妊娠糖尿病患者PAI-1与胰岛素抵抗相关性的初步探讨

目的:探讨妊娠糖尿病(GDM)患者血浆纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂-1(PAI-1)与胰岛素抵抗(IR)的关系。方法:选择31例妊娠糖尿病患者(GDM组)和35例糖耐量正常孕妇(NC组)作对照,分别测定PAI-1、空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(FIns)和糖化血红蛋白(HbAlc)水平,同时计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)和胰岛β细胞功能指数(HOMA-HBCl),分析比较两组的差异与关系。结果:①GDM组的PAI-1、HOMA-IR、HOMA-HBCI分别为(60.84±27.81)ng/L、0.53±0.18、2.22±0.19;NC组分别为(36.85±11.61)ng/L、0.27±0.13、2.41±0.16,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。②相关性分析:血浆PAI-1分别与HOMA-IR、空腹胰岛素(FIns)、孕前BMI正相关,相关系数分别为:r=0.525,P=0.001;r=0.550,P=0.001;r=0.625,P=0.000。③多元逐步回归分析发现血浆PAI-1与HOMA-IR具有高度相关性。结论:GDM患者的血浆PAI-1水平明显升高与IR密切相关,PAI-1与GDM的发病有关。     

Adipocytokines as features of the metabolic syndrome determined using confirmatory factor analysis

PurposeConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the hypothesis whether adipocytokines are associated with the risk factor cluster that characterizes the metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsData from 134 nondiabetic subjects were analyzed using CFA. Insulin sensitivity (S_I) was quantified using intravenous glucose tolerance tests, visceral fat area by computed tomography and fasting high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), serum amyloid A (SAA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, adiponectin, resistin, leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured.ResultsThe basic model representing the MetS included six indicators comprising obesity, S_I, lipids, and hypertension, and demonstrated excellent goodness of fit. Using multivariate analysis, MCP-1, SAA, and TNF-α were not independently associated with any of the MetS variables. Adiponectin, resistin, leptin, CRP, and IL-6 were associated with at least one of the risk factors, but when added to the basic model decreased all goodness-of-fit parameters. PAI-1 was associated with all cardiometabolic factors and improved goodness-of-fit compared with the basic model.ConclusionsAddition of PAI-1 increased the CFA model goodness of fit compared with the basic model, suggesting that this protein may represent an added feature of the MetS.     

Community-based screening for cardiovascular disease and diabetes using HbA1c

BACKGROUND: Persons from inner-city immigrant and mixed-ethnic communities are known to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Such communities may also be underserved for preventive medical care. The authors hypothesized that hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) could be used as a screening test for a community-based program to detect new cases of diabetes and persons at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Screenings took place in churches, group homes, shelters, community centers, and street corners of the Bronx. Screening data included history of diabetes, age, ethnicity, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid panel, random glucose, and HbA1c. Data were analyzed for number of cases of new diabetes (HbA1c > or =7%), for patients at risk for diabetes (HbA1c 6%-6.99%), and for associations between HbA1c and other variables. The effect of location of screening and self-reported ethnicity on outcome variables was also analyzed. RESULTS: Seven hundred four persons were screened in 25 different sessions. HbA1c and lipid profile were obtained on 539 persons, which formed the cohort for analysis. Mean HbA1c for the cohort was 6.00%. Thirty-two percent of the cohort had HbA1c of more than 6%, and 11.4% had HbA1c of more than 7%. Excluding known diabetics (13% of cohort), 24% had HbA1c of more than 6%, and 3.4% had HbA1c of more than 7%. HbA1c was significantly correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and age; in all cases, correlation coefficients were higher with HbA1c than with random glucose. In addition, significantly higher cardiovascular disease risk factors were found in persons with HbA1c of more than 6%; 6% may be a threshold value for the metabolic syndrome. Mean HbA1c was higher in persons from the South Bronx (which has a higher poverty rate) than the North Bronx (6.08% v 5.74%, p=0.013). There were no statistically significant differences between self-reported ethnic groupings. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, and of patients at risk for diabetes, in this community setting. Community-based screening can be used as a method for identifying high percentages of patients at risk for diabetes or with undiagnosed diabetes in an inner city, immigrant, mixed-ethnic population.     

Measuring the psychological consequences of breast cancer screening: a confirmatory factor analysis of the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire

Objectives

To use confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the proposed factor structure of the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ), a measure of the psychological impact of breast cancer screening. A further aim was to examine the robustness of the proposed factor structure across key demographic and clinical variables.

Method

Following visits to breast cancer screening clinics, women who received a false-positive diagnosis and a matched sample of women who had received all-clear diagnoses were sent a questionnaire package containing the PCQ and a demographics measure. A total of 220 women returned completed questionnaires. CFA was used to test the factor structure and multiple indicator–multiple cause (MIMIC) models were used to test the robustness of the factor structure across the test result group, age, and family history of breast cancer diagnosis.

Results

The CFA results suggested support for both a three- and a one-factor model; a one-factor model was preferred, however, due to the very high covariance between the three latent factors in the three-factor model. A CFA MIMIC model suggested that the test result impacted on the latent factor: women who initially received a false-positive diagnosis showed significantly higher levels of psychological dysfunction after screening.

Conclusions

The PCQ appears to be a promising tool for assessing psychological dysfunction after breast cancer screening; however, a one-factor model received more support than the initially proposed three-factor model. There was little evidence of differential item functioning across key demographic and clinical variables for the PCQ.     

Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in relation to HbA1c in Japanese obese adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the Saku Control Obesity Program

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Dietary glycemic index or load is thought to play an important role in glucose metabolism. However, few studies have investigated the relation between glycemic index (GI) or load (GL) and glycemia in Asian populations. In this cross-sectional analysis of a randomized controlled trial, the Saku Control Obesity Program, we examined the relation between the baseline GI or GL and glycemia (HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose [FPG] levels), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), beta-cell function (HOMA-beta), and other metabolic risk factors (lipid levels, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and adiposity measures). METHODS: The participants were 227 obese Japanese women and men. We used multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models to adjust for potential confounding factors such as age, sex, visceral fat area, total energy intake, and physical activity levels. RESULTS: After adjustments for potential confounding factors, GI was not associated with HbA1c, but GL was positively associated with HbA1c. For increasing quartiles of GI, the adjusted mean HbA1c were 6.3%, 6.7%, 6.4%, and 6.4% (P for trend = 0.991). For increasing quartiles of GL, the adjusted mean HbA1c were 6.2%, 6.2%, 6.6%, and 6.5% (P for trend = 0.044). In addition, among participants with HbA1c >= 7.0%, 20 out of 28 (71%) had a high GL (>= median); the adjusted odds ratio for HbA1c >= 7.0% among participants with higher GL was 3.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2 to 8.1) compared to the participants with a lower GL (= 150 mg/dL, 13 participants (81.3%) had a higher GL; the adjusted odds ratio for FPG >= 150 mg/dL among participants with a higher GL was 8.5 (95% confidence interval = 1.7 to 43.4) compared to those with a lower GL. In contrast, GI and GL were not associated with metabolic risk factors other than glycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that participants with poor glycemic control tend to have a higher GL in an obese Japanese population.     

血清糖化血红蛋白、空腹血糖、胰岛素抵抗指数对2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者强化期治疗后痰菌未阴转的预测价值

目的探讨2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者2个月强化期治疗后痰菌未阴转的影响因素以及早期血清糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、空腹血糖(FBG)及胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)对痰菌未阴转的预测价值。方法选取在本院治疗的2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者87例,同时选取同期40例单纯肺结核患者为对照组,分析2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者痰菌未阴转的危险因素,并通过绘制ROC曲线分析早期血清HbA1c、FBG、HOMA-IR对强化期治疗后痰菌未阴转的预测价值。结果2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核组治疗后痰菌阴转率明显低于对照组,且血清HbA1c、FBG及HOMA-IR较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05)。有空洞及治疗前、2个月强化期治疗后血清HbA1c、FBG、HOMA-IR的高水平均是影响2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者痰菌未阴转的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。血清HbA1c、FBG预测痰菌未转阴的AUC均明显高于HOMA-IR(P<0.05);HbA1c预测痰菌未转阴的敏感度>FBG>HOMA-IR,而HOMA-IR的特异度>HbA1c=FBG。结论早期、定期对血清HbA1c、FBG及HOMA-IR进行综合监测对提高2型糖尿病合并涂阳肺结核患者2个月强化期治疗后痰菌阴转率具有重要价值。     

二甲双胍对糖耐量受损合并代谢综合征患者血清视黄醇结合蛋白4和炎性因子的影响

目的 观察二甲双胍对糖耐量受损(IGT)合并代谢综合征(MS)患者临床血生化指标及血清视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP-4)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的影响。方法 将60例新诊断IGT合并MS患者按随机数字表法分为二甲双胍组和生活干预组,每组30例,比较两组治疗前和治疗16周后体质指数(BMI)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、HOMA模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、血脂、血清RBP-4、hs-CRP、TNF-α水平的变化。结果 治疗后二甲双胍组较生活干预组HbA1c、HOMA-IR、RBP-4、hs-CRP和TNF-α明显下降[(5.09±0.26)％比(5.69±0.49)％,2.95±0.63比3.49±0.78,( 18.69±6.50) mg/L比(26.20±6.97) mg/L,( 2.37±0.53) mg/L比（2.99±0.57)mg/L,(9.49±2.37)μg/L比(14.33±2.62)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01)。多元线性回归分析显示,RBP-4变化与BMI、HOMA-IR、hs-CRP、TNF-α有线性回归关系(β=0.284、0.506、0.274、0.230,P＜0.01),其中HOMA-IR对RBP-4的影响最大。结论 二甲双胍可明显改善IGT合并MS患者的胰岛素抵抗,显著降低RBP-4、hs-CRP和TNF-α的水平,具有明显的抗炎作用。     

2011年郑州市中老年人糖化血红蛋白水平及与代谢综合征及各种代谢紊乱的相关性

目的 探讨中老年社区居民糖化血红蛋白(hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c)水平与代谢综合征(metabolic syndrome, MS)及各种代谢紊乱的相关性。 方法 2011年7月,对郑州市四个社区8 237名社区居民进行问卷调查、体格检查和实验室检查,按照HbA1c＜5.7%,5.7%～,6.5%～分组后调查MS及各种代谢紊乱的患病率,采用Pearson相关分析探讨HbA1c与MS及各项代谢指标的相关性。 结果 中老年社区居民HbA1c水平较高, MS和各种代谢紊乱随着HbA1c水平的升高而升高,当HbA1c≥6.5%时,MS、中心性肥胖、高甘油三酯(high triglyceride,H-TG)血症、低高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)血症的患病率分别为81.7%、78%、50.8%、58%。HbA1c与HDL-C呈负相关;与腰围、体重指数、舒张压、胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、糖耐量试验2h血糖呈正相关。 结论 2011年郑州市社区中老年人群HbA1c水平较高,HbA1c≥6.5%时MS和各种代谢紊乱的患病率较高,HbA1c与MS和各种代谢紊乱有较强相关性。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者胰岛素抵抗与纤溶系统的相关性

目的:探讨多囊卵巢综合征患者胰岛素抵抗与纤溶系统的相关性。方法:对41例多囊卵巢综合征患者(其中21例胰岛素抵抗,20例非胰岛素抵抗)、30例健康同龄人,分别测定空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物(t-PA)及血浆组织纤溶酶原激活物抑制因子-1(PAI-1),并计算体重指数及稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)。结果:胰岛素抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征患者的血浆组织纤溶酶原激活物抑制因子-1的水平较无胰岛素抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征患者及正常对照组明显升高(P<0.05),并与胰岛素抵抗指数呈明显相关性,无胰岛素抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征患者PAI-1水平较正常对照组高(P<0.05);血浆组织型纤溶酶原激活物在3组之间无明显的改变(P>0.05)。结论:胰岛素抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征患者的PAI-1水平增高和无明显变化的t-PA表达,显示存在低纤溶活性状态。这种纤溶活性的改变可能是胰导素抵抗的多囊卵巢综合征患者早期发生动脉粥样硬化和流产的发病机理。     

Effect of Ramadan fasting on some indices of insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in healthy male adults

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on insulin sensitivity in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Males (n 55; age 34.1 (sd 8.9) years) with the metabolic syndrome were studied. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body weight, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), TAG, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting blood insulin and insulin resistance indices (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and reciprocal index of HOMA-IR (1/HOMA-IR)) were evaluated before and after 30 d of Ramadan fasting (two meals at 12 h intervals). The dietary intake was estimated by 24 h recall before and after fasting. The total daily energy intake was decreased by 234.6 (sd 88.2) kJ/d in the fasting period (P = 0.005). 1/HOMA-IR, QUICKI and HDL-C were significantly increased (P = 0.005, P = 0.001 and P = 0.004) and FPG significantly decreased (P < 0.005) after fasting. Simple linear regression analysis demonstrated that HOMA-IR, 1/HOMA-IR and QUICKI were related to waist circumference after intervention (r 0.458, P < 0.001; r - 0.396, P < 0.05; r - 0.342, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that the combined change in the number and timing of meals and portioning of the entire intake into only two meals per d may increase insulin sensitivity in subjects with the metabolic syndrome even when the decrease in energy consumption is minimal.     

The Association between Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Caucasian Women Stratified According to Glycemic Status

We examined the glycemic status-stratified relationships between total serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors in middle-aged Caucasian women. The study included 349 women divided into 2 subgroups: a normoglycemic group (NG, n = 184) and a dysglycemic group (DG, n = 165). Blood samples, anthropometric parameters, and blood pressure were measured. HOMA-IR, albumin-corrected calcium (CCa), and fatty liver index (FLI) were calculated. BCAA concentrations were higher in the women with dysglycemia. BCAAs moderately correlated with BMI and FLI in the NG group and with BMI, FLI, total calcium (TCa), CCa, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C, and HDL-C in the DG group. After adjusting for age and BMI, correlations for TCa, CCa, HbA1c, HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C remained significant. The coexistence of increased BCAAs with dysglycemic status was associated with markedly higher concentrations of TCa, CCa, HbA1c, and TG, which were not observed in the DG women with low level of BCAAs. Multiple regression showed that TCa or CCa, age and BCAAs were significantly associated with HbA1c independently of BMI only in the DG group. We conclude that dysglycemia in particular predisposes women to a significant relationship between total BCAAs and circulating calcium and HbA1c, and that these relationships are independent of BMI and may reflect the pathophysiological calcium-dependent mechanisms connecting BCAAs with metabolic disturbances.     

维生素D受体基因多态性与青少年代谢综合征空腹血糖受损的关系研究

目的探讨维生素D受体(VDR)基因多态性与青少年代谢综合征(MS)空腹血糖受损(IFG)的关系。方法选取2017年3月至2019年8月在上海市松江区中心医院接受治疗的青少年代谢综合征患者(MS组)242例和体检中心健康检查的青少年(NC组)200例作为研究对象。MS组按照是否出现空腹血糖受损分为IFG亚组和Non-IFG亚组,分析维生素D受体基因ApaⅠ位点多态性及与相关临床资料的关系。结果三组研究对象VDR基因ApaⅠ基因型及等位基因分布频率比较差异具有统计学意义,且aa基因型频率、a等位基因频率均在IFG亚组中最高,在NC组中最低(χ2值分别为36.954、31.501,均P<0.01);不同基因型患者空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、空腹胰岛素(Fins)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、1,25-二羟基维生素D3[1,25-(OH)2D3]比较差异有统计学意义,且aa基因型患者的FPG、HbA1c、Fins水平更高,HDL-C、1,25-(OH)2D3水平更低(F值分别为6.278、5.536、9.663、6.012、11.547,均P<0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示,体质指数(BMI)、FPG、HbA1c、稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、aa基因型及a等位基因为MS患者空腹血糖受损的危险因素,HDL-C及1,25-(OH)2D3为MS患者空腹血糖受损的保护因素,其OR值及95%CI分别为2.416(1.397~6.222)、2.978(1.694~8.996)、1.896(1.207~7.554)、2.021(1.832~7.449)、2.142(1.214~8.094)、2.423(1.353~7.939)、0.421(0.384~0.852)、0.527(0.436~0.847),均P<0.05。结论维生素D受体基因ApaⅠ位点多态性与MS患者空腹血糖受损存在一定相关性,其可能通过降低维生素D受体水平引起MS空腹血糖受损。     

Associations between glycated hemoglobin levels and atherosclerotic risk factors in urban communities

PURPOSE: To prevent coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, we need to focus on "the deadly quartet" (coexistence of upper-body obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension), and the multiple risk factor syndrome related to insulin resistance. As few urban community-based population studies have evaluated the correlation between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and risks of life-style related disease, we investigated this parameter and its correlation with atherosclerotic risk factors in participants of health check ups in two communities in Kanagawa prefecture. We also examined whether these correlations were affected by difference between the two groups. METHODS: The study populations comprised male and female residents aged 40-79 in two communities (A and B cities) in 1998. Age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), GOT, GPT, Uric acid (UA), and gamma GTP were considered as atherosclerotic risk factors. Firstly we calculated correlation coefficients with HbA1c level. Secondly, logistic regression analyses were performed with HbA1c as the dependent variable, and risk factors correlated with HbA1c significantly and variable for each community as independent variables. To assess whether community differences affect associations between HbA1c levels and risk factors, we added interaction terms as independent variables in the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 1. There were no significant interaction terms while significant positive associations were observed between HbA1c and age, BMI, and levels of TC and gamma GTP for men in both communities. A significant negative association was observed between HbA1c and UA.. 2. Age, BMI, and the levels of SBP, TG, GPT, and gamma GTP were positively associated, and GOT was negatively associated with the HbA1c levels in women in both communities. Each community had its own association between TC and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: The findings that TC is associated with HbA1c in men, and that BMI and the level of TC are linked with HbA1c in women are consistent with previous results for Japanese. The association between HbA1c and TG in women was newly observed for Japanese. Furthermore, the levels of gamma GTP in both sexes and also GPT in women are associated with HbA1c. From these results, investigating linkage between HbA1c level and atherosclerotic risk factors was thought to be appropriate for estimating accumulation of multiple risk factors in the community.     

HOMA-IR Values are Associated With Glycemic Control in Japanese Subjects Without Diabetes or Obesity: The KOBE Study

Background

Several studies have reported that insulin resistance was a major risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals without diabetes or obesity. We aimed to clarify the association between insulin resistance and glycemic control in Japanese subjects without diabetes or obesity.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study including 1083 healthy subjects (323 men and 760 women) in an urban area. We performed multivariate regression analyses to estimate the association between the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values and markers of glycemic control, including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

Compared with the lowest tertile of HOMA-IR values, the highest tertile was significantly associated with HbA1c and FPG levels after adjustment for potential confounders, both in men (HbA1c: β = 1.83, P = 0.001; FPG: β = 0.49, P < 0.001) and women (HbA1c: β = 0.82, P = 0.008; FPG: β = 0.39, P < 0.001). The highest tertile of HOMA-IR values was inversely associated with 1,5-AG levels compared with the lowest tertile (β = −18.42, P = 0.009) only in men.

Conclusions

HOMA-IR values were associated with markers of glycemic control in Japanese subjects without diabetes or obesity. Insulin resistance may influence glycemic control even in a lean, non-diabetic Asian population.Key words: homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, glycemic control, epidemiology     

Blackcurrant Improves Diabetic Cardiovascular Dysfunction by Reducing Inflammatory Cytokines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice

Diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction is a representative complication of diabetes. Inflammation associated with the onset and exacerbation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiovascular complications. Diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction is characterized by myocardial fibrosis, which includes structural heart changes, myocardial cell death, and extracellular matrix protein accumulation. The mice groups in this study were divided as follows: Cont, control (db/m mice); T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus mice (db/db mice); Vil.G, db/db + vildagliptin 50 mg/kg/day, positive control, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor; Bla.C, db/db + blackcurrant 200 mg/kg/day. In this study, Bla.C treatment significantly improved the homeostatic model evaluation of glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices and diabetic blood markers such as HbA1c in T2DM mice. In addition, Bla.C improved cardiac function markers and cardiac thickening through echocardiography. Bla.C reduced the expression of fibrosis biomarkers, elastin and type IV collagen, in the left ventricle of a diabetic cardiopathy model. Bla.C also inhibited TD2M-induced elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in cardiac tissue (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β). Thus, Bla.C significantly improved cardiac inflammation and cardiovascular fibrosis and dysfunction by blocking inflammatory cytokine activation signals. This showed that Bla.C treatment could ameliorate diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications in T2DM mice. These results provide evidence that Bla.C extract has a significant effect on the prevention of cardiovascular fibrosis, inflammation, and consequent diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, directly or indirectly, by improving blood glucose profile.     

Glycaemic control and microvascular complications in a large cohort of Italian Type 1 diabetic out-patients

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the degree of metabolic control, the prevalence of microvascular complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy) and their association with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in all adult Type 1 diabetic out-patients attending 2 Diabetes Clinics of Northern Italy over 12 months. A total of 458 patients (mean age 37 +/- 12 yr, duration of diabetes 15.3 +/- 10.6 yr, BMI 23.2 +/- 3.1 kg/m2) were studied. Clinical characteristics and microvascular complications were evaluated. The proportion of patients with a good glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7%) was 14.7%. Nephropathy was observed in 24.4%, retinopathy in 41%, peripheral neuropathy in 23.7%. The prevalence of hypertension was 30.3%. Microvascular complications were associated with age, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, triglycerides and cholesterol plasma levels. Mean HbA1c was 8.5 +/- 1.6. Patients with HbA1c levels < 7% presented a lower prevalence of complications and lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure than patients with HbA1c > 9%. Our study indicates that an acceptable metabolic control is achieved in a too low proportion of Type 1 diabetic patients, even under multiple insulin injections. The association of poor metabolic control and microalbuminuria identifies a group of patients at higher risk of diabetic complications.     

Impact of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) on identifying insulin resistance among apparently healthy individuals

Aims

Insulin resistance has been implicated as a risk factor for metabolic disorders. Due to the clinical interest in insulin resistance, it is of great importance to develop a simple test that can be used in routine clinical settings for identifying insulin-resistant individuals in advance. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has been considered as a potentially good indicator of overall glycemic exposure and likely risk for long-term complications. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the importance of HbA1c in predicting insulin resistance among apparently healthy at-risk German populations.

Methods

The association between HbA1c and several surrogate markers of insulin resistance/sensitivity based on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations was analyzed by bivariate correlation along with multivariate linear regression and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis among normal (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) individuals (n = 3578 aged >18 years) in Germany.

Results

Spearman’s correlation coefficients showed that HbA1c had a significant association with insulin resistance/sensitivity markers in both NGT and IGT individuals and that this was stronger in the younger age group (<50 years) (rho = 0.410 with HOMA-IR, rho = ?0.379 with the Matsuda index). Moreover, the ROC curve also showed that the HbA1c occupied a significant area under the curve (0.731 with 95% CI 0.661–0.801) and that the cutoff point for estimating insulin resistance corresponded to 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) with 34% sensitivity and 80% specificity.

Conclusion

From this study, it could be concluded that HbA1c may be a clinically useful and simple index for predicting the concomitant presence of insulin resistance and dysglycemia among apparently healthy, young (<50 years) German populations.

     

A birth-weight questionnaire indicated that life style modifies the birth weight and metabolic syndrome relationship at age 36

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the relationship between birth weight and the metabolic syndrome and the modifying effects of lifestyle in adults (36.5 years). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: 273 subjects completed a birth-weight questionnaire; waist circumference, HDL and triglyceride concentrations, blood pressure and HbA1c, physical activity and fitness, smoking status and dietary intake were measured. Risks for the metabolic syndrome and for having at least two of the components of the metabolic syndrome were calculated and the modifying effect of lifestyle factors was assessed by comparing four groups based on birth weight and a lifestyle factor. RESULTS: Birth weight was not associated with the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio OR = 0.67, 95% confidence interval CI = 0.25-1.79). Birth weight lower than the median increased the risk for having at least two components (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.15-4.50). Subjects who smoked and had a birth weight lower than the median had a 6.9 times increased risk. Modification by lifestyle measured at age 36 was not observed, although effect modification using lifestyle data from 32 years was found. CONCLUSIONS: Lower birth weight increased the risk for having at least two components of the metabolic syndrome. Smoking, being less physical active or fit, have an unfavorable diet at age 32 adds to this risk.     

Clustering of procoagulation, inflammation, and fibrinolysis variables with metabolic factors in insulin resistance syndrome

The known metabolic cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) do not adequately explain the excess cardiovascular disease risk attributed to this syndrome, and abnormalities in hemostatic variables may contribute to this excess risk. Using data from 322 nondiabetic elderly men and women (aged 65-100 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study during 1989-1990, the authors performed factor analysis on 10 metabolic risk factors associated with IRS and 11 procoagulation, inflammation, and fibrinolysis variables to examine the clustering of the metabolic and hemostatic risk markers. Factor analysis of the metabolic variables confirmed four uncorrelated factors: body mass, insulin/glucose, lipids, and blood pressure. Adding the hemostatic variables yielded three new factors interpreted as inflammation, vitamin K-dependent proteins, and procoagulant activity. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 clustered with the body mass factor, supporting the hypothesis that obesity is related to impaired fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen clustered with the inflammation summary factor rather than procoagulant activity, supporting the position that fibrinogen principally reflects underlying inflammation rather than procoagulant potential. The authors conclude that should hemostatic variables be shown to contribute to IRS-related cardiovascular disease, apart from plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, they may do so independently of the established metabolic abnormalities.     

Specific associations of insulin resistance with impaired health-related quality of life in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

Insulin resistance is a metabolic abnormality that underlies Type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, but it may also be associated with more global health deficits. This study assessed associations of insulin resistance with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in different domains of physical and mental health in a large elderly population study. Cross-sectional data of 1212 participants from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study were analysed. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 health survey. Poor HRQoL was defined by a score lower than the sex-specific 10th percentile of each scale, and logistic regressions yielded odds ratios in relation to the HOMA-IR scores. Subsequent analyses adjusted for the influence of age, smoking, alcohol consumption, social class, BMI, coronary heart disease and depression. Results showed an increase in poor HRQoL with an increase in HOMA-IR scores for physical functioning (OR = 2.29; CI: 1.67-3.13), vitality (OR = 1.45; CI: 1.05-2.00), and general health (OR = 1.62; CI: 1.19-2.21). In men, but not in women, associations with physical functioning were independent of confounding variables. The results indicate that insulin resistance is associated with poor HRQoL in domains of physical health, but not in domains of mental health.