Achievement of treatment goals for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction or stroke in 29,325 patients with type 2 diabetes: a German/Austrian DPV-multicenter analysis

An analysis of DPV and DIVE registry patients with chronic kidney disease according to the finerenone phase III clinical trial selection criteria

BACKGROUND

The FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showed finerenone, a novel non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), reduced the risk of renal and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using RCT inclusion and exclusion criteria, we analyzed the RCT coverage for patients with T2DM and CKD in routine clinical practice in Germany.

METHODS

German patients from the DPV/DIVE registries who were ≥ 18 years, had T2DM and CKD (an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² OR eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m² and albuminuria [≥ 30 mg/g]) were included. RCT inclusion and exclusion criteria were then applied, and the characteristics of the two populations compared.

RESULTS

Overall, 65,168 patients with T2DM and CKD were identified from DPV/DIVE. Key findings were (1) Registry patients with CKD were older, less often male, and had a lower eGFR, but more were normoalbuminuric vs the RCTs. Cardiovascular disease burden was higher in the RCTs; diabetic neuropathy, lipid metabolism disorders, and peripheral arterial disease were more frequent in the registry. CKD-specific drugs (e.g., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEi] and angiotensin receptor blocker [ARBs]) were used less often in clinical practice; (2) Due to the RCT's albuminuric G1/2 to G4 CKD focus, they did not cover 28,147 (43.2%) normoalbuminuric registry patients, 4,519 (6.9%) albuminuric patients with eGFR < 25, and 6,565 (10.1%) patients with microalbuminuria but normal GFR (≥ 90 ml/min); 3) As RCTs required baseline ACEi or ARB treatment, the number of comparable registry patients was reduced to 28,359. Of these, only 12,322 (43.5%) registry patients fulfilled all trial inclusion and exclusion criteria. Registry patients that would have been eligible for the RCTs were more often male, had higher eGFR values, higher rates of albuminuria, more received metformin, and more SGLT-2 inhibitors than patients that would not be eligible.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain patient subgroups, especially non-albuminuric CKD-patients, were not included in the RCTs. Although recommended by guidelines, there was an undertreatment of CKD-patients with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers. Further research into patients with normoalbuminuric CKD and a wider prescription of RAS blocking agents for CKD patients in clinical practice appears warranted.

Achievement of the ESC recommendations for secondary prevention of cardiovascular risk factors in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes: A real-world national cohort analysis

AIM

To assess compliance with European Society of Cardiology (ESC) secondary prevention recommendations in a nationwide contemporary population with diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective observational study using linked health data in patients across Wales with DM undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (2012-2017). The follow-up was for one year. We analysed the clinical characteristics, medications, target levels for HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and blood pressure against the ESC prevention guidelines.

RESULTS

Overall, 3478 patients with diabetes had available data at 1-year post-PCI. Only 43% had HbA1c levels <53 mmol/L, but 81% had blood pressure < 140/80 (current ESC targets). Prescribing frequency of the newer hypoglycaemic agents (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) was suboptimal, with a higher rate in patients with HbA1c ≥53 mmol/mol. Only 51% & 27% of the patients had LDL-C levels <1.8 &1.4 mmol/L (2016 & 2019 guidelines recommendations respectively), and 55% & 34% had non-HDL-C levels <2.6 & 2.2 mmol/L (2016 & 2019 guidelines respectively). Of the uncontrolled LDL-C patients, 42% (2016 target) and 35% (2019 target) were prescribed high-intensity statins. Females were more likely to have LDL-C targets above the recommended level.

CONCLUSION

Achievement of ESC treatment goals in this very-high risk cohort for DM and hyperlipidaemia was far from optimal, with a low prescription rate of the guidelines-recommended therapy. Target goals for hypertension were met more frequently. An up-to-date analysis reflecting the current practice against the most recent guidelines is warranted.

International Variability of Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Europe

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes and its complications represent a huge burden to public health. With this prospective, observational cohort study, we aimed to estimate and to compare the incidence rate (IR) of renal and cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes in different European countries.

METHODS

The renal endpoint was a composite of a sustained decline in estimated GFR of at least 40%, a sustained increase in albuminuria of at least 30% including a transition in albuminuria class, progression to kidney failure with replacement therapy, or death from renal causes. The cardiovascular endpoint was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke.

RESULTS

3,131 participants from four European countries (Austria, Hungary, The Netherlands, and Scotland) with a median follow-up time of 4.4 years were included. IRs were adjusted for several risk factors including sex, age, estimated GFR, albuminuria, HbA1c, blood pressure, and duration of type 2 diabetes. Across countries, the adjusted IR for the renal endpoint was significantly higher in Hungary and Austria, and the adjusted IR for the cardiovascular endpoint was significantly higher in Scotland and Austria. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in Scotland compared to all other countries.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show how the longitudinal outcome of patients with type 2 diabetes varies significantly across European countries even after accounting for the distribution of underlying risk factors.

[Individualising antihypertensive therapy in patients with diabetes. A guideline by the Austrian Diabetes Association (update 2023)]

Hypertension is one of the most important comorbidities of diabetes, contributing significantly to death and leading to macrovascular and microvascular complications. When assessing the medical priorities for patients with diabetes, treating hypertension should be a primary consideration. In the present review practical approaches to hypertension in diabetes, including individualized targets for preventing specific complications are discussed according to current evidence and guidelines. Blood pressure values of about 130/80 mm Hg are associated with the best outcome; most importantly, at least blood pressure values < 140/90 mm Hg should be achieved in most patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers should be preferred in patients with diabetes, especially in those who also have albuminuria or coronary artery disease. Most patients with diabetes require combination therapy to achieve blood pressure goals; agents with proven cardiovascular benefit should be used (including, besides angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and alternatively angiotensin receptor blockers, dihydropyridin-calcium antagonists and thiazide diuretics), preferable in single-pill combinations. Once the target is achieved, antihypertensive drugs should be continued. Newer antidiabetic medications such as SGLT-2-inhibitors or GLP1-receptor agonists have also antihypertensive effects.

Lipid lowering therapy in primary and secondary prevention in Austria: are LDL-C goals achieved? : Results from the DA VINCI study

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death in Austria. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines recommend intensive lipid lowering therapy (LLT) in patients at high or very high CV risk. Lipid management and achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals in Austria have not recently been assessed.

Methods

Subgroup analysis for Austria of a European 18 country, cross-sectional, observational study. Patients received LLT for primary (PP) or secondary prevention (SP). Data including LLT in the preceding 12 months and most recent LDL‑C were collected during a single visit between June 2017 and November 2018. Achievement of the risk-based 2016 and 2019 ESC/EAS LDL‑C goal while receiving stabilized LLT was assessed.

Results

A total of 293 patients were enrolled from 8 Austrian sites, of which 200 (PP = 104, SP = 96) received stabilized LLT at the LDL‑C measurement date. Overall, 58% (71% PP, 43% SP) and 38% (52% PP, 23% SP) achieved the risk-based 2016 and 2019 goals, respectively. Most patients received moderate-intensity statin monotherapy (46%), while 34% used high-intensity statin monotherapy. Combination therapy of moderate/high-intensity statin with ezetimibe (12%), or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors with statin ± ezetimibe (1%), was used infrequently.

Conclusion

The current Austrian routine lipid management using mainly moderate-intensity or high-intensity statin monotherapy is insufficient to attain ESC/EAS guideline goals, in particular the more stringent 2019 recommendations, a situation comparable to other participating European countries. In addition to switching to and optimizing doses of high-intensity statins, a combination with ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors will be needed in many cases.

Supplementary Information

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-021-01978-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Do Long-Term Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Increase Susceptibility to Geriatric Syndromes in Older Adults?

Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is one of the common chronic diseases in the elderly. It is thought that long-term complications of type 2 diabetes will negatively affect the quality of life in elderly individuals. It is possible that geriatric syndromes, especially frailty syndrome, are associated with diabetic complications, too. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes on frailty and other geriatric syndromes. In addition, the effect of these complications on quality of life was also reviewed. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study for four months. Comprehensive geriatric assessment tests were done on all patients. The Fried frailty index (FFI) was used for the evaluation of frailty syndrome. We assessed malnutrition by mini nutritional assessment short-form (MNA-SF), and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria (GLIM). The EWGSOP 2 criteria were used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 22. Results: 237 females and 142 males with a mean age of 71.7 ± 6.1 years were included in the study. The frequency of macrovascular and microvascular complications was 41.4% and 68.1%, respectively. Frailty was found to be associated with macrovascular complications (p = 0.003). Handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, and gait speed were decreased in the presence of macrovascular complications (p = 0.043, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). QoL was also decreased in patients with macrovascular complications (p = 0.003). Nutritional status and handgrip strength were negatively affected in patients with diabetic neuropathy (p = 0.019, p = 0.014). Polypharmacy was also found to be associated with macrovascular complications (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Macrovascular complications were 2.5 times more common in malnourished patients according to GLIM and 3.2 times more common in patients with decreased gait speed. Conclusion: In this study, we observed that both macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes increase susceptibility to geriatric syndromes in elderly individuals. It could be useful to conduct prospective studies in which we can compare the effectiveness of treatment methods on this subject.

Guideline Adherence and Associated Outcomes in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With an Incident Cardiovascular Comorbidity: An Analysis Based on a Large German Claims Dataset

INTRODUCTION

According to current guidelines, appropriate drug treatment is the backbone of the effective management of cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of real-world adherence to these guideline recommendations and to identify whether poor guideline adherence is associated with worse clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In this retrospective German claims data analysis (AOK PLUS dataset), patients with T2DM with an incident diagnosis (index date) of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure or coronary artery disease were observed for 12 months between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017. We assessed guideline adherence per observed CV disease combination at three levels: "green" if patients received prescriptions of all recommended medications with > 185 defined daily doses (DDDs) per observed patient-year; "yellow" if patients received at least two prescriptions of at least one of the recommended medications; and "red" if patients did not receive at least two prescriptions of at least one of the recommended medications. The impact of the assignment of a patient to one of these three levels on all-cause mortality and CV risk was analyzed based on multivariable Cox regression analyses and reported as adjusted hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

We identified 32,916 patients with T2DM with an incident CV comorbidity (mean age 75.0 years, 54.2% female, Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]: 5.5). Observed patients received at least 185 DDDs of the following medication classes in the 12 months before/after the index date: vitamin K antagonists (6%/6%); antiplatelet drugs (9%/27%); novel oral anticoagulants (3%/13%); diuretics (48%/54%); beta blockers (31%/35%); calcium-channel blockers (34%/32%); renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (69%/68%); and lipid-modifying agents (19%/37%). When post-index therapy was compared to guideline recommendations, the level of "guideline adherence" was classified as "green" for 14.4% of the patients, "yellow" for 75.2% and "red" for 10.5%. An assignment of "red" was associated with worse CV outcomes in all analyses. Regarding mortality, in addition to one additional year of age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04), CCI (HR 1.17), use of insulins (HR 1.25), digitalis glycosides (HR 1.52) and diuretics (HR 1.32), non-adherence to guideline recommendations ("red": HR 6.79; "yellow": HR: 1.30) was a significant predictor for early death, while female gender (HR 0.79), the participation in a disease management program (HR 0.69) and the use of antidiabetics other than insulin (HR 0.74) were generally associated with a reduced risk.

CONCLUSION

Only a minority of patients with T2DM and an incident CV comorbidity receive a treatment fully adherent with guideline recommendations. This may contribute to high mortality rates in this population in clinical practice.

A retrospective cohort study examining secondary prevention post stroke in primary care in an Asian setting

Background

Stroke is one of the top contributors to burden of disability-adjusted life-years worldwide. Family physicians have key role in optimising secondary prevention following stroke by managing clinical risk factors and promoting overall control in accordance with clinical practice guidelines.

Methods

Our objectives were: (i) to examine level of overall risk factor control together with control of singular risk factors one-year after an index-stroke event in individuals attending primary care facility and (ii) to describe factors associated with satisfactory risk factors control in individuals following stroke.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

We conducted a study looking retrospectively at records from our electronic chronic disease database. Our study included individuals following stroke who visited primary care setting in Singapore between January 2012 to December 2016.

Results

There were 24,240 individuals in our study. Overall control was better in individuals without diabetes following stroke (49.2%) as compared to those with diabetes (28.1%).

Among individuals without diabetes following stroke, factors significantly associated with overall control were sex (male) [OR (reference: female): 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.39], ethnicity (Malay) [OR (reference: Chinese): 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.90], BMI (high risk) [OR (reference: low risk): 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.84) and atrial fibrillation [OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.78].

Among individuals with diabetes following stroke, factors significantly associated with overall control were sex (male) [OR (reference: female): 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.46], ethnicity (Malay) [OR (reference: Chinese): 0.81, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.99], ethnicity (Indian) [OR (reference: Chinese): 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.88], BMI (high risk) [OR (reference: low risk): 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.84), BMI (moderate risk) [OR (reference: low risk): 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.98), atrial fibrillation [OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.51], chronic kidney disease [OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.72] and smoking status [OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.88].

Conclusion

We reported sub-optimal level of overall control. Among individuals following stroke, those with diabetes had higher proportion of sub-optimal control as compared to those without diabetes. Irrespective of diabetic status, being female, having high BMI, and of Malay ethnicity as compared to Chinese ethnicity were associated with poorer overall risk factor control.

National diabetes registries: do they make a difference?

AIMS

The global epidemic of diabetes mellitus continues to expand, including its large impact on national health care. Measuring diabetes outcomes and their causes of variation highlights areas for improvement in care and efficiency gains; large registries carry this potential. By means of a systematic review, we aimed to give an overview of national registries worldwide by quantifying their data and assessing their influence on diabetes care.

METHODS

The literature on MEDLINE up to March 31, 2020, was searched, using keywords diabetes mellitus, national, registry, registration, and/or database. National disease-specific registries from corresponding articles were included. Database characteristics and clinical variables were obtained. All registries were compared to the ICHOM standard set of outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 12 national clinical diabetes registries, comprising a total of 7,181,356 diabetic patients worldwide. Nearly all registries recorded weight, HbA1c, lipid profile, and insulin treatment; the recording of other variables varied to a great extent. Overall, registries corresponded fairly well with the ICHOM set. Most registries proved to monitor and improve the quality of diabetes care using guidelines as a benchmark. The effects on national healthcare policy were more variable and often less clear.

CONCLUSIONS

National diabetes registries confer clear insights into diagnostics, complications, and treatment. The extent to which registries influenced national healthcare policy was less clear. A globally implemented standard outcome set has the potential to improve concordance between national registries, enhance the comparison and exchange of diabetes outcomes, and allocate resources and interventions where most needed.

Differences in Importance Attached to Drug Effects Between Patients With Type 2 Diabetes From the Netherlands and Turkey: A Preference Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the importance that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from the Netherlands and Turkey attach to certain drug effects of oral anti-diabetic drugs. Methods: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey containing demographic questions and a discrete choice experiment assessing preferences for oral anti-diabetic drugs. Adults from the Netherlands and Turkey were included if they had type 2 diabetes mellitus and had received a prescription of an oral anti-diabetic drug in the last 4 months. The oral anti-diabetic drugs in the discrete choice experiment were described in terms of six attributes: effects on HbA1c, cardiovascular diseases, weight change, gastrointestinal adverse drug events hypoglycemic events, and bladder cancer. Multinomial logit models with country as an interaction factor were fitted. Results: In total, 381 patients were included, 199 from the Netherlands and 182 from Turkey. Patients' preferences toward drug effects varied between the countries. Turkish patients attached the highest importance to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (relative weight: 0.51, 95% CI 0.45-0.55), followed by reducing hypoglycemic events (relative weight: 0.16, 95% CI 0.11-0.22), and reducing gastrointestinal adverse drug events (relative weight: 0.11, 95% CI 0.07-0.18). Patients from the Netherlands attached the highest importance to gastrointestinal ADEs (relative weight: 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.39), followed by reducing hypoglycemic events (relative weight: 0.22, 95% CI 0.16-0.25), and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (relative weight: 0.20, 95% CI 0.13-0.23). Conclusion: Patient preferences may differ across countries. Such differences should be acknowledged in regulatory decisions and clinical practice.

Renal function deterioration in adult patients with type-2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

To explore, in a large group of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DM), renal function decline in terms of the slope of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time, and to find out how classical risk factors, such as the presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia and microalbuminuria, affect the renal function.

METHODS

The analysis included 32,492 adult T2DM patients from the DIVE/DPV registries who had serial eGFR determinations and information on the presence of microalbuminuria, hypertension and dyslipidemia available.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean age of 66.3 years, 52.6% were male with a mean BMI of 31.7 kg/m2. The mean eGFR was 78.4 ± 21.4 mL/min/1.73m2. The results showed that the prevalence of renal function impairment understood as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considerable (53.0%) in a population of patients with T2DM and has a high incidence rate of 6.6% within a year. Serial determinations of the eGFR are, however, infrequent (7.8% of all patients) and these patients are characterised by the presence of a high-risk profile for CKD, such as hypertension (88.1%) and dyslipidemia (66.1%). Over a three-year time period, 30.9% of the patients had an eGFR slope of -12 mL/min/1.73m2 or more; and more than a doubled proportion of patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (3.8% vs. 1.8%; p < 0.001). Hypertension and albuminuria contributed to renal function decline while dyslipidemia did not negatively affect the slope.

CONCLUSION

CKD is highly prevalent in patients with T2DM. Serial surveillance of the glomerular filtration rate is, however, not established in clinical practice, which would be necessary as indicated by a doubling of patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 within 3 years. Moreover, the use of renin-angiotensin blocking agents was low, pointing at considerable room for improvement. Taken together we conclude that a closer surveillance of patients with diabetes based on the presence of further risk factors is mandatory combined with a mandatory prescription of RAS blocking agents once microalbuminuria and / or renal function deterioration develops.

The DIVE/DPV registries: evolution of empagliflozin use in clinical practice in Germany

INTRODUCTION

Empagliflozin reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical trials. A registry study was undertaken to describe evolution of patient characteristics and assess the real-world effectiveness/safety of empagliflozin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data from the Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV)/Diabetes Versorgungsevaluation (DIVE) registries on 9571 adults with T2DM (registered in 2014-2019) receiving empagliflozin were used. Patients were grouped according to the following: early users (group 1; n=505) received empagliflozin before the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study publication (mid-September 2015); intermediate users (group 2; n=2961) started empagliflozin after the EMPA-REG OUTCOME publication but before the European Medicines Agency label change (from mid-September 2015 to mid-January 2017); and late users (group 3; n=6105) started empagliflozin after mid-January 2017. Data on clinical and treatment characteristics were collected.

RESULTS

Over time, the proportion of recipients aged <65 years decreased (71.1% vs 54.4% among early and late adopters), male patients increased (from 50.9% to 66.5%), body mass index (mean±SD) decreased (from 35.5±6.7 to 32.7±6.6 kg/m2), proportion with cardiovascular morbidities increased (from 20.4% to 26.4%), and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased (from 83.2±19.5 to 78.5±21.1 mL/min/1.73 m2) (all p<0.001). Patients increasingly received empagliflozin in combination with metformin (60.8% vs 68.6% of early and late adopters; p<0.001), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (11.0 vs 14.1%; p<0.001) or insulin (34.3% vs 49.9%; p<0.001). Empagliflozin was generally added to existing antidiabetic regimens. Six months after empagliflozin initiation, the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased by 0.4%, the proportion of patients with HbA1c <6.5% increased (19.2% vs 12.8%), and the mean fasting plasma glucose decreased (155.8±49.7 vs 168.0±55.1 mg/dL) (all p<0.001). No significant changes in rates of severe hypoglycemia and no cases of diabetic ketoacidosis were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Over time, empagliflozin is being prescribed to a broader patient range in routine practice, is usually added to existing antidiabetic regimens, and is increasingly used in combination with metformin, GLP-1 agonists and/or insulin. Empagliflozin had a beneficial effect on glycemic control, with no increase in hypoglycemia.

Risk of coronary artery disease according to glucose abnormality status and prior coronary artery disease in Japanese men

OBJECTIVE

Although glucose abnormality status (GAS), prior coronary artery disease (CAD), and other traditional risk factors affect the incidence of subsequent CAD, their impact in the same cohort has been scantly studied.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed data from a nationwide claims database in Japan that was accumulated during 2008-2016 involving 138,162 men aged 18-72 years. Participants were classified as having normoglycemia, borderline glycemia, or diabetes mellitus (DM) with prior CAD (CAD+) or without prior CAD (CAD-). Cox regression model identified variables related to the incidence of CAD.

RESULTS

Among CAD-, management of traditional risks differed from those with and without subsequent CAD events. On the other hand, such differences were weaker in borderline glycemia and DM CAD+, and the influence of traditional risk factors on subsequent CAD was not observed. Cox regression model showed that borderline glycemia and DM confer approximately 1.2- and 2.8-fold excess risks of CAD, respectively, compared with CAD- with normoglycemia. CAD+ confers approximately a 5- to 8-fold increased risk. The impacts of DM and prior CAD additively reached a hazard ratio (HR) of 15.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.82-21.00). However, the HR in those with borderline glycemia and CAD+ was 7.20 (95% CI: 5.01-10.34), which was not different from those with normoglycemia and CAD+.

CONCLUSION

Control status of traditional risk factors and impact on subsequent CAD differ among categories of glycemic status with and without prior CAD. Individualizing treatment strategies is needed in consideration of risk factors, such as GAS and CAD+.

[Individualising antihypertensive therapy in patients with diabetes. A guideline by the Austrian Diabetes Association (Update 2019)]

Hypertension is one of the most important comorbidities of diabetes, contributing significantly to death and leads to macrovascular and microvascular complications. When assessing the medical priorities for patients with diabetes, treating hypertension should be a primary consideration. In the present review practical approaches to hypertension in diabetes, including individualized targets for preventing specific complications are discussed according to current studies and guidelines. According to recent studies, blood pressure values of about 130/80 mm Hg are associated with the best outcome. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are the most effective drugs for treating hypertension in diabetes. Calcium antagonists or diuretics are acceptable as second-line agents. Once the target is achieved, antihypertensive drugs should be continued. Newer antidiabetic medications such as SGLT-2-inhibitors or GLP1-receptor agonists have also antihypertensive effects.

Characteristics of Patients with Type-1 or Type-2 Diabetes Receiving Insulin Glargine U300: An Analysis of 7268 Patients Based on the DPV and DIVE Registries

INTRODUCTION

Insulin glargine 300 U/ml (U300) was registered based on the EDITION clinical trial program. The aim of this database analysis was to describe the profile of adult U300 recipients with type-1 (T1DM) or type-2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

The analysis was based on data from the German DIVE/DPV registries. Patients were sampled in May (DIVE) and in March 2018 (DPV) and divided into those who commenced U300 within the 1st year (early adopters) or 2nd year (late adopters). Patients were further compared to patients receiving U100 during the same time period.

RESULTS

Among 581,519 adult patients contained in the databases, 7268 with either T1 or T2DM received U300 and 22,050 U100. Baseline characteristics of U300 and U100 recipients did not differ substantially in both types of diabetes. Patients with T2DM had many risk factors and comorbidities. The median HbA1c (both T1DM and T2DM, 8.1% for U300 and 7.9 and 8.3% for U100) and fasting blood glucose values were similar at baseline. Severe hypoglycemia was less prevalent in T2DM and among recipients of U300 (3.1 vs. 3.9%), whereas in T1DM the rate was higher (10.6 vs. 10.1%). There were minor, but clinically probably irrelevant, differences in age and BMI for T1DM and T2DM between the first and second years. Patients with T2DM being initiated in the second year had a higher HbA1c value (8.6 vs. 8.3%) than those initiated during the first year. Patients in clinical practice showed substantially higher HbA1c values in both T1DM and T2DM, and doses used were lower than those reported from the EDITION trial program. U300 patients had a longer diabetes duration (T1 and T2DM), a higher BMI and received higher basal insulin doses (T1 and T2DM) compared to U100. While HbA1c was comparable, the rate of severe hypoglycemia under U300 was reduced in T2DM but not T1DM with or without adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics in T2DM.

CONCLUSION

The data confirm the clinical profile documented for U300 in the EDITION studies during the first years of its registration. In an unselected patient population, there was a lesser rate of severe hypoglycemia but at a comparable HbA1c.

FUNDING

German Centre for Diabetes Research (DZD) (01GI1106), the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) and the German Diabetes Society (DDG). The DIVE registry (organized as Diabetes Agenda 2010 GmbH, Berlin, Germany) received funding from Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Abbott and was conducted under the auspices of diabetesDE.

Patient and disease characteristics of type-2 diabetes patients with or without chronic kidney disease: an analysis of the German DPV and DIVE databases

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the characteristics of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Germany.

METHODS

Using combined DPV/DIVE registry data, the analysis included patients with T2DM at least ≥ 18 years old who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value available. CKD was defined as an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and albuminuria (≥ 30 mg/g). Median values of the most recent treatment year per patient are reported.

RESULTS

Among 343,675 patients with T2DM 171,930 had CKD. Patients with CKD had a median eGFR of 48.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 51.2% had a urinary albumin level ≥ 30 mg/g. They were older, had a longer diabetes duration and a higher proportion was females compared to patients without CKD (all p < 0.001). More than half of CKD patients (53.5%) were receiving long-acting insulin-based therapy versus around 39.1% of those without (p < 0.001). CKD patients also had a higher rate of hypertension (79.4% vs 72.0%; p < 0.001). The most common antihypertensive drugs among CKD patients were renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors 33.8%, angiotensin receptor blockers 14.2%) and diuretics (40.2%). CKD patients had a higher rate of dyslipidemia (88.4% vs 86.3%) with higher triglyceride levels (157.9 vs 151.0 mg/dL) and lower HDL-C levels (men: 40.0 vs 42.0 mg/dL; women: 46.4 vs 50.0 mg/dL) (all p < 0.001) and a higher rate of hyperkalemia (> 5.5 mmol/L: 3.7% vs. 1.0%). Comorbidities were more common among CKD patients (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results illustrate the prevalence and morbidity burden associated with diabetic kidney disease in patients with T2DM in Germany. The data call for more attention to the presence of chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes, should trigger intensified risk factor control up and beyond the control of blood glucose and HbA1c in these patients. They may also serve as a trigger for future investigations into this patient population asking for new treatment options to be developed.

Guidelines and clinical practice at the primary level of healthcare in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without kidney disease in five European countries

BACKGROUND

The number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus-associated chronic kidney disease varies considerably between countries. Next to differences in genetic as well as life style risk factors, varying practices in medical care delivery might cause this diversity.

METHOD

The PROVALID study recruited 4000 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the primary level of healthcare in five European countries (Austria, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland and Scotland). Baseline data were used to describe patient characteristics and compare the adherence to ADA (American Diabetes Association) and KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines with respect to metabolic and blood pressure control, use of renin-angiotensin system-blocking agents, statins and acetylsalicylic acid between the countries.

RESULTS

About 34.8% of the population had evidence of diabetes mellitus-associated chronic kidney disease. The median HbA1c level of the cohort was 6.8% (ranging from 6.5 in Poland to 7.0% in Scotland). Mean blood pressure was 136/79 (±17/10) and significantly higher in subjects with elevated albuminuria. These individuals also were more often treated with renin-angiotensin system-blocking agents (74.1% vs 84.6%), whereas the use of statins was driven by cardiovascular comorbidity. Acetylsalicylic acid was used in only 28.9% subjects. Despite similar cardiovascular comorbidities and renal function, the use of renin-angiotensin system-blocking agents varied significantly between the countries from 66.7% to 87.4%. An even higher variability was observed for patients >40 years of age using statins (39.8%-82.7%) and administration of acetylsalicylic acid in patients older than 50 years (5.2%-43.8%).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that medical practice in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without renal disease is different in European countries. Longitudinal follow-up will reveal if this diversity affects clinical endpoints.

Regional differences in type 2 diabetes treatment and outcomes in Germany-An analysis of the German DPV and DIVE registries

AIMS

On the basis of the Diabetes Versorgungs-Evaluation (DIVE) and Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV) datasets, we aimed to explore the impact of differences in treatment modalities on outcomes in Germany and put these into a global context.

METHODS

The 2014 to 2016 DIVE and DPV databases were combined, and a total of 127 838 patients 18 years and older was analysed with respect to demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes, separately for each German state. Estimates were expressed as adjusted least squares means together with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Saarland dataset recorded the lowest mean HbA_1c (6.7%; 6.6%-6.8%; 50 mmol/mol, 49-51 mmol/mol), Saxony-Anhalt showed the highest (8.3%; 8.2%-8.3%; 67 mmol/mol, 66-67 mmol/mol). The highest percentage of hypoglycaemic events was reported in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania (MWP) (4.7%; 3.9%-5.7%), the lowest in Thuringia (0.9%; 0.2%-3.4%). Metformin and sulfonylurea accounted for 36.4% to 53.3% of anti-diabetic treatments across states; other antihyperglycaemic drugs such as DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 analogues were used most often in MWP (40.0%; 37.8%-42.1%) and least in Rhineland-Palatinate (13.6%; 13.0%-14.2%). Treatment with insulin (alone or in combination) was reported most often in MWP (78.2%; 76.4%-80.0%) and least in Thuringia (26.0%; 20.1%-32.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Federal states in Germany are heterogeneous concerning diabetes treatment and associated outcomes. These data should stimulate further discussion about how optimal diabetes care can be implemented in all areas of Germany, to achieve good treatment outcomes in all federal states.

Diabetic foot syndrome in patients with diabetes. A multicenter German/Austrian DPV analysis on 33 870 patients

AIMS

The diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a serious complication in patients with diabetes increasing the risk for minor/major amputations. This analysis aimed to examine differences in diabetes patients with or without DFS stratified by type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult patients (≥20y of age) with diabetes from the German/Austrian diabetes patients follow-up registry (DPV) were included. The cross-sectional study comprised 45 722 subjects with T1D (n_DFS  = 2966) and 313 264 with T2D (n_DFS  = 30 904). In DFS, minor/major amputations were analysed. To compare HbA_1C , neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and macrovascular complications between patients with or without DFS, regression models were conducted. Confounders: age, sex, diabetes duration.

RESULTS

In patients with DFS, a minor amputation was documented in 27.2% (T1D) and 25.9% (T2D), a major amputation in 10.2% (T1D) and 11.3% (T2D). Regression models revealed that neuropathy was more frequent in subjects with DFS compared with patients without DFS (T1D: 70.7 vs 29.8%; T2D: 59.4% vs 36.9%; both P < 0.0001). Hypertension, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, or myocardial infarction was more common compared with patients without DFS (all P < 0.0001). In T1D with DFS, a slightly higher HbA_1C (8.11% vs 7.95%; P < 0.0001) and in T2D with DFS a lower HbA_1C (7.49% vs 7.69%; P < 0.0001) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

One third of the patients with DFS had an amputation of the lower extremity. Especially neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease was more prevalent in patients with DFS. New concepts to prevent DFS-induced amputations and to reduce cardiovascular risk factors before the occurrence of DFS are necessary.

Dissimilar impact of type 2 diabetes on cardiovascular outcomes according to age categories: a nationwide population study from Hungary

Background

The excess risks of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is well known. In this nationwide study, we assessed risks of mortality and cardiovascular events comparing patients with T2DM and matched controls.

Methods

We identified patients with T2DM in a retrospective cohort study using the database of the National Health Insurance Fund between 1 January 2010 and 31 December, 2013. Controls were randomly included and matched according to age, gender, and zip code of residence. Patients were divided into subgroups according to age decades for outcome analyses.

Results

During the mean follow-up period of 2.3 years, 152,678 patients with T2DM and 305,356 matched controls were included. Patients with T2DM showed significantly higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.22–1.29, p < 0.0001), myocardial infarction (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.69–1.94, p < 0.0001) and stroke (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.35–1.46, p < 0.0001) compared to matched controls. The higher risk associated with T2DM for mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke differed significantly between age groups (p_interaction < 0.05 for all outcomes) with significantly higher risk observed in younger patients.

Conclusions

The risk of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality is significantly higher in patients with T2DM. Notably, the relative hazard increases with decreasing age suggesting that younger patients with T2DM should receive more attention for cardiovascular prevention.

Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Diabetic Patients Taking β-Blockers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between use of β-blockers and all-cause mortality in patients with and without diabetes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010, we conducted a prospective cohort study. The study participants were followed-up from the survey participation date until December 31, 2011. We used a Cox proportional hazards model for all-cause mortality analysis. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of the participants taking β-blockers were compared with those of the participants not taking β-blockers.

RESULTS

This study included 2840 diabetic participants and 14,684 nondiabetic participants. Compared with diabetic participants not taking a β-blocker, all-cause mortality was significantly higher in diabetic participants taking any β-blocker (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.09-2.04; P=.01), taking a β₁-selective β-blocker (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.13-2.24; P=.007), or taking a specific β-blocker (bisoprolol, metoprolol, and carvedilol) (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.09-2.21; P=.01). In addition, all-cause mortality in diabetic participants with coronary heart disease (CHD) was significantly higher in those taking beta-blockers, compared with those not taking beta-blockers (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.08-2.48; P=.02), whereas that in non-diabetic participants with CHD was significantly lower in those taking beta-blockers (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50-0.94; P=.02). A propensity score-matched Cox proportional hazards model yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

Use of β-blockers may be associated with an increased risk of mortality for patients with diabetes and among the subset who have CHD.

Individualised treatment targets in patients with type-2 diabetes and hypertension

Aim

Patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at high risk of cardiovascular events, accentuated in the presence of hypertension. At present, it is unclear to what extent the guidelines for the management of T2DM, advocating reduction in HbA1c levels to below target levels, are being adhered to in clinical practice.

Methods

DIALOGUE was a prospective, observational, non‐interventional registry performed across multiple centres in Germany. Patients aged 18 years or older who had T2DM and hypertension for whom the treating physician considered blood glucose lowering medication as inadequate and/or not safe/tolerable and chose to add a further oral drug or switch drug treatment were included. Patients were assigned a treatment target HbA1c value (≤ 6.5% [strict]; > 6.5 to ≤ 7.0% [intermediate]; > 7.0 to ≤ 7.5% [lenient]).

Results

8568 patients with T2DM and hypertension were enrolled. 6691 (78.1%) had 12-month follow-up. Patients who were assigned a strict HbA1c treatment target (n = 2644) were younger, had shorter diabetes duration, and less comorbidity in comparison to those with intermediate (n = 2912) or lenient targets (n = 1135). Only 53.1% of patients achieved their HbA1c treatment target (46.2% [strict], 56.8% [intermediate], 59.4% [lenient]). There was little sign of treatment intensification for patients that had not achieved their HbA1c target.

Conclusions

Achievement of treatment targets was poor, leaving many patients with sub-optimal blood glucose levels. The apparent reluctance of physicians to intensify antidiabetic drug therapy is alarming, especially considering the evidence pointing to an association of hyperglycaemia and microvascular complications in patients with T2DM.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-018-0661-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Giant Geriatric Syndromes Are Intensified by Diabetic Complications

By 2015, diabetes has affected more than 415 million people over the world. It is anticipated that 640 million adults will suffer from diabetes in 2040. The elongation of the life expectancy, as the result of better general health care, extends also the time when diabetic complications may develop together with other senility-specific problems. The Giant Geriatric Syndromes (Geriatric Giants) have been qualified by the original Nascher's criteria defined more than 100 years ago, but they are becoming more and more relevant in connection with the aging of societies. The criteria comprise the older age, commonness of the health problem, multifactorial etiology, functional or cognitive impairment, worsened outcome, and increased morbidity and mortality. We described the impact of diabetes on Geriatric Giants including cognitive dysfunction, depression, malnutrition, incontinence, falls and fractures, chronic pain, and the loss of senses. The association of diabetes with Geriatric Giants reveals as a vicious circle with the background of neurovascular complications. However, diabetes influence on the incidence of cancer in elderly was also discussed, since neoplastic diseases associate with Geriatric Giants, for example, chronic pain and depression. The knowledge about these aspects of functional decline in geriatric population is crucial to improve patient care.

Suboptimal control of lipid levels: results from the non-interventional Centralized Pan-Russian Survey of the Undertreatment of Hypercholesterolemia II (CEPHEUS II)

Background

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are risk factors for cardiovascular complications. This study evaluated LDL-C goal attainment in Russian clinical practice among patients with moderate to very high cardiovascular risk. The study also assessed LDL-C goal attainment in patients prescribed lipid-lowering therapy for primary compared with secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, predictors of LDL-C goal attainment, and the proportion of individuals with diabetes mellitus who achieved HbA1c < 7%.

Methods

The Centralized Pan-Russian Survey on the Undertreatment of Hypercholesterolemia in Russia II (CEPHEUS II) was a multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study conducted in the Russian Federation from September 2014 to November 2015. Participants were aged ≥ 18 years, were receiving a stable dose of lipid-lowering medication and had a moderate to very high cardiovascular risk. The primary variable was the proportion of patients reaching LDL-C goals established by the Fifth Joint European Task Force guidelines. Secondary analyses used McNemar and χ² tests.

Results

Data from 2703 patients were analyzed; 91.2% had a very high cardiovascular risk and 24.0% had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Overall, 17.4% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.9–18.8%) achieved LDL-C goals. Investigators estimated this proportion at 21.8% (95% CI 20.3–23.4%). LDL-C goals were achieved by more patients in the primary CVD prevention subgroup than in the secondary CVD prevention subgroup (19.7% vs 16.1%, p = 0.017). Patient-related factors associated with a decreased likelihood of achieving LDL-C goals included having ischemic heart disease or a family history of premature coronary heart disease, forgetting to take hypercholesterolemia treatment or considering it acceptable to miss prescribed doses more than once per week, and dissatisfaction with or concern about lipid-lowering therapy. Overall, 367/593 (61.9%) patients with diabetes mellitus and interpretable HbA1c results achieved HbA1c < 7%.

Conclusions

Hypercholesterolemia management is suboptimal in patients with moderate to very high cardiovascular risk in Russian clinical practice. Substantial opportunity remains to improve treatment target attainment and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Lipid-modifying strategies may need to be intensified to reduce CVD risk in this setting.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02230241 (registered 26 August 2014)

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-017-0641-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Spectrophotometry and Ultracentrifugation for Measurement of Plasma Lipids in Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus

Background

There are conflicting reports of plasma lipoprotein lipid content in dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Objectives

To determine lipoprotein lipid content of plasma of dogs with DM by spectrophotometry and ultracentrifugation; to compare lipoprotein lipid content in diabetic and healthy dogs; and to quantify apolipoprotein B‐100 (ApoB) in dogs with DM.

Animals

22 dogs with DM and 9 healthy dogs.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations were measured by spectrophotometry. Very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations were calculated after ultracentrifugation. Non‐HDL‐C cholesterol was calculated by subtracting HDL‐C from TC. ApoB was quantified by ELISA. The Mann‐Whitney test was used for comparison of median lipoprotein concentrations, and Spearman's correlation was used to assess associations between ApoB and lipoprotein fractions.

Results

All values are reported in mg/dL. Median TG (122), TC (343.5), HDL‐C, (200), VLDL‐C, (27) LDL‐C (68), non‐HDL‐C (114), and ApoB (320) were significantly higher in dogs with DM, compared to healthy dogs (57, 197, 168, 12, 16, 31, and 258, respectively, P‐values 0.0079, <0.001, 0.029, 0.011, <0.001, <0.001, 0.025, respectively). A significant association was found between ApoB and LDL‐C (Spearman's rho = 0.41, P = 0.022) and between ApoB and non‐HDL‐C (Spearman's rho = 0.40, P = 0.027).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dyslipidemia of dogs with DM is characterized by pronounced increases in LDL‐C and non‐HDL‐C concentrations, although all lipoprotein fractions are significantly increased. Knowledge of specific lipoprotein fraction alterations in dogs with DM can enhance treatment options for diabetic dyslipidemia in dogs.

Lean diabetes in middle-aged adults: A joint analysis of the German DIVE and DPV registries

AIMS

To assess differences in demographics, treatment and outcome of lean (LD) compared to overweight and obese people with diabetes clinically classified as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We combined data from the German DIVE (Diabetes Versorgungs-Evaluation) and DPV (Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation) databases to produce a large cohort of people with T2DM. The characteristics of people with Body Mass Index (BMI) <25 kg/m2, ≥25-30 kg/m2 and ≥30 kg/m2 aged 30 to 50 years were compared, including demographics, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, comorbidities and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 37,870 people were included in the analysis, 3,191 of these (8.4%) had a BMI < 25 kg/m2. LD reported more nicotine (41.6% of 2,070 vs. 38.1% of 6,070 and 33.4% of 16,823; P<0.001)and alcohol consumption (12.0% of 1,282, 10.3% of 3,594 and 6.6% of 9,418; P<0.001)compared to overweight and obese people. More LD were treated with insulin in comparison to the other subgroups (short acting insulin 33.1% of 3,191 vs. 28.4% of 9,234 and 28.0% of 25,445; P <0.001; long acting insulin 31.3% of 3,191 vs. 28.9% of 9,234 and 29.3% of 25,445; P = 0.043). Regression models adjusted for age, gender and diabetes duration showed a 2.50 times higher odds ratio (OR) for hypoglycemia and a 2.52 higher OR for mortality in LD compared to the BMI subgroup ≥30 kg/m2.

CONCLUSIONS

LD is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia and death. Patients are characterized by male gender, lifestyle habits as smoking and alcohol consumption while cardiovascular comorbidities are less important. In comparison to patients of the other weight groups they are treated with insulin more often and considerably less with metformin.

Hemoglobin A1c is associated with severity of coronary artery stenosis but not with long term clinical outcomes in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are known to present with multiple vessel lesions during coronary angiography. The underlying mechanism remains elusive and there is a shortage of serum prediction markers. In this study, we investigate the relationship between admission HbA_1c and severity of coronary artery stenosis and subsequent prognosis in AMI patients with or without diabetes.

Research design and methods

We measured admission HbA_1c, and vessel scores based on the number of diseased coronary vessels with significant stenosis in 628 patients diagnosed with AMI. Simple and multi-regression analysis were performed to investigate the correlation between HbA_1c and the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including new-onset myocardial infarction, acute heart failure and cardiac death, were documented during the follow-up. 272 non-DM participants and 137 DM participants were separated into two groups based on HbA_1c levels for survival analysis during a 2-year follow up.

Results

448 non-DM patients and 180 DM patients were included in the initial observational analysis. 272 non-DM patients and 137 DM patients were included in the follow-up survival analysis. The admission HbA_1c level was found to be significantly positively correlated to the number of affected vessels suffering from significant coronary artery stenosis both in DM (R square = 0.012; 95% CI 0.002 to 0.623, P = 0.049) and non DM patients (R square = 0.025; 95% CI 0.009 to 0.289, P = 0.037). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed no significant difference with regard to different HbA_1c levels either in DM or non-DM patients at the end of follow-up.

Conclusions

In patients with AMI, admission HbA_1c is an important predictor for the severity of coronary artery stenosis in non-DM and DM patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether longer term follow-up could further identify the prognosis effect of HbA_1c on MACE.

Real-life experience of patients starting insulin degludec. A multicenter analysis of 1064 subjects from the German/Austrian DPV registry

BACKGROUND

The long-acting insulin analogue degludec is a therapeutic option for patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim of this analysis was to investigate differences in clinical characteristics of patients before and after initiating degludec use in a cohort of German/Austrian patients.

METHODS

1064 subjects with T1D/T2D and documented degludec use from the Diabetes-Patient-Follow-Up (DPV) registry were included. The follow-up cohort (n=421) comprised patients with available data before and 3-15months after switching to degludec. A t-test for paired values was implemented to compare rates of severe hypoglycaemia, and mean values for HbA_1C, BMI, basal insulin dose/kg bodyweight/day, and the number of basal insulin injections/day before and after switching to degludec Results were stratified by type of diabetes. In T1D, subgroup analyses were conducted (age, sex, basal insulin used before switching). P<0.05 was considered significant.

FINDINGS

In T1D (n=360), basal insulin dose (0.43±0.17 to 0.38±0.13IU) and the number of basal injections/day (1.7±0.6 to 1.1±0.3) decreased whereas BMI increased from 23.2±4.8 to 24.0±5.0kg/m² (all p<0.0001) after switching to degludec. No significant changes were observed regarding rates of severe hypoglycaemia or HbA_1C-values. Findings were comparable for subgroups. In T2D (n=61), basal insulin dose (0.41±0.23 to 0.38±0.21; p=0.1730) and the number of basal injections/day (1.3±0.4 to 1.1±0.3; p=0.0097) decreased after switching to degludec. HbA_1C improved from 7.9±1.6 to 7.1±1.5% (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The DPV registry provides data from real-life diabetes care. Our analysis predominantly confirmed results from clinical trials and provides additional information complementing the clinical study program of degludec.

The Protective Effect of Apigenin on Myocardial Injury in Diabetic Rats mediating Activation of the PPAR-γ Pathway

We substantiated the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) activation in the protective effect of apigenin against the myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). The study groups included diabetic rats receiving vehicle, apigenin (75 mg/kg/day, orally), GW9662 (1 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), and a combination of apigenin and GW9662 for 14 days. The MI was induced in all the study groups except the diabetic control group by subcutaneous injection of 100 mg/kg/day of isoproterenol on the two terminal days. The diabetes and isoproterenol-induced MI was evident as a reduction in the maximal positive and negative rate of developed left ventricular pressure and an increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The activities of creatine kinase on myocardial bundle (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also reduced. Apigenin treatment prevented the hemodynamic perturbations, restored the left ventricular function and reinstated a balanced redox status. It protected rats against an MI by attenuating myonecrosis, edema, cell death, and oxidative stress. GW9662, a PPAR-γ antagonist reversed the myocardial protection conferred by apigenin. Further, an increase in the PPAR-γ expression in the myocardium of the rats receiving apigenin reinforces the role of PPAR-γ pathway activation in the cardioprotective effects of apigenin.

Dyslipidaemia and its treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes: A joint analysis of the German DIVE and DPV registries

AIMS

To compare lipid abnormalities in people with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to assess the effect of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We combined data from the German DIVE (DIabetes Versorgungs-Evaluation) and DPV (Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation) databases to produce a large cohort of people with T2DM. The characteristics of people receiving and not receiving lipid-modifying therapy (LMT) were compared, including demographics, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and comorbidities. Lipid profiles were evaluated, and the achievement of recommended LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol targets was assessed. The effect on lipid levels in subgroups of patients aged ≥60 years, being obese or with CV disease was also investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 363 949 people were included in the analysis. Of these, only 97 160 (26.7%) were receiving LMT. These individuals were older than those not receiving LMT, and comorbidities were more prevalent. Statins were the most commonly used agents (84.2%), with ezetimibe, fibrates and nicotinic acid taken by a small proportion of people. The median LDL cholesterol level was lower for the LMT group (100.5 vs 114.0 mg/dL; P < .001), as was the non-HDL cholesterol level (131.0 vs 143.1 mg/dL; P < .001), while the triglyceride level was higher (160.3 vs 152.0 mg/dL; P < .001). HDL cholesterol was lower in the LMT group for both men (41.0 vs 42.0 mg/dL; P < .001) and women (47.5 vs 48.0 mg/dL; P < .001). Elderly people were more likely to have achieved the target lipid levels, while obese people were less likely. For people with CV disease, there was a greater likelihood of achieving LDL, total and non-HDL cholesterol targets, but less chance of attaining a desired HDL cholesterol level.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyslipidaemia was highly prevalent in this large population and management of lipid abnormalities was suboptimal. The distinct lipid profile of people with T2DM warrants further investigation into the use of non-statins in addition to statin LMT.