Strategies for national health care systems and centers in the emerging world: Central America and the Caribbean--the case of Cuba

Over 40% of the 76 million people in Central America and the Caribbean live in poverty with no safety net. Communicable and noncommunicable diseases significantly impact morbidity and mortality, and a tendency toward aging suggests increasing prevalence of chronic conditions. Among factors related to renal diseases: obesity is an epidemic among the near-poor; prevalence of diabetes mellitus is 6% to 8%; and hypertension is 8% to 30%. The region's racial-ethnic composition--associated with depressed socioeconomic conditions--is comparable to US minorities showing greater chronic renal disease (CRD) rates than those registered in Central America and the Caribbean, which suggests that this region may be among the world's most seriously affected by CRD. This is a reality masked by lack of health care coverage. Health policies generally have not prioritized human resource development, and training is biased toward curative care instead of prevention. Nephrologists are less than 20 per million population in most countries. Health care infrastructures are poor, lacking the primary care facilities charged with prevention. Cuba shares economic limitations with its neighbors but is one of the region's least socially stratified countries, with a universal, free, and public health care system emphasizing primary health care and prevention. Human resource development has resulted in 59.6 physicians per 10,000 inhabitants and a family physician program covering the whole population. A national renal diseases program incorporates preventive strategies at all care levels. Nevertheless, early detection of patients with CRD remains a challenge in the Cuban context. In Central America and the Caribbean, prevention is the key to reducing medical, social, and economic costs of renal disease.     

Literature review of type 2 diabetes mellitus among minority Muslim populations in Israel

This review surveys the literature published on the characteristics and implications of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) for the Arab andBedouin populations of Israel. T2 DM is a global health problem. The rapid rise in its prevalence in the Arab and Bedouin populations in Israel is responsible for their lower life expectancy compared to Israeli Jews. The increased prevalence of T2 DM corresponds to increased rates of obesity in these populations. A major risk group is adult Arab women aged 55-64 years. In this group obesity reaches 70%. There are several genetic and nutritional explanations for this increase. We found high hospitalization rates for micro and macrovascular complications among diabetic patients of Arab and Bedouin origin. Despite the high prevalence of diabetes and its negative health implications, there is evidence that care and counseling relating to nutrition, physical activity and self-examination of the feet are unsatisfactory. Economic difficulties are frequently cited as the reason for inadequate medical care. Other proposed reasons include faith in traditional therapy and misconceptions about drugs and their side effects. In Israel, the quality indicators program is based on one of the world’s leading information systems and deals with the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The program’s baseline data pointed to health inequality between minority populations and the general population in several areas, including monitoring and control of diabetes. Based on these data, a pilot intervention program was planned, aimed at minority populations. This program led to a decrease in inequality and served as the basis for a broader, more comprehensive intervention that has entered the implementation stage. Interventions that were shown to be effective in other Arabic countries may serve as models for diabetes management in the Arab and Bedouin populations in Israel.     

Models of care for co‐morbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two of the most prevalent co‐morbid chronic diseases in Australia. The increasing complexity of multi‐morbidity, and current gaps in health‐care delivery for people with co‐morbid diabetes and CKD, emphasize the need for better models of care for this population. Previously, proposed published models of care for co‐morbid diabetes and CKD have not been co‐designed with stake‐holders or formally evaluated. Particular components of health‐care shown to be effective in this population are interventions that: are structured, intensive and multifaceted (treating diabetes and multiple cardiovascular risk factors); involve multiple medical disciplines; improve self‐management by the patient; and upskill primary health‐care. Here we present an integrated patient‐centred model of health‐care delivery incorporating these components and co‐designed with key stake‐holders including specialist health professionals, general practitioners and Diabetes and Kidney Health Australia. The development of the model of care was informed by focus groups of patients and health‐professionals; and semi‐structured interviews of care‐givers and health professionals. Other distinctives of this model of care are routine screening for psychological morbidity; patient‐support through a phone advice line; and focused primary health‐care support in the management of diabetes and CKD. Additionally, the model of care integrates with the patient‐centred health‐care home currently being rolled out by the Australian Department of Health. This model of care will be evaluated after implementation across two tertiary health services and their primary care catchment areas.     

Primary health care strategies for the prevention of end-stage renal disease in Cuba

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major health problem in the world, including Cuba. There is an increasing trend in both the incidence and prevalence of ESRD. Global projections consistently show an increase of patients in maintenance dialysis, and also an epidemic trend in diabetes mellitus and hypertension, two diseases that are leading causes of ESRD in most countries. A new paradigm is necessary to handle this major health problem, such as a public health model that integrates health promotion and disease prevention. In 1996, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba launched a national program for the prevention of chronic renal failure (CRF). The progressive implementation of this program follows several steps: the analysis of the resources and health situation in the country; epidemiological research to define the burden of CRF; continuing education for nephrologists, family doctors, and other health professionals; and reorientation of primary health care toward increased nephrology services, intervention, and surveillance. The main outcomes of the program have been: a rational redistribution of nephrology services in corresponding health areas of primary health care; nephrologists being brought closer to the community; an improvement in the knowledge and ability of family doctors and nephrologists in the prevention of chronic renal disease; an increase in the number of patients with CRF (serum creatinine > or = 133 micromol/L or > or = 1.5 mg/dL, or a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min) who are registered in primary health care every year, from a prevalence of 0.59 per 1,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the program in 1996 to 0.92 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2002, with a mean prevalence growth of 9.2% per year; a significant reduction (0.1%) in the incidence of viral hepatitis B in dialysis patients after the implementation of vaccination against viral hepatitis B in CRF patients who are registered in primary health care; and the implementation of CRF surveillance in primary health care, which provides periodic information on CRF burden, patterns, and trends to assist evidence-based public-health decision making, and measures the impact of interventions in the population. Primary health care is an essential tool, and the community is an appropriate social space for health promotion and the prevention of CRF and ESRD.     

Epidemiology and costs of diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, particularly in developing countries. In the next decades, India and China are expected to provide the greatest numbers of affected people, mainly owing to the increasing incidence of this disease in those countries. Regarding developed countries, such as in Europe and the United States, the increasing trend is mainly due to the prolonged survival of both the general and the diabetic populations. From an epidemiologic point of view, the first relevant point is that almost 80% of diabetes cases could be prevented just by avoiding overweight and obesity. The estimated attributable risk of excess body weight is extremely high; no other modifiable effect has such an impact on the health of the general population. The second relevant point is that the global trend of the disease shows a tendency to onset at a younger age. The third point is that in developed countries the prevalence of diabetes is increasing mainly among the elderly, who are responsible for the highest consumption of health care resources in absolute terms. Regarding type 1 diabetes, which represents one-tenth of affected individuals, both large geographic and temporal variations in disease incidence have been found, supporting the hypothesis of as yet unknown environmental determinants. The incidence is increasing in linear fashion, not supporting the hypothesis of younger age at onset as the main explanation for this trend. Because the prevalences of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are increasing worldwide, they will produce a profound impact on overall health care costs.     

Mediterranean diet and diabetes prevention: Myth or fact?

Type 2 diabetes is a major, non-communicable disease with increasing prevalence at a global level. Therefore, in order to prevent this condition action should be taken regarding the modifiable factors that influence its development - lifestyle and dietary habits. As the Mediterranean dietary pattern has beneficial effects on both human health and regarding the development and treatment of type 2 diabetes, promoting adherence to this pattern is of considerable public health importance.     

Type 2 diabetes among Asian Americans: Prevalence and prevention

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing problem among Asian Americans. Based on the Centers for Disease Control, the age-adjusted prevalence of T2DM for Asian Americans is 9%, placing them at “moderate risk”. However differential patterns of disease burden emerge when examining disaggregated data across Asian American ethnic groups; with Filipino, Pacific Islander, Japanese, and South Asian groups consistently described as having the highest prevalence of T2DM. Disentangling and strengthening prevalence data is vital for on-going prevention efforts. The strongest evidence currently available to guide the prevention of T2DM in the United States comes from a large multicenter randomized clinical control trial called the Diabetes Prevention Program, which targets individual lifestyle behavior changes. It has been translated and adopted for some Asian American groups, and shows promise. However stronger study designs and attention to several key methodological considerations will improve the science. Increased attention has also been directed toward population level downstream prevention efforts. Building an infrastructure that includes both individual and population approaches is needed to prevent T2DM among Asian American populations, and is essential for reducing health disparities.     

Challenges for management of the diabetic foot in Africa: doing more with less

Diabetes mellitus reached epidemic proportions in much of the less-developed world over a decade ago. In Africa, incidence and prevalence rates of diabetes are increasing and foot complications are rising in parallel. The predominant risk factor for foot complications is underlying peripheral neuropathy, although there is a body of evidence that confirm the increasing role of peripheral vascular disease. Gangrene and infections are two of the more serious sequelae of diabetic foot ulcer disease that cause long-standing disability, loss of income, amputation or death. Unfortunately, diabetes imposes a heavy burden on the health services in many African countries, where resources are already scarce or cut back. Reasons for poor outcomes of foot complications in various less-developed countries include the following: lack of awareness of foot care issues among patients and health care providers alike; very few professionals with an interest in the diabetic foot or trained to provide specialist treatment; non existent podiatry services; long distances for patients to travel to the clinic; delays among patients in seeking timely medical care, or among untrained health care providers in referring patients with serious complications for specialist opinion; lack of the concept of a team approach; absence of training programs for health care professionals; and finally lack of surveillance activities. There are ways of improving diabetic foot disease outcomes that do not require an exorbitant outlay of financial resources. These include implementation of sustainable training programmes for health care professionals, focusing on the management of the complicated diabetic foot and educational programmes that include dissemination of information to other health care professionals and patients; sustenance of working environments that inculcate commitment by individual physicians and nurses through self growth; rational optimal use of existing microbiology facilities and prescribing through epidemiologically directed empiricism, where appropriate; and using sentinel hospitals for surveillance activities. Allied with the golden rules of prevention (i.e. maintenance of glycaemic control to prevent peripheral neuropathy, regular feet inspection, making an effort not to walk barefooted or cut foot callosities with razors or knives at home and avoidance of delays in presenting to hospital at the earliest onset of a foot lesion), reductions in the occurrence of adverse events associated with the diabetic foot is feasible in less-developed settings.     

Economic development and diabetes prevalence in MENA countries: Egypt and Saudi Arabia comparison

Diabetes is increasing in epidemic proportions globally, exhibiting the most striking increase in third world countries with emerging economies. This phenomena is particularly evident in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region, which has the highest prevalence of diabetes in adults. The most concerning indirect cost of diabetes is the missed work by the adult population coupled with the economic burden of loss of productivity. The major drivers of this epidemic are the demographic changes with increased life expectancy and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Our focus is to compare MENA region countries, particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in terms of their economic development, labor force diversity and the prevalence of diabetes.     

Evidence based review of type 2 diabetes prevention and management in low and middle income countries

AIM:To identify the newest approaches to type 2diabetes(T2DM)prevention and control in the developingworld context.METHODS:We conducted a systematic review of published studies of diabetes prevention and control programs in low and middle-income countries,as defined by the World Bank.We searched Pub Med using Medical Subject Headings terms.Studies needed to satisfy four criteria:(1)Must be experimental;(2)Must include patients with T2DM or focusing on prevention of T2DM;(3)Must have a lifestyle intervention component;(4)Must be written in English;and(5)Must have measurable outcomes related to diabetes.RESULTS:A total of 66 studies from 20 developing countries were gathered with publication dates through September 2014.India contributed the largest number of trials(11/66).Of the total 66 studies reviewed,all but 3 studies reported evidence of favorable outcomes in the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes.The overwhelming majority of studies reported on diabetes management(56/66),and among these more than half were structured lifestyle education programs.The evidence suggests that lifestyle education led by allied health professionals(nurses,pharmacists)were as effective as those led by physicians or a team of clinicians.The remaining diabetes management interventions focused on diet or exercise,but the evidence to recommend one approach over another was weak.CONCLUSION:Large experimental diabetes prevention/control studies of dietary and exercise interventions are lacking particularly those that consider quality rather than quantity of carbohydrates and alternative exercise.     

Chronic kidney disease in the general population

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD), defined as the need for dialysis, receipt of a transplant, or death from chronic kidney failure, generally affects fewer than 1% of the population. However ESKD is the end result of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a widely prevalent but often silent condition with elevated risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and a range of metabolic complications. A recently devised classification of CKD has facilitated prevalence estimates that reveal an "iceberg" of CKD in the community, of which dialysis and transplant patients are the tip. Hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity, currently among the World Health Organization's (WHO's) top 10 global health risks, are strongly associated with CKD. The factors, together with increasing diabetes prevalence and an aging population, will result in significant global increases in CKD and ESKD patients. Treatments now available effectively reduce the rate of progression of CKD and the extent of comorbid conditions and complications. The challenges are (1) to intervene effectively to reduce the excess burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with CKD, (2) to identify those at greatest risk for ESKD and intervene effectively to prevent progression of early CKD, and (3) to ultimately introduce cost-effective primary prevention to reduce the overall burden of CKD. The vast majority of the global CKD burden will be in developing countries, and policy responses must be both practical and sustainable in these settings.     

Are diabetic patients being screened for sleep related breathing disorder?

Prevalence of both diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is high among general population.Both of these conditions are associated with significant morbidity.OSA affects approximately 25%of men and 9%of women,and its prevalence is even higher among obese,Hispanics,African American and diabetic patients.Diabetes on the other hand besides having high prevalence in general population has even higher prevalence among ethnic populations as Hispanics and African American.Despite the availability of several simple screening tools for OSA,as Berlin questionnaire,STOP-BANG questionnaire,NAMES Criteria,the utility for screening of OSA among the diabetic population remains marginal.This in turn can lead to significant morbidity and complications related to OSA as well as worsening of diabetes mellitus and increase in diabetic complications due to untreated sleep related breathing disorder.It is therefore imperative for the primary care giver to screen for OSA among the diabetic population as a part of their routine evaluation to prevent worsening of diabetes,and its cardiovascular,renal,ophthalmologic and neurological complications.     

Assessing and preventing foot problems in older patients who have diabetes mellitus

The first component of prevention is patient education. The patient and those who provide care for the older diabetic must be fully informed of their problems, but understand the management process and be willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary to prevent complications. Evaluating patients to determine those diabetics who are at risk for foot problems, complication, ulceration, or potential amputation is the second component of prevention. This process must include continuing surveillance and management. Recognizing symptoms and signs of various systems with primary evaluative procedures permits the early identification of complications and secondary prevention of chronic disease. Because Medicare now provides footwear and orthotic coverage for at-risk diabetics as an adjunct to management, early screening, assessment, and detection are essential. The provision of significant patient education can then be added to complement professional education. We have attempted to provide a process for proper referral for care and management that can be employed by all health care providers involved in the evaluation of the patient who has diabetes.     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is emerging as a new clinical problem within pediatric practice. Recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents around the world in all ethnicities, even if the prevalence of obesity is not increasing any more. The majority of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in specific ethnic subgroups such as African-American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians. Clinicians should be aware of the frequent mild or asymptomatic manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus in childhood. Therefore, a screening seems meaningful especially in high risk groups such as children and adolescents with obesity, relatives with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and clinical features of insulin resistance (hypertension, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or acanthosis nigricans). Treatment of choice is lifestyle intervention followed by pharmacological treatment (e.g., metformin). New drugs such as dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors or glucagon like peptide 1 mimetics are in the pipeline for treatment of youth with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, recent reports indicate a high dropout of the medical care system of adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus suggesting that management of children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus requires some remodeling of current healthcare practices.     

Diagnosis,treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents

During the last two decades, there have been several reports of an increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents, especially among those belonging to minority ethnic groups. This trend, which parallels the increases in prevalence and degree of pediatric obesity, has caused great concern, even though T2DM remains a relatively rare disease in children. Youth T2DM differs not only from type 1 diabetes in children, from which it is sometimes difficult to differentiate, but also from T2DM in adults, since it appears to be an aggressive disease with rapidly progressive β-cell decline, high treatment failure rate, and accelerated development of complications. Despite the recent research, many aspects of youth T2DM still remain unknown, regarding both its pathophysiology and risk factor contribution, and its optimal management and prevention. Current management approaches include lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and increased physical activity, together with pharmacological interventions, including metformin, insulin, and the recently approved glucagon-like peptide-1 analog liraglutide. What is more important for everyone to realize though, from patients, families and physicians to schools, health services and policy-makers alike, is that T2DM is a largely preventable disease that will be addressed effectively only if its major contributor (i.e., pediatric obesity) is confronted and prevented at every possible stage of life, from conception until adulthood. Therefore, relevant comprehensive, coordinated, and innovative strategies are urgently needed.     

Diabetic renal disease in transitional and disadvantaged populations

SUMMARY: Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions throughout much of the world, and people from developing countries and disadvantaged groups from developed countries are affected disproportionately. Not only is diabetes more common in these populations, but it develops at an earlier age. Accordingly, patients have more years of life in which to develop the chronic complications of diabetes and the risk of complications is often further enhanced by limited access to health care. Renal disease is a frequent consequence of diabetes in these populations, and a number of factors related to poverty, malnutrition and accelerated lifestyle changes may lead to even greater rates in the future.     

Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa:Challenges and call for action

Type 2 diabetes continues to be a serious and highly prevalent public health problem worldwide. In 2019, the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world at 12.2%, with its associated morbidity and mortality, was found in the Middle East and North Africa region. In addition to a genetic predisposition in its population,evidence suggests that obesity, physical inactivity, urbanization, and poor nutritional habits have contributed to the high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in the region. These risk factors have also led to an earlier onset of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents, negatively affecting the productive years of the youth and their quality of life. Furthermore, efforts to control the rising prevalence of diabetes and its complications have been challenged and complicated by the political instability and armed conflict in some countries of the region and the recent coronavirus disease 2019. Broad strategies,coupled with targeted interventions at the regional, national, and community levels are needed to address and curb the spread of this public health crisis.     

SES is a determinant of osteoporosis ：How much do we know?

随着人口老龄化,骨质疏松成为不断增长的公共卫生挑战之一.社会经济地位是公共卫生的一个决定性因素.在此,我们对社会经济地位在骨质疏松上的影响做了一个文献综述.结果显示,较低社会经济地位者总体上具有较高的骨质疏松发病率,并且较难获取优质治疗服务.虽然研究已展示社会经济地位与骨质疏松流行状况,预防及治疗之间的明确联系,但其广度和深度有限.未来的研究有必要深入到收入和教育这两个常规方便的社会经济地位指标之外的范畴,以便扩展我们对此问题的认识.