Lower body mass index is not of more benefit for diabetic complications

Association between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Glycemic Control in Older Adults in a Medical Center in Peru

Objective

To determine whether there is an association between subclinical hypothyroidism and glycemic control in older adults who received care at the "Centro Médico Naval" from 2010 to 2015.

Methods

This retrospective analytical study analyzed a secondary database of the care of elderly in the study hospital. The sample was comprised of 1,385 older adults. To detect an association between variables, the Poisson regression with robust variance was used at a significance level of 95%. The analyses were carried out with the STATA 16 program.

Results

Of the elderly 45.6% were between 71 and 80 years old; 58.4% were women and 43.8% had a normal body mass index. There was evidence of inadequate glycemic control in 8.1% and subclinical hypothyroidism in 15.2% of the elderly patients. Subclinical hypothyroidism was more frequent in the inadequate glycemic control vs. adequate glycemic control populations (41.1% vs. 13.0%). In the multivariance analysis, subclinical hypothyroidism (aPR = 2.22 95% CI [1.47-3.36]) was independent factor associated with inadequate glycemic control (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A significant association was detected between subclinical hypothyroidism and inadequate glycemic control in older adults who presented at the "Centro Médico Naval" from 2010 to 2015.

Development and Progression of Polyneuropathy Over 5 Years in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is a need for knowledge regarding the natural course of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), a complication in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to examine the development of DPN over time.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed T2D, recruited from a national cohort, and controls without diabetes of similar age and sex, underwent sensory phenotyping in 2016-2018. The Toronto consensus criteria were used to classify patients into possible, probable, and confirmed DPN. For this 5-year, observational, follow-up, cohort study, all participants were invited to a reexamination combining bedside sensory examination, quantitative sensory testing (QST), nerve conduction studies (NCSs), and skin biopsies measuring intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) in order to compare phenotypic and diagnostic changes over time.

RESULTS

Of the baseline 389 patients and 97 controls, 184 patients (median [interquartile range] diabetes duration 5.9 [4.1-7.4] years, mean hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 51 ± 11 mmol/mol at baseline) and 43 controls completed follow-up (46.9%). Confirmed DPN was present in 35.8% and 50.3%, probable DPN in 27.2% and 14.6%, possible DPN in 17.2% and 16.6%, and no DPN in 15.2% and 17.9% at baseline and follow-up, respectively. The estimated prevalence (95% CI) of confirmed DPN was 33.5% (24.9-42.1) compared with 22.7% (17.5-28.0) at baseline. During the follow-up period, 43.9% of patients with probable DPN developed confirmed DPN. Progression of neuropathy occurred in 16.5% and 24.7% and regression in 5.9% and 18.6% of patients based on NCS and IENFD, respectively. Progression based on NCS and/or IENFD was associated with higher baseline waist circumference and triglycerides, and regression with lower baseline HbA1c. Patients with at least probable DPN at baseline but neither patients without DPN nor controls developed increased spread of hyposensitivity, more hyposensitivity on QST and lower NCS z-scores at follow-up, and worsening of nerve parameters at follow-up correlated with higher baseline triglycerides.

DISCUSSION

In patients with well-regulated T2D, the proportion of patients with confirmed DPN increased over 5 years driven by progression from probable DPN. A large proportion of patients progressed, and a smaller proportion regressed on nerve parameters. Higher triglycerides correlated with this progression and may constitute a risk factor.

The effect of lifestyle factors on chronic complications of diabetes at public health hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia

Ethiopia faces a significant challenge with increasing non-communicable diseases like diabetes, ranking among the top four in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a lack of research on how lifestyle affects chronic complications of diabetes in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for urgent exploration to develop better intervention strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the link between lifestyle factors and chronic complications of diabetes in public health hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving 389 diabetes patients from Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH) and Gebretsadik Shawo General Hospital (GSGH) in Southwest Ethiopia was conducted. Data collection methods included interviewer-administered questionnaires, patient medical record reviews, physical examination, and serum analysis. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis, including descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value < 0.05. The study revealed a 32.1% prevalence of chronic complications of diabetes, with 13.4% having chronic kidney disease, 8.0% experiencing visual disturbances, and 16.7% suffering from peripheral sensory pain. After adjusting for confounding variables, age (41-60 years [AOR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.01, 3.15] and > 60 years [AOR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.20, 4.33]), duration of diabetes mellitus (> 6 years [AOR = 2.90; 95% CI 1.74, 4.85]), alcohol consumption [AOR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.33, 3.98], physical inactivity [AOR = 2.43; 95% CI 1.38, 4.27], and body mass index (underweight [AOR = 7.66; 95% CI 1.68, 34.8] and obese [AOR = 3.53; 95% CI 1.84, 10.5]) were significantly associated with chronic complications of diabetes. Chronic complications of diabetes are a major problem in the study area. Lifestyle factors strongly influence chronic diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of preventive measures. Implementing health education and prevention programs focusing on modifiable lifestyle factors is crucial.

Impact of body mass index on adverse kidney events in diabetes mellitus patients: A systematic-review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of chronic kidney disease among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a global concern. Long-term obesity is known to possibly influence the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, no previous meta-analysis has assessed the effects of body mass index (BMI) on adverse kidney events in patients with DM.

AIM

To determine the impact of BMI on adverse kidney events in patients with DM.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed on the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and BMJ databases. We included trials with the following characteristics: (1) Type of study: Prospective, retrospective, randomized, and non-randomized in design; (2) participants: Restricted to patients with DM aged ≥ 18 years; (3) intervention: No intervention; and (4) kidney adverse events: Onset of diabetic kidney disease [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or microalbuminuria value of ≥ 30 mg/g Cr], serum creatinine increase of more than double the baseline or end-stage renal disease (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis), or death.

RESULTS

Overall, 11 studies involving 801 patients with DM were included. High BMI (≥ 25 kg/m2) was significantly associated with higher blood pressure (BP) [systolic BP by 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.25, P < 0.00001; diastolic BP by 0.21 mmHg, 95%CI: 0.04-0.37, P = 0.010], serum albumin, triglycerides [standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.29-0.41, P < 0.00001], low-density lipoprotein (SMD = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04-0.20, P = 0.030), and lower high-density lipoprotein (SMD = -0.36, 95%CI: -0.51 to -0.21, P < 0.00001) in patients with DM compared with those with low BMIs (< 25 kg/m2). Our analysis showed that high BMI was associated with a higher risk ratio of adverse kidney events than low BMI (RR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.01-1.43, P = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

The present analysis suggested that high BMI was a risk factor for adverse kidney events in patients with DM.

Early onset age increases the risk of musculoskeletal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction

It's not clear whether there are differences in musculoskeletal damage and body composition among different age groups of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the difference between early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) and non-early-onset type 2 diabetes (NOT2D) in musculoskeletal damage.

Methods

A total of 964 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected by 1:1 propensity score matching, including 534 males and 430 females, with an average age of 52 ± 7 years and an average course of 10 ± 8.5 years. Bone mineral density and body composition were measured, and combined with biochemical tests, linear regression and binary logic regression were used to analyze the relationship between EOT2D, NOT2D and musculoskeletal damage. In addition, 414 patients with T2DM were selected according to whether they were hospitalized twice or not, and the median follow-up period was 44 months. COX survival analysis further elucidates the relationship between EOT2D, NOT2D and musculoskeletal damage.

Results

Compared with patients with non-early-onset type 2 diabetes, A/G was negatively correlated with the age of onset, and had statistical significance. EOT2D has a higher risk of sarcopenia, osteoporosis and even musculoskeletal damage. With the prolongation of the course of the disease, the risk of muscle mass and/or bone mineral density decrease in EOT2D increases.

Conclusion

EOT2D brings a greater risk of sarcopenia and/or osteoporosis, as well as a higher risk of reduced ASM and BMD. In addition, fat distribution may be more central.

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A population-based cross-sectional study in China

AIMS

To assess the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and its risk factors in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enroled patients with T2DM between July and December 2017 from 24 provinces in China. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its severity were assessed by the Toronto clinical scoring system, neuropathy symptoms score (NSS) and neuropathy disability score. The prevalence of DPN and its risk factors were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 14,908 patients with T2DM were enroled. The prevalence of DPN was 67.6%. Among 10,084 patients with DPN, 4808 (47.7%), 3325 (33.0%), and 1951 (19.3%) had mild, moderate, and severe DPN, respectively. The prevalence of DPN in females was higher than in males (69.0% vs. 66.6%, P = 0.002). The prevalence of DPN increased with age and course of diabetes and decreased with body mass index (BMI) and education level (all P for trend <0.05). The comorbidities and complications in patients with DPN were higher than in those without DPN, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy (all P < 0.001). Age, hypertension, duration of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, glycated haemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate were positively associated with DPN, while BMI, education level, fasting C-peptide, and uric acid were negatively associated with DPN.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with T2DM in China, the prevalence of DPN is high, especially in the elderly, low-income, and undereducated patients.

Association of BMI and waist circumference with diabetic microvascular complications: A prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank and Mendelian randomization analysis

AIMS

To investigate the precise association between BMI and waist circumference (WC) and diabetic complications, including retinopathy (DR), nephropathy (DN) and peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

METHODS

A multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the observed association from 30,541 UK Biobank participants with diabetes. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) framework was applied to summary-level GWASs of BMI and WC comprising a total of 461,460 and 462,166 participants from UK Biobank to explore the potential causal association.

RESULTS

Higher BMI and WC were associated with increased risks of DR, DN, and DPN (HR (95% CI), per-SD increase: BMI: DR 1.09 (1.04-1.13), DN 1.37 (1.33-1.41), DPN 1.27 (1.20-1.34); WC: DR 1.11 (1.07-1.16), DN 1.41 (1.36-1.46), DPN 1.38 (1.30-1.45)) in the UK Biobank cohort. Univariate MR indicated that increased BMI and WC were causal risk factors for these complications (OR (95% CI), per-SD increase: BMI: DR 1.33 (1.22-1.45), DN 1.74 (1.47-2.07), DPN 2.20 (1.67-2.90); WC: DR 1.43 (1.27-1.61), DN 2.03 (1.62-2.55), DPN 2.80 (1.99-3.92)), and the effect sizes remained significant after adjustment for glycated hemoglobin.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective observational and MR analyses provided evidence that high BMI and WC may represent potential causal risk factors for diabetic microvascular complications. Weight control might modify the risks of these complications independently of glycemic control and should be considered as a therapeutic recommendation.

Obesity and Peripheral Artery Disease: Current Evidence and Controversies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obesity is a significant public health problem and a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular manifestations. Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 3%-10% of the Western population and, if left untreated, can lead to devastating outcomes with both an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, the association between obesity and PAD remains debatable. Whereas it is well known that PAD and obesity frequently overlap in the same patients, many studies have demonstrated a negative association between obesity and PAD and a protective effect of obesity on disease development and progression, a phenomenon described as the "obesity paradox." Possible mechanisms for this paradox may include genetic background, as assessed by mendelian randomization studies, adipose tissue dysfunction, and body fat distribution rather than adiposity, while other factors, such as sex, ethnicity, sarcopenia in the elderly population, or aggressive treatment of co-existing metabolic conditions in individuals with obesity compared to those with normal weight, could have some impact as well.

RECENT RINDINGS

Few reviews and meta-analyses examining systematically the relationship between obesity and PAD exist. The impact of PAD development due to the presence of obesity remains largely controversial. However, the most current evidence, backed by a recent meta-analysis, suggests a potential protective role of a higher body mass index on PAD-related complications and mortality. In this review, we discuss the association between obesity and PAD development, progression, and management, and the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms linking the two diseases.

Prevalence of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A nationwide cross-sectional study in mainland China

AIM

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in mainland China.

METHODS

This nationwide cross-sectional study enrolled T2DM patients with DPN from 25 provinces in China between July 2017 and December 2017. The prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of PDPN were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 25,710 patients with T2DM and DPN, 14,699 (57.2%) had PDPN. The median age was 63 years old. Age over 40 years old, education level, hypertension, myocardial infarction, duration of diabetes of over five years, diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, moderate total cholesterol, moderate and higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) increased uric acid (UA) and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were independently associated with PDPN (all P < 0.05). Compared with low levels of C-peptide, moderate levels were independently associated with a higher risk of PDPN, while high levels were associated with a lower risk (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In mainland China, more than half of the patients with DPN have neuropathic pain. Patients with older age, lower education level, longer duration of diabetes, lower LDL, increased UA, decreased eGFR, and comorbidities had an increased risk of PDPN.

Evaluation of Machine Learning Methods Developed for Prediction of Diabetes Complications: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

With the rising prevalence of diabetes, machine learning (ML) models have been increasingly used for prediction of diabetes and its complications, due to their ability to handle large complex data sets. This study aims to evaluate the quality and performance of ML models developed to predict microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications in an adult Type 2 diabetes population.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE®, Embase®, the Cochrane® Library, Web of Science®, and DBLP Computer Science Bibliography databases according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. Studies that developed or validated ML prediction models for microvascular or macrovascular complications in people with Type 2 diabetes were included. Prediction performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). An AUC >0.75 indicates clearly useful discrimination performance, while a positive mean relative AUC difference indicates better comparative model performance.

RESULTS

Of 13 606 articles screened, 32 studies comprising 87 ML models were included. Neural networks (n = 15) were the most frequently utilized. Age, duration of diabetes, and body mass index were common predictors in ML models. Across predicted outcomes, 36% of the models demonstrated clearly useful discrimination. Most ML models reported positive mean relative AUC compared with non-ML methods, with random forest showing the best overall performance for microvascular and macrovascular outcomes. Majority (n = 31) of studies had high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Random forest was found to have the overall best prediction performance. Current ML prediction models remain largely exploratory, and external validation studies are required before their clinical implementation.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework (registration number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UP49X).

A Nomogram for Predicting the Possibility of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Purpose: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) leads to ulceration, noninvasive amputation, and long-term disability. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for forecasting the probability of DPN in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: From February 2017 to May 2021, 778 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in this study. We confirmed the diagnosis of DPN according to the Toronto Expert Consensus. Patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 519) and a validation cohort (n = 259). In the training cohort, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and a simple nomogram was built using the stepwise method. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were computed in order to validate the discrimination and clinical value of the nomogram model. Results: About 65.7% and 72.2% of patients were diagnosed with DPN in the training and validation cohorts. We developed a novel nomogram to predict the probability of DPN based on the parameters of age, gender, duration of diabetes, body mass index, uric acid, hemoglobin A1c, and free triiodothyronine. The areas under the curves (AUCs) of the nomogram model were 0.763 in the training cohort and 0.755 in the validation cohort. The calibration plots revealed well-fitted accuracy between the predicted and actual probability in the training and validation cohorts. Decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical value of the nomogram. In subgroup analysis, the predictive ability of the nomogram model was strong. Conclusions: The nomogram of age, gender, duration of diabetes, body mass index, uric acid, hemoglobin A1c, and free triiodothyronine may assist clinicians with the early identification of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Underweight Is Associated with a Higher Risk of Acute Pancreatitis in Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Type 2 diabetes is known as a risk factor for acute pancreatitis, but the risk of acute pancreatitis according to glycemic status and body mass index (BMI) has remained unknown. Therefore, we aim to investigate the risk of acute pancreatitis according to BMI and glycemic status. We included 3,912,496 subjects from the Korean National Health Insurance System cohort who underwent the National Health Screening program in 2009. Each subject’s clinical course was examined through follow-ups until December 2018. BMI and glycemic status were each categorized into five groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) of acute pancreatitis according to BMI and glycemic status were calculated. The adjusted HRs of acute pancreatitis were the highest in the underweight group (BMI < 18.5) in all five glycemic status categories. The HR of acute pancreatitis in the underweight group increased as the glycemic status worsened, excluding the category of diabetes for more than five years (HR 1.381 for normal fasting glucose; 1.805 for impaired fasting glucose; 2.332 for new-onset diabetes; 4.51 for diabetes duration <5 years; 4.135 for diabetes duration ≥5 years). We found that the risk of acute pancreatitis was further increased in the underweight group, depending on the status and duration of type 2 diabetes.

Differential Effect of Generalized and Abdominal Obesity on the Development and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Chinese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Background

The relationship between obesity and diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the association of generalized obesity [assessed by body mass index (BMI)] and abdominal obesity [assessed by waist to hip ratio (WHR)] with incident DR, and vision-threatening DR (VTDR), and DR progression among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM).

Method

This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, from November 2017 to December 2020. DR was assessed based on the 7-filed fundus photographs using the modified Airlie House Classification. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of BMI and WHR with the development and progression of DR after adjusting for age, sex, traditional risk factors, and mutually for BMI and WHR.

Results

Among the 1,370 eligible participants, 1,195 (87.2%) had no sign of any DR and 175 (12.8%) had DR at baseline examination. During the 2 years follow-up visit, 342 (28.6%) participants had incident DR, 11 (0.8%) participants developed VTDR, 15 (8.6%) demonstrated DR progression. After adjusting for confounders, the BMI was negatively associated with incident DR [relative risk (RR) =0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.26-0.38; P < 0.001] and incident VTDR (RR = 0.22; 95%CI, 0.11-0.43; P < 0.001), while WHR was positively associated with incident DR (RR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.27-1.71; P < 0.001). BMI and WHR level were not significantly associated with 2-year DR progression in multivariate models (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study provides longitudinal evidence that generalized obesity confer a protective effect on DR, while abdominal obesity increased the risk of DR onset in Chinese patients, indicating that abdominal obesity is a more clinically relevant risk marker of DR than generalized obesity.

Association Between Serum Albumin Levels and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Effect Modification of Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND

The role of serum albumin in the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum albumin level and DPN, and to examine any possible effect modifiers among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jiangxi, China, from May 2012 to December 2014. Serum albumin levels were determined in 523 subjects, and the association between serum albumin level and DPN was evaluated using linear regression models (odds ratio [OR] and corresponding 95% confidence interval [CI]).

RESULTS

There was a significant inverse association between serum albumin level (per 1 g/L increment, OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.92-0.98]) and the risk of DPN. Accordingly, when serum albumin was assessed as quartiles, a significantly lower risk of DPN was found in participants in quartile 4 (OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.25-0.95]), compared with those in quartile 1. Consistently, higher albumin levels (≥35 g/L) were associated with decreased odds for DPN (OR 0.36 [95% CI 0.17-0.74]) compared with lower levels. Furthermore, the albumin-DPN association was significantly stronger in patients with a relatively high body mass index (BMI; ≥24 kg/m²; OR 0.91 [95% CI 0.85-0.98]) than in those with a low BMI (<24 kg/m²; OR 0.99 [95% CI 0.94-1.04]; P for interaction = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that serum albumin level could be a novel risk factor for DPN among patients with type 2 diabetes and relatively high BMI (>24 kg/m²).

The Impact of Diabetes on Vascular Disease: Progress from the Perspective of Epidemics and Treatments

At present, the global incidence of diabetes has increased in countries with large populations, and the changes in developing regions are particularly worthy of attention. In the past 40 years or so, the income situation in China, India, and other countries has exploded, leading to changes in the way of life and work as well as an increase in the prevalence of diabetes. Metabolic disorders caused by diabetes can lead to secondary vascular complications, which have long-term malignant effects on the heart, kidneys, brain, and other vital organs of patients. Adequate primary prevention measures are needed to reduce the incidence of diabetic vascular complications, and more attention should be given to treatment after the disease. To this end, it is necessary to determine a standardized drug and physical therapy system and to build a more efficient and low-cost chronic disease management system.

Stronger Association of Albuminuria with the Risk of Vascular Complications than Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Albuminuria is a risk factor for macro- and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D).With an increasing trend of normoalbuminuria, however, of the 2 predictors - estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) - which one is a better predictor of vascular complications of T2D is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the impacts of albuminuria and eGFR on patients with T2D associated with micro- and macrovascular complications.

METHODS

This retrospective study recruited 4,715 patients with T2D and grouped them based on the values of UACR (high UACR: ≥30 mg/g, low UACR: <30 mg/g) and eGFR (mL/[min × 1.73 m2]) (G1: eGFR ≥ 90; G2: eGFR = 60-89; G3-5: eGFR < 60) from April 2008 to November 2018. Logistic regression analysis was carried out for risk factors in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), left ventricular remodeling, diastolic disorders, and carotid atherosclerotic plaque in 6 different groups: low UACR + G1 (control group), low UACR + G2, low UACR + G3-5, high UACR + G1, high UACR + G2, and high UACR + G3-5. Patients were grouped according to the change in the UACR value (UACR-decreased group: ≤-30%, UACR-stable group: -30 to 30%, and UACR-increased group ≥30%), eGFR value (eGFR-decreased group: >3%, and eGFR-stable group: ≤3%) and followed up.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, patients with higher albuminuria and lower eGFR had higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) trends of complications, especially in the high UACR + G3-5 group. The OR of 2.010, 3.444, 1.633, 2.742, and 3.014 were obtained for DR, DPN, PAD, left ventricular remodeling, and diastolic disorders, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the risk of complications within each one of 2 phenotypes, regardless of the change in the eGFR. After grouping by eGFR, the regression analysis of the urinary protein level in each stage revealed that a majority of complications had a statistically significant difference, except for DR and PAD in the high UACR + G3-5 group. DR in the follow-up study had a higher risk in the UACR-stable/increased group than the UACR-decreased group (UACR stable: OR = 2.568; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.128-5.849; p = 0.025; UACR increased: OR = 2.489; 95% CI: 1.140-5.433; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

UACR is a more predictive risk factor for diabetic complications compared with a reduced eGFR.

Comparison of prevalence of diabetes complications in Brazilian and Mexican adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is more frequent in Latin American people than in non-Hispanic whites due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle risk factors. Brazil and Mexico are the most populous countries in Latin America. The present study aimed to compare the results of the National Health Survey "PNS" in Brazil and the National Survey Health and Nutrition "ENSANUT" in Mexico regarding the prevalence, complications and healthcare issues of diabetes in both countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the National Health Survey (PNS) of 2013 in Brazil and the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) of 2018 in Mexico. The prevalence of diabetes, complications and risk factors related to developing diabetes were considered.

RESULTS

The respondents included 3636 individuals in Brazil and 4555 individuals in Mexico. There were significant differences in age and time living with diabetes between the two countries. Mexican people had twice as likely as Brazilian people to have a complication (p < 0.0001). The principal risk factor (OR 2.47; p ≤ 0.0001) for developing any diabetic complication was living with diabetes for more than 15 years. Visual impairment was the most frequent complication in both countries, but it was more prevalent in Mexico (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes complications are important health problems in Brazil and Mexico. Visual impairment was the principal complication in both countries. Several factors, such as access to and type of health system, living in a rural area, treatment, BMI and performing preventive actions, affected the risk of developing a complication. However, living with diabetes for more than 15 years was the principal risk factor. National health surveys have added significant information on the impact of diabetes in these Latin American populations. This comparison of data could provide valuable information to guide national policies and program decisions in both countries.

Anthropometric Measures and Incident Diabetic Nephropathy in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise globally coupled with its associated complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN). Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for the development of DN but it is still unclear which obesity index is the best predictor of incident DN.

METHODS

Data from the participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study were used to examine the sex-specific association between waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body mass index (BMI) with incident DN risk.

RESULTS

Among the 8,887 participants with T2DM (5,489 men and 3,398 women), 5,296 participants (3,345 men and 1,951 women) developed the DN composite outcome during a follow-up period of 24302 person-years. Among men, null associations were observed between all anthropometric measures with incident DN in the multivariate analysis although the 3^rd quartile of WHtR showed marginally significant results (P = 0.052). However, among women, both central and general obesity measures were associated with increased risks of incident DN. Compared with participants in the WC <88 cm category, the fully adjusted HR and 95% CI for those in the ≥88 cm of WC was 1.35 (95% CI 1.15-1.57). Compared with the lowest quartile, the fully adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for the 2^nd to the 4^th quartile of WHtR were 1.09 (95% CI 0.96-1.25), 1.12 (95% CI 0.98-1.28), and 1.14 (95% CI 1.00-1.30) respectively; also, compared with the normal BMI category, the fully adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for class I - class III obese were 1.36 (95% CI 1.10 - 1.67), 1.43 (95% CI 1.16 - 1.78) and 1.32 (95% CI 1.05 - 1.66) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among participants with T2DM, higher levels of both central and general obesity indexes were associated with DN risk among women but not in men. Women with T2DM should maintain a healthy weight targeted at reducing both central and general obesity to enhance nephroprotection. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov., no. NCT00000620.

The Value of Ketone Bodies in the Evaluation of Kidney Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have shown that the slightly elevated circulating levels of ketone bodies (KBs) played a significant role in the treatment of various diseases. This study is aimed at investigating the association between different levels of KBs and kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A retrospective study of 955 patients with T2DM (426 women and 529 men) admitted to our hospital from December 2017 to September 2019 was conducted. Patients were divided into different groups in line with the levels of KBs (low-normal group: 0.02-0.04 mmol/L, middle-normal group: 0.05-0.08 mmol/L, high-normal group: 0.09-0.27 mmol/L, and slightly elevated group: >0.27 and <3.0 mmol/L).

RESULTS

In the present study, individuals with high-normal levels of KBs had the lowest risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and increased peak systolic velocity (PSV); those with middle-normal levels of KBs had the lowest risk of increased renal arterial resistive index (RI), with a positive correlation between increased α1-microglobulin and KB concentration. In addition, the indicators of glomerulus, renal tubules, and renal arteries were all poor with slightly elevated circulating levels of KBs, and KB concentration lower than 0.09 mmol/L can be applied as the threshold for low risk of renal function damage.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, slightly elevated circulating levels of ketone bodies are not of benefit for renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.