The revalidation of the diabetes treatment-related quality-of-life (DTR-QOL) questionnaire in Japan

Benefit of Early Add-on of Linagliptin to Insulin in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Randomized-Controlled Open-Label Trial (TRUST2)

INTRODUCTION

This trial was conducted to assess the long-term safety, efficacy, and benefit of early add-on of linagliptin to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This trial enrolled 246 subjects. The subjects were randomized to the linagliptin group or the control group and were observed for 156 weeks. After week 16, subjects in the control group were also allowed to add linagliptin to evaluate the benefit of early add-on of linagliptin to insulin. The primary end point was a change in HbA1c from baseline to week 16. Secondary end points included fasting plasma glucose, daily insulin dose, and frequency of adverse events.

RESULTS

HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels significantly decreased from baseline to week 16 in the linagliptin group compared with the control group. The significant improvement in HbA1c continued until week 52. The daily insulin dose significantly decreased in the linagliptin group compared with the control group. The frequency of hypoglycemia and adverse events was comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Add-on of linagliptin to insulin was tolerated, improved glycemic control, and reduced the daily insulin dose. This study demonstrates the long-term safety, efficacy and benefit of early add-on of linagliptin to insulin in Japanese T2DM patients.

Screening for depression in diabetes in an Indian primary care setting: Is depression related to perceived quality of life?

AIMS

To screen for depression in diabetes and evaluate the contributing factors in a primary care setting in India. To evaluate the relationship of depression with perceived quality of life.

METHODS

We used convenience sampling method in this cross-sectional study. 388 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled over a period of one year. 50.3% patients screened positive on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) out of which 21.4% reported moderate to severe depression. Male gender, middle age and poor glycaemic control were associated with depression. In stepwise linear regression analysis when depression category was included as an independent variable, significant difference in regression equations were found. Other independent variables which were included in regression equation were age, education, gender, income lifestyle, glycosylated haemoglobin and Body Mass Index whereas dependent variables were transformed domains of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire.

RESULTS

There is high prevalence of depression in primary care in type 2 diabetes patients in this Indian setting. Depression was strongly associated with all four domains of quality of life. Highest association with depression was seen in Physical domain (β -0.385, p = 0.000) followed by Social domain (β -0.372, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of depression and its association with poor quality of life indicates need for improved recognition of depression for improving diabetes outcomes in this centre.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Registry-Based Studies of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient registries both play important roles in assessing patient outcomes. However, no study has examined the use of PROMs among registries involving patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our objective is twofold: first, to review the range of PROMs used in registry-based studies of patients with T2DM; second, to describe associations between these PROMs, T2DM and its complications.

RECENT FINDINGS

The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) Diabetes Standard Set recommended routine usage of PROMs to assess psychological well-being, diabetes distress, and depression among patients with T2DM. A wide variety of PROMs were used among the 15 studies included in this review. Quality of life, depressive symptoms and treatment adherence were the most common aspects of T2DM that utilised PROMs for assessment. Adoption of PROMs among registries of patients with T2DM remains uncommon, non-routine and with few that are validated before use.