Interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular mortality-An overview of clinical trials

Adherence to Statin Therapy and Attainment of LDL Cholesterol Targets in an Outpatient Population of Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Analysis in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente (DIALECT)

Objective: To assess adherence to statin therapy and its association with sociodemographic data, medical characteristics, LDLc levels, and LDLc target attainment in real-world T2D patients treated in secondary care.

Research Design and Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were performed on baseline data of 393 patients in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente (DIALECT). The medication possession ratio (MPR), calculated with pharmacy dispensing data, was used to determine adherence to statins for an intended period of 24 months. Statins were included in the analyses if they were used for at least six consecutive months with at least three dispenses. Adherence was defined as an MPR ≥80%. Associations with adherence were assessed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 80% of the patients had a statin prescription and of those, 89% were adherent. The proportion of patients who reached LDLc targets of ≤2.5 mmol/L and <1.8 mmol/L differed significantly between the adherent, nonadherent and non-statin group (90% vs. 74% vs. 46%; p < 0.01 and 56% vs. 26% vs. 6%; p < 0.01, respectively). Serum LDLc levels were lower in the adherent versus the nonadherent and non-statin group (1.76 ± 0.60 vs. 2.23 ± 0.90 vs. 2.71 ± 0.67 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Higher HbA1c levels were independently associated with nonadherence (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.08; p < 0.01). Mediation adherence (OR: 2.88, 95% CI 1.04–7.97; p = 0.041) and lower BMI (OR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96; p < 0.01) were independently associated with attaining the LDLc target of ≤2.5 mmol/L.

Conclusion: In patients with T2D treated in secondary care, statin adherence was relatively high and was associated with significantly lower LDLc levels. It is important to identify nonadherence as it appeared an important determinant of failure to reach LDLc targets. The finding that many patients who failed to attain LDLc targets did not receive statin treatment offers an opportunity to improve diabetes care.

Morbidity and mortality in men: Role of androgens

In this narrative review we provide an overview of the current literature on male hypogonadism and related comorbidities, also depicting the role of testosterone therapy (TTh) in the various settings. Male hypogonadism has been associated with major comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and cardiovascular diseases, promoting a vicious cycle that may lead to further hypogonadism. The biological underpinnings of this association are currently under investigations, but clearly emerges the relevance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Hypogonadism has also been associated with increased risk of mortality. As such, TTh has the potential to oppose these patterns and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health in hypogonadal men. Clinical and observational data suggest that in males with hypogonadism, TTh, together with lifestyle changes and diabetes medications, may improve glycemia, reduce risk of progression to diabetes and provides positive effects on cardiovascular risk. Conversely, available data does not fully support any increased risk of prostate cancer in men under TTh. Of clinical relevance, a possible harmful role of hypogonadal status in men with COVID-19 eventually emerged.

Effects of dapagliflozin on postprandial lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) modulate lipid metabolism and improve cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The exact cardioprotective mechanism of SGLT2i is unclear. We evaluated the effects of SGLT2i on postprandial lipids, lipoprotein concentrations, glucose and fatty acids.

DESIGN

A placebo-controlled randomized, proof-of-concept study.

METHODS

Fourteen male patients with T2DM on intensive insulin regimen were randomly and double-blind allocated to 12 weeks dapagliflozin (10 mg) or placebo. Postprandial effects were assessed with an 8-h standardized oral fat loading test.

RESULTS

Mean glycated A1c did not change by dapagliflozin, but the mean daily insulin dose was significantly reduced. Although dapagliflozin did not affect fasting or postprandial levels of glucose and insulin, it increased the postprandial levels of glucagon. While fasting levels of free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate (bHBA) were unchanged, dapagliflozin significantly increased the postprandial bHBA response. This was seen in the context of increased postprandial glucagon levels by dapagliflozin, without influencing postprandial insulin or glucose levels. Dapagliflozin did not affect fasting or postprandial plasma cholesterol and triglycerides nor postprandial inflammatory markers. Fasting apolipoprotein B48 was decreased without affecting the postprandial response. Markers of inflammation and vascular function did not change.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with dapagliflozin of patients with T2DM led to a reduction of fasting chylomicron remnants and increased postprandial ketone bodies compared to placebo suggesting enhanced hepatic fatty acid oxidation. The latter may have been caused by decreasing the insulin-glucagon ratio. The beneficial clinical effects seen in the trials using dapagliflozin most likely are not due to effects on postprandial inflammation nor postprandial lipemia.

An overview of the oral medicines used in the management of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus remains an incurable condition that is associated with serious complications such as cardiovascular and renal disease. Most people with diabetes will experience type 2 diabetes, with obesity being a major risk factor for its development. Lifestyle modifications remain central to the management of type 2 diabetes, but because of the challenges in maintaining such changes in the long term and the progressive nature of the condition, most patients also require oral medicines and, eventually, injectable medicines. Nurses have an essential role in the education, empowerment and support of patients with type 2 diabetes, and it is important that they understand the available pharmacological treatment options. This article outlines the main types of oral medicines used in type 2 diabetes, including their modes of action, advantages, cautions and side effects, as well as discussing their selection and use in clinical practice.

Efficacy of Lipid-Lowering Therapy during Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) increases adherence to a healthy lifestyle and to secondary preventive medication. A notable example of such medication is lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). LLT during CR improves quality of life and prognosis, and thus is particularly relevant for patients with diabetes mellitus, which is a major risk factor for CHD. Design: A prospective, multicenter registry study with patients from six rehabilitation centers in Germany. Methods: During CR, 1100 patients with a minimum age of 18 years and CHD documented by coronary angiography were included in a LLT registry. Results: In 369 patients (33.9%), diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. Diabetic patients were older (65.5 ± 9.0 vs. 62.2 ± 10.9 years, p < 0.001) than nondiabetic patients and were more likely to be obese (BMI: 30.2 ± 5.2 kg/m² vs. 27.8 ± 4.2 kg/m², p < 0.001). Analysis indicated that diabetic patients were more likely to show LDL cholesterol levels below 55 mg/dL than patients without diabetes at the start of CR (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.9) until 3 months of follow-up (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.9). During 12 months of follow-up, overall and LDL cholesterol levels decreased within the first 3 months and remained at the lower level thereafter (p < 0.001), irrespective of prevalent diabetes. At the end of the follow-up period, LDL cholesterol did not differ significantly between patients with or without diabetes mellitus (p = 0.413). Conclusion: Within 3 months after CR, total and LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced, irrespective of prevalent diabetes mellitus. In addition, CHD patients with diabetes responded faster to LTT than nondiabetic patients, suggesting that diabetic patients benefit more from LLT treatment during CR.

The link of depression, untreated hypertension, and diabetes with mortality in postmenopausal women: A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of depression, as well as untreated hypertension or diabetes with all-cause death in community-based postmenopausal women in Beijing.

METHODS

A cohort of 863 community-based postmenopausal women with no history of cardiovascular heart disease (CHD), stroke, cancer, or dementia was investigated on 20 July-28 September 2009 at baseline. Depression was diagnosed using the 30-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale with CES-D ≥ 11. Meanwhile, data on health behavior, physical comorbidity, and social support at baseline were collected. These individuals were followed up from 20 July to 30 August 2014. All-cause mortality and cause of death were surveyed.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 4.97 years, 120 subjects died of all-cause. Twenty-four died of stroke, 19 died of myocardial infarction, 21 died of cancer. The others died of aging, infection, and accident. Depression and untreated HP were significantly associated with all-cause mortality in Cox models after full adjustment for all of the potential confounders (Depression HR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.35-3.46; Untreated hypertension HR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.12-3.02). However, negative correlation of untreated diabetes on all-cause mortality was observed in this population (HR: 1.36, 95%CI: 0.75-2.49). When depression was co-existing with hypertension/diabetes, the HR for mortality elevated significantly (Depression co-existing with hypertension HR = 3.87, 95% CI: 2.07-7.23; Depression co-existing with diabetes HR = 5.02, 95% CI: 1.5-16.79).

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested we should take sufficient care of postmenopausal females with depression and control blood pressure and glucose more effectively. Abbreviations: HP: Hypertension; DM: Diabetes; TC: Cholesterol; TG: Triglyceride; BMI: Body-Mass Index; CES-D: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression; CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HR: Hazard Ratio; CI: Confidence Interval; ADL: Activities of daily living scale.

Real-life achievement of lipid-lowering treatment targets in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente: systemic assessment of pharmacological and nutritional factors

Background/Objectives

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) in type 2 diabetes mellitus is of paramount importance in preventing cardiovascular disease. However, treatment targets for LDLc are often not reached. We studied the prevalence of LDLc target achievement in a real-life population of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in secondary care, and investigated whether in those not on target, there is room for intensifying pharmacological and lifestyle management according to current treatment guidelines.

Subjects/Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente-1 (DIALECT-1; n = 450, age 63 ± 9 years, 58% men, diabetes duration 11 (7–18) years). At baseline, we determined plasma LDLc concentration, pharmacological treatment (i.e., statin use), and lifestyle (physical activity and dietary intake). Patients were divided according to LDLc < 1.8, LDLc 1.8–2.5, and LDLc > 2.5 mmol/l. Dietary intake was collected from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (177 items) and we determined guideline adherence for different food groups. Physical activity was assessed with the Short Questionnaire to ASsess Health enhancing behavior.

Results

LDLc data were available in 428 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. LDLc ≤ 2.5 mmol/l was achieved in 317 patients (76%). In total, 76% of patients used statins, in those with LDLc > 2.5 mmol/l, this was 44%. Adherence to lifestyle guidelines was not different between the LDLc groups and was as follows: body mass index 6%, physical activity 59%, vegetables 7%, fruit 28%, legumes 59%, nuts 14%, dairy 19%, fish 36%, tea 8%, fats 66%, red meat 12%, processed meat 2%, alcohol 71%, sweetened beverages 34%, and sodium 12%.

Conclusions

In type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in secondary health care, the target LDLc is achieved by three quarters of patients. Increasing statin treatment could be a first step to improve LDLc. In addition, there are ample opportunities for lifestyle management through increasing adherence to lifestyle guidelines.

Medicare utilization, screening, and costs among participants in the Southeastern Diabetes Initiative: A population-based evaluation

AIMS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus imposes significant burdens on patients and health care systems. Population-level interventions are being implemented to reach large numbers of patients at risk of or diagnosed with diabetes. We describe a population-based evaluation of the Southeastern Diabetes Initiative (SEDI) from the perspective of a payer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of this paper is to describe the population-based evaluation approach of the SEDI intervention from a Medicare utilization and cost perspective.

METHODS

We measured associations between the SEDI intervention and receipt of diabetes screening (i.e., HbA1c test, eye exam, lipid profile), health care resource use, and costs among intervention enrollees, compared with a control cohort of Medicare beneficiaries in geographically adjacent counties.

RESULTS

The intervention cohort had slightly lower 1-year screening in 2 of 3 domains (4% for HbA1c; 9% for lipid profiles) in the post-intervention period, compared with the control cohort. The SEDI intervention cohort did not have different Medicare utilization or total Medicare costs in the post-intervention period from surrounding control counties.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analytic approach may be useful to others evaluating CMS demonstration projects in which population-level health is targeted for improvement in a well-defined clinical population.