Intensive glycemic control in younger and older U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes

Glycemic outcomes of people with diabetes mellitus in Brazilian primary health care

Background

The capillary blood glucose monitoring program at home a challenge in primary health care. Therefore, it is fundamental to identify the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus through HBA1c and to analyze its associated factors.

Objective

To identify the glycemic profile of people with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) through HbA1c and analyze factors associated.

Materials & methods

Cross-sectional study developed in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Secondary data from the electronic health record of people registered in the Primary Health Care system were used. A sample of 3181 participants was obtained. People with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were considered to have adequate glycemic control. For people aged ≥ 55 years, a less stringent target, < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol), was also considered. The odds ratio was the measure of effect analyzed with their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI).

Results

Adequate glycemic control with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) was found in 44.8% of people and, when using the less rigid target, HbA1c < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol) for people aged ≥ 55 years-old, 70.6% had adequate glycemic control. Age and drug therapy were associated with adequate glycemic control (p < 0.001), which was more frequent among older people and those who used only metformin.

Conclusion

The study shows that the achievement of adequate glycemic control is still a challenge, especially with regard to younger people and those who use insulin.

The Profile of Glucose Lowering Therapy in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Aging Russian Population

We aimed to analyze the profile of glucose lowering therapy (GLT) in persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) in an aging Russian population. A random population sample (n = 3898, men/women, 55−84) was examined in Novosibirsk, during 2015−2018 (HAPIEE Project). The design of the present work is a cross-sectional study. DM2 was defined in those with a history of DM2 receiving GLT, or at a level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/L. The entire DM2 group was included in the analysis (n = 803); of these, 476 persons were taking GLT and were included in the analysis at stage 2. Regular GLT medication intake for 12 months was coded with ATC. In studied sample, the prevalence of DM2 was 20.8%. Among subjects with DM2, 59% of individuals received GLT, 32% did not. Glycemic control (FPG < 7.0 mmol/L) was achieved in every fifth participant with DM2 (35% in those receiving GLT). In frequency of GLT use, biguanides ranked in first place (75%), sulfonylurea derivatives in second (35%), insulins in third (12%), and iDPP-4 in fourth (5%). Among those receiving GLT, 24% used combined oral therapy, and 6% used insulin-combined therapy. In conclusion, in a population sample aged 55−84 examined in 2015−2018, glycemic control was achieved in every fifth participant with DM2, and in every third participant receiving GLT. The proportion of participants using new GLT drugs was small, and there was a lack of HbA1c monitoring for intensive glycemic control.

Adherence to Dietary Guidelines among Diabetes Patients: Comparison between Elderly and Non-Elderly Groups

This study aimed to compare adherence to dietary guidelines between elderly and non-elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea. Data of 4,577 participants with T2DM were collected from the 1998-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The participants were classified into two groups based on age: non-elderly T2DM group comprising participants aged 30-64 years and elderly T2DM group comprising participants aged ≥ 65 years. Adherence to dietary guidelines was assessed using the Korean Diabetes Association-Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (KDA-KMHW) index, comprising six components of dietary guidelines for T2DM patients. Multivariable generalized linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the KDA-KMHW index scores. The adherence levels to the individual components of the KDA-KMHW index were mostly lower in non-elderly group (p < 0.001) than elderly group, except for moderate carbohydrate consumption. The total KDA-KMHW index score was significantly lower in non-elderly T2DM group than in the elderly T2DM group (p < 0.001). The study results suggest the need for developing patient-specific education programs that focus on adherence to dietary guidelines, particularly for non-elderly patients, to adequately intervene with the difficulties experienced in T2DM dietary management.

Hombres con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: autoeficacia y factores psicológicos que influyen en el autocuidado

Introducción: La prevalencia global de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMT2) en los hombres es alta. Para el tratamiento de la enfermedad el hombre debe realizar acciones de autocuidado, por lo que es importante conocer factores relacionados con su cumplimiento. Objetivo: Identificar la relación entre variables demográficas, clínicas, la angustia, la depresión, la autoeficacia y su influencia sobre el autocuidado en hombres con DMT2. Métodos: Estudio transversal y correlacional, en una muestra de 96 hombres con DMT2, usuarios de 13 centros de salud. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el cuestionario de acciones de cuidado en diabetes, la escala Self-Efficacy for Diabetes, la escala depresión (CES-D) y la escala angustia por diabetes (DDS). Resultados: El autocuidado se correlacionó de manera positiva con la autoeficacia y negativamente con la angustia por diabetes. Las variables que explicaron el autocuidado con el 47.7% de varianza fueron: la autoeficacia (β = .39), el consumo de alcohol (β = -.29), las horas sentado/parado (β= -.27), el tiempo de diagnóstico (β= -.22) y la edad (β =.18). Discusión: Los hombres tuvieron un bajo autocuidado y mantienen conductas de riesgo, lo cual puede atribuirse a sus creencias, estilo de vida o al tipo de trabajo que desempeñan. Conclusiones: Los resultados ofrecen evidencia sobre factores que influyen en el autocuidado de hombres con DMT2, que pueden orientar a los profesionales de enfermería en la atención del paciente. Se sugiere realizar investigaciones de enfermería en hombres, que contribuyan a mejorar la autoeficacia y el autocuidado.

Poor Control of Blood Glucose, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Younger Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study investigated the awareness, treatment, and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), lifestyle factors, and cardiometabolic parameters according to age groups among patients with T2DM. Data of 1507 patients with T2DM aged ≥35 years in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013–2015) were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare the awareness, treatment, and control rate of T2DM and lifestyle and cardiometabolic parameters according to age groups. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for lack of awareness about and non-treatment of T2DM, as well as poor glycemic control, were significantly increased with younger age in both men and women. ORs for heavy drinkers and current smokers also significantly increased with younger age in both men and women. The adjusted ORs for high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≥100 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL), and obesity significantly increased with younger age in men, but not in women. Among Korean adults with T2DM, awareness, treatment, and control rates of the condition were poorer in younger patients than in older patients. Education regarding the control of glycemia, cardiovascular risk factors, and improvement of lifestyles should be reinforced among younger-aged adults for the long-term management of T2DM.

Glycemic control and comprehensive metabolic risk factors control in older adults with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Older adults with type 2 diabetes are prone to multiple metabolic abnormalities. However, data from these patients on comprehensive metabolic risk factors control are limited.

METHODS

The present study included 2736 older adults aged 60 to 90 years with type 2 diabetes from 114 hospitals across 22 provinces in China. Metabolic abnormalities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and obesity, were recorded. Comprehensive metabolic risk factors control included the control of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, blood pressure, serum lipids level, serum uric acid level, and body mass index. The target glycemic control was defined as HbA1c <7%.

RESULTS

The proportion of older adults who achieved the HbA1c target was 23.0%. The glycemic control rate increased with the number of metabolic abnormalities increased. The patients who had all four metabolic abnormalities had 4.05 times (95% confidence interval: 2.16, 7.61) the odd to meet glycemic target than those with none of metabolic abnormalities. However, only 4.6% of patients met the targets for all 5 metabolic risk factors. The comprehensive rate of all 5 factors in control decreased from 13.4% to 0% with the number of metabolic abnormalities increased.

CONCLUSION

The glycemic control rate and the comprehensive metabolic risk factors control rate were 23.0% and 4.6%, respectively. As the number of metabolic abnormalities increased, the number of risk factor targets achieved decreased. Our findings suggest that a strategy for comprehensive control is urgently needed in older adults with type 2 diabetes, especially in those with co-existing metabolic abnormalities.

Diabetes Diagnosis and Control: Missed Opportunities to Improve Health : The 2018 Kelly West Award Lecture

Diabetes is a prevalent condition in the U.S. and worldwide, with expanding impact over time as it affects progressively younger ages as well as older ages as people live longer. Costs of diabetes to those affected and to society as a whole continue to increase. Costs are realized through daily treatment regimens throughout life to control glycemia and other risk factors for complications as diabetes progresses, diabetes complications and disability and their treatments, health care visits and hospitalization, and as indirect costs via lower quality of life and lost productivity. Diagnosing diabetes is key to affording the opportunity to treat diabetes, and diabetes control is key to reducing the risk of complications. Yet the magnitude of undiagnosed diabetes and poor control of diabetes is large. And just as certain subgroups of the population are affected disproportionately by diabetes and diabetes complications, so are they affected disproportionately by undiagnosed diabetes and poor control. This review addresses the epidemiology of undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes control, largely covering their magnitude, demographic variation, trends over time, and predictors. For diabetes control, it focuses on control of A1C, blood pressure, and lipid levels, although there are many other facets of diabetes control and preventive care that also could be examined. The review is based predominantly on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a U.S. health survey that includes both an interview and examination component that has been conducted continuously since 1999 and episodically for decades earlier. The interview elicits self-reported health responses pertaining to diabetes and other medical conditions and an examination that measures glycemic indicators, blood pressure, and lipids, which provide much of the material presented herein. Data from other studies are also presented and described.

Diabetes Management in Older Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Older adults often live with chronic disease including diabetes and its complications. In this review, we examine the complexity and heterogeneity of older adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, explore the nuances in their diabetes-related monitoring, and discuss their best diabetes management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although there remains an overall lack of studies in older adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, recent reports have highlighted their vulnerabilities. These individuals face an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, frailty, dysglycemia, polypharmacy, declining kidney function, and acute kidney injury. Their diabetes management should focus upon safer antihyperglycemic medications, close monitoring, and care individualization. Older adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease are a complex population who requires careful diabetes management and monitoring. Research efforts might focus on improving the care and outcomes of these patients.

Diabetes Treatment, Control, and Hospitalization Among Adults Aged 18 to 44 in Minnesota, 2013-2015

INTRODUCTION

Of more than 300,000 adult Minnesotans who have received a diagnosis of diabetes, 16% are younger than 45 years; however, state diabetes surveillance data primarily describe older adults. National reports suggest adults younger than 45 years are less likely than older adults with diabetes to meet blood glucose (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) goals. For this study on age-specific differences, we examined Minnesota data sets to determine if younger adults (ie, aged 18-44 y) are less likely to meet HbA1c goals and if hospitalization patterns differ from older adults (ie, aged 45-74 y) with diabetes.

METHODS

We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to describe demographic characteristics and health behaviors of people with diabetes, clinical quality data to assess HbA1c levels, and hospital discharge data to assess reasons for hospitalization.

RESULTS

Compared with older adults with diabetes, adults aged 18 to 44 were more likely to use tobacco and to have had depression; these younger adults were less likely to report having HbA1c levels checked in the last year. According to age-specific cutoffs, 40.5% of 18- to 44-year-olds met HbA1c goals versus 74.7% of people aged 45 to 64 and 84.4% of people aged 65 to 74. Hospitalization rates for diabetes as a primary cause were highest among 18- to 44-year-olds at 47 per 1,000 adults with diabetes, much higher than older ages. Hospitalization rates for mental health problems were higher among younger adults.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis confirmed that 18- to 44-year-olds with diabetes have poorer HbA1c control than older adults with diabetes. These results underscore the importance of age-based public health surveillance of diabetes. Age-stratified surveillance can inform efforts to monitor clinical care quality and to design clinical/public health interventions.