[Diagnostic accuracy of a standardized carbohydrate-rich breakfast compared to an oral glucose tolerance test in occupational medicine]

BACKGROUND

Increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is not only a problem for the health care system but also impairs working environment. In order to reduce costs by illness and early retirement and the development of diabetic complications occupational medicine is important for early diabetes detection. However, the diagnostic gold standard, oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), is rarely accepted. Aim of our investigation was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of a standardizable and cost-effective test-breakfast in comparison to oGTT which might be accepted in workplace.

METHODS

During a workplace health promotion program diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of a test-breakfast (index test) was analyzed in a random-cross-over-design with healthy volunteers in comparison to an oGTT (reference test).

RESULTS

278 subjects participated and rated the health promotion program to be useful (99%). 74% stated that they preferred the test-breakfast in contrast to the oGTT. Both screening methods showed comparable plasma glucose and insulin curves. The plasma glucose levels measured capillary and venously during test-breakfast and oGTT were very consistent. Differences were only seen for the 2 h plasma glucose values in the fully adjusted model. The test-breakfast demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for diabetes diagnosis compared to the reference test with highly comparable results, i. e. 8 persons (2,9%) newly diagnosed with diabetes by the test-breakfast vs. 7 (2,5%) by oGTT.

CONCLUSION

A test-breakfast seems to be a useful first screening instrument to increase the compliance of occupational health promotions and might improve early diabetes diagnosis.

[Effect of Evidence-Based Risk Information on "Informed Choice" in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Randomised Controlled Trial]

Evidence-based information is a prerequisite for informed choice. We compared the effect of evidence-based information on colorectal cancer screening with standard information in a randomised controlled trial. The primary endpoint was informed choice. We randomised 1,577 people insured by a large German statutory health insurance scheme, the Gmünder Ersatzkasse (GEK). The evidence-based information significantly increased informed choices: 44.0% vs. 12.8%; (difference 31.2%, 99% CI 25.7-36.7%; P<0.001).

Prevalence and associations of potentially inappropriate prescriptions in Austrian nursing home residents: secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) are an important cause of adverse medication-related events and increases morbidity, hospitalization, and health care costs, especially in nursing home residents. However, little is known about the associations between PIP and residents' characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to analyse the prevalence and associations of PIP with residents' and facilities' characteristics.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study with 48 out of 50 eligible nursing homes and 1,844 out of 2,005 eligible residents in a defined rural-urban area in Austria. The Austrian list of potentially inappropriate medications was applied for the evaluation of inappropriate prescribing. Cluster-adjusted multiple regression analysis was used to investigate institutional and residents' characteristics associated with PIP.

RESULTS

Mean cluster-adjusted prevalence of residents with at least one PIP was 70.3 % (95 % CI 67.2-73.4). The number of residents with at least one psychotropic PIP was 1.014 (55 %). The most often prescribed PIP were Prothipendyl (25.9 % residents), Lorazepam (14.5 %) and Diclofenac (6.1 %). Multiple regression analysis showed an inverse association of PIP with cognitive impairment and significant positive associations with permanent restlessness and permanent negative attitude. The associations of PIP with age and male gender were inconsistent. No significant associations were found for PIP and the ratio of staff nurses to residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results confirm that PIP is highly prevalent in the nursing home population. These results urgently call for effective interventions. Initiatives and successful interventions performed in other countries could serve as examples for safer prescribing in residents in Austria.

Risk for high depressive symptoms in diagnosed and previously undetected diabetes: 5-year follow-up results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the risk for the development of high depressive symptoms in study participants with diagnosed and previously undetected diabetes mellitus compared to those without diabetes in a prospective population-based cohort study in Germany.

Methods

We estimated the 5-year cumulative incidence of high depressive symptoms in participants without high depressive symptoms at baseline (n = 3,633, 51.4% men, mean age (SD) 59.1 (7.6) years, 7.0% diagnosed diabetes, 5.3% previously undetected diabetes) from the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Diabetes was assessed by self-report, medication, and blood glucose. High depressive symptoms were assessed using CES-D. We calculated odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence interval, using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Result

Cumulative 5-year incidences (95% CI) of high depressive symptoms in participants with diagnosed, undetected, and without diabetes were 7.1 (4.2–10.9), 4.1 (1.8–8.0), and 6.5 (5.6–7.4), respectively. The age-sex-adjusted OR for developing high depressive symptoms was 1.22 (0.74–2.03) in participants with diagnosed compared to those without diabetes, and 1.00 (0.59–1.68) after adjustment for BMI, physical activity, education, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The age-sex adjusted OR for developing high depressive symptoms in participants with previously undetected diabetes compared to those without diabetes was 0.72; 0.35–1.48; and fully adjusted 0.62; 0.30–1.30.

Conclusion

We found no significant associations, maybe due to low power. However, our results are in line with a recent meta-analysis suggesting that risk of developing high depressive symptoms in patients with diagnosed diabetes may be moderately higher than in those without diabetes, and that comorbidity may explain in part this association. In participants with previously undetected diabetes, this first longitudinal study indicates that the risk is not increased or may even be decreased. These results support the hypothesis that high depressive symptoms develop due to diabetes-related burden and comorbidity and not due to hyperglycemia or hyperinsulinaemia.

Diabetes incidence does not differ between subjects with and without high depressive symptoms--5-year follow-up results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

AIMS

Cross-sectional studies have consistently reported evidence for an association between diabetes and depressive disorders. However, only limited prospective studies have examined this association, reporting conflicting results. In a population-based cohort study, we compared cumulative incidences of diabetes between participants with and without high depressive symptoms.

METHOD

We analysed the 5-year follow-up data from the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study of 3547 participants without diabetes at baseline [mean age 58.8 (sd 7.6) years, 47.5% male]. Depressive symptoms were defined using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (cut point ≥ 17). Diabetes (diagnosed or previously undetected) was identified by self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes, medication and high blood glucose levels. We estimated 5-year cumulative incidences with 95% confidence intervals and fitted multiple logistic regression models to calculate the odds ratios, adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, smoking, living with or without partner, and educational level.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 9.2% (95% CI 6.3-12.8) in participants with high depressive symptoms at baseline and 9.0% (95% CI 8.0-10.0) in participants without these symptoms. The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio of diabetes in participants with depressive symptoms compared with those without was 1.13 [95% CI 0.77-1.68; fully adjusted 1.11 (95% CI 0.74-1.65)]. These results did not substantially change in several additional sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Our study did not show a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes in individuals with high depressive symptoms compared with those without high depressive symptoms during a 5-year follow-up period.

The epidemiological Boehringer Ingelheim Employee study--part I: impact of overweight and obesity on cardiometabolic risk

OBJECTIVE

Obesity-dependent diseases cause economic burden to companies. Large-scale data for working populations are lacking. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) Employee cohort and the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases were estimated.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Employees (≥38 years, employed in Ingelheim ≥2 years; n = 3151) of BI Pharma GmbH & Co. KG were invited by the medical corporate department to participate in intensive health checkups. Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected through 2006-2011 was performed.

RESULTS

90% of eligible subjects participated (n = 2849). Prevalences of overweight and obesity were 40% and 18% and significantly higher in men and participants ≥50 years. Cardiometabolic risk factor levels and prevalences of cardiometabolic diseases significantly increased with BMI and were higher in overweight and obese participants. Cut-points for increased risk estimated from ROC curves were ≈ 25 kg/m(2) for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, arteriosclerosis, and hypertriglyceridemia and 26.7-28.0 kg/m(2) for the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, increased intima media thickness, and type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first large-scale occupational health care cohort from a single company. Cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases accumulate with increasing BMI. Occupational weight reduction programs seem to be reasonable strategies.

Long-term prognosis of diabetic foot patients and their limbs: amputation and death over the course of a decade

OBJECTIVE

There is a dearth of long-term data regarding patient and limb survival in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The purpose of our study was therefore to prospectively investigate the limb and person survival of DFU patients during a follow-up period of more than 10 years.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Two hundred forty-seven patients with DFUs and without previous major amputation consecutively presenting to a single diabetes center between June 1998 and December 1999 were included in this study and followed up until May 2011. Mean patient age was 68.8 ± 10.9 years, 58.7% were male, and 55.5% had peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Times to first major amputation and to death were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox multiple regression.

RESULTS

A first major amputation occurred in 38 patients (15.4%) during follow-up. All but one of these patients had evidence of PAD at inclusion in the study, and 51.4% had severe PAD [ankle-brachial pressure index ≤0.4]). Age (hazard ratio [HR] per year, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.01-1.10]), being on dialysis (3.51 [1.02-12.07]), and PAD (35.34 [4.81-259.79]) were significant predictors for first major amputation. Cumulative mortalities at years 1, 3, 5, and 10 were 15.4, 33.1, 45.8, and 70.4%, respectively. Significant predictors for death were age (HR per year, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.06-1.10]), male sex ([1.18-2.32]), chronic renal insufficiency (1.83 [1.25-2.66]), dialysis (6.43 [3.14-13.16]), and PAD (1.44 [1.05-1.98]).

CONCLUSIONS

Although long-term limb salvage in this modern series of diabetic foot patients is favorable, long-term survival remains poor, especially among patients with PAD or renal insufficiency.

Blood glucose testing and primary prevention of Type 2 diabetes-evaluation of the effect of evidence-based patient information: a randomized controlled trial

AIMS

To compare the effect of our newly developed online evidence-based patient information vs. standard patient information about sub-threshold elevated blood glucose levels and primary prevention of diabetes on informed patient decision making.

METHODS

We invited visitors to the cooperating health insurance company, Techniker Krankenkasse, and the German Diabetes Center websites to take part in a web-based randomized controlled trial. The population after randomization comprised 1120 individuals aged between 40 and 70 years without known diabetes, of whom 558 individuals were randomly assigned to the intervention group receiving evidence-based patient information, and 562 individuals were randomly assigned to the control group receiving standard information from the Internet. The primary endpoint was acquired knowledge of elevated blood glucose level issues and the secondary outcomes were attitude to metabolic testing, intention to undergo metabolic testing, decisional conflict and satisfaction with the information.

RESULTS

Overall, knowledge of elevated glucose level issues and the intention to undergo metabolic testing were high in both groups. Participants who had received evidence-based patient information, however, had significantly higher knowledge scores. The secondary outcomes in the evidence-based patient information subgroup that completed the 2-week follow-up period yielded significantly lower intention to undergo metabolic testing, significantly more critical attitude towards metabolic testing and significantly higher decisional conflict than the control subgroup (n=466). Satisfaction with the information was not significantly different between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based patient information significantly increased knowledge about elevated glucose levels, but also increased decisional conflict and critical attitude to screening and treatment options. The intention to undergo metabolic screening decreased. Future studies are warranted to assess uptake of metabolic testing and satisfaction with this decision in a broader population of patients with unknown diabetes.

Effect of a guideline-based multicomponent intervention on use of physical restraints in nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT

Despite unambiguous legal regulation and evidence for lack of effectiveness and safety, physical restraints are still frequently administered in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE

To reduce physical restraint prevalence in nursing homes using a guideline- and theory-based multicomponent intervention.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Cluster randomized controlled trial of 6 months' duration conducted in 2 German cities between February 2009 and April 2010. Nursing homes were eligible if they had 20% or more residents with physical restraints. Using external concealed randomization, 18 nursing home clusters were included in the intervention group (2283 residents) and 18 in the control group (2166 residents).

INTERVENTION

The intervention was based on a specifically developed evidence-based guideline and applied the theory of planned behavior. Components were group sessions for all nursing staff; additional training for nominated key nurses; and supportive material for nurses, residents, relatives, and legal guardians. Control group clusters received standard information.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Primary outcome was percentage of residents with physical restraints (bilateral bed rails, belts, fixed tables, and other measures limiting free body movement) at 6 months, assessed through direct unannounced observation by blinded investigators on 3 occasions during 1 day. Secondary outcomes included restraint use at 3 months, falls, fall-related fractures, and psychotropic medication prescriptions.

RESULTS

All nursing homes completed the study and all residents were included in the analysis. At baseline, 30.6% of control group residents had physical restraints vs 31.5% of intervention group residents. At 6 months, rates were 29.1% vs 22.6%, respectively, a difference of 6.5% (95% CI, 0.6% to 12.4%; cluster-adjusted odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.97; P = .03). All physical restraint measures were used less frequently in the intervention group. Rates were stable from 3 to 6 months. There were no statistically significant differences in falls, fall-related fractures, and psychotropic medication prescriptions.

CONCLUSION

A guideline- and theory-based multicomponent intervention compared with standard information reduced physical restraint use in nursing homes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN34974819.

Peritoneal dialysis relieves clinical symptoms and is well tolerated in patients with refractory heart failure and chronic kidney disease

AIMS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment in patients with severe refractory heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The PD treatment was performed in 118 patients [49.2% New York Heart Association (NYHA) III and 50.8% NYHA IV] with a mean age of 73.2 ± 11.4 years as an in-centre-based and intermittent automated PD at least three times per week for 12 h per session and followed up for 1.11 ± 1.17 years. The functional status of those surviving for 6 months improved (P < 0.0001): 18 (32.1%) of all 60 patients with NYHA IV at baseline died within 6 months, 3 (5.4%) converted to NYHA III, 33 (58.9%) to NYHA II, and 2 (3.6%) to NYHA I. In all 58 patients with NYHA III at baseline, 14 (25.0%) died within 6 months, 27 (48.2%) converted to NYHA II, 12 (21.4%) to NYHA I, and 3 (5.4%) showed no improvement. In those surviving for 6 months, fluid overload was significantly reduced as body weight decreased, from 78.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 75.8-81.7] to 74.7 (71.5-77.9) after 6 months after multiple imputation (P < 0.001). The overall survival rates after 3, 6, and 12 months were 77% (95% CI 70-85), 71% (95% CI 62-79), and 55% (95% CI 45-64). In the multivariate analyses, age, diabetes mellitus, serum urea, and brain natriuretic peptide were significantly associated with mortality. The incidence of peritonitis and catheter dysfunction was 0.053 (95% CI 0.014-0.093) and 0.084 (95% CI 0.034-0.133), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that PD is a safe, efficient, and well tolerated therapeutic tool for patients with refractory chronic HF and CKD.

Effect of evidence based risk information on "informed choice" in colorectal cancer screening: randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of evidence based information on risk with that of standard information on informed choice in screening for colorectal cancer.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial with 6 months' follow-up.

SETTING

German statutory health insurance scheme.

PARTICIPANTS

1577 insured people who were members of the target group for colorectal cancer screening (age 50-75, no history of colorectal cancer).

INTERVENTIONS

Brochure with evidence based risk information on colorectal cancer screening and two optional interactive internet modules on risk and diagnostic tests; official information leaflet of the German colorectal cancer screening programme (control).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary end point was "informed choice," comprising "knowledge," "attitude," and "combination of actual and planned uptake." Secondary outcomes were "knowledge" and "combination of actual and planned uptake." Knowledge and attitude were assessed after 6 weeks and combination of actual and planned uptake of screening after 6 months.

RESULTS

The response rate for return of both questionnaires was 92.4% (n = 1457). 345/785 (44.0%) participants in the intervention group made an informed choice, compared with 101/792 (12.8%) in the control group (difference 31.2%, 99% confidence interval 25.7% to 36.7%; P < 0.001). More intervention group participants had "good knowledge" (59.6% (n = 468) v 16.2% (128); difference 43.5%, 37.8% to 49.1%; P < 0.001). A "positive attitude" towards colorectal screening prevailed in both groups but was significantly lower in the intervention group (93.4% (733) v 96.5% (764); difference -3.1%, -5.9% to -0.3%; P<0.01). The intervention had no effect on the combination of actual and planned uptake (72.4% (568) v 72.9% (577); P = 0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence based risk information on colorectal cancer screening increased informed choices and improved knowledge, with little change in attitudes. The intervention did not affect the combination of actual and planned uptake of screening. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN47105521.

Time-dependent impact of diabetes on mortality in patients after major lower extremity amputation: survival in a population-based 5-year cohort in Germany

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the impact of diabetes on mortality in patients after first major lower extremity amputation (LEA).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using claims data of a nationwide statutory health insurance, we assessed all deaths in a cohort of all 444 patients with a first major LEA since 2005 (71.8% male; mean age 69.1 years; 58.3% diabetic; 43% with amputation above the knee) up to 2009. Using Cox regression, we estimated the time-dependent hazard ratios to compare patients with and without diabetes.

RESULTS

The cumulative 5-year mortality was 68% in diabetic and 59% in nondiabetic individuals. In the first course, mortality was lower in diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients. Later, the diabetes risk increased yielding crossed survival curves after 2 to 3 years (time dependency of diabetes; P = 0.003). Age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for diabetes were as follows: 0-30 days: 0.50 [95% CI 0.31-0.84]; 31-60 days: 0.60 [0.25-1.41]; 61 days to 6 months: 0.75 [0.38-1.48]; >6-12 months: 1.27 [0.63-2.53]; >12-24 months: 1.65 [0.88-3.08]; >24-36 months: 2.02 [0.80-5.09]; and >36-60 months: 1.91 [0.70-5.21]. The pattern was similar in both sexes. In the full model, significant risk factors for mortality were age (1.05; 1.03-1.06), amputation above the knee (1.50; 1.16-1.94), and quartile category 3 or 4 of the number of prescribed medications (1.64; 1.12-2.40 and 1.76; 1.20-2.59). Further adjustment for comorbidity did not alter the results.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, we found a time-dependent mortality risk of diabetes following first major LEA, which may be in part a result of a healthier lifestyle in diabetic patients or the access to specific treatment structures in diabetic individuals.

Time-dependent impact of diabetes on the mortality of patients on renal replacement therapy: a population-based study in Germany (2002-2009)

AIMS

To estimate the impact of diabetes on the mortality of patients with incident renal replacement therapy (RRT).

METHODS

We assessed the mortality of 544 incident RRT patients aged ≥ 30 years between 2002 and 2009 (57.9% men, mean age 70.3 years, 49.6% patients with diabetes) by analyzing the data of all dialysis centers covering a German region. We compared the estimated time-dependent hazard ratios of patients with and without diabetes by using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model.

RESULTS

Overall, 319 patients had died (158 diabetic), approximately 50% after 3 years. Up to about 3 years, the mortality rate was lower in diabetic than in nondiabetic patients. Thereafter, the survival curves crossed (interaction diabetes × time, p = 0.002; adjusted hazard ratios for diabetes: baseline, 0.66; year 1, 0.84; year 2, 1.05; year 3, 1.33; year 4, 1.68). The results were similar in men and women; however, the interaction of diabetes and time was significant only in men (p = 0.004). Further significant risk factors of mortality were age, sex, initial central venous catheter, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, the influence of diabetes was time-dependent, with a lower mortality in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients in the first three years but a higher mortality in these patients after 3 years. Results were similar in men and women.

Prevalence of psychotropic medication use among German and Austrian nursing home residents: a comparison of 3 cohorts

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing knowledge about the limited effectiveness and severe adverse effects, the prescription rate of psychotropic medications in frail elderly persons remains high. Prescriptions are mainly made to control behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, although factors associated with prescriptions are rarely reported. However, such information is a prerequisite to develop intervention programs aiming to safely reduce psychotropic medication in nursing home residents.

METHODS

We report the comparison of cross-sectional data of psychotropic medication prescription rates from 3 large studies including nursing home residents in Germany and Austria. We aimed to compare the prevalence of (1) psychotropic medication, (2) different classes of psychotropic medication, (3) psychotropic medication administered for bedtime use, and (4) associations between prescription of psychotropics and institutional and residents' characteristics. Confidence intervals of prevalences and multiple logistic regression analyses were adjusted for cluster correlation.

RESULTS

Data from 5336 residents in 136 long term care facilities were included. In Austria, 74.6% (95% CI 72.0-77.2%) of all residents had a prescription of at least one psychotropic medication compared to Germany with about 51.8% (95% CI 48.3-55.2%) and 52.4% (95% CI 48.7-56.1%). Of all antipsychotics, 66% (Austria) and 47% (Germany) were prescribed for bedtime use. Most prescriptions were conventional, low-potency antipsychotics. In all 3 studies, there was no statistically significant association between psychotropic medication prescription and nursing home characteristics. On the level of residents, consistent positive associations were found for higher level of care dependency and permanent restlessness. Consistent negative associations were found for older age and male gender.

CONCLUSION

Frequency of psychotropic and especially antipsychotic medication is substantial in nursing home residents in Germany and Austria. The high number of prescriptions is likely to be an indicator for a perceived or actual lack of strategies to handle behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

The effect of diabetes on incidence and mortality in end-stage renal disease in Germany

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the epidemiology and mortality risk of patients with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals and to determine differences between sexes.

METHODS

We used the claims data of a statutory health insurance company. Patients aged 30 years and older who started dialysis or had pre-emptive kidney transplantation between 1 April 2006 and 7 October 2008 were included. We estimated incidence rates of ESRD according to diabetes status, sex and age as well as relative and attributable risks due to diabetes. Using Cox regression, we studied survival and estimated time-dependent hazard ratios (HR).

RESULTS

We included 623 patients with incident ESRD (n = 254 had diabetes); 477 (76.6%) were male, and the mean age was 66.5 years. Standardized to the German population, incidences of ESRD in patients with and without diabetes were 157.9 and 25.6 per 100,000 person-years respectively (6.2-fold increased risk). The impact of diabetes on mortality was time-dependent. Diabetics had an increased mortality risk after the first year. An interaction of diabetes with time (per additional year of follow-up) was found in the whole population (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.21-3.33) and in females (HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.03-10.39); however, males did not reach statistical significance (HR 1.78, 95% CI 0.99-3.18). The fixed baseline effect of diabetes in these models was non-significant (HR ~ 0.7-0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes is an important risk factor for ESRD. We provide further evidence that the impact of diabetes on survival after ESRD is time-dependent and that differences between sexes might exist.

Incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the diabetic compared with the non-diabetic population in a German region, 2002-08

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to estimate incidences of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the diabetic and non-diabetic populations in Germany, as well as relative and attributable risks of RRT due to diabetes.

METHODS

Using the data of a regional dialysis centre (region population of 310 000), we assessed all incident RRT patients aged 30 years or older in 2002-08. We estimated sex- and age-specific and -standardized incidences of RRT in the diabetic and non-diabetic populations, which were estimated by applying diabetes prevalences from a population-based study, and relative and attributable risks due to diabetes.

RESULTS

Of all subjects with incident RRT (n = 544), 49.6% had diabetes. Fifty-eight percent were male, mean age (SD) was 70.3 years (11.4 years). Incidences per 100 000 person-years (standardized to the 2004 German population) in the diabetic and the non-diabetic populations were 213.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 159.5-267.8] and 26.9 (95% CI, 22.5-31.3) in men and 130.2 (95% CI, 65.6-194.9) and 16.4 (95% CI, 13.5-19.3) in women, respectively. Standardized relative risks were 7.9 (5.9-10.8) in men and 8.0 (4.7-13.5) in women. There was a significant interaction between age and diabetes, with lower relative risks in higher ages. Attributable risks among diabetic individuals were 0.87 in men and women, and population-attributable risks were 0.41 and 0.35 in men and women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study in a German region, we found the relative risk of RRT in the estimated adult diabetic population to be 8-fold increased compared with the non-diabetic population. A high proportion of the RRT risk can be attributed to diabetes in the diabetic as well as in the whole population.

Asymmetry of different brain structures in homing pigeons with and without navigational experience

Homing pigeons (Columba livia f.d.) are well-known for their homing abilities, and their brains seem to be functionally adapted to homing as exemplified, e.g. by their larger hippocampi and olfactory bulbs. Their hippocampus size is influenced by navigational experience, and, as in other birds, functional specialisation of the left and right hemispheres (‘lateralisation’) occurs in homing pigeons. To show in what way lateralisation is reflected in brain structure volume, and whether some lateralisation or asymmetry in homing pigeons is caused by experience, we compared brains of homing pigeons with and without navigational experience referring to this. Fourteen homing pigeons were raised under identical constraints. After fledging, seven of them were allowed to fly around the loft and participated successfully in races. The other seven stayed permanently in the loft and thus did not share the navigational experiences of the first group. After reaching sexual maturity, all individuals were killed and morphometric analyses were carried out to measure the volumes of five basic brain parts and eight telencephalic brain parts. Measurements of telencephalic brain parts and optic tectum were done separately for the left and right hemispheres. The comparison of left/right quotients of both groups reveal that pigeons with navigational experience show a smaller left mesopallium in comparison with the right mesopallium and pigeons without navigational experience a larger left mesopallium in comparison with the right one. Additionally, there are significant differences between left and right brain subdivisions within the two pigeon groups, namely a larger left hyperpallium apicale in both pigeon groups and a larger right nidopallium, left hippocampus and right optic tectum in pigeons with navigational experience. Pigeons without navigational experience did not show more significant differences between their left and right brain subdivisions. The results of our study confirm that the brain of homing pigeons is an example for mosaic evolution and indicates that lateralisation is correlated with individual life history (experience) and not exclusively based on heritable traits.

Inpatient and outpatient health care utilization of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes before and after introduction of DRGs

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the frequency and length of hospital stays as well as the frequency of diabetes-associated outpatient visits of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes before and after the introduction of DRGs (diagnosis-related groups) in German hospitals.

METHODS

For this prospective cohort study, data from 2000 (before introduction of DRGs) to 2008 (after introduction) was extracted from the German diabetes documentation software DPV. Incidence rates of hospitalizations, length of hospital stays as well as the incidence rates of outpatient visits of 21,502 children and adolescents were estimated. The associations between the target parameters and DRG introduction, age, sex, diabetes duration, calendar year and migration background were estimated using generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Incidence of hospitalization was 0.45 (95% CI 0.44-0.45) per person-year (PY), mean number of hospital days 2.77/PY (95% CI: 2.76-2.79). Children had 5.3 (95% CI: 5.3-5.3) outpatient visits per PY on average. The number of hospital stays, inpatient days, and outpatient visits decreased significantly between 2000 and 2008. Time of introduction of DRGs was related to a significant rise in the number of hospital stays and outpatient visits (p<0.05). There was no significant relation to the number of hospital days. Compared with children younger than eleven years of age, 11- to 14-year-old children had significantly more, adolescents older than 14 years significantly less hospital stays (RR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.14-1.23 and 0.92, 95%, CI: 0.87-0.97, respectively). Migration background was significantly associated with worse results for all analyzed target variables (RR 1.21 for hospital stays, 1.26 for hospital days, 1.07 number of outpatient visits).

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of DRGs in the care of patients with pediatric diabetes mellitus resulted in a leveling of the reduction of the number of outpatient visits and hospital stays. Especially adolescents at the age of puberty and patients from families with migration background seem to require particular attention in health care.

Blood glucose testing and primary prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2--evaluation of the effect of evidence based patient information

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based patient information (EBPI) has been recognised as important tool for informed choice in particular in the matter of preventive options. An objective, on the best scientific evidence-based consumer information about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels (impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance) and primary prevention of diabetes, is not available yet. Thus we developed a web-based EBPI and aim to evaluate its effects on informed decision making in people 50 years or older.

METHODS/DESIGN

We conduct a web-based randomised-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of information about elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention on five specific outcomes: (i) knowledge of elevated blood glucose level-related issues (primary outcome); (ii) attitudes to a metabolic testing; (iii) intention to undergo a metabolic testing; (iv) decision conflict; (v) satisfaction with the information. The intervention group receives a specially developed EBPI about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention, the control group information about this topic, available in the internet.The study population consists of people between 50 and 69 years of age without known diabetes. Participants will be recruited via the internet page of the cooperating health insurance company, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), and the internet page of the German Diabetes Centre. Outcomes will be measured through online questionnaires. We expect better informed participants in the intervention group.

DISCUSSION

The design of this study may be a prototype for other web-based prevention information and their evaluation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trial: ISRCTN22060616.