Prevalence of moderately increased albuminuria among individuals with normal HbA1c level but impaired glucose tolerance: Results from the LIFE-Adult-Study

Non-medicalization of medical science: Rationalization for future

As we delve into the intricacies of human disease, millions of people continue to be diagnosed as having what are labelled as pre-conditions or sub-clinical entities and may receive treatments designed to prevent further progression to clinical disease, but with debatable impact and consequences. Endocrinology is no different, with almost every organ system and associated diseases having subclinical entities. Although the expansion of these “grey” pre-conditions and their treatments come with a better understanding of pathophysiologic processes, they also entail financial costs and drug adverse-effects, and lack true prevention, thus refuting the very foundation of Medicine laid by Hippocrates “Primum non nocere” (Latin), i.e., do no harm. Subclinical hypothyroidism, prediabetes, osteopenia, and minimal autonomous cortisol excess are some of the endocrine pre-clinical conditions which do not require active pharmacological management in the vast majority. In fact, progression to clinical disease is seen in only a small minority with reversal to normality in most. Giving drugs also does not lead to true prevention by changing the course of future disease. The goal of the medical fraternity thus as a whole should be to bring this large chunk of humanity out of the hospitals towards leading a healthy lifestyle and away from the label of a medical disease condition.

Low-grade albuminuria in adult and elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension accompanied by Primary Health Care

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (AH) are the two main clinical conditions related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); disease also identify by the levels of low-grade albuminuria (LGA). Few studies have simultaneously investigated the associations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with LGA. Our study aimed to investigate and compare the association of HbA1c and FPG with the probability of LGA in adult and elderly individuals with DM and AH, within the scope of Primary Health Care (PHC). Cross-sectional study involving 737 Brazilians individuals previously diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes. Tests for HbA1c, FPG and LGA were performed. LGA was defined as the highest quartile of albumin urinary (≥ 13 mg/g) among individuals with urinary LGA < 30 mg / g. A significant increase in the prevalence of LGA was found with increasing levels of HbA1c (p < 0.001). There was a significant association of HbA1c with LGA (p < 0.001) and increased probability of LGA for participants with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% compared to those with Hba1c < 5.7% (OR [95% CI]: 2.43 [1.32-4.46], p < 0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors, except when adjusted for FPG (p = 0.379 and p = 0.359, respectively). HbA1c and FPG were significantly associated in a collinear manner with an increased probability of LGA in adult and elderly individuals with DM and AH.

Prediabetes Deserves More Attention: A Review

Evidence increasingly demonstrates that prediabetes is a toxic state, as well as a risk factor for diabetes, and is associated with pathophysiological changes in several tissues and organs. Unfortunately, use of available evidence-based treatments for prediabetes is low. This review seeks to explain why prediabetes must be viewed and treated as a serious pathological entity in its own right. It offers an overview of the pathophysiology and complications of prediabetes and describes how this condition can be reversed if all treatment avenues are deployed early in its course.