Glycosylated hemoglobin level and number of oral antidiabetic drugs predict whether or not glycemic target is achieved in insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes

Sex differences in type 2 diabetes: an opportunity for personalized medicine

Over the past several decades, substantial ground has been gained in understanding the biology of sex differences. With new mandates to include sex as a biological variable in NIH-funded research, greater knowledge is forthcoming on how sex chromosomes, sex hormones, and social and societal differences between sexes can affect the pathophysiology of health and disease. A detailed picture of how biological sex impacts disease pathophysiology will directly inform clinicians in their treatment approaches and challenge canonical therapeutic strategies. Thus, a profound opportunity to explore sex as a variable in personalized medicine now presents itself. While many sex differences are apparent in humans and have been described at length, we are only beginning to see how such differences impact disease progression, treatment efficacy, and outcomes in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Here, we briefly present the most salient and convincing evidence of sex differences in type 2 diabetes detection, diagnostics, disease course, and therapeutics. We then offer commentary on how this evidence can inform clinicians on how to approach the clinical workup and management of different patients with diabetes. Finally, we discuss some gaps that remain in the literature and propose several research questions to guide basic and translational researchers as they continue in this growing area of scientific exploration.

Clinical outcomes of basal insulin and oral antidiabetic agents as an add-on to dual therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

While basal insulin remains the most effective antidiabetic agent and substantially reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, few studies have examined the comparative effect of basal insulin in the real-world setting. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of adding basal insulin compared with thiazolidinediones (TZDs) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) as a third antidiabetic agent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A retrospective cohort study involving T2DM was conducted with health administrative data in Taiwan. Patients starting a third antidiabetic agent after receiving a metformin-containing dual combination were identified. The study endpoints included composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and hypoglycemia. Propensity score matching and Cox modeling were used for analysis. After matching, the basal insulin and TZD groups contained 6,101 and 11,823 patients, respectively, and the basal insulin and DPP-4i groups contained 6,051 and 11,900 patients, respectively. TZDs and DPP-4is were both associated with similar risks of MACEs and hypoglycemia but a lower risk of all-cause mortality than basal insulin (TZDs: HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38-0.81; DPP-4is: HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.82). Further studies are needed to elucidate the findings of increased all-cause mortality risk in patients receiving basal insulin, especially those with advanced diabetes.

Effects on clinical outcomes of intensifying triple oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy by initiating insulin versus enhancing OAD therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based, propensity-score-matched cohort study

AIMS

To compare the effects of initiating insulin as a fourth-line antidiabetic therapy with the effects of enhancing oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with triple OAD therapy failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based, retrospective cohort study involving 1022 (without prevalent diabetes-related complications [PDRCs]) and 2077 (with/without PDRCs) propensity score-matched pairs of fourth-line insulin therapy users and enhanced OAD therapy users identified in the period 2004 to 2010. Clinical outcomes including a composite cardiovascular outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or ischaemic heart disease), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), hypoglycaemia and all-cause mortality were assessed up to 2013. Hypoglycaemia was adjusted in Cox models to consider its potential effect on study outcomes.

RESULTS

In a T2DM cohort without PDRCs, fourth-line insulin therapy was not associated with greater risks of clinical outcomes, except hypoglycaemia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.07), compared with enhanced OAD therapy. Among patients with T2DM with/without PDRCs, fourth-line insulin therapy was associated with greater risks of the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.46), heart failure (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12-2.25), ischaemic heart disease (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.73), PVD (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.00-1.36), hypoglycaemia (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.17), but adjustment for hypoglycaemia significantly attenuated the risk of heart failure (HR 1.34, 95% CI 0.92-1.94), PVD (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98-1.34) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.84-1.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Initiation of fourth-line insulin therapy can be considered for patients with T2DM with triple OAD therapy failure, and the importance of awareness and prevention of hypoglycaemia among insulin-treated patients with T2DM cannot be overstated.

Commencing insulin glargine 100 U/mL therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes: Determinants of achievement of HbA1c goal less than 7.0

AIMS

To identify factors associated with achievement of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) target at 24 weeks after commencing basal insulin therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Post-hoc pooled analysis of 16 randomized, treat-to-target trials involving individuals with T2DM inadequately controlled with oral anti-hyperglycaemic drugs (n = 3415) initiated on once-daily insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100). Clinical outcomes were assessed by HbA1c response at 24 weeks and individuals were classified as "good responders" with HbA1c <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) or as "poor responders" with HbA1c ≥7.0% (≥53 mmol/mol). Univariable and multivariable stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for attaining HbA1c <7.0%.

RESULTS

Lower levels of baseline HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG), higher body mass index (BMI), shorter diabetes duration and male sex were associated with a good glycaemic response, but not age or baseline C-peptide levels. Gla-100 dose (U/kg) was highest in the poor-responder group, which had the fewest hypoglycaemia episodes. Univariable analysis for achievement of HbA1c <7.0% confirmed these observations. Multivariable analysis retained baseline HbA1c, body weight, BMI, sex, 2-hours PPG and diabetes duration as predictors of a good response. Continued use of sulfonylureas, hypoglycaemia and change in body weight were indicative of poor response.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline HbA1c was the strongest determinant for achieving target HbA1c <7.0% by supplementary Gla-100 therapy, while sex and BMI were also useful indicators. However, age and C-peptide levels at baseline did not predict glycaemic response to the introduction of basal insulin.

The Status of Metabolic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Attending Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait

Purpose: To evaluate metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes at Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI, Kuwait), a specialist diabetes clinic and research center, and to investigate its association with patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Methods: Data from 963 patients with type 2 diabetes were retrospectively collected from the Knowledge Based Health Records maintained at DDI for patients who attended DDI during 2011-2014. The collected data included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and anti-diabetic medications. Student's t-test was used to evaluate the differences in mean values between poor and good glycemic control groups. Categorical variables were assessed using chi-square analysis with Fisher's exact test for small data sets. Results: The patients' mean age was 53.0 ± 9.5 years with equal number of males and females. Females (34.4 ± 7.2 kg/m²) had a higher mean body mass index than males (32.1 ± 6.4 kg/m²). The mean fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels were 9.6 ± 3.8 mmol/L and 8.5 ± 1.8%, respectively. Dyslipidemia (46%) and hypertension (40%) were the most common comorbidities, whereas nephropathy (36%) and neuropathy (35%) were the most common diabetic complications. The most commonly used anti-diabetic medication was metformin (55%). Factors significantly associated with poor glycemic control (HbA1c level ≥ 7%) included insulin use; neuropathy or foot ulcers as diabetic complications; and elevated systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose levels. Factors significantly associated with good glycemic control included metformin use and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The proportion of patients with good glycemic control (HbA1c level < 7%) was 29.5%. A large proportion of the patients with poor glycemic control were only administered monotherapy drugs, and two-thirds of the patients were obese. Further, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations for blood pressure and LDL cholesterol level were met (62 and 63%, respectively) by follow-up year 4. Conclusion: The therapeutic management of type 2 diabetes in Kuwait is suboptimal. Therapeutic strategies should ensure better adherence to ADA guidelines, evaluate the high obesity rates, and adherence to lifestyle recommendations by patients, and continually promote diabetes education and self-empowerment.

Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Empowerment Perceptions and Diabetes Distress as Important Determinants

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the determinants of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in insulin-treated patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on demographic and disease characteristics, self-reported regimen adherence factors (adherence in insulin regimen and self-monitoring of blood glucose), and psychosocial factors (decisional balance for insulin injection, health literacy, self-efficacy for insulin injection, diabetes distress, and empowerment perceptions). Via convenience sampling, 255 insulin-treated patients with T2DM were recruited from two endocrinology clinics in Taiwan. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect demographic and disease characteristics, regimen adherence factors, and psychosocial factors. The first HbA1c level measured after completion of the questionnaire was the dependent variable. The last HbA1c level measured before patients started insulin therapy as well as body mass index (BMI) was collected from medical records. Results indicated that adherence in insulin regimen was relatively good. Regimen adherence factors did not significantly correlate with HbA1c levels, but empowerment perception, decisional balance for insulin injection, health literacy, and diabetes distress did. The hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that BMI, the last HbA1c levels before starting insulin therapy, empowerment perception, and diabetes distress were important determinants of HbA1c levels. Nurses could periodically assess the diabetes distress of insulin-treated patients with T2DM and refer to mental health professionals when needed. Furthermore, applying empowerment approaches such as enhancing self-awareness of improved glycemic control and sharing more decision-making power with insulin-treated patients with T2DM might have benefits for their glycemic control.

Probability of Achieving Glycemic Control with Basal Insulin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Real-World Practice in the USA

INTRODUCTION

Basal insulin (BI) plays an important role in treating type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially when oral antidiabetic (OAD) medications are insufficient for glycemic control. We conducted a retrospective, observational study using electronic medical records (EMR) data from the IBM^® Explorys database to evaluate the probability of achieving glycemic control over 24 months after BI initiation in patients with T2D in the USA.

METHODS

A cohort of 6597 patients with T2D who started BI following OAD(s) and had at least one valid glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) result recorded both within 90 days before and 720 days after BI initiation were selected. We estimated the changes from baseline in HbA1c every 6 months, the quarterly conditional probabilities of reaching HbA1c < 7% if a patient had not achieved glycemic control prior to each quarter (Q), and the cumulative probability of reaching glycemic control over 24 months.

RESULTS

Our cohort was representative of patients with T2D who initiated BI from OADs in the USA. The average HbA1c was 9.1% at BI initiation, and decreased robustly (1.5%) in the first 6 months after initiation with no further reductions thereafter. The conditional probability of reaching glycemic control decreased rapidly in the first year (26.6% in Q2; 17.6% in Q3; 8.6% in Q4), and then remained low (≤ 6.1%) for each quarter in the second year. Cumulatively, about 38% of patients reached HbA1c < 7% in the first year; only approximately 8% more did so in the second year.

CONCLUSION

Our study of real-world data from a large US EMR database suggested that among patients with T2D who initiated BI after OADs, the likelihood of reaching glycemic control diminished over time, and remained low from 12 months onwards. Additional treatment options should be considered if patients do not reach glycemic control within 12 months of BI initiation.

FUNDING

Sanofi Corporation.

Insulin Glargine Combined with Oral Antidiabetic Drugs for Asians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pooled Analysis to Identify Predictors of Dose and Treatment Response

INTRODUCTION

In Asia, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often have suboptimal glycemic control for many years prior to initiating basal insulin. Active titration of basal insulin is also required to improve glycemic outcomes. This pooled analysis was conducted to determine the impact of patient baseline covariates on the required dose of basal insulin and treatment response, for the improved management of Asian patients with T2DM.

METHODS

Data on insulin-naïve Asian patients with T2DM who initiated and fully titrated insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) for ≥ 20 weeks were pooled from seven randomized, controlled, treat-to-target trials. Covariance and multivariate linear/logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the impact of the baseline covariates on Gla-100 dose (primary outcome) and treatment response (secondary outcomes) at week 24 for patients from Asia (N = 724) and from China alone (n = 249). Based on the multivariate analysis for the primary outcome in the Asian population, a nomogram was developed.

RESULTS

The dose of Gla-100 at week 24 was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at baseline in both Asian and Chinese populations. In both populations, higher baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) was associated with a lower reduction in HbA_1c from baseline, higher HbA_1c at week 24, and a lower chance of achieving HbA_1c < 7% at week 24. The constructed nomogram enables calculation of the likely dose of Gla-100 required by Asian patients with T2DM to achieve HbA_1c < 7% at week 24.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher doses of Gla-100 are likely to be required in younger patients or patients with higher baseline BMI or FPG. The nomogram developed in this study can aid clinicians to titrate the dose of Gla-100 appropriately. Evidence in this pooled analysis also indicates that initiating basal insulin at a lower HbA_1c can lead to greater glycemic control.

FUNDING

Sanofi China Investment Company.

Comparative cardiovascular risks of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors with other second- and third-line antidiabetic drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4is) are suggested as a second- and third-line antidiabetic treatment for type 2 diabetes. Previous studies assessed only the cardiovascular effects of DPP4is as a second-line treatment, included sulphonylurea as the only comparator, and yielded inconclusive results on the risk of heart failure. The present study therefore evaluated the comparative cardiovascular risks of DPP4is with other second- and third-line antidiabetic drugs.

METHODS

Based on a large nationwide diabetic cohort, 113 051 patients with type 2 diabetes newly on metformin-based dual or triple therapy were identified in 2009-2011 and followed until 2013, or death if this occurred sooner. Primary interest targeted hospitalizations for ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Secondary outcomes were hypoglycaemia and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to assess time-to-event hazard ratio between propensity score-matched antidiabetic treatment groups.

RESULTS

DPP4is as a second-line add-on to metformin had a significantly lower stroke risk [hazard ratio (HR) 0.817 (95% confidence interval 0.687, 0.971)] and all-cause mortality [HR 0.825 (0.687, 0.992)] than those for sulphonylurea. DPP4is as a third-line add-on to metformin and sulphonylurea combined dual therapy had a significantly lower risk for stroke [HR 0.826 (0.740, 0.923)] and all-cause mortality [HR 0.784 (0.701, 0.878)] than those for acarbose, and significantly lower risks for stroke [HR 0.653 (0.542, 0.786)], heart failure [HR 0.721 (0.568, 0.917)] and all-cause mortality [HR 0.689 (0.594, 0.703)] than those for meglitinide.

CONCLUSIONS

DPP4is as a second- or third-line add-on treatment provided cardiovascular benefits and posed no increased risks for heart failure, hypoglycaemia or death.

Factors associated with glycemic control in people with diabetes at the Family Health Strategy in Pernambuco

Abstract OBJECTIVE Identifying factors associated with glycemic control in people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) registered in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Pernambuco, Brazil. METHOD Associations between glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin A lower or equal to 7%) presented by people with DM and variables related to sociodemographic conditions, lifestyle, characteristics of diabetes, treatment and follow-up of patients by health services were investigated by multiple regression. RESULTS More than 65% of the participants presented inadequate glycemic control, especially those with lower age, longer illness duration, more annual contacts with FHS and complex therapeutic regimen. People with DM without referrals to specialists presented greater glycemic control. Associations with education level and obesity did not remain significant in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION The evolution of diabetes hinders adequate control, however, attention to younger people with DM and referrals to specialists are factors that can improve glycemic control.

Traditional Risk Factors for Stroke in East Asia

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide. The occurrence of stroke is strongly dependent on well-known vascular risk factors. After rapid modernization, urbanization, and mechanization, East Asian countries have experienced growth in their aged populations, as well as changes in lifestyle and diet. This phenomenon has increased the prevalence of vascular risk factors among Asian populations, which are susceptible to developing cardiovascular risk factors. However, differing patterns of stroke risk factor profiles have been noted in East Asian countries over the past decades. Even though the prevalence of vascular risk factors has changed, hypertension is still prevalent and the burden of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia will continue to increase. Asia remains a high tobacco-consuming area. Although indicators of awareness and management of vascular risk factors have increased in many East Asian countries, their rates still remain low. Here we review the burdens of traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking in East Asia. We will also discuss the different associations between these vascular risk factors and stroke in Asian and non-Asian populations.

Optimizing insulin initiation in primary care: the Diabetes CoStars patient support program

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimization of fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus newly initiated on insulin glargine who were enrolled in the Australian Diabetes CoStars Patient Support Program (PSP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of data from 514 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who completed the 12-week Diabetes CoStars PSP was performed. All patients were initiated on insulin glargine in primary care and enrolled by their general practitioner, who selected a predefined titration plan and support from a local Credentialled Diabetes Educator. The data collected included initial and final insulin dose, self-reported FBG, and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels.

RESULTS

The insulin dose increased in 81% of patients. Mean FBG was reduced from 208.8 mg/dL (11.6 mmol/L) to 136.8 mg/dL (7.6 mmol/L) after 12 weeks. Initial and final A1c values were available for 99 patients; mean A1c was reduced from 9.5% (80 mmol/mol) to 8.1% (65 mmol/mol). The reductions in mean FBG and A1c were similar irrespective of titration plan. Overall, 27.2% of patients achieved FBG levels within the titration plan target range of 72-108 mg/dL (4-6 mmol/L) and an additional 43.4% of patients achieved FBG within the range recommended by current Australian guidelines (110-144 mg/dL [6.1-8.0 mmol/L]). Overall, 23.3% of patients achieved the A1c target of ≤7%.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that the majority of patients enrolled in the Diabetes CoStars PSP achieved acceptable FBG levels 12 weeks after starting insulin therapy irrespective of titration plan.