Diabetes in Japan: a review of disease burden and approaches to treatment

The relationship between loneliness and blood glucose: a cross-sectional survey among Japanese

Recently, researchers have uncovered a correlation between loneliness and both the development and management of diabetes. Nevertheless, previous studies employing an unvalidated loneliness questionnaire impair result accuracy. Furthermore, this aspect has not been researched in the Japanese population. Therefore, this cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Kanagawa prospective "ME-BYO" Cohort Study (ME-BYO cohort) to investigate the correlation between loneliness, as measured by 20 items on the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and blood glucose levels. A total of 666 participants were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 54.1 years and a mean BMI of 23 kg/m2. Half of the participants had obtained an education level beyond high school. The mean household income and physical activity level were reported as 6.83 million Japanese yen and 12.3 METs-h/day, respectively. Model 1 of the linear regression analysis determined that there was no significant association between the loneliness scale and HbA1c (p = 0.512). After adjusting for age, gender, BMI (model 2), sitting time, physical activity level (model 3), housemates, household income, and final education (model 4), and controlling for social support, quality of life, and depression (model 5), the results showed no significant association, with a p-value of 0.823, 0.791, 0.792, and 0.816, respectively. Thus, the study found no link between loneliness and HbA1c in the high SES population. This finding contradicts previous results and may be attributed to the impact of population characteristics, SES status, or genetic backgrounds.

Predictive value of insulin resistance surrogates for the development of diabetes in individuals with baseline normoglycemia: findings from two independent cohort studies in China and Japan

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the predictive value of four IR surrogates, including the triglycerides glucose (TyG) index, TyG and body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, and the metabolic score for IR (MetS-IR) for diabetes in two large cohorts.

METHODS

A total of 116,661 adult participants from the China Rich Healthcare Group and 15,464 adult participants from the Japanese NAGALA cohort were included in the study. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the standardized hazard ratio (HR) of the TyG index, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL-C ratio, and MetS-IR directly associated with diabetes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and time-dependent ROC curve analysis were performed to evaluate and compare the predictive value of the four IR surrogates for diabetes.

RESULTS

In the two independent cohorts, the average follow-up time was 3.1 years in the China cohort, with 2681(2.30%) incident cases of diabetes recorded, and 6.13 years in the Japan cohort, with 373 incident cases (2.41%) of diabetes recorded. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found that among the four IR surrogates, TyG-BMI and MetS-IR showed stronger associations with diabetes. The stronger associations persisted even after further stratification by age, sex, hypertension, and obese subgroups. In terms of diabetes prediction, based on ROC analysis, TyG-BMI demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy for diabetes in the Chinese population, while both TyG-BMI and MetS-IR showed the highest predictive accuracy in the Japanese population. The results of further subgroup ROC analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. Furthermore, the time-dependent ROC results indicated that among the four IR surrogates, MetS-IR exhibited the highest accuracy in predicting future diabetes at various time intervals in the Japanese population.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that evaluating TyG-BMI and MetS-IR as IR surrogates may be the most useful for predicting diabetes events and assessing the risk of developing diabetes in East Asian populations.

Demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients operated with the diagnosis of acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a retrospective study in Southern Iran

INTRODUCTION

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a type of acute mediastinitis that is rarely reported but is regarded as a fatal disease despite improvements in technological methods and antibiotic therapies. We aimed to determine the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients diagnosed with acute DNM.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients' hospital records with a diagnosis of DNM admitted to the Namazi hospital in southern Iran during 18 years (2002-2019) were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features were recorded and subsequently analyzed via SPSS 22.

RESULTS

Out of 67 mediastinitis patients, 25 (37.3%) were diagnosed as DNM with an average age of 37.2 ± 16.7 years, and 68% were male. Regarding etiology, 52.0% were due to neck infection. Based on the technique of surgery, 52% of the patients underwent the combined method, which was mostly among type I and IIA DNM, while thoracotomy was mostly performed on type IIB DNM (P = 0.08). Based on the incision, type IIA and IIB had the highest frequency of thoracotomy and cervicothoracic incisions (P = 0.02 and 0.002). Puss discharge was significantly lower in type I DNM (P = 0.01). Based on the presenting symptoms of our patients, the majority (72.0%) had a chief complaint of neck pain, followed by chills and fever (48%). There were no reports of mortality during our short-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We report one of the largest retrospective studies of DNM patients in our referral center, with a high prevalence of the disease among younger populations, especially under 40 years. The method of treatment should be chosen based on the extent of infection and can be limited to neck exploration in upper mediastinal infections, though thoracic or combined approach in more broad infections.

Balancing ability of patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between postural sway and the severity of lumbar spinal canal stenosis as well as the effect on postoperative improvement.

METHODS

Stabilometry was performed before and 6 months after surgery in 52 patients (29 men and 23 women; mean age, 74.1 ± 7.8 years) who underwent decompression surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The environmental area (EA; the area surrounding the circumference of the stabilogram) and locus length per EA (L/EA) were evaluated. The patients were divided into moderate (n = 22) and severe (n = 30) groups according to the severity of canal stenosis. Patient characteristics and parameters were compared between the groups before and after surgery, including the visual analog scale (VAS) score for leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EA, and L/EA. In addition, factors affecting EA and L/EA were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Age (p = 0.031), preoperative EA (p < 0.001), preoperative L/EA (p = 0.032), and sagittal vertical axis (p = 0.033) were significantly different between groups. The VAS score and ODI significantly improved postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.001). The EA significantly improved postoperatively only in the severe group (p < 0.001), whereas the L/EA did not significantly improve in either group. Multiple regression analysis showed that only the severity of canal stenosis was significantly associated with preoperative EA (p = 0.030), whereas age (p = 0.040) and severity of canal stenosis (p = 0.030) were significantly associated with preoperative L/EA. Diabetes was significantly associated with postoperative EA (p = 0.046) and L/EA (p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION

The severity of canal stenosis affected abnormal postural sway, which improved after decompression surgery.

Association between the number of teeth and incident pre-diabetes among middle-aged adults with periodontal disease: a retrospective cohort analysis of Japanese claims data

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between the number of teeth and the new onset of pre-diabetes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan, which holds information from both the yearly health check-up programme known as the 'Specific Health Checkup' and health insurance claims data.

PARTICIPANTS

1 098 371 normoglycaemic subjects who participated in the Specific Health Checkup programme every year from fiscal year (FY) 2015 to FY 2018 and had dental insurance claims data with a diagnosis of periodontal disease during FY 2016.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of pre-diabetes or diabetes observed at the Specific Health Checkup during FY 2018.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 1 77 908 subjects developed pre-diabetes, and 579 developed diabetes at the check-up during the subsequent follow-up year. Compared with the subjects with 26-28 teeth, those with 20-25, 15-19 or 1-14 teeth were associated with an increased likelihood of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes onset with adjusted ORs of 1.03 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.05), 1.06 (1.03 to 1.09) and 1.07 (1.04 to 1.11), respectively. No clear modifications were observed for age, sex, body mass index or current smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Having fewer teeth was associated with a higher incidence of pre-diabetes. Due to the limitations of this study, however, causality remains undetermined.

Effect of patient characteristics on the efficacy and safety of imeglimin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A post-hoc analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Substantial variability in demographic and clinical characteristics exists among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which may impact treatment. This post-hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of imeglimin 1,000 mg twice daily (BID) monotherapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients according to demographic and clinical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were pooled from two placebo-controlled, 24 week, randomized, double-blind studies in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Outcomes (least squares mean [LSM] change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24, and safety) were analyzed according to subgroups based on demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

The difference in LSM change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24 was statistically significant for imeglimin vs placebo in all patient subgroups analyzed (P < 0.05 each), including demographics (age, body mass index), clinical characteristics (duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage, and prior medication use) and comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, risk of hepatic fibrosis and liver function parameter status). A statistically significant separation from placebo in HbA1c was observed at week 4 and maintained through week 24. No new safety concerns were identified with imeglimin in any patient subpopulations.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety of imeglimin was demonstrated across patient subgroups, irrespective of baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Our findings confirm the efficacy and safety of imeglimin across a broad spectrum of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comparative evaluation of clinical glycemic control markers treated with imeglimin and its effect on erythrocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: study protocol of a single-arm, open-label, prospective, exploratory trial

Background: Imeglimin is a novel type 2 diabetes (T2D) drug that is expected to improve mitochondrial function. In its phase 3 clinical trials in Japanese patients with T2D, the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) decrease following imeglimin administration was slow, reaching a plateau after 20-24 weeks of treatment. In general, the erythrocyte lifespan may be a factor when HbA1c shows an abnormal value. Therefore, this study will comparatively evaluate HbA1c and other markers of glycemic control in patients with T2D after imeglimin administration and also examine the effects of imeglimin on erythrocytes. Methods: This single-arm, open-label, prospective, exploratory study is designed to evaluate the divergence between HbA1c and glycoalbumin (GA) or 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) and the glycemic reduction rate in 30 patients with T2D with inadequate glycemic control when imeglimin 2,000 mg is administered for 6 months. In addition, we will examine the effect on erythrocytes, the presumed cause of this divergence. We will measure sustained glycemic variability using flash glucose monitoring and examine the relationship between changes in these indices and HbA1c. Moreover, because prolonged erythrocyte lifespan is a possible cause of falsely high HbA1c levels, erythrocyte lifespan, erythrocyte deformability, and hemoglobin concentration will be evaluated as effects of imeglimin on erythrocytes. Furthermore, if imeglimin has an ameliorative effect on erythrocyte deformability, it may improve peripheral arterial disease; thus, we will also evaluate the toe-brachial pressure index, a measure of this effect. Discussion: In this study, if imeglimin administration results in diverging rates of hypoglycemic effect between HbA1c and GA or 1,5-AG and prolongs erythrocyte lifespan, GA and 1,5-AG, rather than HbA1c, will be considered appropriate measures of the hypoglycemic effect in the early stages of imeglimin administration. If imeglimin improves erythrocyte deformability, it may also be a new treatment strategy for peripheral arterial disease, a chronic complication of T2D. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was scientifically and ethically reviewed and approved by the Certified Clinical Research Review Board of Toho University (approval number: THU22002). The study protocol was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) in December 2022 (jRCTs031220489).

Assessing temporal differences in the predictive power of baseline TyG-related parameters for future diabetes: an analysis using time-dependent receiver operating characteristics

BACKGROUND

It is known that measuring the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and TyG-related parameters [triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglyceride glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC), and triglyceride glucose-waist to height ratio (TyG-WHtR)] can predict diabetes; this study aimed to compare the predictive value of the baseline TyG index and TyG-related parameters for the onset of diabetes at different future periods.

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study involving 15,464 Japanese people who had undergone health physical examinations. The subject's TyG index and TyG-related parameters were measured at the first physical examination, and diabetes was defined according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. Multivariate Cox regression models and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to examine and compare the risk assessment/predictive value of the TyG index and TyG-related parameters for the onset of diabetes in different future periods.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period of the current study cohort was 6.13 years, with a maximum of 13 years, and the incidence density of diabetes was 39.88/10,000 person-years. In multivariate Cox regression models with standardized hazard ratios (HRs), we found that both the TyG index and TyG-related parameters were significantly and positively associated with diabetes risk and that the TyG-related parameters were stronger in assessing diabetes risk than the TyG index, with TyG-WC being the best parameter (HR per SD increase: 1.70, 95% CI 1.46, 1.97). In addition, TyG-WC also showed the highest predictive accuracy in time-dependent ROC analysis for diabetes occurring in the short-term (2-6 years), while TyG-WHtR had the highest predictive accuracy and the most stable predictive threshold for predicting the onset of diabetes in the medium- to long-term (6-12 years).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the TyG index combined with BMI, WC, and WHtR can further improve its ability to assess/predict the risk of diabetes in different future periods, where TyG-WC was not only the best parameter for assessing diabetes risk but also the best risk marker for predicting future diabetes in the short-term, while TyG-WHtR may be more suitable for predicting future diabetes in the medium- to long-term.

Safety and efficacy analyses across age and body mass index subgroups in East Asian participants with type 2 diabetes in the phase 3 tirzepatide studies (SURPASS programme)

AIM

To assess the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in people of East Asian descent based on age and body mass index (BMI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of participants enrolled in East Asian countries in the SURPASS-1, -3, -4, -5, J-mono and J-combo phase 3 clinical trials were included. Participants with type 2 diabetes with a baseline HbA1c of 7.0% up to 11.0% and a BMI of 23 kg/m² or greater or 25 kg/m² or greater were included. Participants treated with tirzepatide 5, 10 or 15 mg were evaluated to assess the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in people of East Asian descent (94% from Japan) based on age (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and BMI (< 25 and ≥ 25 kg/m² ). Key safety and efficacy outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

At baseline, 73% of East Asian participants had a BMI of 25 kg/m² or greater and 74% were younger than 65 years. At week 52, tirzepatide induced a similar dose-dependent reduction in HbA1c, waist circumference and BMI across subgroups. Across all BMI and age subgroups, mean absolute HbA1c reductions across the three doses ranged from 2.3% to 3.0%, and mean waist circumference reductions ranged from 4.3 to 9.8 cm. Improvements in absolute insulin sensitivity, assessed by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, were greater in those with a baseline BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m² . Improvements in lipid profiles were similar across subgroups. While the safety profile of tirzepatide was broadly similar across BMI and age subgroups, drug discontinuation because of adverse events was higher in participants with a baseline age of ≥ 65 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc analysis showed that once-weekly tirzepatide had a similar safety and efficacy profile across BMI and age subgroups in East Asian participants.

Dose Rationale of Nasal Glucagon in Japanese Pediatric Patients with Diabetes Using Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling and Simulation

BACKGROUND

Nasal glucagon (NG) 3 mg is approved in Japan to treat hypoglycemia in pediatric patients with diabetes, but an NG clinical study has not been performed in Japanese children because of practical and ethical concerns.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to support the dose rationale for NG 3 mg in Japanese pediatric patients with diabetes using modeling and simulation.

METHODS

We used a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic bridging approach to extrapolate the available clinical data to Japanese pediatric patients. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling was performed using data from seven clinical studies, including five studies in non-Japanese adults, one study in Japanese adults, and one study in non-Japanese pediatric patients. Simulation was then used to estimate glucagon exposure and glucose response after NG 3-mg administration for three age categories of Japanese pediatric patients: 4 to < 8, 8 to < 12, and 12 to < 18 years. Treatment success was defined as an increase in blood glucose to ≥ 70 or ≥ 20 mg/dL from nadir within 30 min after administration of NG 3 mg. Safety was assessed in relation to the predicted maximum glucagon concentration of NG 3 mg using NG clinical trial data and published data on intravenous and intramuscular glucagon.

RESULTS

The data showed a rapid and robust glucose response following NG 3 mg in Japanese and non-Japanese adults and non-Japanese pediatric patients, with some differences in glucagon exposure observed across studies. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model described the observed clinical data well, and simulations indicated that > 99% of hypoglycemic Japanese pediatric patients in all three age groups would achieve treatment success. Predicted glucose responses to NG 3 mg in Japanese pediatric patients were comparable to those of intramuscular glucagon. Maximum concentration was not associated with the occurrence and severity of common adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and headache) in NG clinical studies. Furthermore, the predicted maximum concentration in Japanese pediatric patients, despite being higher than the observed maximum concentration in NG clinical studies, was substantially lower than the observed maximum concentration of 1 mg of intravenous glucagon, without serious safety issues.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis suggests NG 3 mg has robust efficacy without serious safety concerns in Japanese pediatric patients with diabetes.

Two-year visual and psychological outcomes of ranibizumab and subsequent treatment for diabetic macular oedema in Japan (MERCURY)

Objective

We report the 2-year visual and psychological outcomes of the MERCURY study, examining the long-term effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab and subsequent therapy in Japanese patients with diabetic macular oedema with impaired visual acuity (VA) in the real-world setting.

Methods and analysis

This was a 24-month, phase 4, open-label, single-arm, multicentre, prospective, observational study. Following an initial dose of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) by intravitreal injection (0.05 mL), treatment was administered as needed after month 1. The primary treated eye (PTE) was the first eye that received a ranibizumab injection.

Results

In total, 209 patients were enrolled; 192 (91.9%) and 174 (83.3%) completed months 12 and 24, respectively. In the PTE set, mean±SD changes in best-corrected VA (BCVA) from baseline to months 12 (primary endpoint) and 24 were −0.08±0.35 (p=0.015) and −0.13±0.30 (p<0.001) logarithmic minimum angle of resolution, respectively. Mean±SD central subfoveal thickness (CSFT) changes from baseline to months 12 and 24 were −102.3±146.1 µm (p<0.001) and −103.6±157.2 µm (p<0.001), respectively. Patients receiving three injections during the first 2 months had greater BCVA improvements throughout the study than those receiving 1–2 consecutive injections. Overall, 91 (43.5%) and 130 (62.2%) patients had ocular and non-ocular adverse events, respectively. At month 24, the mean±SD Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-Anxiety and HADS-Depression scores decreased by 0.44±3.75 (p=0.196) and 0.19±3.38 (p=0.541), respectively.

Conclusions

At 24 months after initiation of ranibizumab and subsequent treatment, patients showed significant BCVA and CSFT improvements. Long-term treatment was considered safe and tolerable and did not lead to worsened psychological status.

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio has a non-linear association with incident diabetes mellitus: A second analysis of a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Evidence regarding the association between the GGT/HDL-c ratio and incident diabetes is still limited. On that account, our research aims to survey the link of the GGT/HDL-c ratio with the risk of diabetes.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, data of 15,171 participants who participated in the medical examination program were collected in Murakami Memorial Hospital in Japan from 2004 to 2015. The independent and dependent variables were the baseline GGT/HDL-c ratio and diabetes during the follow-up, respectively. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to explore the association between the GGT/HDL-c ratio and diabetes risk. A Cox proportional hazards regression with the cubic spline smoothing was used to recognize non-linear relationships between the GGT/HDL-c ratio and incident diabetes.

RESULTS

After adjusting covariates, the results showed that the GGT/HDL-c ratio was positively associated with incident diabetes (HR = 1.013, 95% CI: 1.002, 1.024). There was also a non-linear relationship between the GGT/HDL-c ratio and the risk of diabetes, and the inflection point of the GGT/HDL-c ratio was 6.477. The HR on the left and right sides of the inflection point was 2.568 (1.157, 5.699) and 1.012 (1.001, 1.023), respectively. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of the results. Besides, the performance of the FPG + GGT/HDL-c ratio was better than FPG + GGT, FPG + HDL-c, and FPG in predicting diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a positive and non-linear relationship between the GGT/HDL-c ratio and incident diabetes in the Japanese population. The GGT/HDL-c ratio is strongly related to diabetes risk when it is <6.477.

Evaluation of the value of conventional and unconventional lipid parameters for predicting the risk of diabetes in a non-diabetic population

BACKGROUND

Conventional and unconventional lipid parameters are associated with diabetes risk, the comparative studies on lipid parameters for predicting future diabetes risk, however, are still extremely limited, and the value of conventional and unconventional lipid parameters in predicting future diabetes has not been evaluated. This study was designed to determine the predictive value of conventional and unconventional lipid parameters for the future development of diabetes.

METHODS

The study was a longitudinal follow-up study of 15,464 participants with baseline normoglycemia. At baseline, conventional lipid parameters such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured/calculated, and unconventional lipid parameters such as non-HDL-C, remnant cholesterol (RC), LDL/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL/HDL-C ratio, TC/HDL-C ratio and RC/HDL-C ratio were calculated. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression adjusting for demographic and diabetes-related risk factors. The predictive value and threshold fluctuation intervals of baseline conventional and unconventional lipid parameters for future diabetes were evaluated by the time-dependent receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of diabetes was 3.93 per 1000 person-years during an average follow-up period of 6.13 years. In the baseline non-diabetic population, only TG and HDL-C among the conventional lipid parameters were associated with future diabetes risk, while all the unconventional lipid parameters except non-HDL-C were significantly associated with future diabetes risk. In contrast, unconventional lipid parameters reflected diabetes risk better than conventional lipid parameters, and RC/HDL-C ratio was the best lipid parameter to reflect the risk of diabetes (HR: 6.75, 95% CI 2.40-18.98). Sensitivity analysis further verified the robustness of this result. Also, time-dependent ROC curve analysis showed that RC, non-HDL/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio were the best lipid parameters for predicting the risk of medium-and long-term diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Unconventional lipid parameters generally outperform conventional lipid parameters in assessing and predicting future diabetes risk. It is suggested that unconventional lipid parameters should also be routinely evaluated in clinical practice.

Exercise and Nutrition Strategies for Combating Sarcopenia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults

Medical and technology development have drastically the improved quality of life and, consequently, life expectancy. Nevertheless, the more people who enter the third-age, the more geriatric syndromes expand in the elderly. Sarcopenia and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are common diseases among the elderly and the literature has extensively studied these two diseases separately. Recent evidence, however, revealed that there is a bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and T2DM. The aims of the present review were: (1) to present diet and exercise interventions for the management of sarcopenia and T2DM and (2) identify which diet and exercise interventions can be used simultaneously in order to effectively deal with these two disorders. Exercise and a balanced diet are used as effective countermeasures for combating sarcopenia and T2DM in older adults based on their bidirectional relationship. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and a balanced diet seem to play an important role in the remission of the diseases. Results showed that chronic exercise can help towards glycemic regulation as well as decrease the incidence rate of muscle degradation, while diet interventions which focus on protein or amino acids seem to successfully treat both disorders. Despite the fact that there are limited studies that deal with both disorders, it seems that a combined exercise regime (aerobic and resistance) along with protein intake > 1gr/kg/d is the safest strategy to follow in order to manage sarcopenia and T2DM concurrently.

Incidence of endocrine and exocrine insufficiency in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis at diagnosis and after treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare form of pancreatitis that may lead to endocrine and exocrine insufficiency if left untreated. AIP clinically responds to glucocorticoids (GCs) therapy, but multiple GCs courses are often required to maintain remission with detrimental effects on glycaemic control.

OBJECTIVE

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the rate of endocrine and of exocrine insufficiency at diagnosis and at follow up in patients with AIP as well as the impact of GC therapy on pancreatic function in the long-term.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to August 2021 to identify studies reporting data on endocrine and exocrine insufficiency in patients with AIP. Pooled events were calculated using a random-effect model and expressed in terms of pooled prevalence rates.

RESULTS

A total of 6522 AIP patients and sixty-two studies were included in the analysis. The pooled estimate rate for the overall prevalence of diabetes in AIP at baseline was 37% (95% CI 32-42, I² 96%). The pooled prevalence rate of exocrine insufficiency was 45% (95%CI 32.9-57.4; I² 97%). The pooled estimate rate of diabetes at follow-up was 44% (95%CI 26.1-62.4) in studies where GCs were given to 100% of patients and 42% (95%CI 30.6-52.9) in studies where GCs were given to less than 100% of patients.

CONCLUSION

A large proportion of patients with AIP displays concomitant exocrine and endocrine insufficiency at the time of diagnosis. The incidence of diabetes at the longest available follow up tends to increase in patients treated with GCs.

Efficacy and safety of imeglimin add-on to insulin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (TIMES 3): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial with a 36-week open-label extension period

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imeglimin for up to 52 weeks as combination therapy with insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This double-blind, randomized, parallel-group phase 3 trial was performed at 35 sites in Japan. Eligible patients were individuals aged ≥20 years with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with insulin. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either imeglimin (1000 mg twice daily) or matched placebo, in combination with insulin, for 16 weeks. In a subsequent 36-week, open-label extension period, all patients received imeglimin 1000 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was change in mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 16.

RESULTS

In all, 108 and 107 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with imeglimin 1000 mg twice daily or placebo, respectively. Compared with placebo, the adjusted mean difference in change from baseline HbA1c at Week 16 was -0.60% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.80 to -0.40; P < 0.0001). This decrease was sustained up to 52 weeks with a mean decrease of -0.64% (95% CI -0.82 to -0.46) versus baseline. The incidence of patients experiencing adverse events and serious adverse events was similar in the two treatment groups. The number of patients experiencing hypoglycaemia was similar in the two treatment groups. In patients receiving imeglimin, all hypoglycaemic events were mild in severity; no episodes required assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Imeglimin significantly improved HbA1c in Japanese patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes by insulin and had a similar safety profile to placebo. The efficacy of imeglimin on top of insulin was sustained for 52 weeks. Imeglimin represents a potential new treatment option for this population as add-on to insulin therapy.

Utility of Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Evaluating Incident Diabetes Risk

PURPOSE

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world, and its prevalence is expected to rise further. To help understand the utility of the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHHR) in diabetes prevention, this large-scale longitudinal cohort study aims to explore the association of NHHR with diabetes risk and compare it as a risk predictor with conventional lipid parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This observational study extracted data from the NAGALA longitudinal cohort study conducted in Japan between 2004 and 2015. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between NHHR and the risk of diabetes. The dose-response relationship was analyzed by restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression and the potential risk threshold was estimated. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze and calculate the predictive value and optimal threshold of NHHR and other conventional lipids for new-onset diabetes.

RESULTS

Of the 15,464 people aged 18-79, 373 (2.41%) were diagnosed with new-onset diabetes during the study period, with a median age of 46 years. The sensitivity analysis based on multivariate adjustment showed that the independent positive correlation between diabetes and NHHR was stable in different populations. RCS and ROC analysis indicated that the association between NHHR and diabetes was non-linear, and the NHHR was a better marker for predicting diabetes risk than other conventional lipid parameters; Additionally, it is worth noting that an NHHR of approximately 2.74 may be the optimal threshold for intervention in diabetes risk.

CONCLUSION

In the general population, NHHR is a better marker for predicting diabetes risk than conventional lipid parameters, and an NHHR of about 2.74 may be the optimal threshold for assessing diabetes risk.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis and the proposal of a new classification

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Using polyphenols as a relevant therapy to diabetes and its complications, a review

Diabetes is currently a worldwide health concern. Hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, and oxidative stress are the major risk factors that inevitably lead to all the complications from diabetes. These complications severely impact the quality of life of patients, and they can be managed, reduced, or even reverted by several polyphenols, plant extracts and foods rich in these compounds. The goal of this review is to approach diabetes not as a single condition but rather an interconnected combination of risk factors and complications. This work shows that polyphenols have multi target action and effects and they have been systematically proven to be relevant in the reduction of each risk factor and improvement of associated complication.

Current trends in diabetes mellitus database research in Japan

With the widespread use of electronic medical records and administrative claims databases, analytic results from so-called real-world data have become increasingly important in healthcare decision-making. Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous condition that involves a broad spectrum of patients. Real-world database studies have been recognised as a powerful tool to understand the impact of current practices on clinical courses and outcomes, such as long-term glucose control, development of microvascular or macro-vascular diseases, and mortality. Diabetes is also a major global health issue and poses a significant social and economic burden worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to understand the epidemiology, clinical course, treatment reality, and long-term outcomes of diabetes to determine realistic solutions to a variety of disease-related issues that we are facing. In the present review, we summarise the healthcare system and large-scale databases currently available in Japan, introduce the results from recent database studies involving Japanese patients with diabetes, and discuss future opportunities and challenges for the use of databases in the management of diabetes.

Efficacy and Safety of Imeglimin Monotherapy Versus Placebo in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes (TIMES 1): A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multicenter Phase 3 Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of imeglimin, the first in a new class of oral antidiabetic agent, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in 30 sites in Japan. Eligible participants were individuals aged ≥20 years with type 2 diabetes treated with diet and exercise, stable for ≥12 weeks prior to screening, and whose HbA_1c was 7.0-10.0% (53-86 mmol/mol). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either oral imeglimin (1,000 mg twice daily) or matched placebo for 24 weeks. Investigators, participants, and the sponsor of the study remained blinded throughout the trial. The primary end point was the change in mean HbA_1c from baseline to week 24, and the key secondary end point was the percentage of responders (according to two definitions) at week 24.

RESULTS

Between 26 December 2017 and 1 February 2019, 106 and 107 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with imeglimin and placebo, respectively. Compared with placebo, the adjusted mean difference in change from baseline HbA_1c at week 24 was -0.87% (95% CI -1.04 to -0.69 [-9.5 mmol/mol; 95% CI -11.4 to -7.5]; P < 0.0001). Forty-seven (44.3%) patients reported ≥1 adverse event in the imeglimin group versus 48 adverse events (44.9%) in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

Imeglimin significantly improved HbA_1c in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes compared with placebo and had a similar safety profile to placebo. Imeglimin represents a potential new treatment option for this population.

Efficacy and safety of imeglimin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2b trial

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of imeglimin monotherapy compared with placebo for 24 weeks in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging, phase 2b clinical trial, Japanese adults (age ≥ 20 years) with T2D either treatment-naïve or previously treated with one oral antidiabetes agent were eligible for participation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to receive orally imeglimin 500, 1000 or 1500 mg, or placebo twice-daily over a 24-week period. The primary endpoint was the placebo-adjusted change at week 24 in HbA1c. Safety outcomes were assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug.

RESULTS

A total of 299 patients were randomized to receive double-blind treatment with orally twice-daily placebo (n = 75), imeglimin 500 mg (n = 75), 1000 mg (n = 74) or 1500 mg (n = 75). At week 24, imeglimin significantly decreased HbA1c (difference vs. placebo: imeglimin 500 mg -0.52% [95% CI: -0.77%, -0.27%], imeglimin 1000 mg -0.94% [95% CI: -1.19%, -0.68%], imeglimin 1500 mg -1.00% [95% CI: -1.26%, -0.75%]; P < .0001 for all). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported for 68.0%, 62.2%, 73.3% and 68.0% of patients receiving imeglimin 500, 1000 or 1500 mg and placebo, respectively. A small increase in gastrointestinal adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea) occurred with the 1500 mg dose level. Hypoglycaemia was balanced among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Imeglimin as monotherapy in Japanese patients with T2D was well tolerated and significantly improved glycaemic control with no significant increase in hypoglycaemic events versus placebo. Given the marginal increase in efficacy with the 1500 versus 1000 mg dose (along with the potential for gastrointestinal tolerability issues), a dose of 1000 mg twice-daily was selected for subsequent phase 3 studies.

Predictors of recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus: A Japanese multicenter cohort study and literature review

AIM

To clarify whether maternal characteristics or laboratory parameters could help predict the onset of recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

We enrolled 615 women with consecutive singleton deliveries at or after 28 GW from two perinatal medical centers between 2011 and 2019 and divided them into four groups according to whether they had GDM in the first and second pregnancies. The outcome of this study was to clarify the incidence and the predictors of recurrent GDM.

RESULTS

We found that among 72 women (11.7%) who had GDM during their first pregnancy, the rate of recurrent GDM was 47.2%. The 34 women (5.5%) with recurrent GDM gained significantly less weight in the first and second pregnancies and lost less weight between the first delivery and the second conception compared with those women without GDM in both pregnancies. Of women with GDM during the first pregnancy, 21 scored 2 or 3 (multiple) positive points on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during their first pregnancies; the GDM recurrence rate among these women (66.7%) was significantly higher than that among the 51 women who scored 1 positive point (39.2%; p = 0.0411). During the first pregnancy, insulin administration therapy was significantly more frequent in women with recurrent GDM than in women without recurrent GDM (23.5% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.0396, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A predictor of recurrent GDM onset was a score of 2 or 3 positive points on the OGTT during the first pregnancy.

Effect of the FreeStyle Libre™ flash glucose monitoring system on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy: An open label, prospective, multicenter trial in Japan

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

We investigated the effect of FreeStyle LibreTM on glycemic control in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, 90-day single-arm study enrolled 94 adults with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin. A 14-day masked baseline phase was followed by an 11-week treatment phase during which participants used the device to monitor glucose levels. The primary end-point was time spent in hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL) for baseline versus study end (days 76-90). Secondary end-points included other measures of glycemic control, along with patient satisfaction using the Japanese Diabetes Treatment and Satisfaction Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Time spent in hypoglycemia was low at baseline (0.51 ± 0.93 h/day) and did not significantly decrease at study end (0.47 ± 0.63 h/day, P = 0.6354). Time in range, time in hyperglycemia and estimated A1c all improved versus baseline (by +1.7 ± 3.0 h/day, -1.6 ± .4 h/day and -0.4 ± 0.8%, respectively, P < 0.0001 in each). Finger stick tests fell from 2.9 ± 1.3 to 1.9 ± 1.4/day, and mean scanning frequency during the intervention phase was 11.3/day. The mean treatment satisfaction score increased by 11.8 ± 5.3 (P < 0.0001). Two severe hypoglycemia-related adverse events were reported; one of which was possibly related to the device. Three participants reported mild device-related skin trauma, site discomfort or subcutaneous bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of FreeStyle Libre by Japanese type 2 patients diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy showed a low baseline of hypoglycemia, and enabled improved glycemic control and treatment satisfaction.

Remnant Cholesterol is an Independent Predictor of New-Onset Diabetes: A Single-Center Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Remnant cholesterol (RC) is the cholesterol of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, which has a high degree of atherogenic effect. To date, epidemiological evidence supports that higher RC levels lead to a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes, but the nature of the association between RC levels and diabetes risk remains unclear. This study was designed to assess the association of RC with the risk of new-onset diabetes and to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between the two.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The subjects included 15,464 individuals of the general population who participated in a health examination. Subjects were quartered according to the RC quartile, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the independent association between RC and new-onset diabetes.

RESULTS

During an average observation period of 6.13 years, 2.41% of the subjects were diagnosed with new-onset diabetes. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 13-year cumulative diabetes rates corresponding to the RC quartile were 8.62%, 2.49%, 12.78%, and 17.91%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that higher RC levels were independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset diabetes (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.50-3.89). Additionally, according to the results of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, RC had the largest area under the curve (0.7314) compared to traditional lipid parameters in predicting new-onset diabetes.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that RC is an important independent predictor of new-onset diabetes in the general population.

Nineteen-year prognosis in Japanese patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Lean versus overweight patients

Background

Many studies have investigated the prognosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, most studies had a relatively short follow-up. To elucidate the long-term outcome of NAFLD, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.

Methods

We re-evaluated 6080 patients who underwent liver biopsy from 1975 to 2012 and identified NAFLD patients without other etiologies. With follow-up these patients, we evaluated the outcome-associated factors.

Results

A total of 223 patients were enrolled, 167 (74.9%) was non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The median follow-up was 19.5 (0.5–41.0) years and 4248.3 person-years. The risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension was 11.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.70–15.6) and 7.99 (95% CI 6.09–10.5) times higher, respectively, in NAFLD patients than in the general population. Twenty-three patients died, 22 of whom had NASH. Major causes of death were extrahepatic malignancy and cardiovascular disease (21.7%) followed by liver-related mortality (13.0%). All-cause mortality was significantly higher in NASH patients than in nonalcoholic fatty liver patients (P = 0.041). In multivariate analysis, older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.09 [95% CI 1.05–1.14], P<0.001) and T2DM (HR 2.87 [95% CI 1.12–7.04], P = 0.021) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The factors significantly associated with liver-related events were older age, T2DM, milder hepatic steatosis, and advanced liver fibrosis. Body mass index wasn’t associated with either mortality or liver-related events.

Conclusions

T2DM was highly prevalent in NAFLD patients and was significantly associated with both all-cause mortality and liver-related events. The lean patients’ prognosis wasn’t necessarily better than that of overweight patients.

Real-world Observational Study on Patient Outcomes in Diabetes (RESPOND): study design and baseline characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes newly initiating oral antidiabetic drug monotherapy in Japan

INTRODUCTION

To investigate factors affecting glycemic control, oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) treatment distribution and self-care activities among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who newly initiate OAD monotherapy in a real-world setting in Japan.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A Real-world Observational Study on Patient Outcomes in Diabetes (RESPOND) is an ongoing, prospective, observational cohort study with follow-up at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Primary objectives include OAD treatment patterns (cross-sectional and longitudinal) among diabetes specialists versus non-specialists; adherence to diabetes self-care activities; quality of life; treatment satisfaction among patients and target attainment rates of parameters, including glycated hemoglobin. Here, we present the study design and baseline data.

RESULTS

Of 1506 patients enrolled (June 2016-May 2017; 174 sites in Japan), 1485 were included in the baseline analysis (617 treated by specialists, 868 by non-specialists). Most patients were prescribed dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) (specialist vs non-specialist, 54.1% vs 57.1%), then sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (13.9% vs 22.2%), metformin (20.3% vs 12.9%) and other OADs (<5% individually in both groups). Regardless of age, body mass index and glycated hemoglobin, DPP-4Is were the most commonly prescribed OADs by both specialists and non-specialists. About one-fifth and one-third of patients visiting specialists and non-specialists, respectively, received no advice on diet and exercise. The proportion of patients following self-care recommendations for diet and exercise (2/5 items on the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities) was significantly higher among those visiting specialists than non-specialists.

CONCLUSION

The use of newer OAD was common across a broad range of clinical characteristics in patients with T2DM who newly initiated monotherapy in Japan. However, patient-related and physician-related factors could affect the treatment changes during the following course of treatment. In addition, treatment outcome could vary with the observed difference in the level of patient education provided by diabetes specialists versus non-specialists.

Effect of alcohol consumption and the presence of fatty liver on the risk for incident type 2 diabetes: a population-based longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

Both fatty liver disease (FLD) and alcohol consumption have been reported to affect incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of FLD and alcohol consumption on incident type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this historical cohort study involving 9948 men, we investigated the influence of the presence of FLD and the grades of alcohol consumption on incident type 2 diabetes using Cox proportional hazards models. We categorized the participants into the following four groups: none or minimal alcohol consumption, <40 g/week; light, 40-140 g/week; moderate, 140-280 g/week; or heavy alcohol consumption, >280 g/week. FLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

During the median 6.0-year follow-up, 568 participants developed type 2 diabetes. Heavy alcohol consumers with FLD showed a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared with the other groups. Moderate alcohol consumers without FLD had a significantly higher risk for developing incident type 2 diabetes, compared with none or minimal and light alcohol consumers without FLD. In contrast, there was no apparent difference in the risk for incident type 2 diabetes between none or minimal, light, and moderate alcohol consumers with FLD. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk for incident type 2 diabetes between a moderate and heavy alcohol consumer without FLD and a none or minimal, light, and moderate alcohol consumer with FLD.

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent incident type 2 diabetes, we should acknowledge that the impact of alcohol consumption may vary in the presence of FLD.

Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Linagliptin in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Renal Dysfunction: a Post-Marketing Surveillance Study

INTRODUCTION

International clinical trials have shown that linagliptin significantly improves glycemic control and can be used at a single dose regardless of renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, to date, no studies have evaluated the use of linagliptin in Japanese patients with T2D by renal function in routine clinical care.

METHODS

This was a subgroup analysis of data from a prospective observational post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study of linagliptin conducted in Japan that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of linagliptin in routine clinical care for 3 years in Japanese patients with T2D. The subgroup analysis examined the patient population of this PMS study according to renal function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) data. The incidence of linagliptin-related adverse events (adverse drug reactions [ADRs]) was the primary endpoint, and the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to last observation was the secondary endpoint.

RESULTS

Of the 2235 patients included in the safety analysis, eGFR was ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m² (defined as group G1) in 16.9% (n = 377), ≥ 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m² (group G2) in 44.5% (n = 995), ≥  30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (group G3) in 21.7% (n = 486),  ≥ 15 to < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² (group G4) in 2.6% (n = 58) and < 15 mL/min/1.73 m² (group G5) in 1.7% (n = 37). No eGFR data were available for 12.6% (n = 282) of patients. In these GFR groups, the incidence of ADRs with linagliptin was 6.9% in group G1, 11.1% in group G2, 13.8% in group G3, 15.5% in group G4 and 16.2% in group G5; the change in HbA1c from baseline to the last observation was - 1.11, - 0.64, - 0.35, - 0.46 and - 0.54% in the respective subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term linagliptin use showed sustained improvements in glycemic control with no new safety concerns regardless of renal function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01650259).

FUNDING

This study was funded by Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd. and Eli Lilly Japan K.K.

A Linear Relationship Between a Body Shape Index and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis Based on a Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the association between a body shape index (ABSI) and incident type 2 diabetes and to explore the shape of their relationship in a cohort of Japanese adults.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 15,462 Japanese adults aged 18-79 years attending the NAGALA study (NAfld in the Gifu Area, Longitudinal Analysis) were used. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Blood samples were measured for serum lipid, glucose, and HbA1c. The risk of incident type 2 diabetes according to ABSI was estimated using multivariate Cox regression models. We examined a potential nonlinear relationship using a smoothing function analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, and BMI.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, systolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), a linear relationship was observed between ABSI and risk of type 2 diabetes. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for incident type 2 diabetes with ABSI (10^-2 m^11/6kg^-2/3) were 1.51 (1.13, 2.01) (p=0.005). When ABSI was handled as categorical variable, the HRs and 95% CIs in the quartile 2 to 4 versus the quartile 1 were 0.97 (0.67, 1.41), 1.21 (0.85, 1.72) and 1.30 (0.92, 1.83), respectively (P for trend = 0.046). Subgroup analyses showed that the association stably existed in different subgroups including gender, age, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, and BMI.

CONCLUSION

ABSI was linearly associated with an elevated risk of incident type 2 diabetes across the full range of ABSI, independent of gender, age, smoking status, alcohol intake, fatty liver, SBP, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Comparison of persistence and adherence between fixed-dose combinations and two-pill combinations in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To compare treatment patterns, persistence and adherence between fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) and two-pill combinations (TPCs) of oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) classes in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using administrative claims databases (Japan Medical Data Center [JMDC] and Medical Data Vision [MDV]).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis conducted between 2011 and 2015, in patients with T2DM receiving OADs as FDC or TPC. Outcomes included prescribing patterns, treatment persistence and adherence.

RESULTS

Data from 3474 and 3066 patients receiving FDCs, and 4325 and 5192 patients receiving TPCs from the JMDC and MDV databases, respectively, was extracted. The most common OAD combination received by over half of all patients was dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) + thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (64.1% [JMDC] and 70.5% [MDV]). Overall, 12-month persistence rates were higher in patients receiving FDCs compared with TPCs (70.4 vs. 66.2% [JMDC], 75.6 vs. 55.7% [MDV]). In the JMDC population receiving FDCs or TPCs, persistence rates were highest with DPP-4i schedules (67.5-83.5%). Median time to discontinuation was significantly longer with biguanide + TZD, and DPP-4i + TZD FDC schedules (p < .05) than TPC; adherence rates were ≥80% across all antidiabetic drug classes in both database populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence with and adherence to OADs in Japanese patients with T2DM were greater with FDCs than with TPCs, which may suggest increased patient satisfaction due to reduced treatment burden. Further studies are warranted to investigate the impact of adherence and persistence of FDCs of OADs on glycemic control.

The impact of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents on visual impairment/blindness prevention in patients with diabetic macular edema and on associated patient and caregiver burden in Japan

AIMS

To estimate the impact of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents on visual impairment and blindness avoided in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and on associated patient and caregiver productivity loss in Japan.

METHODS

This study compared the impact of current care (estimated at 53.8% utilization of anti-VEGF agents using current data) with that of hypothetical care (characterized by a higher utilization of anti-VEGF agents [80.0%], as estimated by an expert panel) of DME patients. A population-based Markov model (two-eye approach) simulated visual acuity (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters) transitions over 5 years with DME treatments (intravitreal aflibercept, ranibizumab, and triamcinolone acetonide, and grid/focal laser) in patients with DME. Patient and caregiver productivity loss was determined using the human capital method.

RESULTS

In total, 570,000 DME patients were included in the model over 5 years. Increased utilization of anti-VEGF agents resulted in 6,659 fewer cases of severe visual impairment (SVI; 26-35 ETDRS letters) or blindness (0-25 ETDRS letters) compared with the current care approach (26,023 vs 32,682 cases; 20.38% reduction) over this period. Increased utilization of anti-VEGF agents also contributed to productivity loss savings of ¥12.58 billion (US $115.64 million) (i.e., 17.01%) at the end of year 5. The total overall saving over 5 years was ¥45.83 billion (US $421.27 million) (13.45%).

LIMITATIONS

Few Japanese data were available, and assumptions were made for some inputs. Vision changes dependent on the function of both eyes were not studied. Only intravitreal (not sub-Tenon's) injections of triamcinolone were considered in this model. Direct costs were not considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased utilization of anti-VEGF agents can reduce SVI and legal blindness in patients with DME in Japan. This would also be associated with substantial savings in patient and caregiver productivity loss.

Humanistic and economic burden of cardiovascular disease related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan

AIM

This study aims to examine the humanistic and economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among respondents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Japan.

METHODS

This study used the Japan National Health and Wellness Survey 2016 database. Respondents who self-reported a physician-diagnosed T2D were included. Respondents with or without the condition of interest (CVD-related comorbidities or hypoglycaemia) were compared via generalized linear models in terms of the outcome variables: (1) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (2) work productivity and activity impairment, (3) healthcare resource utilization and (4) economic costs.

RESULTS

A total of 1478 survey respondents reported a diagnosis of T2D (mean age 63.6 ± 10.6 years, mean HbA1c 6.91 ± 1.1%). Of whom, 804 subjects (54.4%) had at least one CVD related comorbidities, and 369 subjects (29.3%) reported experiences of hypoglycaemia episodes. Patients with CVD-related comorbidities or hypoglycaemia episodes had worse HRQoL, more work and activity impairment, increased health care visits, and higher costs.

CONCLUSIONS

CVD related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia remains a significant humanistic and economic burden in patients with T2D. The findings suggested that appropriate T2D management with proper medication choice are important to control CVD related comorbidities and hypoglycaemia among T2D patients to alleviate the burden.

A stochastic epigenetic Mendelian oligogenic disease model for type 1 diabetes

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and some other complex diseases is increasing. The cause has been attributed to an undefined changing environment. We examine the role of the environment (or any changing non-genetic mechanism) in causing the rising incidence, and find much evidence against it: 1) Dizygotic twin T1D concordance is the same as siblings of patients in general; 2) If the environment is responsible for both the discordance among identical twins of patients with T1D and its rising incidence, the twin concordance rate should be rising, but it is not; 3) Migrants from high-to low-incidence countries continue to have high-incidence children; 4) TID incidence among the offspring of two T1D parents is identical to the monozygotic twin rate. On the other hand, genetic association studies of T1D have revealed strong susceptibility in the major histocompatibility complex and many optional additive genes of small effect throughout the human genome increasing T1D risk. We have, from an analysis of previously published family studies, developed a stochastic epigenetic Mendelian oligogenic (SEMO) model consistent with published observations. The model posits a few required recessive causal genes with incomplete penetrance explaining virtually all of the puzzling features of T1D, including its rising incidence and the specific low T1D incidence rates among first-degree relatives of patients. Since historic selection against any causal gene could prevent T1D, we postulate that the rising incidence is because of increasing population mixing of parents from some previously isolated populations that had selected against different causal genes.

Incidence and causes of visual impairment in Japan: the first nation-wide complete enumeration survey of newly certified visually impaired individuals

PURPOSE

To investigate the visual impairment certification status in Japan.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We asked all welfare offices throughout Japan to submit data concerning age, sex, causative diseases, and visual impairment grades for newly certified visually impaired individuals aged ≥ 18 years in the fiscal year of 2015. The certification was based on criteria of the Act on Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons.

RESULTS

In total, data were collected for 12,505 newly certified visually impaired individuals. The most common age group for these individuals was 80-89 years (29.6%), followed by 70-79 (26.3%) and 60-69 (17.3%) years. The most common causative disease was glaucoma (28.6%), followed by retinitis pigmentosa (14.0%), diabetic retinopathy (12.8%), and macular degeneration (8.0%). Glaucoma was the most common causative disease in both sexes (30.2% in men and 27.0% in women). The most common impairment grade was grade 2 (31.8%), followed by grades 5 (24.3%) and grade 1 (16.1%). The number of visually impaired individuals with underlying glaucoma had increased in comparison with the number in the most recent surveys (from fiscal years 2007 to 2009), whereas the number of individuals with underlying diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration had decreased.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first nation-wide complete enumeration survey of newly certified visually impaired individuals in Japan. These findings may contribute to administrative activities concerning medical welfare as well as educational activities for preventing visual impairment.

Efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide to existing insulin regimens in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A post-hoc analysis of a phase 3 randomized clinical trial

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To determine the efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide to three different insulin regimens in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this post-hoc analysis, results from a 36-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial are reported. Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus were stratified according to their pre-trial insulin regimen (basal, basal-bolus and premix). The primary objective was to determine whether adding liraglutide (0.9 mg/day) to fixed-dose insulin therapy was superior vs fixed-dose insulin monotherapy, assessed by the effect on glycemic control after 16 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

The treatment effect on glycated hemoglobin reduction was independent of the pre-trial insulin regimen. Comparing liraglutide with a placebo, liraglutide was associated with glycated hemoglobin reduction in all insulin regimens, with placebo-corrected reductions at 16 weeks ranging from -1.45 to -1.17%, and maintained at 36 weeks. Liraglutide resulted in a greater reduction in mean plasma glucose obtained from seven-point self-monitoring, and greater proportions of patients achieved target glycated hemoglobin. With liraglutide, slightly higher proportions of patients receiving basal and basal-bolus insulin reported confirmed hypoglycemia from 0 to 16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide to insulin therapy was confirmed, regardless of pre-trial insulin regimen.

The cost-effectiveness of dulaglutide versus insulin glargine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan

AIMS

Dulaglutide is a new once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist administered via a disposable auto-injection pen for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of dulaglutide vs insulin glargine for the management of T2DM from a Japanese healthcare perspective, in accordance with recently approved Japanese Cost-Effectiveness Guidelines.

METHODS

The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model (version 9) was used to estimate the long-term costs and effects of treatment with dulaglutide and insulin glargine. Direct comparative data from the Araki 2015 trial (NCT01584232) was used to inform the analysis. Costs associated with treatment and complications were derived from Japanese sources wherever possible and inflated to 2015 Japanese Yen (JPY). Utilities were based upon a European systematic review of diabetes utilities and adjusted for use in a Japanese population. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (OWSA and PSA) were conducted on all inputs and key modeling assumptions.

RESULTS

Dulaglutide 0.75 mg was associated with higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life years (LYs), and total costs, compared to insulin glargine, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 416,280 JPY/QALY gained. Treatment with dulaglutide increased the time alive and free from diabetes-related complications by 4 months. OWSA and PSA indicated that results were robust to plausible variations in input parameters and modeling assumptions.

LIMITATIONS

Key limitations of this study are similar to other cost-utility analyses of diabetes, including the extrapolation of short-term clinical trial data into lifelong durations. In addition, due to the lack of robust published Japanese data, some values were derived from non-Japanese sources.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis suggests that dulaglutide 0.75 mg may be a cost-effective treatment alternative to insulin glargine for patients with T2DM in Japan.

Ectopic fat obesity presents the greatest risk for incident type 2 diabetes: a population-based longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among obesity, visceral fat obesity, and ectopic fat obesity, it has been unclear which has the greatest effect on incident diabetes.

METHODS

In this historical cohort study of 8430 men and 7034 women, we investigated the effect of obesity phenotypes on incident diabetes. Obesity, visceral fat obesity, and ectopic fat obesity were defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m², waist circumference ≥90 cm in men or ≥80 cm in women, and having fatty liver diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography, respectively. We divided the participants into eight groups according to the presence or absence of the three obesity phenotypes.

RESULTS

During the median 5.8 years follow-up for men and 5.1 years follow-up for women, 286 men and 87 women developed diabetes. Compared to the non-obese group, the hazard ratios (HRs) of incident diabetes in the only-obesity, only-visceral fat obesity, only-ectopic fat obesity groups, and with all-three types of obesity group were 1.85 (95%CI 1.06-3.26, p = 0.05) in men and 1.79 (0.24-13.21, p = 0.60) in women, 3.41 (2.51-4.64, p < 0.001) in men and 2.30 (0.87-6.05, p = 0.12) in women, 4.74 (1.91-11.70, p < 0.001) in men and 13.99 (7.23-27.09, p < 0.001) in women and 10.5 (8.02-13.8, p < 0.001) in men and 30.0 (18.0-50.0, p < 0.001) in women. Moreover, the risk of incident diabetes of the groups with ectopic fat obesity were almost higher than that of the four groups without ectopic fat obesity.

CONCLUSION

Ectopic fat obesity presented the greatest risk of incident type 2 diabetes.

Safety, tolerability and efficacy of lixisenatide as monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An open-label, multicenter study

AIM/INTRODUCTION

To assess the overall safety of lixisenatide monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, previously treated with ≤1 oral antidiabetic drug, were enrolled in an uncontrolled, open-label, single-arm study over 24 and 52 weeks. Any oral antidiabetic drug treatment was stopped at the start of the 6-week run-in period. From baseline, patients received once-daily lixisenatide monotherapy (10 μg for 1 week, 15 μg for 1 week, 20 μg thereafter) for 52 weeks (first 140 patients enrolled) or 24 weeks (subsequently enrolled patients). The primary end-point was safety over 24 and 52 weeks. Secondary efficacy end-points included absolute change in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and bodyweight from baseline.

RESULTS

Of 428 patients screened, 361 and 140 were treated for 24 and 52 weeks, respectively; 88.4 and 90.0% completed treatment. During the 24- and 52-week treatment periods, 268/361 (74.2%) and 117/140 (83.6%) patients, respectively, had treatment-emergent adverse events; the most frequently reported was nausea (33.2 and 31.4%, respectively). The risk of severe hypoglycemia was low; only one case was reported. Lixisenatide treatment resulted in a decrease in mean glycated hemoglobin A1c (-0.98 and -0.86%), fasting plasma glucose (-1.05 and -0.85 mmol/L), and bodyweight (-1.33 and -1.48 kg) for the 24- and 52-week treatment periods, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily lixisenatide monotherapy was associated with a safety profile in line with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist class, and improved glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Treatment patterns, health care resource utilization, and costs in Japanese adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder treated with atomoxetine

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and medication treatment patterns of adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prescribed atomoxetine in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of insurance claims data was conducted using the Japan Medical Data Center database. Adults (≥18 years) with ADHD who had ≥1 atomoxetine claim from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014, and ≥180 to ≤900 days of follow-up were included. First atomoxetine claim defined the index date. Patient characteristics included age, gender, and comorbid conditions. Treatment patterns assessed included rates of atomoxetine discontinuation, switching, persistence, adherence (assessed via the medication possession ratio), and use of concomitant medications.

RESULTS

A total of 457 adults met all the inclusion criteria. Mean (SD) age was 32.7 (10.4) years, and 61.0% of patients were male. Nearly 72.0% of the patients had at least one comorbid mental health condition in the baseline period; depression (43.8%) and insomnia (40.7%) were the most common mental health comorbidities. Most common physical comorbidities were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.4%) and diabetes (12.9%). Non-ADHD-specific psychotropics were prescribed to 59.7% of patients during the baseline period and to 65.9% during the follow-up period; 6.6% were prescribed non-ADHD-specific psychotropics concomitantly with atomoxetine. Overall, 40.0% of adults discontinued atomoxetine during the entire follow-up period and 65.9% were persistent with atomoxetine therapy at 3 months post-index date. Mean (SD) atomoxetine medication possession ratio was 0.57 (0.25), and 25.4% switched to an alternative ADHD therapy; methylphenidate (22.4%) and non-ADHD-specific psychotropics (77.6%) were the most common medication alternatives. Nearly 8% augmented atomoxetine with methylphenidates, non-stimulants, or non-ADHD-specific psychotropics.

CONCLUSION

In this observational study, a majority of adults with ADHD treated with atomoxetine were still persistent with therapy at 3 months post-index date, with one quarter switching to alternative ADHD therapy. High proportions of mental health comorbidities, along with high use of non-ADHD-specific psychotropic medications in both the baseline and follow-up periods, were observed among patients with ADHD prescribed atomoxetine.

The prevalence and risk factor control associated with noncommunicable diseases in China, Japan, and Korea

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable disease (NCD) has become the leading cause of mortality and disease burden worldwide.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of NCDs and risk factor control on dietary behaviors and dietary intake in China, Japan, and Korea.

RESULTS

There were significant differences among the three countries on the prevalence of hypertension (24.5% in China, 17.6% in Korea, and 15.2% in Japan), diabetes (8.9% in China, 5.7% in Korea, and 4.8% in Japan), hyperlipidemia (13.1% in China, 9.2% in Korea, and 6.9% in Japan), and angina pectoris (3.6% in China, 1.7% in Korea, and 1.5% in Japan). The prevalence rate of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and angina pectoris was highest in China and lowest in Japan. However, 82.2%, 48.4%, and 64.4% of Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese presented good dietary behavior, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that sex, age, and marital status were predictors of good dietary behavior. In addition, in comparison with subjects without hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, subjects with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia significantly improved their dietary behaviors and controlled their intake of salt, sugar, and oil.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of NCDs and trends in major modifiable risk factor control in China, Korea, and Japan remain troubling. Public efforts to introduce healthy lifestyle changes and systematic NCDs prevention programs are necessary to reduce the epidemic of NCDs in these three Asian countries.

Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, suppresses CXCL5 and SDF-1 and does not accelerate intestinal neoplasia formation in ApcMin/+ mice fed a high-fat diet

The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and intestinal neoplasia has been shown epidemiologically. A high-fat diet (HFD) is also known to promote insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for intestinal neoplasia. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are used in the clinic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and also to prolong the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). However, since the intestinotrophic hormone GLP-2 and chemokines, such as CXCL5 and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), are also substrates of DPP-4, DPP-4 inhibitors may increase the risk of intestinal carcinogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a DPP-4 inhibitor on intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc^Min/+ mice fed a HFD. Six-week-old male Apc^Min/+ mice were randomized to either a normal diet (10 kcal% fat) group, a HFD (60 kcal% fat) group, or a HFD group treated with sitagliptin (STG). The mice were euthanized nine weeks after the start of treatment. Daily treatment with STG did not increase number of intestinal tumors in the HFD group; however, this increase was not statistically significant. The mucosal concentration of total GLP-2 was significantly increased in the HFD group. The chemokine protein array showed elevated plasma concentrations of CXCL5 and SDF-1 in the HFD group. The administration of STG significantly suppressed the levels of plasma CXCL5 and SDF-1 in mice fed a HFD. Since CXCL5 expression is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes, and GLP-2, CXCL5 and SDF-1 are associated with tumor progression, DPP-4 inhibition may have potential as an agent for decreasing the risk of cancer in obese or diabetic patients.

Insulin lispro 25/75 and insulin lispro 50/50 as starter insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: subanalysis of the CLASSIFY randomized trial

In Japan, premixed insulins are commonly used as starter insulin for type 2 diabetes. This subpopulation analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of twice-daily LM25 (25% insulin lispro/75% insulin lispro protamine) and LM50 (50% insulin lispro/50% insulin lispro protamine) as starter insulin in Japanese subjects, and compared these results with the whole-trial populations of East Asian subjects. In this subpopulation analysis of an open-label, phase 4, randomized trial (CLASSIFY), Japanese subjects received LM25 (n = 88) or LM50 (n = 84) twice-daily for 26 weeks. The primary outcome was change from baseline at Week 26 in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results for Japanese subjects were generally similar to those for the whole-trial population. Similar changes from baseline in HbA1c were observed for LM25 and LM50 groups (least squares [LS] mean difference [95% confidence interval] of LM25 - LM50 = 0.13 [-0.16, 0.41]%, 1.42 [-1.75, 4.48] mmol/mol, p = 0.388). More LM50-treated subjects than LM25-treated subjects achieved HbA1c targets of <7.0% (59.5% versus 43.2%; p = 0.034) or ≤6.5% (45.2% versus 28.4%; p = 0.027). The reduction in postprandial blood glucose concentrations after morning and evening meals was statistically significantly greater for LM50 than for LM25. The incidence of both hypoglycemia and treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between treatment groups. Both LM25 and LM50 twice daily appear to be effective and well tolerated as starter insulin, although LM50 might be more effective for Japanese type 2 diabetes patients.

A retrospective observational study of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus with IgA nephropathy treated with tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse therapy

Aims

To evaluate the incidence of GC-DM among patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and to confirm the risk factors for the development of GC-DM.

Methods

The medical records of patients with IgAN newly treated with the protocol of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy were reviewed. The primary outcome was the development of GC-DM within the hospitalization period and during one year of follow-up.

Results

During hospitalization, 19 of the 95 patients developed GC-DM (20.0%), and the patients with GC-DM were significantly older and had a higher rate of family history of diabetes and higher HbA1c levels. The prevalence of hypertension was higher and the eGFR was numerically lower in patients with GC-DM than in those without. Older age (≥45 years) and a family history of diabetes emerged as independent risk factors for the development of GC-DM (odds ratio [OR], 6.3 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–27.6; OR, 4.4 and 95% CI, 1.2–16.6, respectively). No patients were newly diagnosed with GC-DM during 1-year observation period at out-patient clinic.

Conclusions

Among the patients with IgAN, 20% developed GC-DM during the hospitalization period, confirming the family history of diabetes is clinically necessary before starting GC therapy.

A positive family history of hypertension might be associated with an accelerated onset of type 2 diabetes: Results from the National Center Diabetes Database (NCDD-02)

Type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by a combination of decreased insulin secretion and decreased insulin sensitivity, can be delayed or prevented by healthy lifestyle behaviors. Therefore, it is important that the population in general understands their personal risk at an early age to reduce their chances of ever developing the disease. A family history of hypertension is known to be associated with insulin resistance, but the effect of a family history of hypertension on the onset of type 2 diabetes has not well been examined. We performed a retrospective study examining patient age at the time of the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes by analyzing a dataset of 1,299 patients (1,021 men and 278 women) who had been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes during a health checkup. The mean ± standard deviation of the patient age at the time of the diagnosis of diabetes was 49.1 ± 10.4 years for patients with a family history of hypertension and 51.8 ± 11.4 years for patients without a family history of hypertension (p < 0.001). A multivariate linear regression analysis showed a significant association between a family history of hypertension and a younger age at the time of the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, independent of a family history of diabetes mellitus and a male sex, suggesting that a positive family history of hypertension might be associated with the accelerated onset of type 2 diabetes.

Annual incidences of visual impairment during 10-year period in Mie prefecture, Japan

PURPOSE

To determine the annual incidence of visual impairment in a Japanese population during a 10-year period.

METHODS

We examined the physical disability certificates issued yearly between 2004 and 2013 in Mie prefecture, Japan. During this period 2468 visually impaired people were registered under the newly defined Act on Welfare of the Physically Disabled Persons' criteria. The age, sex distribution, and causes of visual impairment were determined from the certificates.

RESULTS

The major causes of visual impairment during the ten-year period were glaucoma (23.3%), diabetic retinopathy (17.3%), retinitis pigmentosa (12.2%), macular degeneration (9.0%), chorioretinal degeneration or high myopia (7.4%), optic atrophy (5.8%), stroke or brain tumor (5.4%) and cataracts (3.7%). The incidence of glaucoma was significantly higher throughout the period (2004-2013), and that of diabetic retinopathy was lower between 2007 and 2013. The incidence of retinitis pigmentosa did not change significantly during the 10-year period. The incidence of macular degeneration tended to increase between 2004 and 2007, but it decreased significantly between 2007 and 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that in Japan, the rates of the major causes of visual impairment altered in the most recent 10-year period reflecting the recent changes in the social background and advances in ocular and systemic treatment.

Determinants of Glycated Hemoglobin in Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Subanalysis of the Japan Diabetes Prevention Program

Background

Limited evidence is available about the relationship of lifestyle factors with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The aim of study was to identify such determinant factors of HbA1c in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 121 men and 124 women with impaired glucose tolerance, who were diagnosed based on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Demographic and biochemical parameters, including the body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-load glucose (2-h PG), and HbA1c, were measured. The pancreatic β-cell function and insulin resistance were assessed using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-β). Dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire.

Results

The levels of FPG, 2-h PG, and carbohydrate intake were correlated with the HbA1c level in men, while the FPG and 2-h PG levels were correlated with the HbA1c level in women. In multiple regression analyses, BMI, FPG, 2-h PG, and white rice intake were associated with HbA1c levels in men, while BMI, FPG, HOMA-β, and bread intake were associated with HbA1c levels in women.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that a substantial portion of HbA1c may be composed of not only glycemic but also several lifestyle factors in men with impaired glucose tolerance. These factors can be taken into consideration as modifiable determinants in assessing the HbA1c level for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of the disease course.

Basal Insulin Persistence, Associated Factors, and Outcomes After Treatment Initiation: A Retrospective Database Study Among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Japan

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to assess basal insulin persistence, associated factors, and economic outcomes for insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan.

METHODS

People aged at least 18 years with T2DM with first claim for basal insulin between May 2006 and April 2013 (index date), no insulin use before index date, and continuous insurance coverage for 6 months before (baseline) and 12 months after index date were selected from the Japan Medical Center Database. On the basis of whether there were at least 30-day gaps in basal insulin treatment, patients were classified as continuers (no gap), interrupters (at least one prescription after gap), and discontinuers (no prescription after gap). A multinomial logistic regression model identified factors associated with persistence. Annual healthcare resource use and costs in the year after initiation were compared between continuers and interrupters and between continuers and discontinuers using propensity score-based inverse probability weighting to adjust for baseline differences.

RESULTS

Of the 827 people included (mean age 50 years, ca. 71% male), 36% continued, 42% interrupted, and 22% discontinued basal insulin therapy in the year after initiation. Having at least one inpatient visit and using fewer classes of non-insulin antihyperglycemic medications during baseline were associated with lower likelihoods of continuing therapy. Relative to interrupters and discontinuers, continuers had lower hospitalization rates [continuers, 12.7%; interrupters, 25.4% (p < 0.001); discontinuers, 28.4% (p < 0.001)] and lower inpatient costs [continuers, ¥132,013; interrupters, ¥225,745 (p = 0.054); discontinuers, ¥320,582 (p = 0.036)], but higher pharmacy costs [continuers, ¥158,403; interrupters, ¥134,301 (p = 0.039); discontinuers, ¥121,593 (p = 0.002)] in the year after insulin initiation. Total healthcare costs were similar for the three cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial proportions of people with T2DM in Japan interrupt or discontinue basal insulin within the year after initiation, and they have higher rates and costs of hospitalizations than patients who continue with their insulin therapy. Further research is needed to understand reasons behind basal insulin persistence and the implications thereof to help clinicians manage T2DM more effectively.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company, Boehringer Ingelheim.