Association of ethnicity and socioeconomic status with health outcomes in women with gestational diabetes: Clinical practice research datalink cohort study

AIMS

To investigate in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), differences by ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the incidence of recurrent GDM, type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, and depression.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study including 10,868 women diagnosed with GDM in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD GOLD) between January 01, 2000 and November 05, 2018. Linked data were obtained for Hospital Episode Statistics and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. We estimated incidence rates and hazard ratios, by ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

During a follow-up of 58,479 person years (mean (SD): 5.38 (3.67) years), the crude incidence was 9.67 (95 % confidence interval: 9.30-10.00) per 100 person years for recurrent GDM, 3.86 (3.70-4.02) for depression, 2.15 (2.03-2.27) for T2D and 0.89 (0.81-0.97) for hypertension. South Asian ethnicity was associated with an increased risk of T2D compared to White (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.65; 1.34-2.05) and Black ethnicity was associated with a greater risk of hypertension (2.93; 1.93-4.46). Black and South Asian ethnicity were associated with a reduced risk of depression compared to White: 0.23 (0.13-0.39) and 0.37 (0.29-0.46), respectively. Incidence rates were higher for all conditions with increasing deprivation level.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of health complications in women with a prior history of GDM differs by ethnicity and socio-economic status, suggesting the opportunity for targeted assessment in the years following pregnancy. These findings may inform future guidelines on screening for health outcomes in women with GDM.

Symptoms and signs in patients with heart failure: association with 3-month hospitalisation and mortality

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between symptoms and signs reported in primary care consultations following a new diagnosis of heart failure (HF), and 3-month hospitalisation and mortality.

DESIGN

Nested case-control study with density-based sampling.

SETTING

Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked to hospitalisation and mortality (1998-2020).

PARTICIPANTS

Database cohort of 86 882 patients with a new HF diagnosis. In two separate analyses for (1) first hospitalisation and (2) death, we compared the 3-month history of symptoms and signs in cases (patients with HF with the event), with their respective controls (patients with HF without the respective event, matched on diagnosis date (±1 month) and follow-up time). Controls could be included more than once and later become a case.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All-cause, HF and non-cardiovascular disease (non-CVD) hospitalisation and mortality.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 3.22 years (IQR: 0.59-8.18), 56 677 (65%) experienced first hospitalisation and 48 146 (55%) died. These cases were matched to 356 714 and 316 810 HF controls, respectively. For HF hospitalisation, the strongest adjusted associations were for symptoms and signs of fluid overload: pulmonary oedema (adjusted OR 3.08; 95% CI 2.52, 3.64), shortness of breath (2.94; 2.77, 3.11) and peripheral oedema (2.16; 2.00, 2.32). Generic symptoms also showed significant associations: depression (1.50; 1.18, 1.82), anxiety (1.35; 1.06, 1.64) and pain (1.19; 1.10, 1.28). Non-CVD hospitalisation had the strongest associations with chest pain (2.93; 2.77, 3.09), fatigue (1.87; 1.73, 2.01), general pain (1.87; 1.81, 1.93) and depression (1.59; 1.44, 1.74).

CONCLUSIONS

In the primary care HF population, routinely recorded cardiac and non-specific symptoms showed differential risk associations with hospitalisation and mortality.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two interventions to promote physical activity in a multiethnic population at high risk of diabetes: an economic evaluation of the 48-month PROPELS randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity (PA) is protective against type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, data on pragmatic long-term interventions to reduce the risk of developing T2D via increased PA are lacking. This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of a pragmatic PA intervention in a multiethnic population at high risk of T2D.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We adapted the School for Public Health Research diabetes prevention model, using the PROPELS trial data and analyses of the NAVIGATOR trial. Lifetime costs, lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each intervention (Walking Away (WA) and Walking Away Plus (WA+)) versus usual care and compared with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's willingness-to-pay of £20 000-£30 000 per QALY gained. We conducted scenario analyses on the outcomes of the PROPELS trial data and a threshold analysis to determine the change in step count that would be needed for the interventions to be cost-effective.

RESULTS

Estimated lifetime costs for usual care, WA, and WA+ were £22 598, £23 018, and £22 945, respectively. Estimated QALYs were 9.323, 9.312, and 9.330, respectively. WA+ was estimated to be more effective and cheaper than WA. WA+ had an ICER of £49 273 per QALY gained versus usual care. In none of our scenario analyses did either WA or WA+ have an ICER below £20 000 per QALY gained. Our threshold analysis suggested that a PA intervention costing the same as WA+ would have an ICER below £20 000/QALY if it were to achieve an increase in step count of 500 steps per day which was 100% maintained at 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that neither WA nor WA+ was cost-effective at a limit of £20 000 per QALY gained. Our threshold analysis showed that interventions to increase step count can be cost-effective at this limit if they achieve greater long-term maintenance of effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN registration: ISRCTN83465245: The PRomotion Of Physical activity through structuredEducation with differing Levels of ongoing Support for those with pre-diabetes (PROPELS)https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83465245.

Ethnic inequalities among NHS staff in England: workplace experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine how workplace experiences of National Health Service (NHS) staff varied by ethnicity during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these experiences are associated with mental and physical health at the time of the study.

METHODS

An online Inequalities Survey was conducted by the Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in Health Services study in collaboration with NHS CHECK. This Inequalities Survey collected measures relating to workplace experiences (such as personal protective equipment (PPE), risk assessments, redeployments and discrimination) as well as mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7)), and physical health (PHQ-15) from NHS staff working in the 18 trusts participating with the NHS CHECK study between February and October 2021 (N=4622).

RESULTS

Regression analysis of this cross-sectional data revealed that staff from black and mixed/other ethnic groups had greater odds of experiencing workplace harassment (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.43 (95% CI 1.56 to 3.78) and 2.38 (95% CI 1.12 to 5.07), respectively) and discrimination (AOR 4.36 (95% CI 2.73 to 6.96) and 3.94 (95% CI 1.67 to 9.33), respectively) compared with white British staff. Staff from black ethnic groups also had greater odds than white British staff of reporting PPE unavailability (AOR 2.16 (95% CI 1.16 to 4.00)). Such workplace experiences were associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes, though this association varied by ethnicity. Conversely, understanding employment rights around redeployment, being informed about and having the ability to inform redeployment decisions were associated with lower odds of poor physical and mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

Structural changes to the way staff from ethnically minoritised groups are supported, and how their complaints are addressed by leaders within the NHS are urgently required.

Low-calorie diets for people with isolated impaired fasting glucose

Thirunavukkarasu et al. discuss how standard lifestyle interventions prove ineffective in preventing type 2 diabetes in individuals with isolated impaired fasting glucose, a highly prevalent prediabetes phenotype globally. They propose low-calorie diets as a promising strategy for diabetes prevention in this high-risk population.

Prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (multimorbidity) in England: a whole population study of over 60 million people

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) at whole English population level, stratifying by age, sex, socioeconomic status and ethnicity.

DESIGN

A whole population study.

SETTING

Individuals registered with a general practice in England and alive on 31 March 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

60,004,883 individuals.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

MLTC prevalence, defined as two or more of 35 conditions derived from a number of national patient-level datasets. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations of age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation decile with odds of MLTC.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of MLTC was 14.8% (8,878,231), varying from 0.9% (125,159) in those aged 0-19 years to 68.2% (1,905,979) in those aged 80 years and over. In multivariable regression analyses, compared with the 50-59 reference group, the odds ratio was 0.04 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04-0.04; p < 0.001) for those aged 0-19 years and 10.21 (10.18-10.24; p < 0.001) for those aged 80 years and over. Odds were higher for men compared with women, 1.02 (1.02-1.02; p < 0.001), for the most deprived decile compared with the least deprived, 2.26 (2.25-2.27; p < 0.001), and for Asian ethnicity compared with those of white ethnicity, 1.05 (1.04-1.05; p < 0.001). Odds were lower for black, mixed and other ethnicities (0.94 (0.94-0.95) p < 0.001, 0.87 (0.87-0.88) p < 0.001 and 0.57 (0.56-0.57) p < 0.001, respectively). MLTC for persons aged 0-19 years were dominated by asthma, autism and epilepsy, for persons aged 20-49 years by depression and asthma, for persons aged 50-59 years by hypertension and depression and for those aged 60 years and older, by cardiometabolic factors and osteoarthritis. There were large numbers of combinations of conditions in each age group ranging from 5936 in those aged 0-19 years to 205,534 in those aged 80 years and over.

CONCLUSIONS

While this study provides useful insight into the burden across the English population to assist health service delivery planning, the heterogeneity of MLTC presents challenges for delivery optimisation.

Non-pharmacological interventions to improve cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetic foot disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in those with diabetic foot disease is very high. Non-pharmacological interventions may improve this risk, though no previous evidence synthesis has been completed. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of non-pharmacological interventions on CVD risk factors in diabetic ulcer disease. Multiple databases and trials registers were searched from inception to December 6th 2023. We included reports of randomised controlled trials investigating the impact of non-pharmacological interventions on cardiovascular risk in those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and current or previous diabetic foot disease. Twenty studies were included. Extracted data included: study design and setting; participant sociodemographic factors; and change in cardiovascular risk factors. Data were synthesised using random effects meta-analyses and narrative syntheses. Interventions included nutritional supplementation, collaborative care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patient education, nurse-led intervention, self-management, family support, relaxation and exercise, over a median duration of 12 weeks. Significant post-intervention changes were observed in fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin levels, insulin sensitivity and resistance, glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and C-reactive protein. No effects were detected in very low- or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol or body mass index. Non-pharmacological interventions show promise in improving CVD risk in diabetic foot disease.

Impact of weight loss and weight gain trajectories on body composition in a population at high risk of type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort analysis

AIM

In a primary care population at high risk of type 2 diabetes, 24-month weight change trajectories were used to investigate the impact of weight cycling on fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cohort data from the Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes trial was used, which recruited adults at-risk of type 2 diabetes from primary care in 2009/10. Annual weight change trajectories based on weight loss/gain of ≥5% were assessed over two 24-month periods. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Repeated measures were analysed using generalized estimating equations with participants contributing up to two 24-month observation periods.

RESULTS

In total, 622 participants were included (average age = 63.6 years, body mass index = 32.0 kg/m2 , 35.4% women), contributing 1163 observations. Most observations (69.2%) were from those that maintained their body weight, with no change to FM or FFM. A minority (4.6% of observations) lost over 5% of body weight between baseline and 12 months, which was then regained between 12 and 24 months. These individuals regained FM to baseline levels, but lost 1.50 (0.66, 2.35) kg FFM, adjusted for confounders. In contrast, those that gained weight between baseline and 12 months but lost weight between 12 and 24 months (5.5% of observations) had a net gain in FM of 1.70 (0.27, 3.12) kg with no change to FFM.

CONCLUSION

Weight cycling may be associated with a progressive loss in FFM and/or gain in FM in those with overweight and obesity at-risk of type 2 diabetes.

Long-term ambient air pollution exposure and prospective change in sedentary behaviour and physical activity in individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes in the UK

BACKGROUND

Air pollution may be a risk factor for physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (SED) through discouraging active lifestyles, impairing fitness and contributing to chronic diseases with potentially important consequences for population health.

METHODS

Using generalized estimating equations, we examined the associations between long-term particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), ≤10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and annual change in accelerometer-measured SED, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes within the Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes trial. We adjusted for important confounders including social deprivation and measures of the built environment.

RESULTS

From 808 participants, 644 had complete data (1605 observations; 64.7% men; mean age 63.86 years). PM2.5, NO2 and PM10 were not associated with change in MVPA/steps but were associated with change in SED, with a 1 ugm-3 increase associated with 6.38 (95% confidence interval: 0.77, 12.00), 1.52 (0.49, 2.54) and 4.48 (0.63, 8.34) adjusted annual change in daily minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term PM2.5, NO2 and PM10 exposures were associated with an annual increase in SED: ~11-22 min/day per year across the sample range of exposure (three standard deviations). Future research should investigate whether interventions to reduce pollution may influence SED.

Ethnicity data resource in population-wide health records: completeness, coverage and granularity of diversity

Intersectional social determinants including ethnicity are vital in health research. We curated a population-wide data resource of self-identified ethnicity data from over 60 million individuals in England primary care, linking it to hospital records. We assessed ethnicity data in terms of completeness, consistency, and granularity and found one in ten individuals do not have ethnicity information recorded in primary care. By linking to hospital records, ethnicity data were completed for 94% of individuals. By reconciling SNOMED-CT concepts and census-level categories into a consistent hierarchy, we organised more than 250 ethnicity sub-groups including and beyond "White", "Black", "Asian", "Mixed" and "Other, and found them to be distributed in proportions similar to the general population. This large observational dataset presents an algorithmic hierarchy to represent self-identified ethnicity data collected across heterogeneous healthcare settings. Accurate and easily accessible ethnicity data can lead to a better understanding of population diversity, which is important to address disparities and influence policy recommendations that can translate into better, fairer health for all.

Nasal Glucagon Reverses Insulin-induced Hypoglycemia With Less Rebound Hyperglycemia: Pooled Analysis of Clinical Trials

Background

Rebound hyperglycemia may occur following glucagon treatment for severe hypoglycemia. We assessed rebound hyperglycemia occurrence after nasal glucagon (NG) or injectable glucagon (IG) administration in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

This was a pooled analysis of 3 multicenter, randomized, open-label studies (NCT03339453, NCT03421379, NCT01994746) in patients ≥18 years with T1D or T2D with induced hypoglycemia. Proportions of patients achieving treatment success [blood glucose (BG) increase to ≥70 mg/dL or increase of ≥20 mg/dL from nadir within 15 and 30 minutes]; BG ≥70 mg/dL within 15 minutes; in-range BG (70-180 mg/dL) 1 to 2 and 1 to 4 hours postdose; and BG >180 mg/dL 1 to 2 and 1 to 4 hours postdose were compared. Incremental area under curve (iAUC) of BG >180 mg/dL and area under curve (AUC) of observed BG values postdose were analyzed. Safety was assessed in all studies.

Results

Higher proportions of patients had in-range BG with NG vs IG (1-2 hours: P = .0047; 1-4 hours: P = .0034). Lower proportions of patients had at least 1 BG value >180 mg/dL with NG vs IG (1-2 hours: P = .0034; 1-4 hours: P = .0068). iAUC and AUC were lower with NG vs IG (P = .025 and P < .0001). As expected, similar proportions of patients receiving NG or IG achieved treatment success at 15 and 30 minutes (97-100%). Most patients had BG ≥70 mg/dL within 15 minutes (93-96%). The safety profile was consistent with previous studies.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated lower rebound hyperglycemia risk after NG treatment compared with IG.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT03421379, NCT03339453, NCT01994746.

Undervaccination and severe COVID-19 outcomes: meta-analysis of national cohort studies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales

BACKGROUND

Undervaccination (receiving fewer than the recommended number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses) could be associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes-ie, COVID-19 hospitalisation or death-compared with full vaccination (receiving the recommended number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses). We sought to determine the factors associated with undervaccination, and to investigate the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in people who were undervaccinated in each UK nation and across the UK.

METHODS

We used anonymised, harmonised electronic health record data with whole population coverage to carry out cohort studies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Participants were required to be at least 5 years of age to be included in the cohorts. We estimated adjusted odds ratios for undervaccination as of June 1, 2022. We also estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for severe COVID-19 outcomes during the period June 1 to Sept 30, 2022, with undervaccination as a time-dependent exposure. We combined results from nation-specific analyses in a UK-wide fixed-effect meta-analysis. We estimated the reduction in severe COVID-19 outcomes associated with a counterfactual scenario in which everyone in the UK was fully vaccinated on June 1, 2022.

FINDINGS

The numbers of people undervaccinated on June 1, 2022 were 26 985 570 (45·8%) of 58 967 360 in England, 938 420 (49·8%) of 1 885 670 in Northern Ireland, 1 709 786 (34·2%) of 4 992 498 in Scotland, and 773 850 (32·8%) of 2 358 740 in Wales. People who were younger, from more deprived backgrounds, of non-White ethnicity, or had a lower number of comorbidities were less likely to be fully vaccinated. There was a total of 40 393 severe COVID-19 outcomes in the cohorts, with 14 156 of these in undervaccinated participants. We estimated the reduction in severe COVID-19 outcomes in the UK over 4 months of follow-up associated with a counterfactual scenario in which everyone was fully vaccinated on June 1, 2022 as 210 (95% CI 94-326) in the 5-15 years age group, 1544 (1399-1689) in those aged 16-74 years, and 5426 (5340-5512) in those aged 75 years or older. aHRs for severe COVID-19 outcomes in the meta-analysis for the age group of 75 years or older were 2·70 (2·61-2·78) for one dose fewer than recommended, 3·13 (2·93-3·34) for two fewer, 3·61 (3·13-4·17) for three fewer, and 3·08 (2·89-3·29) for four fewer.

INTERPRETATION

Rates of undervaccination against COVID-19 ranged from 32·8% to 49·8% across the four UK nations in summer, 2022. Undervaccination was associated with an elevated risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation National Core Studies: Data and Connectivity.

Weight trends amongst adults with diabetes or hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study using OpenSAFELY

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions may have influenced behaviours related to weight.

AIMS

To describe patterns of weight change amongst adults living in England with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and/or hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design and Setting With the approval of NHS England, we conducted an observational cohort study using the routinely collected health data of approximately 40% of adults living in England, accessed through the OpenSAFELY service inside TPP.

METHOD

We investigated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with rapid weight gain (>0·5kg/m2/year) using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

We extracted data on adults with T2D (n=1,231,455, 44% female, 76% white British) or hypertension (n=3,558,405, 50% female, 84% white British). Adults with T2D lost weight overall (median δ = -0.1kg/m2/year [IQR: -0.7, 0.4]), however, rapid weight gain was common (20.7%) and associated with sex (male vs female: aOR 0.78[95%CI 0.77, 0.79]); age, older age reduced odds (e.g. 60-69-year-olds vs 18-29-year-olds: aOR 0.66[0.61, 0.71]); deprivation, (least-deprived-IMD vs most-deprived-IMD: aOR 0.87[0.85, 0.89]); white ethnicity (Black vs White: aOR 0.95[0.92, 0.98]); mental health conditions (e.g. depression: aOR 1.13 [1.12, 1.15]); and diabetes treatment (non-insulin treatment vs no pharmacological treatment: aOR 0.68[0.67, 0.69]). Adults with hypertension maintained stable weight overall (median δ = 0.0kg/m2/year [ -0.6, 0.5]), however, rapid weight gain was common (24.7%) and associated with similar characteristics as in T2D.

CONCLUSION

Amongst adults living in England with T2D and/or hypertension, rapid pandemic weight gain was more common amongst females, younger adults, those living in more deprived areas, and those with mental health condition.

Gastrointestinal adverse events and weight reduction in people with type 2 diabetes treated with tirzepatide in the SURPASS clinical trials

AIMS

To evaluate gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) and the impact of nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea (N/V/D) and any gastrointestinal (GI) AEs overall on weight change with tirzepatide across the SURPASS-1 to -5 clinical trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive once-weekly tirzepatide (5, 10 or 15 mg) or comparator (placebo, semaglutide 1 mg once weekly, or titrated daily basal insulins) as monotherapy or added on to background antihyperglycaemic medication(s). This post hoc analysis subdivided participants within each trial into subgroups that self-reported (yes/no) any N/V/D or GI AEs. Change from baseline in body weight at the primary timepoint was assessed within each trial and subgroup. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the contribution of direct and indirect (mediated by N/V/D or GI AEs) effects of tirzepatide on weight change versus comparators.

RESULTS

Across the SURPASS-1 to -5 trials (N = 6263), nausea (12%-24%), diarrhoea (12%-22%), and vomiting (2%-13%) were the most common GI AEs reported with tirzepatide; these were transient and of mild-to-moderate severity. Mean weight reduction at the primary timepoint with tirzepatide was consistent between participants who reported N/V/D (-6.2 to -14.9 kg) and those who did not report N/V/D (-6.2 to -13.3 kg). Mean weight reduction was significantly (P < 0.01) greater with tirzepatide compared with placebo, semaglutide 1 mg, and basal insulins within the N/V/D and GI AEs subgroups. Mediation analyses suggested minimal contribution (<6%) of N/V/D and GI AEs to the overall difference in weight change between tirzepatide and comparators.

CONCLUSIONS

Superior weight reduction with tirzepatide versus comparators appears to be independent of reported N/V/D or GI AEs.

Effect of delay in treatment intensification in people with type 2 diabetes and suboptimal glycaemia after basal insulin initiation: A real-world observational study

AIM

Despite global recommendations for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment to maintain optimal glycaemic targets, a significant proportion of people remain in suboptimal glycaemic control. Our objective was to investigate the impact of intensification delay after basal insulin (BI) initiation on long-term complications in people with suboptimal glycaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiated on BI. Those with suboptimal glycaemia (glycated haemoglobin ≥7% or ≥53 mmol/mol) within 12 months of BI initiation were divided into early (treatment intensified within 5 years), or late (≥5 years) intensification groups. We estimated the age-stratified risks of micro- and macrovascular complications among these groups compared with those with optimal glycaemia (glycated haemoglobin <7%).

RESULTS

Of the 13 916 people with suboptimal glycaemia, 52.5% (n = 7304) did not receive any treatment intensification. In those aged <65 years, compared with the optimal glycaemia group late intensification was associated with a 56% higher risk of macrovascular complications (adjusted hazard ratio 1.56; 95% confidence intervals 1.08, 2.26). In elderly people (≥65 years), late intensification was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular-related death (1.62; 1.03, 2.54) and a lower risk of microvascular complications (0.26; 0.08, 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Those who had late intensification were at an increased risk of cardiovascular death if they were ≥65 years and an increased risk of macrovascular complications if they were <65 years. These findings highlight the critical need for earlier intensification of treatment and adopting personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated disruptions in health-care provision on clinical outcomes in people with diabetes: a systematic review

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered disruptions to health care and lifestyles that could conceivably impact diabetes management. We set out to identify the impact of disruptions caused by COVID-19 on clinical outcomes in people with diabetes. We performed a systematic review of the available literature in the MEDLINE and OVID databases from Jan 1, 2020, to June 7, 2023, and included 138 studies (n>1 000 000 people). All but five studies were judged to be at some risk of bias. All studies compared prepandemic with pandemic periods. All-cause mortality (six studies) and diabetes-related mortality (13 studies) showed consistent increases, and most studies indicated increases in sight loss (six studies). In adult and mixed samples, data generally suggested no difference in diabetic ketoacidosis frequency or severity, whereas in children and adolescents most studies showed increases with some due to new-onset diabetes (69 studies). Data suggested decreases in hospital admissions in adults but increases in diabetes-related admissions to paediatric intensive care units (35 studies). Data were equivocal on diabetic foot ulcer presentations (nine studies), emergency department admissions (nine studies), and overall amputation rates (20 studies). No studies investigated renal failure. Where reported, the impact was most pronounced for females, younger people, and racial and ethnic minority groups. Further studies are needed to investigate the longer-term impact of the pandemic and the on potential differential impacts, which risk further exacerbating existing inequalities within people with diabetes.

The potential blunting effect of metformin and/or statin therapy on physical activity-induced associations with HbA1c in type 2 diabetes

Highlights Our analysis indicates a potential blunting effect of metformin and/or statin therapy on physical activity-induced associations with HbA1c. The benefit of daily physical activity on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes is potentially more apparent in those prescribed neither metformin nor statin therapy. As physical activity is rarely prescribed in isolation of other background medications used to manage type 2 diabetes, the results of this analysis may help to maximize interventions delivered through routine clinical care, while allowing for personalization in prescribed physical activity and pharmacotherapy.

Walking pace and the time between the onset of noncommunicable diseases and mortality: a UK Biobank prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To estimate time spent in various cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer states, according to self-reported walking pace.

METHODS

In total, 391,744 UK Biobank participants were included (median age = 57 years; 54.7% women). Data were collected 2006-2010, with follow-up collected in 2021. Usual walking pace was self-defined as slow, steady, average, or brisk. Multistate modeling determined the transition rate and mean sojourn time in and across three different states (healthy, CVD or cancer, and death) upon a time horizon of 10 years.

RESULTS

The mean sojourn time in the healthy state was longer, while that in the CVD or cancer state was shorter in individuals reporting an average or brisk walking pace (vs. slow). A 75-year-old woman reporting a brisk walking pace spent, on average, 8.4 years of the next 10 years in a healthy state; an additional 8.0 (95% CI: 7.3, 8.7) months longer than a 75-year-old woman reporting a slow walking pace. This corresponded to 4.3 (3.7, 4.9) fewer months living with CVD or cancer. Similar results were seen in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults reporting an average or brisk walking pace at baseline displayed a lower transition to disease development and a greater proportion of life lived without CVD or cancer.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS

Research was conducted using the UK Biobank resource under Application #33266. The UK Biobank resource can be accessed by researchers on application. Variables derived for this study have been returned to the UK Biobank for future applicants to request. No additional data are available.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on time to outcome in type 2 diabetes cardiorenal outcome trials

INTRODUCTION

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), treatment effects are commonly reported as hazard ratio, a measure often misinterpreted as a relative risk reduction. The acceleration factor (AF) indicates the extent to which a treatment increases/decreases the time before the occurrence of an outcome and gives useful insights in the interpretation of trials' results.

METHODS

Using individual time-to-event data reconstructed from Kaplan-Meier plots, we estimated AFs for the primary outcomes (POs) and all-cause mortality in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-is) cardiorenal outcome trials in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

AFs were estimated from 28 Kaplan-Meier plots of 19 RCTs. Compared to placebo, most GLP1-RAs increased the time before the onset of POs (from 9 % to 59 %) and all-cause mortality (from 8 to 13 %). Similarly, SGLT2-is increased time before the onset of POs (from 19 % to 87 %) and all-cause mortality (from 13 % to 42 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The AFs provide a complementary and easier-to-interpret measure of treatment effect that could be useful to improve the shared decision-making.

Retrospective cohort study of the association between socioeconomic deprivation and incidence of gestational diabetes and perinatal outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic disparities have been shown to correlate with perinatal mortality and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Few studies have explored the relationship between deprivation and the incidence of gestational diabetes (GDM). We aimed to identify the relationship between deprivation and incidence of GDM, after adjusting for age, BMI, and ethnicity. We also examined for relationships between deprivation and perinatal outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of 23,490 pregnancies from a major National Health Service Trust in Northwest London was conducted. The 2019 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation was used to identify the deprivation rank and decile for each postcode. Birthweight centile was calculated from absolute birthweight after adjusting for ethnicity, maternal height, maternal weight, parity, sex and outcome (live birth/stillbirth). Logistic regression and Kendall's Tau were used to identify relationships between variables.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, BMI & ethnicity, Index of Multiple Deprivation postcode decile was not associated with an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Each increase in decile of deprivation was associated with an increase in birthweight centile by 0.471 (p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, age was associated with a 7.1% increased GDM risk (OR: 1.076, p < 0.001); BMI increased risk by 5.81% (OR: 1.059, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between Index of Multiple Deprivation rank and perinatal outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Our analysis demonstrates that socioeconomic deprivation was not associated with incidence of GDM or adverse perinatal outcomes. Factors such as genetic predisposition and lifestyle habits may likely play a larger role in the development of GDM compared to socioeconomic deprivation alone.

Blood pressure levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Existing data on the association between blood pressure levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) are inconsistent. The optimal blood pressure targets for patients with HF remain uncertain. This study sought to assess the associations between blood pressure (systolic [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) levels and adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in patients with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases up to 5 May 2023. The outcomes of interest included adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Forty-three unique observational cohort studies, comprising 120 643 participants with HF, were included. The pooled RRs (95% CIs) for SBP thresholds of ≥140 mmHg versus <140 mmHg were 0.92 (0.83-1.01) for all-cause mortality, 0.83 (0.67-1.04) for CVD death, and 0.98 (0.80-1.21) for HF hospitalization. The pooled RR (95% CI) for SBP thresholds of ≥160 mmHg versus <160 mmHg and all-cause mortality was 0.67 (0.62-0.74). SBP levels below <130, <120, and <110 mmHg were each associated with an increased risk of various cardiovascular endpoints and all-cause mortality. The pooled RR (95% CI) for DBP thresholds of ≥80 mmHg versus <80 mmHg and all-cause mortality was 0.86 (0.67-1.10). A 10 mmHg increase in SBP or DBP was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality and other cardiovascular endpoints.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that lower and normal baseline SBP levels (<130, <120, and <110 mmHg) may be associated with future risk of worse outcomes in patients with HF. Optimal baseline blood pressure levels for these patients may lie within the range of ≥140 mmHg for SBP. In the absence of observational studies with repeated blood pressure measurements or definitive trials evaluating optimal blood pressure targets, individualized blood pressure targets based on patients' unique circumstances are warranted in HF management.

10. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

11. Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

16. Diabetes Care in the Hospital: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.