Antiplatelet therapy, Helicobacter pylori infection and complicated peptic ulcer disease in diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study

The inter-relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection, dementia and mortality in type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase I

BACKGROUND

Given sparse relevant data, the aim of this study was to determine whether Helicobacter pylori infection, including cytotoxin-associated gene-A (CagA) producing strains, is associated with dementia in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

Longitudinal data from 1115 participants in the community-based Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase I (mean age 64.0 years, 48.0 % males; 38.0 % H. pylori seronegative, 24.3 % H. pylori seropositive/CagA seronegative, and 37.7 % H. pylori/CagA seropositive at baseline) were analyzed.

RESULTS

During up to 19 years of follow-up, 50.3 % and 83.5 % of participants without and with incident dementia, respectively, died. In Cox proportional hazards models, H. pylori/CagA seropositivity (hazard ratio (95 % CI) 1.68 (1.15, 2.46), P = 0.008), but not H. pylori seropositivity/CagA seronegativity (P = 0.541) was an independent predictor of incident dementia, but neither H. pylori seropositivity/CagA seronegativity nor H. pylori/CagA seropositivity were significant predictors in competing risks models (P ≥ 0.280).

CONCLUSIONS

Although CagA seropositivity in T2DM may have a contributory etiologic role in the risk of dementia, this may be through its association with reduced cardiovascular/all-cause mortality.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in Australia: a scoping review

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium implicated in the development of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, is estimated to infect around half the world's population. Its prevalence in Australia is unclear. This scoping review aimed to evaluate all Australian literature providing estimates of the prevalence of H. pylori.

Methods

Australian studies examining H. pylori prevalence from 1982 onwards were eligible for inclusion. Medline, Embase and Scopus databases, and grey literature sources, were searched. Two independent reviewers undertook a two-stage screening process. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a pre-specified template.

Results

Of 444 identified studies, 75 were included in the review. H. pylori prevalence in Australian population-based studies (n = 8) ranged from 38.0% in 1991 to 15.1% in 2002; however, estimated prevalence across all non-clinical population studies in diverse sub-groups (n = 29) has varied dramatically. Decreased prevalence has been more marked in populations with gastrointestinal symptoms and conditions compared to non-clinical populations. Data on H. pyloriprevalence in vulnerable populations are lacking.

Conclusions

This is the first scoping review of Australian studies reporting H. pylori prevalence. A wide range of study designs, population groups, geographic regions, and diagnostic methods was included, involving data collected over a 50-year period (1969 to 2018). The summary of H. pylori prevalence estimates over time in this review points to a decrease in prevalence in Australia, particularly among populations with gastrointestinal symptoms and illnesses; however, it is unknown whether there is inequity in prevalence trends across vulnerable sub-groups of the Australian population. Future research and interventions supporting the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations is required to ensure equitable health gains are made for all.

Susceptibility for Some Infectious Diseases in Patients With Diabetes: The Key Role of Glycemia

Uncontrolled diabetes results in several metabolic alterations including hyperglycemia. Indeed, several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that this condition may induce susceptibility and the development of more aggressive infectious diseases, especially those caused by some bacteria (including Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, among others) and viruses [such as coronavirus 2 (CoV2), Influenza A virus, Hepatitis B, etc.]. Although the precise mechanisms that link glycemia to the exacerbated infections remain elusive, hyperglycemia is known to induce a wide array of changes in the immune system activity, including alterations in: (i) the microenvironment of immune cells (e.g., pH, blood viscosity and other biochemical parameters); (ii) the supply of energy to infectious bacteria; (iii) the inflammatory response; and (iv) oxidative stress as a result of bacterial proliferative metabolism. Consistent with this evidence, some bacterial infections are typical (and/or have a worse prognosis) in patients with hypercaloric diets and a stressful lifestyle (conditions that promote hyperglycemic episodes). On this basis, the present review is particularly focused on: (i) the role of diabetes in the development of some bacterial and viral infections by analyzing preclinical and clinical findings; (ii) discussing the possible mechanisms by which hyperglycemia may increase the susceptibility for developing infections; and (iii) further understanding the impact of hyperglycemia on the immune system.

Hepatointestinal complications in polycystic kidney disease

Background

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of major hepatointestinal complications in patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Methods

We analyzed the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims data (2000-2010) of 6031 patients with PKD and 23,976 non-PKD hospitalized controls. The control cohort was propensity score matched with the PKD cohort at a 1:4 ratio. All patients were followed up from the index date to the first inpatient diagnosis of hepatointestinal complications, death, or 31 December, 2011. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify the risk of outcome after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

The incidence rates of acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, peptic ulcer bleeding, and cirrhosis were 5.72, 4.01, 19.9, and 5.46 per 1000 person-years, respectively, in the PKD cohort. Compared with the non-PKD controls, patients with PKD exhibited an increased risk of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, peptic ulcer bleeding, and cirrhosis (adjusted subhazard ratio [aSHR]: 2.36, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.95-2.84]; 2.36, [95% CI, 1.95-2.84]; 2.41, [95% CI, 1.93-3.01]; 2.41, [95% CI, 2.17-2.67]; and 1.39, [95% CI, 1.16-1.66], respectively; all p < 0.001). PKD, chronic kidney disease, and alcoholism were independent predictors of all these hepatointestinal complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an increased overall mortality in patients with PKD who developed acute pancreatitis and peptic ulcer bleeding (log-rank p < 0.05).

Conclusion

PKD is associated with clinically significant extrarenal complications including acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, peptic ulcer bleeding, and cirrhosis.

Clinical characteristic of peptic ulcer associated with type 2 diabetes

AIM: To explore the clinical characteristics of peptic ulcer associated with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with type 2 diabetes and peptic ulcer were included in an experiment group, and 110 peptic ulcer patients without diabetes were included in a control group. The location of ulcer, maximum diameter, therapeutic effects, the rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication, and complication were compared for the two groups.

RESULTS: The rate of gastric ulcer for the experiment group was significantly higher than that for the control group (50.00% vs 36.36%, P < 0.05), while the rate of duodenal ulcer for the experiment group was significantly lower than that for the control group (31.03% vs 50.91%, P < 0.05). The rate of maximum ulcer diameter>10.0 mm for the experiment group was significantly higher than that for the control group (31.90% vs 25.45%, P < 0.05), while the rates of healing and H. pylori eradication for the experiment group were significantly lower than those for the control group (28.45% vs 40.91%, 45.33% vs 71.43%, P < 0.05). The rate of anemia for the experiment group was significantly higher than that for the control group (76.72% vs 59.09%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes tends to affect the stomach and have larger lesions, a high rate of bleeding, and low rates of healing and H. pylori eradication.

The Role of Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity in Insulin Sensitivity, Beta Cell Function, and Abnormal Glucose Tolerance

Infection, for example, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), has been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our aim was to determine the role of H. pylori infection in glucose metabolism in an American cohort. We examined data from 4,136 non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), and Mexican Americans (MA) aged 18 and over from the NHANES 1999-2000 cohort. We calculated the odds ratios for states of glucose tolerance based on the H. pylori status. We calculated and compared homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-B) in subjects without diabetes based on the H. pylori status. The results were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), poverty index, education, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and physical activity. The H. pylori status was not a risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance. After adjustment for age and BMI and also adjustment for all covariates, no difference was found in either HOMA-IR or HOMA-B in all ethnic and gender groups except for a marginally significant difference in HOMA-IR in NHB females. H. pylori infection was not a risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance, nor plays a major role in insulin resistance or beta cell dysfunction.

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Diabetic patients reportedly have a higher incidence of peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if type II diabetic patients have higher risk of developing peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) and to identify possible risk factors of PUB in diabetic patients.

METHODS

Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, records of 5699 type II diabetic patients and 11,226 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic patients in a 1:2 ratio were extracted for comparison from a cohort dataset of 1,000,000 randomly sampled subjects. Log-rank test was used to analyze differences in cumulative hazard of PUB between the two groups. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate independent risk factors for PUB in all patients and identified risk factors of PUB in type II diabetic patients.

RESULTS

In a 7-year follow-up period, type II diabetic patients had significantly higher cumulative hazard of PUB than the controls (P < 0.001, log-rank test). By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, diabetes was independently associated with increased risk of PUB (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.86; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities (e.g. hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic renal disease, cirrhosis, and peptic ulcer disease), and ulcerogenic medication. Age, chronic renal disease, history of peptic ulcer disease, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were risk factors for PUB in diabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Type II diabetic patients have significantly higher risk of PUB even after adjustments for possible confounding factors like age, sex, underlying comorbidities, and ulcerogenic medication.

Association of diabetes and HbA1c levels with gastrointestinal manifestations

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) in a Taiwanese population undergoing bidirectional endoscopies.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Subjects voluntarily undergoing upper endoscopy/colonoscopy as part of a medical examination at the National Taiwan University Hospital were recruited during 2009. Diagnosis of DM included past history of DM, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) ≥ 6.5%. Comparisons were made between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, subjects with lower and higher HbA(1c) levels, and diabetic subjects with and without complications, respectively, for their GI symptoms, noninvasive GI testing results, and endoscopic findings.

RESULTS

Among 7,770 study subjects, 722 (9.3%) were diagnosed with DM. The overall prevalence of GI symptoms was lower in DM subjects (30.3 vs. 35.4%, P = 0.006). In contrast, the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (34.3 vs. 28.6%, P = 0.002), Barrett's esophagus (0.6 vs. 0.1%, P = 0.001), peptic ulcer disease (14.8 vs. 8.5%, P < 0.001), gastric neoplasms (1.8 vs. 0.7%, P = 0.003), and colonic neoplasms (26.6 vs. 16.5%, P < 0.001) was higher in diabetic subjects. Diagnostic accuracy of immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colonic neoplasms was significantly decreased in DM (70.7 vs. 81.7%, P < 0.001). Higher HbA(1c) levels were associated with a decrease of GI symptoms and an increase of endoscopic abnormalities. Diabetic subjects with complications had a higher prevalence of colonic neoplasms (39.2 vs. 24.5%, P = 0.002) than those without.

CONCLUSIONS

DM and higher levels of HbA(1c) were associated with lower prevalence of GI symptoms but higher prevalence of endoscopic abnormalities.

Infections in patients with diabetes mellitus: A review of pathogenesis

In general, infectious diseases are more frequent and/or serious in patients with diabetes mellitus, which potentially increases their morbimortality. The greater frequency of infections in diabetic patients is caused by the hyperglycemic environment that favors immune dysfunction (e.g., damage to the neutrophil function, depression of the antioxidant system, and humoral immunity), micro- and macro-angiopathies, neuropathy, decrease in the antibacterial activity of urine, gastrointestinal and urinary dysmotility, and greater number of medical interventions in these patients. The infections affect all organs and systems. Some of these problems are seen mostly in diabetic people, such as foot infections, malignant external otitis, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, and gangrenous cholecystitis. In addition to the increased morbidity, infectious processes may be the first manifestation of diabetes mellitus or the precipitating factors for complications inherent to the disease, such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia. Immunization with anti-pneumococcal and influenza vaccines is recommended to reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and medical expenses.

Association between periodontal disease and peptic ulcers among Japanese workers: MY health up study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between periodontal disease and peptic ulcers in a working population.

METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all employees of a large insurance company in Japan. The questionnaire asked about their health status and lifestyle habits. Peptic ulcer was defined as either stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, or both. For the evaluation of periodontal disease, three indices were used: (a) loss of five or more teeth, (b) having been told of having periodontitis, and (c) periodontal risk score.

RESULTS

Of the eligible 28 765 subjects analyzed, peptic ulcer was present in 397 (1.4%). The results of bivariate analyses showed that a significantly higher proportion of subjects with peptic ulcer reported that they lost five or more teeth (35.3 vs. 17.4%, p&lt;0.001) or that they were told they had periodontitis (33.5 vs. 20.7%, p&lt;0.001). Moreover, the periodontal risk score was higher for those with peptic ulcer than those without (mean 0.83 vs. 0.59, p&lt;0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, statistical associations were found between the presence of peptic ulcer and loss of five or more teeth (odds ratio (OR): 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.76, p&lt;0.01), having been told of having periodontitis (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03-1.59, p&lt;0.05), and a 1-point increase in the periodontal risk score (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04-1.30, p&lt;0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Modest but statistically significant associations were found between the self-reported measures of periodontal disease and peptic ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene-A antibodies do not predict complications or death in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVES

There is cross-sectional evidence that CagA antigen produced by Helicobacter pylori is associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) and microalbuminuria, but no large-scale longitudinal studies have been conducted in diabetic patients. We aimed to determine whether cytotoxin-associated gene-A (CagA) seropositivity is independently associated with important vascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We studied 1179 type 2 patients from a well characterized community-based cohort who had available sera from baseline assessment between 1993 and 1996, and follow-up for incident events to end-June 2007. H. pylori IgG and CagA antibodies at baseline were measured by validated ELISA. Multiple logistic/linear regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards modelling were used to determine independent baseline associates of prevalent and incident complications, respectively, including H. pylori/CagA serostatus.

RESULTS

At baseline, 62.0% of patients were H. pylori seropositive and 37.7% were both H. pylori and CagA seropositive. CagA seropositivity was not independently associated with prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), peripheral arterial disease or AF at baseline (P > 0.41), but there was a significant inverse association with ln(urinary albumin:creatinine) (P = 0.033). There were no independent associations between CagA seropositivity and incident CHD/CVD or progression to microalbuminuria (P > 0.20). During follow-up, 480 patients (40.7%) died, 246 (50.2%) from cardiovascular causes. After adjustment for other variables,CagA seropositivity was weakly protective against cardiovascular death (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

CagA seropositivity is not a risk factor for chronic vascular complications of type 2 diabetes. Assay of CagA antibodies does not contribute significantly to clinical management outside gastroenterological indications.

Aspirin is associated with reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes in a primary prevention setting: the Fremantle Diabetes study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether regular aspirin use (> or =75 mg/day) is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in community-based patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of CVD.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Of the type 2 diabetic patients recruited to the longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study, 651 (50.3%) with no prior CVD history at entry between 1993 and 1996 were followed until death or the end of June 2007, representing a total of 7,537 patient-years (mean +/- SD 11.6 +/- 2.9 years). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine independent baseline predictors of CVD and all-cause mortality including regular aspirin use.

RESULTS

There were 160 deaths (24.6%) during follow-up, with 70 (43.8%) due to CVD. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, there was no difference in either CVD or all-cause mortality in aspirin users versus nonusers (P = 0.52 and 0.94, respectively, by log-rank test). After adjustment for significant variables in the most parsimonious Cox models, regular aspirin use at baseline independently predicted reduced CVD and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.30 [95% CI 0.09-0.95] and 0.53 [0.28-0.98[, respectively; P < or = 0.044). In subgroup analyses, aspirin use was independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality in those aged > or =65 years and men.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular low-dose aspirin may reduce all-cause and CVD mortality in a primary prevention setting in type 2 diabetes. All-cause mortality reductions are greatest in men and in those aged > or =65 years. The present observational data support recommendations that aspirin should be used in primary CVD prevention in all but the lowest risk patients.

[Guidelines of treatment for peptic ulcer disease in special conditions]

The pathogenesis, incidence, complication rates, response to acid suppression and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy in peptic ulcer associated with chronic disease such as liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, and critically ill conditions are different from those with general population, so that the management strategies also should be differentiated. The eradication of H. pylori are not so effective for preventing recurrence of peptic ulcer in liver cirrhosis patients as shown in general population, and conservative managements such as preventing deterioration of hepatic function and decrease in portal pressure are mandatory to reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence. The standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication are as effective in chronic renal failure patients as in normal population, but the frequency of side effects of amoxicillin is higher in the patients not receiving dialysis therapy. Delay in eradication therapy until beginning of dialysis therapy or modification of eradication regimen should be considered in such cases. High prevalence of asymptomatic peptic ulcers and increased mortality in complicated peptic ulcer disease warrant regular endoscopic surveillance in diabetic patients, especially with angiopathy. The prolongation of duration of eradication therapy also should be considered in diabetic patients with angiopathic complication because of lower eradication rate with standard triple regimens as compared to normal population. Prophylactic acid suppressive therapy is highly recommended in critically ill patients with multiple risk factors. Herein, we propose evidence-based treatment guidelines for the management of peptic ulcer disease in special conditions based on literature review and experts opinion.