Prevalence of restless legs syndrome and quality of sleep in type 2 diabetics

IntroductionRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an irresistible urge to move, with or without paraesthesia occurring or worsening at rest and relieved by activity. Only a few reports of prevalence of RLS with type 2 diabetes are available in India.AimsTo estimate the occurrence and risk factors of RLS among Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodThis cross-sectional study was done in consecutive adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Demographic and comorbidity profile were collected. RLS diagnosis was made based on revised international RLS study group (IRLSSG) criteria.ResultsTwo hundred and ten diabetic patients were interviewed. Mean age was 56 ± 13.5 years. Male-female ratio was 139: 71. Mean duration of diabetes was 8.3 years. Treatment received for diabetes included oral hypoglycaemic agents (153 patients) and insulin (85 patients). Forty-five patients had polyneuropathy, 18 had retinopathy and 22 had nephropathy.Majority (103) of subjects reported their bedtime as 9–10 pm. Average sleep duration was 8.4 h per night. RLS was diagnosed in 17 (8%) subjects. Mean sleep onset in subjects with RLS was 56 min versus 29 min in diabetics without RLS (p-0.01). The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 5 in RLS and 3.3 in non-RLS patients (p-0.01).Discussion and conclusionsRLS resulted in poor sleep quality and affected overall quality of life in diabetics. As poor sleep is a known risk factor for uncontrolled diabetes, early identification and treatment of RLS would help improve glycaemic control and quality of life in these patients.     

Relationship between visceral fat accumulation and anti-lipolytic action of insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance is closely related to developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Visceral fat accumulation is associated with insulin resistance, which affects the free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism. We investigated the interactions among visceral fat accumulation, FFA metabolism and insulin resistance in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including 11 obese and 9 non-obese subjects. Body fat distribution was estimated by measuring the areas of both subcutaneous and visceral fat mass on abdominal computed tomography at the umbilical level. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) and plasma FFA responses to insulin were determined as an index of insulin resistance and anti-lipolytic action, respectively, in a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp study. There was an inverse correlation between GIR and insulin-induced decrease in plasma FFA in all diabetic patients (r = -0.652, P < 0.01). Visceral fat mass area was well correlated with GIR (r = -0.583, P < 0.01) and insulin-induced decrease in plasma FFA (r = 0.724, P < 0.001), whereas subcutaneous fat mass area was not correlated either with GIR or plasma FFA decrease. These findings suggest that visceral fat accumulation results in increasing the resistance against the anti-lipolytic action of insulin, and that FFA metabolism is closely related with glucose utilization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Association between sleep duration and nephropathy in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Sleep disturbances have been shown to be associated with adverse health outcomes including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and obesity. However, little is known about the relationship between sleep duration and diabetes complications. The present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between sleep duration and nephropathy in a population of type 2 DM patients. Diabetic patients aged ≥?18 years who visited two outpatient clinics in Kermanshah from February 2014 to February 2015 entered the study. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data, as well as information on sleep duration of participants within the past 4 weeks, were collected by an interviewer. Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤?60 ml/24 h were excluded from the study. Proteinuria was defined as excretion of more than 150 mg protein in 24-h urine. Differences in urine protein and related variables were examined between four sleep duration groups (≤?5, 6, 7, and ≥?8 h). Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the association between sleep duration and diabetic nephropathy. Four hundred thirty-two patients (63.8% female) with a mean age of 54.68?±?9.98 years were analyzed. There were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, waist circumference, DM duration, HbA1C, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, and urine protein between sleep duration groups. While adjusted linear regression showed no association between sleep duration and urine protein (p?=?0.300), multivariable logistic regression revealed male gender, increased HbA1C, shorter sleep duration, increased DM duration, lower eGFR, higher DBP, decreased HDL-C, and higher uric acid levels to be statistically associated with proteinuria. Short sleep duration is adversely associated with proteinuria in type 2 DM patients with normal and near-normal kidney function.     

Excess visceral fat accumulation is a risk factor for postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients with esophageal cancer

Background  Although visceral fat accumulation influences various body systems, its significance as a preoperative risk factor is unknown. This study analyzed the relationship between visceral fat accumulation and postoperative morbidity. Methods  The study group consisted of 64 male patients with body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 or more who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Clinicopathological, surgical, and postoperative data were collected from medical records. Visceral fat area (VFA) was calculated at the navel level of preoperative CT scan by FatScan ver. 3.0. Results  Based on visceral fat area, patients were divided into high-VFA group (VFA ≥ 100 cm², n = 30) and low-VFA group (VFA < 100 cm², n = 34). Postoperative maximal CRP level was higher in the high-VFA group (23.4 ± 5.7 mg/dl) than the low-VFA group (18.5 ± 7.1 mg/dl, P = 0.004). The duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was significantly longer in high-VFA group (3.1 ± 3.4 days) than low-VFA group (1.7 ± 1.9 days, P = 0.048). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications. Differences in CRP and SIRS duration were not evident when the population was divided according to BMI. Visceral fat area (P = 0.001), blood loss (P = 0.029), and field of lymphadenectomy (P = 0.005) correlated with longer duration of SIRS postoperatively (>3 days). Multivariate analysis identified visceral fat area as the only significant determinant of longer duration of SIRS (P = 0.034; HR, 0.984). Conclusions  Patients with visceral fat area of more than 100 cm² are at high risk for prolonged postoperative SIRS.     

Characteristics of sleep-disordered breathing in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), especially sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, is often observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; but there are only a few studies on SDB in Japanese diabetic subjects. We investigated the prevalence of SDB in diabetic patients; associations between severity of sleep apnea (SA) and clinical factors, visceral fat, and adiponectin; and associations between type of SA and clinical factors. In the present study, 40 Japanese diabetic patients underwent overnight cardiorespiratory monitoring, and night and morning measurements of serum adiponectin concentrations. Sleep apnea was detected in Japanese diabetic patients at a high prevalence (77.5%). The following variables were associated with SDB: age, body mass index, estimated visceral fat area, and nocturnal reduction in serum adiponectin concentrations. The prevalence of central sleep apnea (CSA, ≥5/h) was 32.3% among diabetic SDB patients. Diabetic SDB patients with CSA had higher hemoglobin, increased intima-media thickness, and higher plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels than those without CSA (<5/h). In conclusion, our study demonstrated a high prevalence of SDB in Japanese diabetic patients, which correlated with visceral fat area and adiponectin. A high frequency of CSA was noted in diabetic SDB patients, together with high hemoglobin, high brain natriuretic peptide, and increased intima-media thickness. The present results of prevalence of SDB may be relevant to the higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients, which need to be clarified in future studies.     

Elevated hepatocyte growth factor in sera from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine known to be involved in tissue regeneration and repair. We measured serum levels of HGF in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1). The patients were divided into four groups: (1) 10 patients at clinical presentation before insulin treatment; (2) 19 patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (diabetes duration 1/2–3 years); (3) 14 patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes without renal involvement (diabetes duration >10 years, and urinary albumin excretion (UAER) <20 μg/ min); and (4) 20 patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes with renal involvement (diabetes duration >10 years and UAER 20–500 μg/min). Sera from 24 age- and sex-matched healthy blood donors constituted a control group. The HGF levels of the four groups were (mean±SD); group 1, 0.74±0.14; group 2, 0.78±0.40; group 3, 0.86±0.42; group 4, 0.79±0.27 ng/ml, compared to 0.43±0.24 ng/ml in the control group (P<0.0008). HGF levels were not significantly different between the four patient groups. The elevated serum HGF levels did not correlate with complications related to type 1 diabetes, such as UAER, retinopathy and macrovascular complications, suggesting that HGF levels were not associated with the type 1 diabetes complications. In conclusion, our results show that type 1 diabetic patients have increased serum HGF levels compared with controls and that HGF is elevated to the same extent in newly diagnosed as well as in long-standing type 1 diabetes. Received: 29 November 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 11 March 1998     

Compression of the optic chiasm is associated with permanent shorter sleep duration in patients with pituitary insufficiency

Objective Patients with pituitary insufficiency often experience some degree of impaired sleep. Sleep–wake rhythm is regulated to a large extent by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Because the SCN is located just superior to the optic chiasm, we hypothesized that a history of compression of the optic chiasm (CC) due to a tumour with suprasellar extension is associated with altered sleep patterns in patients with pituitary insufficiency. Design Case–control study. Patients We studied 38 patients (mean age 55·7 ± 13·1 years; 71·1% men) with CC and 18 patients (mean age 53·3 ± 16·6 years, 38·9% men) without CC. Measurements Objective measures of sleep patterns were assessed by wrist actigraphy. Validated sleep questionnaires were used to evaluate subjective sleep parameters. Results Objective total sleep duration was 36 min shorter in patients with CC than in patients without CC [454 (295–553) vs 490 (432–740) min, P = 0·034]. Moreover, patients with CC had a later habitual bedtime [23:15 (22:30–03:00) vs 22:55 (20:00–02:00) h, P = 0·044] and a later actigraphic sleep onset [23:57 (22:31–01:33) vs 23·16 (19:47–03:04) h, P = 0·020]. Linear regression analysis confirmed the difference in total sleep duration after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, cranial radiotherapy and pituitary/hypothalamic surgery. Subjective sleep parameters were similar in both groups. Conclusions Compression of the optic chiasm due to a tumour with suprasellar extension is associated with permanent changes in total sleep duration in patients with pituitary insufficiency.     

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on glucose control in diabetic patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and recent studies have shown that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves insulin sensitivity. The objective of this study was to describe the change in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) after treatment with CPAP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and OSA. To test this hypothesis, we performed a retrospective analysis of 38 patients seen in the sleep clinic of an urban public teaching hospital. All patients had OSA and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and their diabetic medication regimen had remained unchanged during the period of CPAP therapy. Sixty-one percent were men, body mass index was 42±9.5 kg/m², and the Apnea–Hypopnea Index was 53±36 per hour. HbA1c before therapy with CPAP was 7.8±1.4% and decreased to 7.3±1.3% after 134±119 days of therapy (p<0.001). Treatment with CPAP leads to a clinically significant drop in HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe OSA.     

Prevalence of sleep apnoea in diabetic patients

Background: Diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome share a high prevalence in industrialized nations. The presence of OSA seems to promote the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and vice versa. Materials and Methods: In order to assess the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing, we studied 498 patients with DM type 2 and 58 patients with DM type 1 from 15 centres, using a screening device determining airflow and pulse oximetry. Age of the patients was 59.9 ± 13.1 years, mean body mass index was 31.9 ± 6.9 kg/m². Duration of diagnosis of DM was 9.3 ± 7.3 years. Results: Among the patients, 37.4% had an apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15/h suggestive of OSA. The prevalence of an AHI ≥ 15/h among the patients with DM type 1 was 10.3%. One hundred ninety‐three (35.2%) patients suffered from neuropathy. We found a higher prevalence for neuropathy, nephropathy, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and heart failure in the group with an AHI ≥ 15/h. Conclusions: The prevalence of sleep disordered breathing is increased in patients with DM. Most of these patients had no typical clinical symptoms of OSA and would have been undiagnosed without diagnostic assessment of OSA. Please cite this paper as: Schober A‐K, Neurath MF and Harsch IA. Prevalence of sleep apnoea in diabetic patients. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: 165–172.     

2型糖尿病并内脏型肥胖患者内脏脂肪面积的分析

目的探讨2型糖尿病（T2DM）并内脏型肥胖患者的临床特点及内脏脂肪面积的相关性分析。 方法本研究收集2018年5月至2018年9月在山西大同大学第一附属医院住院的共350例T2DM患者的临床资料,测量内脏脂肪面积(VFA)和皮下脂肪面积( SFA),以VFA≥100 cm²作为内脏型肥胖的诊断标准。根据VFA值分为单纯2型糖尿病对照组(VFA<100 cm²)和糖尿病合并内脏型肥胖观察组(VFA≥100 cm²),测定所有患者的身高、体重、体质量指数（BMI）、腰臀比（WHR）及血糖、血脂、肾功能等指标,比较两组间差异。 结果T2DM并内脏型肥胖组中身高、体重、BMI、头围、颈围、腰围、臀围、WHR、VFA、SFA、甘油三脂（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、血尿酸（UA）、舒张压均高于对照组（P<0.05）,以VFA为应变量,其他各因素为自变量,进行多元线性回归分析：体重、BMI、腰围、TG、舒张压被纳入回归方程,是T2DM并内脏型肥胖的独立危险因素。 结论体重、BMI、腰围、TG、舒张压的增高是VFA的危险因素,与T2DM并腹型肥胖相关。     

Abnormal sleep patterns in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus and its effect on diabetic microangiopathies: Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (SN-DREAMS, report 20)

To study the prevalence of Abnormal Sleep Patterns (ASPs), gender-wise, in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus and its influence on diabetic microangiopathies. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,414 patients having type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetic retinopathy was graded using stereoscopic digital fundus photography. Neuropathy was assessed by measuring vibration perception threshold using a sensitometer. Nephropathy was diagnosed by the presence of microalbuminuria in the first morning urine sample. ASPs were defined as either short (less than 5?h) or long (more than 9?h) duration of sleep with excessive daytime sleepiness. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was assessed to note excessive daytime sleepiness; a score of more than 10 was considered as abnormal. The prevalence of ASPs was more in subjects with diabetes than with those without diabetes (14.8 vs. 6.6%) (P?=?0.009), especially in women (15.7 vs. 5.6%) (P?=?0.021). Likewise, the prevalence of short duration of sleep was higher in subjects with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (6.6 vs. 2.2%) (P?=?0.040). The mean age of women subjects with diabetes, having ASPs, was higher than those without diabetes (56.4?±?8.9?years vs. 47.2?±?5.9?years, P?=?0.033). Women subjects with ASPs had a higher risk of diabetic neuropathy on both univariate and multivariate analysis. ASPs are not only related to diabetes but can also influence the microvascular complications arising due to diabetes, particularly diabetic neuropathy. Diabetology and sleep medicine specialists need to work together to prevent the negative interactions between these two groups.     

Increase in visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy

Objective Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer is associated with increases in fat mass and risk of type 2 diabetes; however, the relationship between sex steroid deficiency and abdominal fat distribution remains controversial. Design We conducted a 12‐month prospective observational study at a tertiary referral centre. Patients and measurements We investigated changes in abdominal fat distribution and insulin resistance in 26 men (70·6 ± 6·8 years) with nonmetastatic prostate cancer during the first year of ADT. Results Twelve months of ADT increased visceral abdominal fat area by 22% (from 160·8 ± 61·7 to 195·9 ± 69·7 cm²; P < 0·01) and subcutaneous abdominal fat area by 13% (from 240·7 ± 107·5 to 271·3 ± 92·8 cm²; P < 0·01). Fat mass increased by 14% (+3·4 kg; P < 0·001) and lean tissue mass decreased by 3·6% (?1·9 kg; P < 0·001). Insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) increased by 12% (2·50 ± 1·12 to 2·79 ± 1·31, P < 0·05). There was no change in fasting glucose or glycated haemoglobin levels. Total testosterone (TT) was inversely associated with visceral fat area independent of oestradiol (E2), but E2 was not associated with visceral fat area independent of TT. Visceral fat area, not TT or E2, was independently associated with insulin resistance. Conclusions ADT for prostate cancer results in accumulation of both visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat. Increased visceral fat area appears more closely linked to testosterone than oestradiol deficiency. Increased insulin resistance may arise secondary to visceral fat accumulation, rather than as a direct result of sex steroid deficiency.     

What are the characteristics of phenotypic type 2 diabetic patients with low-titer GAD65 antibodies?

Type 2 diabetes results from combined insulin resistance and β-cell deficiency. Type 1 diabetes results from β-cell destruction associated with islet autoantibodies, including those directed against glutamate decarboxylase (GAD₆₅ antibodies [GADA]). Clinical impact of low GADA positivity (<60 U/ml) in type 2 diabetes is debated, being rarely performed in routine care. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and cardiometabolic/autoimmune phenotype of GADA[+] patients. 524 type 2 diabetes consecutive outpatients were assessed for glucose homeostasis using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA): insulin sensitivity (HOMA S); β-cell function (HOMA B) and annualized loss in [BXS]. GADA prevalence was 6 % (n = 30). There were no differences between groups for age, diabetes duration and family history of diabetes. There were proportionately more women (33 vs. 53 %) in GADA[+]. There were no differences in body mass index, waist circumference or visceral fat. HOMA S was lower than normal, with no difference between groups, as was HOMA B. Annualized rate of [BXS] loss was 1.26 %/year (GADA[+]) versus 1.34 %/year (GADA[?]; NS). HbA1c was 7.8 % (GADA[+]) versus 7.6 % (GADA[?]; NS). Among all patients, prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease was 10 %. In GADA[+], this prevalence was significantly increased and equally affected both sexes: 29 % (men) versus 25 % (women), while for GADA[?] the prevalence was 5 % (men) versus 18 % (women; p < 0.0001). Low-titer GADA autoimmunity among type 2 diabetes patients was not associated with accelerated β-cell function, nor with any distinctive cardiometabolic phenotype, but for a markedly increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease, especially among men.     

Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of serum adiponectin concentration with regional adiposity and insulin resistance in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 73 Japanese men with type 2 diabetes (aged 59 +/- 11 years and body mass index [BMI] 23.8 +/- 3.0 kg/m(2), mean +/- SD) were studied. Fasting serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Regional adiposity was measured by abdominal computed tomography (CT) at the umbilical level, and insulin resistance was estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R). Univariate regression analysis showed that serum adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with subcutaneous and visceral fat areas. With multivariate regression analysis, visceral fat area was a predominant determinant of serum adiponectin levels. In contrast, subcutaneous fat area was strongly associated with serum leptin concentrations. Among subcutaneous and visceral fat areas, BMI, and serum leptin levels, both subcutaneous and visceral fat areas were independently associated with HOMA-R. In another model incorporating serum adiponectin levels, serum adiponectin levels were selected as an independent determinant of HOMA-R instead of visceral fat area. In conclusion, hypoadiponectinemia was associated with visceral fat accumulation rather than subcutaneous fat depot in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both subcutaneous and visceral fat accumulation contribute to insulin resistance in these subjects, and the contribution of visceral fat may be mediated, in part, by hypoadiponectinemia.     

Correlation between basal metabolic rate,visceral fat and insulin resistance among type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy

BackgroundBasal Metabolic Rate (BMR) means the amount of energy utilized by body in physical and psychological resting rate, after a night sleep, awake without any previous physical activity post meal (10 h after last meal) & neutral environment. In people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) there is an increase in BMR which is said to be associated with the level of glycaemic control. So, the objective of the study was to find out the correlation between BMR, Insulin resistance and Visceral fat in T2DM with peripheral neuropathy.Materials & methodsA total of 50 participants with T2DM with peripheral neuropathy were included. Age group of 30–75 years were selected for the study. Participants with a known history of neurological disease, locomotor disability, and pregnancy were excluded from the study. Demographic details of the participants like duration of diabetes mellitus, age, Fasting Blood Glucose, Fasting Insulin, HOMA-IR, Glycated Haemoglobin (HBA1c), Neuropathy and Blood pressure values were noted. We measured Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) by using Mifflin-St Jeor predictive equation in T2DM with peripheral neuropathy.ResultsThe mean age of the participants is 60.16 ± 10.62. The mean duration of T2DM 13.44 ± 11.92. In the present study we found a statistical significant correlation between BMR and HOMA IR (r = 0.913*; p = 0.000), BMR & Fasting blood sugar (FBS) (r = 0.281*; p = 0.048), BMR and Visceral fat (VF) (r = 0.332*; p = 0.018).ConclusionBasal metabolic rate is correlated to Homa-IR, visceral fat, fasting blood sugar and musculoskeletal mass among T2DM with peripheral neuropathy.     

Relationship between the serum concentrations of C-reactive protein and parameters of adiposity and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations have been reported to be associated with body fat, especially visceral fat accumulation, but most studies up to now have been conducted on non-diabetic subjects. In this study, we investigated the association between the serum CRP concentrations and parameters of adiposity and insulin resistance in both Japanese type 2 diabetes patients and non-diabetic subjects. A total of 248 Japanese subjects (140 type 2 diabetes patients and 108 non-diabetic subjects) were enrolled for the study. The degree of insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) method. Fat accumulation was evaluated by measuring visceral and subcutaneous fat areas at the level of the umbilicus in abdominal CT scans. To assess hepatic fat content, the ratio of CT attenuation value of the liver to that of the spleen (L/S ratio) was calculated. Serum CRP was found to be significantly correlated with various indices of adiposity, including L/S ratio, visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and HOMA-R, in both the diabetic patients and the non-diabetic subjects. After adjustment for five variables (age, gender, serum CRP, HbA1c, and smoking), serum CRP was still significantly correlated with L/S ratio, VFA, SFA, and HOMA-R in the diabetic patients. We also found that changes in serum CRP concentrations were correlated with changes in the VFA and SFA at 1 year after the baseline in 24 diabetic patients. We conclude that serum CRP may be closely related to the degree of liver steatosis and visceral fat accumulation in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.     

Reduced intrahepatic fat content is associated with increased whole-body lipid oxidation in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis Insulin resistance may be associated with ectopic fat accumulation potentially determined by reduced lipid oxidation. In patients with type 1 diabetes peripheral insulin resistance is associated with higher intramyocellular lipid content. We assessed whether these patients are also characterised by intrahepatic fat accumulation and abnormal fat oxidation. Methods Nineteen patients with type 1 diabetes (6 women, 13 men, age 35±7 years, BMI 23±3 kg/m², HbA₁c 8.7±1.4%) and 19 healthy matched individuals were studied by (1) euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp combined with [6,6−²H₂]glucose infusion to assess whole–body glucose metabolism; (2) indirect calorimetry to assess glucose and lipid oxidation; and (3) localised ¹H−magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver to assess intrahepatic fat content. Results Patients with type 1 diabetes showed a reduced insulin−stimulated metabolic clearance rate of glucose (4.3±1.3 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) in comparison with normal subjects (6.0±1.6 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹; p<0.001). Endogenous glucose production was higher in diabetic patients (p=0.001) and its suppression was impaired during insulin administration (66±30 vs 92±8%; p=0.047) in comparison with normal subjects. Plasma glucagon concentrations were not different between groups. The estimated hepatic insulin concentration was lower in diabetic patients than in normal subjects (p<0.05), as was the intrahepatic fat content (1.5±0.7% and 2.2±1.0% respectively; p<0.03), the latter in association with a reduced respiratory quotient (0.74±0.05 vs 0.84±0.06; p=0.01) and increased fasting lipid oxidation (1.5±0.5 vs 0.8±0.4 mg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹; p<0.01). Conclusions/interpretation In patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance was not associated with increased intrahepatic fat accumulation. In fact, diabetic patients had reduced intrahepatic fat content, which was associated with increased fasting lipid oxidation. The unbalanced hepatic glucagon and insulin concentrations affecting patients with type 1 diabetes may be involved in this abnormality of intrahepatic lipid metabolism.     

Sleep of children living in institutional care facilities

Purpose

To describe sleep patterns and problems among institutionalized children.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, the caregivers of 118 children, aged 4?C12?years from six institutional care facilities completed the Children??s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Results

The mean (±SD) of night bedtime was 21:05?±?2:52, mean morning wake-up time was 06:58?±?0:31, mean total sleep duration was 10?±?1.1?h, and mean night-sleep duration was 9.5?±?0.9?h. The percentage of children who took a daytime nap was 34.7% (n?=?41) and the mean duration of nap was 0.5?±?0.7?h. The most frequently reported sleep problems were bedtime resistance, daytime sleepiness and night awakening. Children with bedtime at or after 9?PM, night-sleep duration less than 10?h and daytime napping had more disturbed sleep.

Conclusions

Sleep problems are common among this sample of institutionalized children.     

Bedtime uncooked cornstarch supplement prevents nocturnal hypoglycaemia in intensively treated type 1 diabetes subjects

Abstract . Axelsen M, Wesslau C, Lönnroth P, Arvidsson Lenner R, Smith U (Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden). Bedtime uncooked cornstarch supplement prevents nocturnal hypoglycaemia in intensively treated IDDM subjects. J Intern Med 1999; 245 : 229–36. Objectives. The present study tests two interrelated hypotheses: (1) that bedtime ingestion of uncooked cornstarch exerts a lower and delayed nocturnal blood glucose peak compared with a conventional snack; (2) that bedtime carbohydrate supplement, administered as uncooked cornstarch, prevents nocturnal hypoglycaemia without altering metabolic control in intensively treated type 1 diabetes (IDDM) patients. Design  and subjects. The above hypotheses were tested separately (1) by pooling and analysing data from two overnight studies of comparable groups of patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (14 and 10 patients, respectively), and (2) by a double-blind, randomized 4-week cross-over study in 12 intensively treated IDDM patients. Setting. Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Interventions. (1) Ingestion of uncooked cornstarch and wholemeal bread (0.6 g of carbohydrates kg^?1 body weight) and carbohydrate-free placebo at 22.00 h. (2) Intake of uncooked cornstarch (0.3 g kg^?1 body weight) and carbohydrate-free placebo at 23.00 h. Main outcome measures. (1) Nocturnal glucose and insulin levels; (2) frequency of self-estimated hypoglycaemia (blood glucose [BG] levels < 3.0 mmol L^?1) at 03.00 h, HbA_1c and fasting lipids. Results. Bedtime uncooked cornstarch ingestion led to a lower (2.9 ± 0.5 vs. 5.2 ± 0.6 m m , P = 0.01) and delayed (4.3 ± 0.6 vs. 2.0 ± 0.0 h, P < 0.01) BG peak, compared with a conventional snack, in NIDDM patients. Four weeks of bedtime uncooked cornstarch supplement, as compared with placebo, led to a 70% reduction in the frequency of self-estimated hypoglycaemia at 03.00 h (P < 0.05), without affecting HbA1c or fasting lipids in IDDM patients. Conclusions. Uncooked cornstarch, ingested at bedtime, mimicked the nocturnal glucose utilization profile following insulin replacement, with a peak in blood glucose after 4 h. In IDDM patients, bedtime uncooked cornstarch supplement diminished the number of self-estimated hypoglycaemic episodes, without adversely affecting HbA1c and lipid levels. Hence, bedtime uncooked cornstarch ingestion may be feasible to prevent a mid-nocturnal glycaemic decline following insulin replacement in IDDM and, based on the nocturnal blood glucose profile, may also be preferable compared with conventional snacks.     

Nocturnal hypoglycaemia in Type 1 diabetic patients,assessed with continuous glucose monitoring: frequency,duration and associations

Aims We quantified the occurrence and duration of nocturnal hypoglycaemia in individuals with Type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple‐injection therapy (MIT) using a continuous subcutaneous glucose sensor. Methods A microdialysis sensor was worn at home by 24 patients on CSII (mean HbA_1c 7.8 ± 0.9%) and 33 patients on MIT (HbA_1c 8.7 ± 1.3%) for 48 h. Occurrence and duration of nocturnal hypoglycaemia were assessed and using multivariate regression analysis, the association between HbA_1c, diabetes duration, treatment type (CSII vs. MIT), fasting and bedtime blood glucose values, total daily insulin dose and mean nocturnal glucose concentrations, and hypoglycaemia occurrence and duration was investigated. Results Nocturnal hypoglycaemia ≤ 3.9 mmol/l occurred in 33.3% of both the CSII‐ (8/24) and MIT‐treated patients (11/33). Mean (± sd ; median, interquartile range) duration of hypoglycaemia ≤ 3.9 mmol/l was 78 (± 76; 57, 23–120) min per night for the CSII‐ and 98 (± 80; 81, 32–158) min per night for the MIT‐treated group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that bedtime glucose value had the strongest association with the occurrence (P = 0.026) and duration (P = 0.032) of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Conclusions Microdialysis continuous glucose monitoring has enabled more precise quantification of nocturnal hypoglycaemia occurrence and duration in Type 1 diabetic patients. Occurrence and duration of nocturnal hypoglycaemia were mainly associated with bedtime glucose value.