Self-rated diabetes control in a Canadian population with type 2 diabetes: associations with health behaviours and outcomes

Prevalence of nephropathy among diabetic patients in North American region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular impediments of diabetes mellitus. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of nephropathy in diabetic patients across the North American region.

METHODS

Eligible studies were screened out from 3 electronic databases, for example, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using specific search keywords based on the eligibility criteria. Extracting the data from the included studies publication bias, quality assessment, outlier investigation, and meta-analysis was done followed by the subgroup analysis. A total of 11 studies met the study inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed with the extracted data.

RESULTS

Pooled prevalence of 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.7-36.7) with a high rate of heterogeneity (I2 = 100%) was identified. The pooled prevalence of nephropathy among diabetic patients in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico was 24.2% (95% CI: 13.8-34.5), 31.2% (95% CI: 25.8-36.5), and 31.1% (95% CI: 20.8-41.5), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of nephropathy among diabetic patients was found lower in the United States of America as compared to Canada and Mexico. Besides, the pooled prevalence of the North American region was found to be lower as compared to the African, European, and Asian regions. Minimizing the pathogenic factors, sufficient diagnostic, healthcare facilities, and awareness are recommended to improve the situation.

A comparison of self-reported to cotinine-detected smoking status among adults in Georgia

BACKGROUND

Self-reported measures of tobacco use may have limited validity, particularly among some populations. This study aims to validate self-reported smoking measures among Georgian adults participating in the 2016 STEPS survey using cotinine biomarker measurements, and to explore potential differences according to sociodemographic characteristics. Additionally, this paper examines how the estimated prevalence of smoking in the population varies according to measurement type.

METHODS

Using the WHO standardized STEPS methodology, adults self-reported their smoking status. In a later stage of the survey, a subset of participants provided a urine sample, which was tested for cotinine. Using each participant's objective cotinine measurement and their self-reported smoking status, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of self-reported smoking. Next, we calculated the estimated prevalence of smokers according to the type of measurement.

RESULTS

Results indicated high sensitivity (83.37%, 95% CI: 76.79-88.37%) among males and relatively low sensitivity (38.60% CI: 29.23-48.90%) among females. According to self-report, the prevalence of smokers was 26.44% (23.61-29.48%), while according to cotinine detection, the prevalence of smokers was 32.27% (29.16-35.55%). Among all subgroups, the self-reported prevalence of smoking was significantly lower than the cotinine-detected prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the validity of the STEPS self-reported tobacco indicator has been tested. Self-reported measures of smoking status may lead to an under-estimation of smoking prevalence among Georgian adults, especially women. These findings suggest that integration of biochemical measures of smoking into tobacco use studies may be an important investment.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Related Distress in Thailand

This study aimed to investigate prevalence and factors potentially associated with diabetes-related distress (DRD) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a primary health care center in Thailand. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 370 patients with T2DM. Data were collected at primary health care centers in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. DRD was assessed using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17). The association between sociodemographic characteristics and other factors with DRD was analyzed using the Fisher t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient test. The association between Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and DRD was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The participants had a mean age of 60.95 ± 7.96, and most were female (68.1%). Of the participants with DRD, 8.9% had moderate to high levels of distress. Education level and family support were significantly associated with the overall level of DRD. Additionally, HbA1c and co-morbidity were also significantly associated with DRD, as were emotional burden and regimen distress. Multiple linear regression analysis found that increased HbA1c was positively associated with increased DRD after adjusting for age, sex, education, duration of T2DM, co-morbidity, diabetic complications, and family support. Screening with DRD may be beneficial in T2DM patients.

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Capillary Blood Glucose, Tissue Temperature, and Plantar Pressure of Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2): A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of foot reflexology on capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and plantar pressure of the feet of individuals with diabetes mellitus (type 2).

METHODS

Forty-five individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus were stratified into 2 groups: treated (n = 21), which received orientation about foot self-care and received 12 foot reflexology sessions; and control (n = 24), which received only orientations about foot self-care. A portable glucose meter, an infrared thermography camera, and a baropodometer evaluated the variables.

RESULTS

The data indicate that, after 12 therapy sessions, there were no significant differences between the groups for producing effects on capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and plantar pressure.

CONCLUSION

No significant effect was observed after 12 foot reflexology sessions in the variables that were evaluated.

Investigation of anxiety and depression symptom co-morbidity in a community sample with type 2 diabetes: Associations with indicators of self-care

OBJECTIVES

Ascertain the association of elevated co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, elevated anxiety symptoms alone or elevated depression symptoms alone with indicators of self-care behaviours in people with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Data from a community sample of 1,990 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for less than 10 years were assessed. All participants took part in a telephone interview. Questionnaires examined depression, anxiety, health, and indicators of self-care (physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, diet and smoking). Data were assessed with cross tabulations, ANOVA and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Groups who met criteria for elevated co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, elevated anxiety symptoms and elevated depression symptoms were more likely to report poor eating habits. Meeting criteria for either elevated depression symptoms (with and without anxiety) was also associated with an increased likelihood of not meeting physical activity recommendations. Those people with elevated depression and anxiety scores were more likely to be a current smoker.

CONCLUSIONS

Those people who meet criteria for elevated anxiety and/or depression symptoms are less likely to report adhering to self-care recommendations. These associations are particularly marked in those people with elevated depression symptoms with or without co-occurring anxiety symptoms. There is a lot of evidence emphasising the importance of monitoring depressive symptoms in people with diabetes. Our results add to this, indicating that adherence to self-care recommendations should be carefully monitored in people with depression and anxiety symptoms.