeal volume (ECV) >15% of total blood volume (TBV) in adults or >10% of TBV in pediatric patients, (6) pregnancy, and (7) conditions requiring continuous nursing support. A standard operating procedure with a "Request for Apheresis Procedure on High-Risk Patient" form and protocol were developed to identify patients as high-risk before initiation of a TA procedure. Here we report our experience in the 3-year period following the implementation of this protocol. During this period, a total of 3,254 TA procedures were performed, 44 of which were for patients identified as high-risk by the protocol. The incidence of overall ARs was 8% for all TA procedures and 45.5% for procedures performed for high-risk patients. The incidence of moderate-to-severe ARs was 3.7% for all TA procedures and 36.4% for procedures performed for high-risk patients. The protocol identified a group of patients with an increased risk for ARs, especially moderate-to-severe reactions during and/or immediately following TA.