The prevalence and incidence of and risk factors for, micro-albuminuria among urban Africans with type 1 diabetes in South Africa: An inter-ethnic study

Prevalence of Microalbuminuria Among Diabetes Patients in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Microalbuminuria (MAU) is considered the earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy among diabetes patients. In order to effectively manage diabetic nephropathy and its consequences early, detection of microalbuminuria as soon as possible, especially for diabetes patients, is critical. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria among diabetes patients in Africa.

Methods

Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, African Journals Online, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ResearchGate were searched for articles and grey literature. The STATA version 14 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. I² and Cochran's Q test were employed to assess the presence of heterogeneity between studies. Due to the presence of heterogeneity, a random effect model was used. The publication bias was assessed using the symmetry of the funnel plot and Egger's test statistics. Moreover, subgroup analysis, trim and fill analysis, and sensitivity analysis were also done.

Results

The overall pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria among diabetes patients in Africa was 37.11% (95% CI 31.27-42.95). Substantial heterogeneity was observed between studies, with I² values of 94.7%. Moreover, this meta-analysis showed that the pooled estimate of microalbuminuria among type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients was 35.34% (95% CI: 23.89-46.80, I²=94.2), and 40.24% (95% CI: 32.0-48.47, I²=94.9) respectively. MAU, on the other hand, was more common in people with diabetes for more than 5 years 38.73% (95% CI: 29.34-48.13) than in people with diabetes for less than 5 years 31.48% (95% CI: 18.73-44.23).

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found a high prevalence of microalbuminuria among diabetes patients. As a result, early detection of microalbuminuria is critical for preventing and treating microvascular complications such as diabetic nephropathy and the onset of end-stage renal disease.

Economic costs of hospitalisation and length of stay in diabetes with coexisting hypertension with correlation to laboratory investigations: Where does India stand? A 5-year ground report

INTRODUCTION

The coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) worsens clinical outcomes and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyse the length of stay and healthcare costs by calculating the direct and indirect costs of diabetes with coexisting hypertension in North India.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted at the medicine department of the three different hospitals.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was (M = 53.8, SD = 11.5) years. Out of 1914 patients, 53.65% were female. Our study revealed that the median cost of medical supplies and equipment was 21.2 $. The median cost of dialysis was 47.5 $; the median cost of hospitalisation was 142.6 $. The treatment's median direct cost was 188.5 $, followed by the overall median cost of 295.6 $. The maximum overall cost of treatment was observed at 603.9 $. It was observed that maximum LOS was 14 days for patients having BPS between 140 and 159 mmHg and BPD between 110 and 119 mmHg, and minimum LOS was found 3.5 days.

CONCLUSION

The present study highlighted that diabetes coexisting hypertension poses a high-economic burden on patients. This study explored that highly significant result for BPS, BPD, FBS and HbA₁ c, whereas the significant results were obtained when RBS is compared with LOS and treatment costs. Our study concluded that mean difference of 9.24 $ in patients having FBS was 261-290 mg/dL and >290 mg/dL. The LOS is increased by 6.57 days for patients with BPS between 140 and 159 mmHg compared with BPS between 180 and 209 and above mmHg, which lowers treatment costs by -21.31$.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Microalbuminuria in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus at a Large Tertiary-Level Hospital in Botswana

INTRODUCTION

Microalbuminuria is considered the earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The prevalence of microalbuminuria among African children with T1DM is reported to be high, yet its prevalence and population-specific risk factors in Botswana are not known.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria among children and young adults with T1DM in Botswana and identify factors associated with microalbuminuria in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 T1DM patients aged <24 years followed at a pediatric endocrinology clinic in Botswana from 2010 to 2017. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic data were collected using chart review and patient surveys. Descriptive statistics were reported as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables, and frequency and percentage for categorical variables. Prevalence of microalbuminuria was calculated as a simple proportion. Group comparison was done using two-sample independent t-test, X ²-test, or Fisher's exact test and logistic regression to assess for associations. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

There were a total of 71 (55.9%) females. The mean age was 18.7 (±5) years and mean duration of T1DM was 6.6 (±4.6) years. Most study participants were of African descent. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 28.3%. Group comparison revealed gender (p= 0.040), duration of diabetes (p= 0.002), systolic blood pressure (p=0.003), baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p=0.009) and Tanner's stage (p=008) to be significantly associated with microalbuminuria. On binary logistic regression, only gender (p=0.039) and baseline HbA1c (p=0.039) were independently associated with the presences of microalbuminuria.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a high prevalence of microalbuminuria among children and young adults with T1DM in Botswana and reaffirms the importance of early detection, glycemic control, and regular screening to prevent diabetic nephropathy.

Ongoing and planned activities to improve the management of patients with Type 1 diabetes across Africa; implications for the future

BACKGROUND

Currently about 19 million people in Africa are known to be living with diabetes, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045. However, there are concerns with early diagnosis of patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) as often patients present late with complications. There are also challenges with access and affordability of insulin, monitoring equipment and test strips with typically high patient co-payments, which can be catastrophic for families. These challenges negatively impact on the quality of care of patients with T1DM increasing morbidity and mortality. There are also issues of patient education and psychosocial support adversely affecting patients' quality of life. These challenges need to be debated and potential future activities discussed to improve the future care of patients with T1DM across Africa.

METHODOLOGY

Documentation of the current situation across Africa for patients with T1DM including the epidemiology, economics, and available treatments within public healthcare systems as well as ongoing activities to improve their future care. Subsequently, provide guidance to all key stakeholder groups going forward utilizing input from senior-level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa.

RESULTS

Whilst prevalence rates for T1DM are considerably lower than T2DM, there are concerns with late diagnosis as well as the routine provision of insulin and monitoring equipment across Africa. High patient co-payments exacerbate the situation. However, there are ongoing developments to address the multiple challenges including the instigation of universal health care and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, patient organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. Their impact though remains to be seen. In the meantime, a range of activities has been documented for all key stakeholder groups to improve future care.

CONCLUSION

There are concerns with the management of patients with T1DM across Africa. A number of activities has been suggested to address this and will be monitored.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Gabon: A study of epidemiological aspects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most frequent endocrinopathy in children. Its replacement therapy requires insulin, without which, death is inevitable. This treatment is expensive and a financial burden for diabetic children and their families, especially in Africa.In the absence of a national T1DM register, the purpose of this study was to describe epidemiological aspects of type 1 diabetes in children in Gabon, specify the difficulties met by the patients during the follow-up and identify factors explaining poor therapeutic observance and metabolic control.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective transversal monocentric study. Data were firstly extracted from the registers of the Endocrinology Department of the University Hospital of Libreville (CHUL), Gabon, between 2010 and 2017.Secondly, patients were interviewed by telephone about the availability and cost of insulin, their self-monitoring of blood glucose, and diet.

RESULTS

306 patients (154 girls and 152 boys) were diagnosed with T1D during the study period and followed-up in the Endocrinology Department at CHUL. Mean age at diagnosis was 17 ± 7 years (5% of patients were over 5 years of age, 30% were >20 years old). Mean follow-up period was 4.0 ± 2.0 years. 16% of the patients were hospitalized at least 2 times per month for ketoacidosis.Hospital mortality was about 7%. Number of factors linked with poor therapeutic observance (high cost of treatment, lack of patients' therapeutic education, etc.) were identified.

CONCLUSION

T1D prevalence is constantly increasing worldwide, but at slower pace in Africa in comparison to developed countries. Difficulties to access to high standard care and population poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, represents a major independent factor of poor therapeutic observance.

Increasing trends of diabetes mellitus and body weight: a ten year observation at gondar university teaching referral hospital, northwest ethiopia

Background

Diabetes mellitus is becoming one of the major causes of premature adult mortality in developing countries. However, there is a very little documentation of the morbidity trend in such countries.

Objective

To assess the ten-year trend of diabetes mellitus at Gondar University Teaching Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based retrospective record review was done at the main referral hospital in northwest Ethiopia. Data were obtained from medical records of all registered diabetic patients in the Diabetic Follow up Clinic between 2000 and 2009. An Extended Mantel-Haenzel chi-square test for the linear trend was used to examine the trend over time.

Result

Out of the total 354,524 patients who visited the Outpatient Department of the hospital during the study period, 1553 (4.4/1000) were diabetes patients, of which 50.1% was type 1 and 49.9% type 2 diabetes mellitus. The average increase in the proportion of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus cases between 2000 and 2009 was 125%. The mean (±SD) age for Type 1 diabetes mellitus was 29.1 (±12), and 53.5 (±12) for Type 2 diabetes. Overall 42.5% of the diabetes mellitus patients were female and 31.7% were rural residents. The mean body mass index for both type of diabetes mellitus increased from 15.9 to 18.3 kg for type 1 and from 23.8 to 24.6 for type 2 between 2000 and 2009, respectively.

Conclusion

The number of diabetes mellitus cases seen at Gondar Referral Hospital is rising steadily. A comprehensive diabetes prevention, treatment, and care program is needed to improve the quality of life of the increasing diabetes mellitus cases in Ethiopia.