Comparison of primary versus secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type2 diabetes: Focus on achievement of ABC goals

Decreasing trend of blood lipid profile in type 2 diabetes: Not a promising change in HDL-C, a serial cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been reported to be relatively high. The current study aimed to investigate the trend of serum lipid levels and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients with T2D.

METHODS

Data were extracted from a cohort of patients with T2D who had regular follow-ups every year for three years. TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and non-HDL-C were analyzed. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was calculated using log (TG/HDL-C).

RESULTS

A total of 747 patients with T2D were included in this study, consisting of 469 (62.8%) women and 278 (37.2%) men. There was a significant downward trend in mean TG, TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and AIP levels. The trend of mean HDL-C levels showed no significant change. The prevalence of high TG, high TC, high LDL-C, and high non-HDL-C significantly decreased from the first to the last visit. There was no significant change in the trend of prevalence of low HDL-C. The prevalence of high AIP significantly decreased in women and showed no significant changes in men.

CONCLUSIONS

A decreasing trend was observed in the mean levels and prevalence of TG, TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and AIP. HDL-C did not change significantly. The success rate in achieving a complete normal lipid profile during follow-up years was not promising and continues to be challenging.

LDL/apo B ratio predict coronary heart disease in Type 2 diabetes independent of ASCVD risk score: A case-cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major mortality risk factor in patients with diabetes. LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. There is one apolipoprotein B (ApoB) molecule in each LDL particle. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the LDL-C/ApoB ratio for CHD in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this case-cohort study (apo)lipoproteins and glycemic indices were measured in 1058 individuals with T2D from February 2002 to March 2019, with a median duration of follow up of 10 years. Of 1058 patients with T2D, coronary heart disease occurred in 242 patients. Increased waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) ratio, presence of hypertension and metabolic syndrome, and insulin and statin use were more prevalent among patients with CHD (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that an LDL-C/ApoB ratio equal or lower than 1.2 could predict CHD independent of ASCVD risk score [adjusted OR:1.841, CI:1.257-2.698, P < 0.001] when adjusted for multiple confounders. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) did not predict CHD.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that LDL-C/ApoB ratio, but not the atherogenic index of plasma, may be considered as an indicator of CHD independent of the ASCVD risk score in patients with T2D. This finding merits further clarification to optimize preventive strategies for CHD.

Focus on the Positive: A Qualitative Study of Positive Experiences Living With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to identify positive experiences associated with diabetes from the perspective of adults diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. We conducted in-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews with adults with diabetes. Participants focused on positive and supportive experiences with their peers and community, improved health behaviors, personal growth, and engagement in diabetes advocacy. Communicating positive experiences about diabetes may help clinicians and educators reframe the negative messages commonly shared with people with diabetes.

Inadequate achievement of ABC goals (HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-C) among patients with type 2 diabetes in an Iranian population, 2012-2017

AIMS

This study was designed to evaluate the meeting of ABC goals in patients with type 2 diabetes. The ABC goals were defined as meeting the HbA1c <7%, systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg, and LDL-C <100 mg/dL. We also determined the associated factors with meeting the ABC goals, as well as the effectiveness of statin therapy.

METHODS

We designed a cross-sectional study of 2008 type 2 diabetes patients attending the diabetes clinics of Valiasr Hospital of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex. Meeting ABC goals and their associated factors were analyzed from the registered data.

RESULTS

At the end of the year 2014, 61.3% of patients met the HbA1c goal, which increased to 77.8% in 2017. Blood pressure of 79.5% of patients met the ADA recommendations by the end of the year 2014, reaching 86.6% in 2017. Moreover, 84.5% and 93.8% could reach the LDL-C goal in 2014 and 2017, respectively. The proportion for the patients meeting all three ABC goals were 23.2% and 42.1% in 2014 and 2017, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of achievement of ABC goals in Iran is lower than expected and it requires a lot of programming effort and follow-up. As patients are followed over the years, controlling ABC becomes much more favorable.

Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Control, and the Associated Factors of Diabetes in an Iranian Kurdish Population

AIMS

This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and glycemic control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated factors in an Iranian Kurdish population.

METHODS

Baseline data of the Ravansar Non-communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study, consisting of adults aged 35-65 years, were used. Diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 126 mg/dl or higher, being on diabetes medication, and/or diabetes confirmed by a health practitioner.

RESULTS

Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine participants were assigned to this study. The prevalence of DM, awareness, treatment, and glycemic control of DM were 8.19, 74.97, 74.75, and 32.68, respectively. Based on the adjusted models, increased age (p < 0.01); obesity or overweight (p < 0.01); being ex-smoker (p < 0.05); suffering from dyslipidemia (p < 0.01), hypertension (p < 0.01), or both of them (p < 0.01); and positive family history in the first-degree relatives (p < 0.01) were strongly associated with a high risk of DM, while engagement in regular physical activity (p < 0.05) was a protective factor. Female gender (p < 0.01), being older than 55 years, positive family history in the first-degree relatives (p < 0.01), suffering from both hypertension and dyslipidemia (p < 0.01), and obesity or overweight (p < 0.005) were negatively associated with DM awareness. Being married and widowed (p < 0.05 and <0.05) and a high BMI (p < 0.01) were strong predictors of receiving treatment for DM. Six to nine years of schooling (p < 0.05) and suffering from hypertension (p < 0.05) increased the probability of DM being controlled.

CONCLUSIONS

When the prevalence of DM is notable, awareness and probability of receiving treatment and controlling FPG are of particular importance. A considerable proportion of the patients were aware and on treatment, which may partly be due to improving primary health care services in Iran.