Influence of obesity on the severity and clinical outcome of acute pancreatitis

Background/Aims

Obesity tends to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity in acute pancreatitis. However, in Asian populations, higher morbidity and mortality have been reported in patients with low body mass indexes (BMIs). This study was undertaken to evaluate the relation between obesity and outcome, and to investigate the occurrence of complications by overweightedness in acute pancreatitis.

Methods

The medical records of 403 patients with acute pancreatitis were reviewed retrospectively, and Ranson''s scores, modified Glasgow scores, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and computed tomography severity indexes were calculated. Patients were categorized by BMI for the analysis.

Results

When compared with normal patients (BMI 18.5 to 22.9), all categories with a BMI ≥23 had an increased risk of developing a severe form of acute pancreatitis (p=0.003) and all categories with a BMI ≥25 significantly predicted severity (p<0.001). Patients with class 1 obesity (BMI 25 to 29.9) developed significantly more systemic and metabolic complications.

Conclusions

Overweightedness and obesity were found to be associated with a higher risk of developing severe pancreatitis. Further studies are needed to establish the precise prognostic value of obesity in members of the population with low BMIs.     

Effect of Transdermal Fentanyl Patches on the Motility of the Sphincter of Oddi

Background/Aims

Pain is one of the most troublesome symptoms of pancreatitis. Transdermal fentanyl patches (TFPs) are long-acting analgesics with a reduced risk of dependency. This prospective study evaluated the effect of TFPs on sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility for the management of pain in pancreatitis.

Methods

SO manometry (SOM) was performed using triple-lumen catheters anterogradely inserted through the percutaneous transhepatic route during cholangioscopy in 16 patients. The basal pressure, amplitude, and frequency of the SO were assessed before and after applying a TFP at 24 hour at doses of 25 and 12.5µg/hr, respectively.

Results

Two of 16 patients receiving a 25µg/hr. TFP were excluded because of adverse side effects (headache and/or nausea). The mean basal pressure, amplitude, and frequency of SOM did not change significantly in the 25µg/hr TFP group (n=4 patients). Parameters of SO function also did not significantly change in the 12.5µg/hr TFP group (n=11 patients).

Conclusions

TFPs below a dose of 25µg/hr may not affect the motility of the SO. Administration of TFPs at lower dosages seems to be a safe analgesic treatment for the pain control of patients with pancreatitis without affecting the function of the SO.     

The risk of bleeding of triple therapy with vitamin K-antagonists, aspirin and clopidogrel after coronary stent implantation: Facts and questions

Background Triple therapy (TT) with vitamin K-antagonists (VKA), aspirin and clopidogrel is the recommended antithrombotic treatment following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI-S) in patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation. TT is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, but available evidence is flawed by important limitations, including the limited size and the retrospective design of most of the studies, as well as the rare reporting of the incidence of in-hospital bleeding and the treatment which was actually ongoing at the time of bleeding. Since the perceived high bleeding risk of TT may deny patients effective strategies, the determination of the true safety profile of TT is of paramount importance. Methods All the 27 published studies where the incidence of bleeding at various time points during follow-up has been reported separately for patients on TT were reviewed, and the weakness of the data was analyzed. Results The absolute incidence of major bleeding upon discharge at in-hospital, ≤ 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and ≥ 12 months was: 3.3% ± 1.9%, 5.1% ± 6.7%, 8.0% ± 5.2%, 9.0% ± 8.0, and 6.2% ± 7.8%, respectively, and not substantially different from that observed in previous studies with prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. Conclusions While waiting for the ongoing, large-scale, registries and clinical trials to clarify the few facts and to answer the many questions regarding the risk of bleeding of TT, this treatment should not be denied to patients with an indication for VKA undergoing PCI-S provided that the proper measures and cautions are implemented.     

Accuracy of the CONTOUR® blood glucose monitoring system

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of the CONTOUR® blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) according to the International Organization for Standardization''s International Standard 15197 (ISO 15197:2003) guidelines and to more stringent criteria.

Method

Finger stick blood samples from 105 subjects with diabetes (25 with type 1, 77 with type 2, and 3 with type unknown) were tested using the CONTOUR BGMS and YSI glucose analyzer.

Results

99.3% of results were within ISO 15197:2003 criteria (±15 mg/dl of YSI results at glucose concentrations <75 mg/dl and ±20% at glucose concentrations ≥75 mg/dl). Additionally, 96.7% of results were accurate according to more stringent criteria (±15 mg/dl of YSI results for glucose concentrations <100 mg/dl and ±15% for glucose concentrations ≥100 mg/dl). Error grid analysis showed that 99.3% and 0.7% of results were within zones A and B, respectively.

Conclusion

The CONTOUR BGMS exceeded both the minimum acceptable accuracy based on ISO 15197:2003 and the more stringent accuracy criteria.     

Impact of preceding respiratory viral infections on the clinical severity of patients with pneumococcal pneumonia

Background

This study aimed to investigate the impact of preceding respiratory viral infections (RVI) on the clinical severity of pneumococcal pneumonia patients.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted at a university hospital from January 2009 to March 2013. Study subjects included adults (aged ≥18 years) with pneumococcal pneumonia who had undergone laboratory tests for RVI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with severe pneumococcal pneumonia, defined as severity with the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) score ≥91.

Results

In total, 191 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia were included for analysis and stratified into 2 groups: the severe group with a PSI score ≥91 (n = 99) and the non-severe group with a PSI score <91 (n = 92). Preceding RVIs were detected in 48 patients, including influenza A virus (n = 20), influenza B virus (n = 4), parainfluenza viruses (n = 5), metapneumovirus (n = 4), rhinovirus (n = 4), respiratory syncytial viruses (n = 6), coronaviruses (n = 2), and mixed viral infections (n = 3). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, preceding RVIs (odds ratio [OR], 2·49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1·10–5·60), male sex (OR, 2·58; 95% CI, 1·24–5·38), old age (OR, 2·92; 95% CI, 1·37–6·24), hypoalbuminemia (OR, 3·26; 95% CI, 1·56–6·84)], and azotemia (OR, 2·24; 95% CI, 1·08–4·67) were significantly associated with severe pneumococcal pneumonia.

Conclusion

This study suggests that preceding RVIs might be one of the risk factors affecting the clinical severity of pneumococcal pneumonia.     

What Are the Risk Factors for Acute Suppurative Cholangitis Caused by Common Bile Duct Stones?

Background/Aims

Acute suppurative cholangitis (ASC), a severe form of acute cholangitis, is a life-threatening condition that must be treated with appropriate and timely management. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predispose patients to ASC.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 181 patients (100 men, 81 women; age, 70.66±7.38 years, mean±SD) who were admitted to Wonkwang University Hospital between January 2005 and June 2007 for acute cholangitis with common bile duct (CBD) stones. All patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram to remove the stones. Variables and factors that could be assessed upon admission were analyzed to identify the risk factors for the development of ASC.

Results

Of the 181 patients, 44 (24.3%) presented with ASC. On multivariate analysis, the followings were found to be independent risk factors for the development of ASC: impacted common bile duct stone (p=0.010), current smoker status (p=0.008), advanced age (>70 years; p=0.002), and gallstone (p=0.016). The most commonly isolated organisms in bile culture were Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species.

Conclusions

Impacted bile-duct stones, current smoking, advanced age, and gallstones were identified as independent risk factors for the development of ASC in patients with CBD stones. These results suggest that emergency biliary drainage is beneficial in patients with these risk factors.     

Clinical severity of rhinovirus/enterovirus compared to other respiratory viruses in children

Background

Human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/ENT) infections are commonly identified in children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs), but data on their clinical severity remain limited.

Objectives

We compared the clinical severity of HRV/ENT to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A/B (FLU), and other common respiratory viruses in children.

Patients/Methods

Retrospective study of children with ARIs and confirmed single positive viral infections on mid-turbinate swabs by molecular assays. Outcome measures included hospital admission and, for inpatients, a composite endpoint consisting of intensive care admission, hospitalization >5 days, oxygen requirements or death.

Results

A total of 116 HRV/ENT, 102 RSV, 99 FLU, and 64 other common respiratory viruses were identified. Children with single HRV/ENT infections presented with significantly higher rates of underlying immunosuppressive conditions compared to those with RSV (37·9% versus 13·6%; P < 0·001), FLU (37·9% versus 22%; P = 0·018) or any other single viral infection (37·9% versus 22·5%; P = 0·024). In multivariable analysis adjusted for underlying conditions and age, children with HRV/ENT infections had increased odds of hospitalization compared to children with RSV infections (OR 2·6; 95% CI 1·4, 4·8; P < 0·003) or FLU infections (OR 3·0; 95% CI 1·6, 5·8; <0·001) and increased odds of severe clinical disease among inpatients (OR 3·0; 95% CI 1·6,5·6; P = 0·001) when compared to those with FLU infections.

Conclusions

Children with HRV/ENT had a more severe clinical course than those with RSV and FLUA/B infections and often had significant comorbidities. These findings emphasize the importance of considering HRV/ENT infection in children presenting with severe acute respiratory tract infections.     

Estimating the hospitalization burden associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in New York City, 2003–2011

Background

Hospitalization burden associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is uncertain due to ambiguity in the inference methodologies employed for its estimation.

Objectives

Utilization of a new method to quantitate the above burden.

Methods

Weekly hospitalization rates for several principal diagnoses from 2003 to 2011 in New York City by age group were regressed linearly against incidence proxies for the major influenza subtypes and RSV adjusting for temporal trends and seasonal baselines.

Results

Average annual rates of influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations per 100 000 were estimated to be 129 [95% CI (79, 179)] for age <1, 36·3 (21·6, 51·4) for ages 1–4, 10·6 (7·5, 13·7) for ages 5–17, 25·6 (21·3, 29·8) for ages 18–49, 65·5 (54·0, 76·9) for ages 50–64, 125 (105, 147) for ages 65–74, and 288 (244, 331) for ages ≥75. Additionally, influenza had a significant contribution to hospitalization rates with a principal diagnosis of septicemia for ages 5–17 [0·76 (0·1, 1·4)], 18–49 [1·02 (0·3, 1·7)], 50–64 [4·0 (1·7, 6·3)], 65–74 [8·8 (2·2, 15·6)], and ≥75 [38·7 (25·7, 52·9)]. RSV had a significant contribution to the rates of respiratory hospitalizations for age <1 [1900 (1740, 2060)], ages 1–4 [117 (70, 167)], and ≥75 [175 (44, 312)] [including chronic lower respiratory disease, 90 (43, 140)] as well as pneumonia & influenza hospitalizations for ages 18–49 [6·2 (1·1, 11·3)] and circulatory hospitalizations for ages ≥75 [199 (13, 375)].

Conclusions

The high burden of RSV hospitalizations among young children and seniors age ≥75 suggests the need for additional control measures such as vaccination to mitigate the impact of annual RSV epidemics. Our estimates for influenza-associated hospitalizations provide further evidence of the burden of morbidity associated with influenza, supporting current guidelines regarding influenza vaccination and antiviral treatment.     

Patients ≥75 years with acute coronary syndrome but without critical epicardial coronary disease: prevalence, characteristics, and outcome

Objective Absence of significant epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute onset of chest pain and elevation of myocardial necrosis markers is occasionally observed. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcome of such patients with advanced age. Methods We retrospectively analysed 4,311 patients with acute onset of chest pain plus necrosis marker elevation. Two hundred and seventy two patients without CAD on angiogram (6.3%) were identified. Out of them, 50 (1.2%) patients ≥ 75 years (Group I) were compared with (1) 222 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients without CAD on angiogram < 75 years (Group II), and (2) 610 consecutive patients ≥ 75 years with Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (Group III). Results Group I compared to Group III patients made up for more females (64.0% vs. 49.2%; P < 0.0001), and had more severe anginal symptoms on presentation [Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class I/II, 26.0% vs. 49.8%; P = 0.02]. Group I patients also had lower troponin levels (0.62 ± 0.8 ng/mL vs. 27 ± 74 ng/mL; P < 0.02), lower leukocyte count (9.4 ± 3.13 × 10⁹ vs. 12 ± 5.1 × 10⁹; P = 0.001) and better preserved left ventricular function (56.7% ± 14.3% vs. 45% ± 11%; P < 0.0001). Event-free survival (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, and re-hospitalisation) was more frequent in Group I and II patients compared to Group III patients (64.9%, 66.7%, and 41.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Conclusions ACS in patients ≥ 75 years without CAD is very infrequent, associated with a (1) similar outcome compared to ACS patients < 75 years without CAD, and (2) significant better outcome compared to NSTEMI patients ≥ 75 years.     

Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Very Elderly：One-center Experience in a Chinese Patient Group

Objective To investigate the clinical and perioperative characteristics of patients ≥ 75 who undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to evaluate the risk factors related to short-term post-PCI mortality in this specific patients group. Methods 1,035 consecutive subjects who underwent PCI from December 2011 to November 2013 were divided into four categories: (1) patients with stable angina (SA) ≥ 75 years (n = 58); (2) patients with SA < 75 years (n = 218); (3) patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ≥ 75 years (n = 155); (4) patients with ACS < 75 years (n = 604). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to detect risk factors of six-month mortality in patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI. Clinical comorbidities, in-hospital biochemical indicators, perioperative data, in-hospital and six-month outcomes were analyzed and compared among the four groups. Results Compared with the younger group, pa?tients ≥ 75 years were more likely to have hypertension, history of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, cardiogenic shock and malignant arrhythmia, and they were admitted to hospital with relative lower weight, hemoglobin, albumin, trigly?ceride, higher creatinine, uric acid, urea nitrogen and pro-BNP. Left main artery lesions, multi-vessel, calcified lesions, chronic totally occlusion were also more likely to be seen in the elderly group. Univariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 85 years, cardiogenic shock or severe arrhythmia at admission, emergency PCI, prior stroke and chronic kidney disease were related to six-month mortality in elderly patients ≥ 75 years who underwent PCI. Multivariable logistic regression showed that cardiogenic shock or severe arrhythmia at admission, chronic kidney disease and prior stroke were independent risk factors predicting six-month mortality in elderly patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI. Conclusions Our data showed that, compared with patients under 75 years, elderly patients (≥ 75 years) who had undergone PCI had a relative higher risk of mortality, and more often accompanied with multi-comorbidities, severer admission conditions and complex coronary lesions. Better eva?luation of risk factors and more intensively care should be taken to patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI therapy to reduce complications.     

Referrals in acute coronary events for CARdiac catheterization: The RACE CAR trial

BACKGROUND:

Women with acute coronary syndromes have lower rates of cardiac catheterization (CC) than men.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether sex/gender, age, risk level and patient preference influence physician decision making to refer patients for CC.

METHODS:

Twelve clinical scenarios controlling for sex/gender, age (55 or 75 years of age), Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score (low, moderate or high) and patient preference for CC (agreeable or refused/no preference expressed) were designed. Scenarios were administered to specialists across Canada using a web-based computerized survey instrument. Questions were standardized using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very unlikely to benefit from CC) to 5 (very likely to benefit from CC). Outcomes were assessed using a two-tailed mixed linear regression model.

RESULTS:

Of 237 scenarios, physicians rated men as more likely to benefit from CC than women (mean [± SE] 4.44±0.07 versus 4.25±0.07, P=0.03), adjusted for age, risk and patient preference. Low-risk men were perceived to benefit more than low-risk women (4.20±0.13 versus 3.54±0.14, P<0.01), and low-risk younger patients were perceived to benefit more than low-risk older patients (4.52±0.17 versus 3.22±0.16, P<0.01). Regardless of risk, patients who agreed to CC were perceived as more likely to benefit from CC than patients who were disagreeable or made no comment at all (5.0±0.23, 3.67±0.21, 2.95±0.14, respectively, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Canadian specialists’ decisions to refer patients for CC appear to be influenced by sex/gender, age and patient preference in clinical scenarios in which cardiac risk is held constant. Future investigation of possible age and sex/gender biases as proxies for risk is warranted.     

Relationship of admission hematological indexes with myocardial reperfusion abnormalities in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions

BACKGROUND:

Elevated values of mean platelet volume (MPV) and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count are predictors of an unfavourable outcome among survivors of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, their relationship with reperfusion abnormalities is less clear.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the value of admission MPV and WBC count in predicting impaired reperfusion in patients with acute STEMI who are treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS:

Blood samples were obtained on admission from 368 STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI. According to the 60th minute ST segment resolution ratio, patients were divided into impaired reperfusion and reperfusion groups.

RESULTS:

Impaired reperfusion was detected in 40% of study patients. Patients in the impaired reperfusion group had a higher admission MPV (9.8±1.3 fL versus 8.6±1.0 fL; P<0.001) and a higher WBC count (14.4±5.5×10⁹/L versus 12.1±3.8×10⁹/L; P<0.001) compared with the patients in the reperfusion group. In regression analysis, MPV (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.69 to 2.91; P<0.001) and WBC count (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15; P=0.01) were found to be independently associated with impaired reperfusion. The best cut-off value of MPV for predicting impaired reperfusion was determined to be 9.05 fL, with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 73%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that leukocytes and platelets have a role in the mediation of reperfusion injury. In patients with STEMI who are undergoing PCI, admission MPV may be valuable in discriminating a higher-risk patient subgroup and thus, may help in deciding the need for adjunctive therapy to improve the outcome.     

Risk factors associated with fatal influenza,Romania, October 2009 – May 2011

Background

Limited data are available from Central and Eastern Europe on risk factors for severe complications of influenza. Such data are essential to prioritize prevention and treatment resources and to adapt influenza vaccination recommendations.

Objectives

To use sentinel surveillance data to identify risk factors for fatal outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and among hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of case-based surveillance data collected from sentinel hospitals in Romania during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 winter influenza seasons was performed to evaluate risk factors for fatal outcomes using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

During 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, sentinel hospitals reported 661 SARI patients of which 230 (35%) tested positive for influenza. In the multivariate analyses, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the strongest risk factor for death among hospitalized SARI patients (OR: 6·6; 95% CI: 3·3–13·1). Among patients positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection (n = 148), being pregnant (OR: 7·1; 95% CI: 1·6–31·2), clinically obese (OR: 2·9;95% CI: 1·6–31·2), and having an immunocompromising condition (OR: 3·7;95% CI: 1·1–13·4) were significantly associated with fatal outcomes.

Conclusion

These findings are consistent with several other investigations of risk factors associated with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infections. They also support the more recent 2012 recommendations by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) that pregnant women are an important risk group for influenza vaccination. Ongoing sentinel surveillance can be useful tool to monitor risk factors for complications of influenza virus infections during each influenza season, and pandemics as well.     

Detailed fluid resuscitation profiles in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Background and aim

Appropriate and timely initial fluid resuscitation in acute pancreatitis (AP) is critical. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate fluid therapy on an hour-by-hour basis in relation to standard indices of adequate resuscitation during AP.

Methods

Emergency room shock charts, fluid balance sheets and intensive care (ICU) charts for all patients with AP admitted to ICU in a large acute hospital were examined. Vital signs, clinical course and fluid administered during the first 72 h after admission were tabulated against urine output, central venous pressure (CVP) and inotrope/vasopressor therapy.

Results

Sixty-three consecutive patients with AP were initially evaluated. Inter-hospital transfers with established organ dysfunction (n = 11) or where records had insufficient detail (n = 22) were excluded. In the remaining 30 patients, in-hospital death occurred in 7. The cumulative volume of crystalloid given was significantly less at 48 h in patients who died in hospital (3331 ± 800 ml vs. survivors, 7287 ± 544 ml; P < 0.001). Non-survivors had a higher CVP, and received more inotropes/vasopressors.

Conclusion

In severe AP-associated organ failure, fluid resuscitation profiles differ between survivors and non-survivors. CVP alone as a crude indicator of adequate resuscitation may be unreliable, potentially leading to the use of inotropes/vasopressors in the inadequately filled patient.     

Therapeutic efficacy of different types of platelet concentrates in thrombocytopenic patients

Background

Platelet Rich Plasma-Platelet concentrate (PRP-PC), Buffy Coat poor-platelet concentrate (BCPC), and Apheresis — PC were prepared and their therapeutic efficacy were assessed in thrombocytopenic patients.

Study design and methods

PRP-PC and BC-PC were prepared from whole blood and Apheresis-PC by automated cell separator. The post transfusion efficacy of transfused platelets was assessed at 1 hour and 20 hours by corrected count increment (CCI) and percentage recovery (PR).

Results

A total of 60 patients’ (20 each for PRP-PC, BC-PC and Apheresis-PC) were enrolled in this study. Forty one patients received therapeutic and nineteen received prophylactic transfusion support. Patients with aplastic anemia 43% (25/60) and acute leukemia 38% (23/60) formed a majority of study population. Platelet dosage of patients’ received PRP-PC, BC-PC and apheresis-PC were 2.4±0.82 × 1011 (mean±SD), 2.2±0.83 × 1011 (mean±SD) and 4.14±1.82 × 1011 (mean±SD) and ranged from 1.16–4.11 × 1011, 1.04−4.20 × 1011 and 1.22−8.90 × 1011 respectively. There was significantly increase in inter-transfusion interval with Apheresis-PC than with PRP-PC and BC-PC recipients [(Mean±S.D.), 4.7±1.33 days Vs 2.7±0.82 days Vs 2.5±0.7 days respectively] (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients transfused with apheresis-PC had received higher platelet dosage than PRP-PC and BC-PC and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The post transfusion platelet counts and increments at 1 hour and 20 hours were significantly higher with apheresis-PC than PRP-PC and BC-PC (p < 0.001). However, the corrected count increment (CCI) and percentage recovery (PR) in all three groups were comparable. There was significantly increase in inter-transfusion interval with apheresis-PC than PRPPC and BC-PC (p < 0.05).     

Effect of Exercise on Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Increased blood pressure (BP) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) markedly increases cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality risk compared to having increased BP alone.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether exercise reduces suboptimal levels of untreated suboptimal BP or treated hypertension.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized controlled trial for 6 months.

SETTING

Single center in Baltimore, MD, USA.

PATIENTS

140 participants with T2DM not requiring insulin and untreated SBP of 120–159 or DBP of 85–99 mmHg, or, if being treated for hypertension, any SBP <159 mmHg or DBP < 99 mmHg; 114 completed the study.

INTERVENTION

Supervised exercise, 3 times per week for 6 months compared with general advice about physical activity.

MEASUREMENTS

Resting SBP and DBP (primary outcome); diabetes status, arterial stiffness assessed as carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV), body composition and fitness (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

Overall baseline BP was 126.8 ± 13.5 / 71.7 ± 9.0 mmHg, with no group differences. At 6 months, BP was unchanged from baseline in either group, BP 125.8 ± 13.2 / 70.7 ± 8.8 mmHg in controls; and 126.0 ± 14.2 / 70.3 ± 9.0 mmHg in exercisers, despite attaining a training effects as evidenced by increased aerobic and strength fitness and lean mass and reduced fat mass (all p < 0.05), Overall baseline PWV was 959.9 ± 333.1 cm/s, with no group difference. At 6-months, PWV did not change and was not different between group; exercisers, 923.7 ± 319.8 cm/s, 905.5 ± 344.7, controls.

LIMITATIONS

A completion rate of 81 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Though exercisers improve fitness and body composition, there were no reductions in BP. The lack of change in arterial stiffness suggests a resistance to exercise-induced BP reduction in persons with T2DM.KEY WORDS: exercise training, diabetes, high blood pressure, randomized trial