Differences in the birthweight of infants born to patients with early- or mid-to-late-detected gestational diabetes mellitus who underwent guideline-based glycemic control

AIMS

To examine the effects of strict glycemic control on the birthweight of infants born to Japanese patients with early- or mid-to-late-detected gestational diabetes mellitus (ed- or md-GDM).

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the characteristics of 101 patients with GDM who underwent guideline-based glycemic control. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was conducted to diagnose GDM at gestational weeks 11-15 (ed-GDM subgroup) and 24-28 (md-GDM subgroup).

RESULTS

Infant birthweight was significantly lower in the ed-GDM subgroup (n = 25) than in the md-GDM subgroup (n = 76) (2688.3 ± 470.4 g vs. 3052.4 ± 383.1 g, p < 0.05), and the proportion of low-birthweight infants (<2500 g) was significantly higher in the ed-GDM subgroup than in the md-GDM subgroup (32.0% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.005). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels during early treatment and before delivery were significantly lower in the ed-GDM subgroup than in the md-GDM subgroup (76.1 ± 10.4 mg/dL vs. 85.5 ± 9.6 mg/dL, p < 0.001; 80.5 ± 10.4 mg/dL vs. 90.4 ± 10.3 mg/dL, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ed-GDM showed significantly lower FPG levels during treatment compared to those with md-GDM, presumably indicating an association with the delivery of low-birthweight infants.

A comparison in the ability to detect diabetic retinopathy between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels in a longitudinal study

Aims

The relationship between HbA1c and diabetic retinopathy is expected to differ between different races. In this study, we verified which of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is more effective for detecting the diabetic retinopathy longitudinally in a Japanese population.

Materials and Methods

The study subjects underwent health examinations twice (including eye test and questionnaire of lifestyle and health) in 2008-2009 (baseline) and in 2012-2013 (4-year follow-up). Both non-DM and DM patients at baseline were included as the participants. Of these participants, who had not been diagnosed with retinopathy at the baseline survey (n = 2427; 2150 men and 277 women) had eye fundus photographs taken four years later (follow-up survey). The odds ratios of incidence of retinopathy according to the eight groups of FPG and HbA1c were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex and age. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to evaluate each value associated with the presence or absence of retinopathy.

Results

The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of incidence of retinopathy by HbA1c level categories, in ascending order, were 1.0 (ref.), 5.66 (1.14-28.26), 1.69 (0.24-12.04), 3.03 (0.50-18.28), 1.04 (0.09-11.59), 4.73 (0.78-28.69), 4.12 (0.74-22.85) and 24.47 (5.61-106.75). For both FPG and HbA1c levels, the odds ratio for the development of retinopathy increased linearly with the increases in the levels FPG and HbA1c, and no clear threshold was observed. The AUC values (SE) for FPG and HbA1c were almost the same, at 0.750 (0.046) and 0.732 (0.048).

Conclusions

It was clarified that the higher the level of FPG and HbA1c was, the higher the incidence of retinopathy after 4 years was. There was no clear threshold. The detection ability of the incidence of retinopathy was almost the same between FPG and HbA1c, suggesting it is possible to detect the risk of retinopathy by HbA1c only.

Characteristics Associated with Early Worsening of Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed with Retinopathy at Their First Visit: A Retrospective Observational Study

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study design was a retrospective observational study. Subjects with type 2 diabetes diagnosed with either simple or preproliferative diabetic retinopathy by ophthalmologists at their first visit and followed up for 6-18 months thereafter were included and divided into worsening and nonworsening groups. Thereafter, baseline characteristics and changes in HbA1c and therapy over a year were investigated.

RESULTS

Among the 88 subjects with simple diabetic retinopathy, 16% improved to no retinopathy, 65% retained their simple diabetic retinopathy, 18% worsened to preproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 1% worsened to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Among the 47 subjects with preproliferative diabetic retinopathy, 9% improved to simple diabetic retinopathy, 72% retained their preproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 19% worsened to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients with simple diabetic retinopathy had an odds ratio of 1.44 for worsening retinopathy with a 1% increase in baseline HbA1c. Meanwhile, the odds ratios for worsening retinopathy with a 1% decrease in HbA1c from baseline at 3, 6, and 12 months were 1.34, 1.31, and 1.38, respectively. Among patients with simple diabetic retinopathy, significantly more new interventions were introduced in the worsening group than in the nonworsening group.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased baseline HbA1c, a substantial decrease in HbA1c, and intensified therapy were identified as risk factors for early worsening of diabetic retinopathy in patients with simple diabetic retinopathy at the first visit. Patients should therefore be intimately followed for retinopathy after their first visit.

Distal Vessel Imaging via Intra-arterial Flat Panel Detector CTA during Mechanical Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Obtaining information on invisible vasculature distal to the occlusion site helps to deploy a stent retriever safely during mechanical thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion. It is essential to reduce the amount of contrast used for detecting the vessels distal to the occlusion site because acute ischemic stroke patients tend to have chronic kidney disease and patients with severe chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury. We assessed whether vessels distal to the occlusion site during acute ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion could be visualized on angiographic images using flat panel detector CT acquired following intra-arterial diluted contrast injection, compared with MRA findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between May 2019 and January 2020, we enrolled 28 consecutive patients with large-vessel occlusions of the anterior circulation eligible for mechanical thrombectomy following MR imaging. The patients underwent CBV imaging using flat panel detector CT with an intra-arterial diluted contrast injection instead of intravenous injection. Flat panel detector CT angiographic images reconstructed from the same dataset were evaluated for image quality, collateral status of the MCA territory, and visualization of the vessels distal to the occlusion site. These findings were compared with MRA findings.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were retrospectively examined. Flat panel detector CT angiographic image quality in 20 patients (91%) was excellent or good. The distal portion of the occluded vessel segment was visualized in 14 patients (70%), while the proximal portion of the segment adjacent to the occluded vessel in 3 (15%) was visualized. No visualization was observed in only 1 patient (5%) with no collateral supply. Flat panel detector CT angiographic images were shown to evaluate vessels distal to the occlusion site more accurately than MRA.

CONCLUSIONS

In acute ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion, flat panel detector CT angiographic images could successfully visualize vessels distal to the occlusion site with a small amount of contrast material.

Intensity-specific validity and reliability of the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study-physical activity questionnaire

The Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study- physical activity questionnaire (JPHC-PAQ) was originally developed and validated for total physical activity (total PA). However, it is uncertain whether JPHC-PAQ could also estimate intensity-specific physical activity. The present study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of intensity-specific physical activity by the JPHC-PAQ against 24-hour activity records (24 h-R). One-hundred and ten participants were chosen from those who had enrolled in the JPHC cohort. Time spent for total PA and intensity-specific physical activity, i.e. moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was estimated by JPHC-PAQ. In addition, the volume of PA was calculated by time of each activity multiplied by intensity of activity. For validity assessment, estimated physical activities were compared with 24 h-R. For reliability evaluation, a retest was conducted 3-6 months after the first survey was answered. Moderately strong correlation between JPHC-PAQ and 24 h-R was observed for total PA estimations (Spearman's rho = 0.672). In addition, moderate correlations were found for MPA (activity time: rho = 0.345, activity volume: rho = 0.300) and MVPA (activity time: rho = 0.563, activity volume: rho = 0.672). Whereas, little association was found for VPA time and volume. As for reliability, moderately strong correlation was found for both total and intensity-specific physical activity in the test-retest (rho = 0.482-0.745). In addition to total PA, the JPHC-PAQ showed acceptable validity and reliability for intensity-specific physical activity, especially in estimating MVPA and MPA.

Effects of dapagliflozin on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system under renin-angiotensin system inhibitor administration

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) are reported to prevent cardiovascular events by a mechanism possibly including diuresis and sodium excretion. In this respect, diuresis-induced compensatory upregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system should be clarified and we performed a randomized controlled trial using dapagliflozin, an SGLT2I. Hypertensive diabetic patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers were randomly assigned to a dapagliflozin group (DAPA) or a control group (CTRL) with the difference in the changes in plasma renin activity (PRA) after 24 weeks of the treatment as the primary outcome. PRA, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, pulse rate, eGFRcys, and HbA1c were not different between the groups at baseline. After 24 weeks, the changes in the PRA from the baseline of the DAPA (n = 44) and CTRL (n = 39) groups were 6.30 ± 15.55 and 1.42 ± 11.43 ng/mL/h, respectively (p = 0.11) although the power of detection was too small. However, post hoc nonparametric analyses revealed that there was a definite increase in the PRA and PAC in the DAPA group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.00025, respectively) but not in the CTRL group. The PRA in the DAPA group after 24 weeks treatment was significantly elevated compared to the CTRL group (p = 0.013) but not for the PAC. Accordingly, it would be suggested that dapagliflozin may not induce a profound increase, if any, in PAC after 24 weeks of treatment in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients under RAA suppression.

Effective coverage of medical treatment for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia in Japan: An analysis of National Health and Nutrition Surveys 2003-2017

OBJECTIVE

To examine trends in effective medical treatment coverage for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia in Japan, using a metric to assess effective coverage of health interventions derived from a health system performance assessment framework.

METHODS

We obtained cross-sectional data for 96,863 individuals aged 40-74 years from the 15 annual Japanese National Health and Nutrition Surveys (2003-2017). We defined treatment need for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia as biomarkers equal to or greater than diagnostic thresholds or medication use. For individuals needing treatment, we conducted nearest-neighbour matching to estimate treatment effects and effective coverage, defined as the fraction of potential reductions in biomarkers actually achieved in treated individuals by medications.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalence of treatment need for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia remained around 40%, 7% and 33%, respectively, in 2003-2017. Average treatment effects for those treated in 2013-2017 were 14.8 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 14.2-15.4) for systolic blood pressure, 1.2 percentage points (0.8-1.6) for haemoglobin A1c and 57.9 mg/dl (56.6-59.2) for non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Effective coverage significantly increased between 2003-2007 (hypertension: 48.4% [44.7-52.0], diabetes: 43.8% [35.7-51.8], dyslipidaemia: 86.3% [83.1-89.5]) and 2013-2017 (hypertension: 76.2% [74.2-78.2], diabetes: 74.7% [71.0-78.5], dyslipidaemia: 94.6% [93.3-95.9]).

CONCLUSIONS

Effective coverage of medical treatment for metabolic risk factors has increased. Most of the potential reductions in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol have been achieved by statins. Further efforts are necessary to improve the effectiveness of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs.

Low carbohydrate diet and all cause and cause-specific mortality

BACKGROUND

Evidence is limited regarding the association between low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score and mortality among Asians, a population that consumes a large amount of carbohydrates.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the association between low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score (based on percentage of energy as carbohydrate, fat, and protein) and the risk of total and cause-specific mortality among Asians.

DESIGN

This study was a prospective cohort study in Japan with follow-up for a median of 16.9 years involving 43008 men and 50646 women aged 45-75 years. Association of LCD score, LCD score based on animal sources of protein and fat, and LCD score based on plant sources of protein and fat with risk of mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A U-shaped association was observed between LCD score and total mortality: the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CI) of total mortality for lowest through highest scores were 1.00, 0.95 (0.91, 1.01), 0.93 (0.88, 0.98), 0.93 (0.88, 0.98), and 1.01 (0.95, 1.07) (P-non-linearity <0.01). A similar association was found for mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart disease. LCD score based on carbohydrate, animal protein, and animal fat also showed a U-shaped association for total mortality (P-non-linearity <0.01). In contrast, LCD score based on carbohydrate, plant protein, and plant fat was linearly associated with lower total (HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.94 for highest versus lowest quintile), CVD [0.82 (0.73, 0.92)], heart disease [0.83 (0.71, 0.98)], and cerebrovascular disease [0.75 (0.62, 0.91) mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Both LCD with high animal protein and fat and high-carbohydrate diet with low animal protein and fat were associated with higher risk of mortality. Meanwhile, LCD high in plant-based sources of protein and fat was associated with a lower risk of total and CVD mortality.

Multifactorial intervention has a significant effect on diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

To evaluate the effect of multifactorial intervention on the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease in the patients with type 2 diabetes, we analyzed the effects of intensified multifactorial intervention by step-wise intensification of medications and life-style modifications (intensive therapy treatment targets; HbA1c under 6.2%, blood pressure under 120/75 mmHg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol under 80 mg/dL) comparing with the guideline-based standard care (conventional therapy treatment targets: HbA1c under 6.9%, blood pressure under 130/80 mmHg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol under 120 mg/dL) on diabetic kidney disease. A total of 2540 eligible patients in the Japan Diabetes Optimal Integrated Treatment for three major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (J-DOIT3) cohort were randomly assigned to intensive therapy (1269) and conventional therapy (1271) and treated for a median of 8.5 years. The prespecified kidney outcome measure was a composite of progression from normoalbuminuria to microalbuminuria or progression from normoalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria or progression from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria, serum creatinine levels elevated by two-fold or more compared to baseline, or kidney failure. Primary analysis was carried out on the intention-to-treat population. Changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria were also analyzed. A total of 438 kidney events occurred (181 in the intensive therapy group and 257 in the conventional therapy group). Intensive therapy was associated with a significant 32% reduction in kidney events compared to conventional therapy and was associated with a change in HbA1c at one year from study initiation. Thus, prespecified analysis shows that intensified multifactorial intervention significantly reduced the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease compared to currently recommended care.

Prevalence of diabetes in Japanese patients with cancer

Cancer patients with diabetes experience a poorer prognosis, yet the population burden of this multimorbidity remains unknown. This study aimed to estimate the latest incidence and prevalence of cancer with diabetes mellitus in Japan. We used projection of cancer incidence and latest survival data from population-based cancer registries. The incidence of cancer associated with diabetes was estimated separately for patients with pre-existing diabetes and those without diabetes, and used to estimate the 5-year cancer prevalence for those with and without diabetes. The prevalence of pre-existing diabetes in cancer patients at any cancer site was estimated to be 20.7% (647,160 men and women). Among cancer sites, diabetes prevalence was high in patients with liver and pancreatic cancers in both sexes. In conclusion, our study shows a large burden of diabetes in cancer patients in Japan, which warrants further attention by health practitioners and policy-makers.

Passive smoking and type 2 diabetes among never-smoking women: The Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

The aim of the current study was to prospectively evaluate the association between passive smoking from a spouse and the risk of diabetes among never-smoking Japanese women. Passive smoking at a workplace (or public facilities) was assessed as a secondary measure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study (baseline 1990 or 1993), we followed 25,391 never-smoking women aged 40-69 years and without diabetes. Passive smoking was defined as having a husband who was a self-reported smoker, and the exposure at a workplace (or public facilities) was self-reported by women. The development of diabetes was identified in questionnaires administered at the 5-year and 10-year surveys. A pooled logistic regression model was used to assess the association between passive smoking and the development of diabetes with adjustment for age and possible confounders.

RESULTS

Compared with women whose husbands had never smoked, women whose husband smoked ≥40 cigarettes/day had significantly higher odds of developing diabetes in an age-adjusted model, but the association was attenuated in a multivariable model (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 0.96-1.87). There was a dose-response trend between the number of cigarettes smoked by a husband and the odds of developing diabetes (P = 0.02). Women reporting daily passive smoking at a workplace (or public facilities) had higher odds of developing diabetes than women reporting no such exposure (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 0.995-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated a higher risk of diabetes among never-smoking Japanese women with higher exposure to passive smoking from a spouse.

Self-weighing frequency and the incidence of type 2 diabetes: post hoc analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Objectives

Frequent self-weighing is associated with weight loss and maintenance, but the relationship between frequent self-weighing and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. The study aim was to examine the association between self-weighing frequency and the incidence of T2D in people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Results

We tested the hypothesis that self-weighing frequency and the incidence of T2D are associated in 2607 people with IFG (1240 in the intervention arm; 1367 in the self-directed control arm). Both arms received a weighing scale with storage function. Healthcare providers offered a one-year goal-focused lifestyle intervention via phone. Participants were divided into 4 categories based on self-weighing frequency (No data sent [reference group], low: < 2 times/week, middle: 3–4 times/week, and high: 5–7 times/week). The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. In the intervention arm, middle- and high-frequency self-weighing were associated with a decreased incidence of T2D relative to the reference group (AHR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.32, 0.98] and AHR = 0.43, 95% CI [0.25, 0.74], respectively). In the control arm, high-frequency self-weighing was also associated with a decreased incidence of T2D relative to the reference group (AHR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.35, 0.83]).

Trial registration This trial has been registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000000662).

Body mass index and mortality among middle-aged Japanese individuals with diagnosed diabetes: The Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study (JPHC study)

AIM

To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality among middle-aged people with diabetes in Japan.

METHODS

A total of 3032 men and 1615 women, aged 40-69 years, with diabetes were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for potential confounding factors, were used to estimate mortality hazard ratios (HRs) across BMI categories at the baseline.

RESULTS

There were 1761 deaths during a mean follow-up period of 18.5 years. Increased all-cause mortality was observed at both ends of the BMI distribution; compared with the reference BMI category (23.0-24.9 kg/m²), the HRs were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9997-1.56) in the lowest (14.0-18.9 kg/m²) and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.06-1.74) in the highest (30.0-39.9 kg/m²) categories (P = 0.001). Similar all-cause mortality trends were observed after excluding deaths within 3 years of follow-up, as well as for men and men who had ever smoked. While a similar non-linear pattern was observed for cancer-specific mortality, heart disease-specific mortality was only increased in the highest BMI category (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.06-3.25).

CONCLUSION

This population-based prospective study demonstrated increased all-cause mortality at both ends of the BMI distribution among Japanese people with diabetes.

Dietary fiber intake and total and cause-specific mortality: the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study

BACKGROUND

An inverse association has been shown between dietary fiber intake and several noncommunicable diseases. However, evidence of this effect remains unclear in the Asian population.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the association between dietary fiber intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, as well as the association between fiber intake from dietary sources and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a large-scale population-based cohort study (Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study). A validated questionnaire with 138 food items was completed by 92,924 participants (42,754 men and 50,170 women) aged 45-74 y. Dietary fiber intake was calculated and divided into quintiles. HR and 95% CI of total and cause-specific mortality were reported.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up of 16.8 y, 19,400 deaths were identified. In multivariable adjusted models, total, soluble, and insoluble fiber intakes were inversely associated with all-cause mortality. The HRs of total mortality in the highest quintile of total fiber intake compared with the lowest quintile were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.82; Ptrend <0.0001) in men and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.89; Ptrend <0.0001) in women. Increased quintiles of dietary fiber intake were significantly associated with decreased mortality due to total cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, and injury in both men and women, whereas dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with cancer mortality in men but not women. Fiber from fruits, beans, and vegetables, but not from cereals, was inversely associated with total mortality.

CONCLUSION

In this large-scale prospective study with a long follow-up period, dietary fiber was inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Since intakes of dietary fiber, mainly from fruits, vegetables, and beans were associated with lower all-cause mortality, these food sources may be good options for people aiming to consume more fiber.

Bodyweight threshold for sudden onset of ketosis might exist in ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes patients

Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes is recognized as atypical diabetes. These patients are often male, characterized by obesity, sudden onset of ketosis and a transient decrease in insulin secretion capacity that can be recovered with temporal insulin therapy. Here, we report a male patient with ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes who was followed up for 8 years. During the follow-up period, his bodyweight fluctuated and he experienced four episodes of critical ketosis recurrence in association with bodyweight gain. He discontinued insulin therapy after each ketosis episode within the first 4 years, but thereafter, he had to continue insulin therapy because of decreased insulin secretion capacity. Interestingly, his peak bodyweight just before the repeated ketosis episode gradually decreased, and the insulin secretion capacity after the recovery from repeated ketosis decreased in parallel with his peak bodyweight. This long-term clinical course might be a clue to understand the pathophysiology of ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes.

A cluster-randomized trial of the effectiveness of a triple-faceted intervention promoting adherence to primary care physician visits by diabetes patients

We aimed to assess whether a triple-faceted intervention program administered in the primary care setting could decrease the risk of insufficient adherence to primary care physician (PCP) appointments among this patient population. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled study to assess the effects of a 1-year intervention. The primary outcome was insufficient adherence to regular PCP attendance for diabetes treatment, defined as failure to visit a PCP within 2 months of an original appointment date. The intervention consisted of mailing patient reminders of their PCP appointments, providing patients with health education aimed at lifestyle modification and benchmarking PCP procedures. Eleven municipal level district medical associations employing 192 PCPs were divided into two subregions for assignment to intervention and control clusters, with 971 and 1,265 patients assigned to the intervention and control groups, respectively. Primary outcome data were available for 2,200 patients. The intervention reduced insufficient adherence to regular PCP appointments by 63% (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.58). In conclusion, a triple-faceted intervention program consisting of health education, appointment reminders, and physician benchmarking may decrease the risk of incomplete adherence to regular PCP appointments by diabetes patients.

Association of soy and fermented soy product intake with total and cause specific mortality: prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between several types of soy products and all cause and cause specific mortality.

DESIGN

Population based cohort study.

SETTING

Japan Public Health Centre-based Prospective Study, which includes 11 public health centre areas in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

92 915 participants (42 750 men and 50 165 women) aged 45 to 74 years.

EXPOSURES

Intake of total soy products, fermented soy products (natto and miso), non-fermented soy products, and tofu from a five year survey questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All cause and cause specific mortality (cancer, total cardiovascular disease, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and injury) obtained from residential registries and death certificates.

RESULTS

During 14.8 years of follow-up, 13 303 deaths were identified. In the multivariable adjusted models, intake of total soy products was not significantly associated with total mortality. Compared with the lowest fifth of total soy product intake, the hazard ratios in the highest fifth were 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.06, P_trend=0.43) in men and 0.98 (0.89 to 1.08, P_trend=0.46) in women. Intake of fermented soy products was inversely associated with all cause mortality in both sexes (highest versus lowest fifth: 0.90 (0.83 to 0.97), P_trend=0.05 in men, and 0.89 (0.80 to 0.98), P_trend=0.01 in women). Natto showed significant and inverse associations with total cardiovascular disease related mortality in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study a higher intake of fermented soy was associated with a lower risk of mortality. A significant association between intake of total soy products and all cause mortality was not, however, observed. The findings should be interpreted with caution because the significant association of fermented soy products might be attenuated by unadjusted residual confounding.

Clinical characterization of patients with primary aldosteronism plus subclinical Cushing's syndrome

BACKGROUND

Primary aldosteronism (PA) plus subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS), PASCS, has occasionally been reported. We aimed to clinically characterize patients with PASCS who are poorly profiled.

METHODS

A population-based, retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted in 71 patients (age, 58.2 ± 11.2 years; 24 males and 47 females) who developed PA (n = 45), SCS (n = 12), or PASCS (n = 14). The main outcome measures were the proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), serum potassium concentration, and maximum tumor diameter (MTD) on the computed tomography (CT) scans.

RESULTS

The proportion of DM patients was significantly greater in the PASCS group than in the PA group (50.0% vs. 13.9%, p <  0.05), without a significant difference between the PASCS and SCS groups. Serum potassium concentration was significantly lower in the PASCS group than in the SCS group (3.2 ± 0.8 mEq/L vs. 4.0 ± 0.5 mEq/L; p <  0.01), without a significant difference between the PASCS and PA groups. Among the 3 study groups of patients who had a unilateral adrenal tumor, MTD was significantly greater in the PASCS group than in the PA group (2.7 ± 0.1 cm vs. 1.4 ± 0.1 cm; p <  0.001), without a significant difference between the PASCS and SCS groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Any reference criteria were not obtained that surely distinguish patients with PASCS from those with PA or SCS. However, clinicians should suspect the presence of concurrent SCS in patients with PA when detecting a relatively large adrenal tumor on the CT scans.

Effects of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic or alcoholic elevated liver enzymes on incidence of diabetes following lifestyle intervention: A subanalysis of the J-DOIT1

OBJECTIVES

Using annual health check-up data, the aim of this study was to identify target populations for lifestyle interventions to effectively prevent diabetes in a real-world setting.

METHODS

The Japan Diabetes Outcome Intervention Trial-1, a prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial, was launched to test if year-long telephone-delivered lifestyle support by health professionals can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) identified at health check-ups. A total of 2607 participants aged 20-65 years with IFG were randomized to an intervention arm (n = 1240) or a control arm (n = 1367). We performed subgroup analysis to examine the effects of the intervention on the incidence of T2D in participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥25, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and non-alcoholic or alcoholic elevated liver enzymes at the baseline. Cox regression analysis adjusted for sex was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

In addition to IFG, the presence of BMI ≥25, MetS, and elevated liver enzymes increased the incidence of diabetes by two- or three-fold. During a median follow-up period of 4.9 years, only the non-alcoholic elevated liver enzyme group showed a low incidence rate owing to lifestyle interventions (adjusted HR: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.98).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that people who have IFG and non-alcoholic elevated liver enzymes are a good target population for lifestyle interventions to effectively reduce the incidence of diabetes in a real-world setting.