Improved trends in cardiovascular complications among subjects with type 2 diabetes in Korea: a nationwide study (2006-2013)

Changing landscape of diabetes in Asia - What are the unmet needs?

The incidence rates of type 2 diabetes among adults in Asia have been stable, but the rates in youth and young adults have increased. In territory-wide surveillance in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China, all-cause mortality rates among people with diabetes have exhibited a declining trend in the past 15 years, with a narrowing in the mortality gap between people with and without diabetes. At the same time, the improvement in survival resulted in a changing age structure and disease profile of people with diabetes, towards an increasing proportion of older people with long diabetes duration and multi-morbidities. Reductions in event rates were not observed in the youngest age group who also had the least gains in risk factor control and uptake in organ protective drugs over time. A young age at diabetes diagnosis, associated with exposure to high glycemic burden from an early age, predicted higher risks of complications and premature mortality compared with later-onset of diabetes. People presenting with type 2 diabetes below 40 years of age were 5-fold more likely to die and their life expectancy was shortened by 8 years than age-matched counterparts without diabetes. Analysis of population-based data in Hong Kong Chinese identified hypertension followed by chronic kidney disease as the leading contributor to mortality in young people, indicating that efforts to optimize non-glycemic risk factors and organ protection are as important in young individuals as it is in the older population.

Associations of cholecystectomy with metabolic health changes and incident cardiovascular disease: a retrospective cohort study

Although some studies conducted about the risk of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, there was a limit to explaining the relationship. We investigated the short-term and long-term relationship between cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, and evidence using the elements of the metabolic index as an intermediate step. It was a retrospective cohort study and we used the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea between 2002 and 2015. Finally, 5,210 patients who underwent cholecystectomy and 49,457 at 1:10 age and gender-matched controls of subjects were collected. The main results was estimated by Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for risk of cardiovascular disease after cholecystectomy. Regarding short-term effects of cholecystectomy, increased risk of cardiovascular disease (aHR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15-1.58) and coronary heart disease (aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.44-2.16) were similarly seen within 2 years of surgery. When analyzing the change in metabolic risk factors, cholecystectomy was associated with a change in systolic blood pressure (adjusted mean [aMean]: 1.51, 95% CI: [- 1.50 to - 4.51]), total cholesterol (aMean - 14.14, [- 20.33 to 7.95]) and body mass index (aMean - 0.13, [- 0.37 to 0.11]). Cholecystectomy patients had elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in the short-term, possibly due to the characteristics of the patient before surgery. The association of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease has decreased after 2 years in patients who underwent cholecystectomy, suggesting that because of improvement of metabolic health, cholecystectomy-associated elevation of cardiovascular disease risk may be ameliorated 2 years after cholecystectomy.

Cardiovascular disease and risk factors in adults with diabetes mellitus in Hungary: a population-based study

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary artery disease are highly prevalent conditions that are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in Hungary. The conditions are attributed to identical risk factors, and individuals with DM are primarily susceptible to cardiovascular complications, which are the leading causes of death and disability in patients with DM. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CVD in individuals with DM and to investigate the association between potential risk factors and the presence of CVD among individuals with DM in a population-based sample.

Methods

The study was based on data from three waves of the European Health Interview Surveys (EHIS) conducted in Hungary in 2009, 2014, and 2019.

Results

The prevalence of CVD among patients with DM decreased during the study period and that socioeconomic factors, cardiometabolic risk factors including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and depression are major contributors to CVD burden in patients with DM in Hungary.

Discussion

Our findings suggest the importance of regular check-up for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, better focus on socioeconomic status, as well as ongoing monitoring of mental health among patients with diabetes. Further research is needed to understand the potential causes behind the observed decrease in CVD prevalence.

Association of triglyceride glucose index and triglyceride HDL ratio with glucose levels, microvascular and macrovascular complications in Diabetes Mellitus Type-2

Objective

To find out the role of triglyceride glucose index (TGI) and triglyceride HDL ratio (THR) as predictors of insulin resistance and control of glucose status in type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, January-April 2022. A total of 56 individuals, both males and females aged 30-75 years having T2DM with fasting blood glucose ≥ 110 mg/dl and HbA1c ≥ 5.7% were included. Biochemical markers were estimated by applying standard methods. Independent sample t-test, Fisher exact test, and linear regression were applied.

Results

TGI and triglyceride HDL ratio were significantly raised (p=0.01) in patients with poor glycemic control as compared to controlled glucose levels (17.8 ± 4.7vs7.3 ± 1.75) and (3.84 ± 1.3vs2.12 ± 0.64) respectively. These two indices have a significant association (p=0.01) with HbA1c (r=0.963, r=0.757), fasting blood glucose (r=0.964, r=0.748), and HOMA-IR (r=0.955, r=0.718) respectively. Moreover, TGI and THR were found to have a more significant association with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (r=0.717, r=0.555) and a significant but weak association with nephropathy (r=0.385, r=0.302) respectively. Regression analysis revealed that both TGI and THR have significant predictive ability for HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR and CVD (delta R2=0.738vs 0.408, 0.740vs0.395, 0.725vs0.362, 0.354vs0.170) respectively, after controlling all confounding variables.

Conclusions

TGI and THR have a strong association and predictive capability to identify insulin resistance and detect the development and progression of T2DM. Moreover, TGI can be more precisely used for prediction analysis as compared to THR.

Potential molecular mechanism underlying cardiac fibrosis in diabetes mellitus: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the world with prevalence of more than 500 million population in 2021. Cardiac fibrosis with its complex process has been hypothesized as one of the mechanisms explaining development of heart failure in diabetic patients. Recently, the biomolecular mechanism of cardiac fibrosis in the hyperglycemia setting has been focusing around transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1) as a major factor. However, there is interplay role of several factors including microRNAs (miRNAs) which acts as a potential regulator of cardiac fibrosis connected with TGFβ-1. In this review, we explored interplay role of several factors including microRNAs which acts as a potential regulator of cardiac fibrosis connected with TGFβ-1 in diabetes mellitus. This narrative review included articles from the PubMed and Science Direct databases published in the last 10 years (2012-2022).

MAIN TEXT

In diabetic patients, excessive activation of myofibroblasts occurs and triggers pro-collagen to convert into mature collagen to fill the cardiac interstitial space resulting in a pathological process of extracellular matrix remodeling. The balance between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its inhibitor (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, TIMP) is crucial in degradation of the extracellular matrix. Diabetes-related cardiac fibrosis is modulated by increasing level of TGF-β1 mediated by cellular components, including cardiomyocyte and non-cardiomyocyte cells involving fibroblasts, vascular pericytes smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, mast cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Several miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-9, miR-29, miR-30d, miR-144, miR-34a, miR-150, miR-320, and miR-378 are upregulated in diabetic cardiomyopathy. TGF-β1, together with inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, combined sma and the mothers against decapentaplegic (smad) protein, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and microRNAs, is interconnectedly involved in extracellular matrix production and fibrotic response. In this review, we explored interplay role of several factors including microRNAs which acts as a potential regulator of cardiac fibrosis connected with TGFβ-1 in diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term hyperglycemia activates cardiac fibroblast via complex processes involving TGF-β1, miRNA, inflammatory chemokines, oxidative stress, smad, or MAPK pathways. There is increasing evidence of miRNA's roles lately in modulating cardiac fibrosis.

Long-term efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy in preventing atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to determine the long-term effects of SGLT2i on atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation (CA) in T2DM patients.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with T2DM undergoing CA for AF between January 2016 and December 2021. Patient baseline demographic characteristics and use of anti-diabetic and anti-arrhythmic medications were analyzed. Echocardiographic parameters were obtained one day and 6 months after CA.

Results

Our study population comprised 122 patients (70% paroxysmal AF). The baseline patient characteristics were similar between the SGLT2i-treated group (n = 45) and the non-SGLT2i-treated group (n = 77) except for stroke. At 6-month follow-up, body-mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly increased only in the SGLT2i group. E/e' was decreased 6 months after CA in both groups. During a mean follow-up of 33.7 ± 21.6 months, 22 of 122 patients had atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. The long-term atrial tachyarrhythmia-free survival rate was significantly higher in the SGLT2i-treated patients, and multivariate analysis revealed that AF type and SGLT2i use were independently associated with atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after CA.

Conclusion

The use of SGLT2i and AF type were independent risk factors associated with atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after CA in T2DM patients with AF. This result was at least partly due to the pleiotropic effects of SGLT2i on BMI reduction and left ventricular function improvement.

Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients with Controlled and Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: A Sub-Cohort Analysis from the Heart Health Promotion (HHP) Study

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and to investigate the effect of DM control on CVD risk.

Methodology

A total of 2432 participants who had their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measured within the last three months were included in this study. The study cohort was divided into three categories: non-diabetic, participants with controlled DM (HbA1c<7%), and uncontrolled DM (HbA1c≥7%). The World Health Organization's stepwise approach to chronic disease risk factor Surveillance-Instrument v2.1 was used in this study to collect the anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The Framingham Coronary Heart Risk Score (FRS) was used to calculate the 10-year cardiovascular risk (CVR). The groups were compared concerning the prevalence of metabolic, socioeconomic, and cardiac risks.

Results

Out of 2432 participants, 149 had controlled DM (6.1%), 286 had uncontrolled DM (11.8%), and 1997 participants were normoglycemic (82.1%). Compared to healthy participants, diabetic participants showed more high-risk characteristics across all CVR parameters. Uncontrolled diabetic patients had a graver laboratory and clinical profiles compared to the controlled DM group. As measured by FRS, nearly half of patients with controlled DM (49.9%) and two-thirds of patients with uncontrolled DM (63.3%) were classified as intermediate and high-risk compared to 4.6% of the healthy participants. Compared to healthy participants, patients with controlled DM showed a threefold increased CVR (OR = 3.02, 95% C.I. = 1.41-7.24) while this risk catapulted to 13 times among those with uncontrolled DM (OR = 13.57, 95% C.I. = 6.99-26.36).

Conclusion

Participants with DM are at moderate to high CVR. Individuals with uncontrolled DM showed higher CVR profiles as measured by FRS and have a higher prevalence of obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.

The interplay of inflammation, exosomes and Ca2+ dynamics in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetes mellitus is one of the prime risk factors for cardiovascular complications and is linked with high morbidity and mortality. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) often manifests as reduced cardiac contractility, myocardial fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, and chronic heart failure. Inflammation, changes in calcium (Ca²⁺) handling and cardiomyocyte loss are often implicated in the development and progression of DCM. Although the existence of DCM was established nearly four decades ago, the exact mechanisms underlying this disease pathophysiology is constantly evolving. Furthermore, the complex pathophysiology of DCM is linked with exosomes, which has recently shown to facilitate intercellular (cell-to-cell) communication through biomolecules such as micro RNA (miRNA), proteins, enzymes, cell surface receptors, growth factors, cytokines, and lipids. Inflammatory response and Ca²⁺ signaling are interrelated and DCM  has been known to adversely affect many of these signaling molecules either qualitatively and/or quantitatively. In this literature review, we have demonstrated that Ca²⁺ regulators are tightly controlled at different molecular and cellular levels during various biological processes in the heart. Inflammatory mediators, miRNA and exosomes are shown to interact with these regulators, however how these mediators are linked to Ca²⁺ handling during DCM pathogenesis remains elusive. Thus, further investigations are needed to understand the mechanisms to restore cardiac Ca²⁺ homeostasis and function, and to serve as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of DCM.

Genome-wide Association Study Meta-analysis of Blood Pressure Traits and Hypertension in Sub-Saharan African Populations: An AWI-Gen Study

Most hypertension-related genome-wide association studies (GWAS) focus on non-African populations, despite hypertension (a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease) being highly prevalent in Africa. The AWI-Gen study GWAS meta-analysis for blood pressure-related traits (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean-arterial pressure and hypertension) from three sub-Saharan African geographic regions (N=10,775), identified two genome-wide significant signals (p<5E-08): systolic blood pressure near P2RY1 (rs77846204; intergenic variant, p=4.25E-08) and pulse pressure near Linc01256 (rs80141533; intergenic variant, p=4.25E-08). No genome-wide signals were detected for the AWI-Gen GWAS meta-analysis with previous African-ancestry GWASs (UK Biobank (African), Uganda Genome Resource). Suggestive signals (p<5E-06) were observed for all traits, with 29 displaying pleiotropic effects and several replicating known associations. Polygenic risk scores developed from studies on different ancestries had limited transferability, with multi-ancestry models providing better prediction. This study provides insights into the genetics and physiology of blood pressure variation in African populations.

Body mass index, waist circumference and cardiovascular diseases in transitional ages (40 and 66 years)

BACKGROUND

There is lack of data on effect modification by age on the association between body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We aimed to investigate the impact of BMI and WC on incident CVDs in individuals aged 40 and 66 years.

METHODS

Overall, 2 430 510 participants who underwent a national health screening for transitional ages provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2012 were included. The adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for myocardial infarction (MI), ischaemic stroke and CVDs as a composite outcome of MI and ischaemic stroke were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 7.7 years, 24 884 MI and 29 415 ischaemic stroke events occurred. Among participants aged 40 years, there was a J-shaped association of BMI with incident CVDs, MI and ischaemic stroke with nadir at BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m² (P for trend < 0.001 for all). Among those aged 66 years, there were significant U-shaped associations of BMI with CVDs and MI with nadir at a BMI of 23.0-24.9 kg/m² (P for trend 0.013 and 0.017, respectively). WC was linearly associated with all study outcomes in both age groups (P for trend <&nbsp;0.001). The impact of general and abdominal obesity on both study outcomes was more prominent in those aged 40 years than in those aged 66 years (P for interaction < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent cardiovascular risk, weight loss intervention should be cautiously implemented and individualized according to age. The maintenance of muscle mass may be essential in managing weight loss particularly in older population.

Maternal serum Sortilin-1 level as a potential biomarker for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Objective: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disease related to pregnancy in women. Sortilin-1 is a sorting receptor belonging to the vacuolar protein sorting 10 (Vps10p) domain family, and recent studies have shown that Sortilin-1 has a distinct role in the pathogenesis of biliary fibrosis and cirrhosis. We aimed to evaluate maternal serum Sortilin-1 level as a potential biomarker in pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis.Materials and methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted. We enrolled 80 pregnant women, 49 with the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and 31 healthy controls. Then, we measured maternal serum Sortilin-1 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and compared them between groups.Results: The mean Sortilin-1 level in the ICP group was higher than control group (3.3 ± 1.7 ng/mL vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 ng/mL, respectively, p < .001). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis based on maternal serum Sortilin-1 levels to predict the presence of ICP was 85.3% controls [area under the curve (AUC), 0.853; 95% CI, 0.738-0.938, p < .001]. The optimal cutoff value of Sortilin-1 was 2.24 ng/mL (71.4% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity) to detect intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.Conclusion: Elevated maternal serum Sortilin-1 levels are associated with ICP and can be used as a disease biomarker. Sortilin-1 levels can be combined with total bile acids, transaminases, and blood coagulation profile in the follow-up of ICP.

Association between the Diabetes Drug Cost and Cardiovascular Events and Death in Korea: A National Health Insurance Service Database Analysis

BACKGRUOUND

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of diabetes drug costs on cardiovascular (CV) events and death.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study used data from 2009 to 2018 from the National Health Insurance in Korea. Among the patients with type 2 diabetes, those taking antidiabetic drugs and who did not have CV events until 2009 were included. Patients were divided into quartiles (Q1 [lowest]-4 [highest]) according to the 2009 diabetes drug cost. In addition, the 10-year incidences of CV events (non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and coronary revascularization) and CV death (death due to CV events) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 441,914 participants were enrolled (median age, 60 years; men, 57%). CV events and death occurred in 28.1% and 8.36% of the patients, respectively. The 10-year incidences of CV events and deaths increased from Q1 to 4. After adjusting for sex, age, income, type of diabetes drugs, comorbidities, and smoking and drinking status, the risk of CV events significantly increased according to the sequential order of the cost quartiles. In contrast, the risk of CV death showed a U-shaped pattern, which was the lowest in Q3 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.953; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.913 to 0.995) and the highest in Q4 (HR, 1.266; 95% CI, 1.213 to 1.321).

CONCLUSION

Diabetes drug expenditure affects 10-year CV events and mortality. Therefore, affording an appropriate diabetes drug cost at a similar risk of CV is an independent protective factor against CV death.

Twenty-Year Temporal Trends in Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Danish Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

We examined temporal trends in risk of first-time ischemic stroke in patients with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and no prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using nationwide health registries, we identified all patients with incident T2DM without a prior hospital diagnosis of ASCVD from 1996 to 2015 in Denmark. Patients were assigned to 5-year periods based on the date of T2DM diagnosis and were followed for 5 years. Each patient was matched by sex and age with up to three individuals from the general population. Temporal trends in ischemic stroke were examined using Cox regression to compute hazard ratios (HRs). Temporal use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications was also assessed.

RESULTS

The study comprised 288,825 patients with incident T2DM and 782,232 general population individuals. From 1996-2000 to 2011-2015, the 5-year risk of first-time ischemic stroke was approximately halved in the T2DM cohort (5.2% vs. 2.7%; sex- and age-adjusted HR 0.52 [95% CI 0.49-0.55]). Patients diagnosed in 2011-2015 had increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with individuals in the general population; however, the risk difference narrowed over time (5.2% vs. 2.9% in 1996-1999 [difference 2.3%]; 2.7% vs. 2.0% in 2011-2015 [difference 0.7%]). Use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications increased markedly during the overall study period, especially use of statins (from 5% to 50%) and multiple antihypertensive drugs (from 18% to 33%).

CONCLUSIONS

From 1996 to 2015, the 5-year risk of first-time ischemic stroke was approximately halved in patients with incident T2DM and no prior ASCVD, coinciding with markedly increased use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications.

Recent Updates in Hypertriglyceridemia Management for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Mounting evidence continues to support the causal role of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Substantial residual ASCVD risk remains among high-risk patients who have elevated triglycerides despite reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statin therapy. Ongoing research efforts have focused on evaluating triglyceride-lowering therapies among patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

RECENT FINDINGS

The REDUCE-IT trial showed that the addition of icosapent ethyl, a highly purified form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), can reduce vascular events among statin-treated individuals with elevated triglycerides who have either clinical ASCVD or diabetes plus another risk factor. Although additional evidence for EPA has emerged from other trials, conflicting results have been reported by subsequent trials that tested different omega-3 fatty acid formulations. Randomized clinical trials have not demonstrated incremental ASCVD benefit of fibrates on background of statin therapy, but fibrates are used to help prevent pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Selective inhibitors of apolipoprotein C-III (apoC3) and angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), proteins that are involved in metabolism of TRLs by regulating lipoprotein lipase, have been tested in selected patient populations and showed significant reduction in triglyceride and LDL-C levels. Statin therapy continues to be the cornerstone of pharmacologic reduction of cardiovascular risk. High-dose EPA in the form of icosapent ethyl has been demonstrated to have cardiovascular benefit on top of statins in persons with elevated triglycerides at high ASCVD risk. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating novel selective therapies such as apoC3 and ANGPTL3 inhibitors.

Short-term smoking increases the risk of insulin resistance

Insulin resistance can be affected directly or indirectly by smoking. This cross-sectional study aimed at examining the association between smoking patterns and insulin resistance using objective biomarkers. Data from 4043 participants sourced from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2016 to 2018, were examined. Short-term smoking patterns were used to classify participants according to urine levels of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and cotinine as continuous-smokers, past-smokers, current-smokers, and non-smokers. Insulin resistance was calculated using the triglyceride-glucose index from blood samples and was defined as either high or low. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between smoking behavior and insulin resistance. Men and women who were continuous-smokers (men: odds ratio [OR] = 1.74, p = 0.001; women: OR = 2.01, p = 0.001) and past-smokers (men: OR = 1.47, p = 0.033; women: OR = 1.37, p = 0.050) were more likely to have high insulin resistance than their non-smoking counterparts. Long-term smokers (≥ 40 days) are at an increased risk of insulin resistance in short-term smoking patterns. Smoking cessation may protect against insulin resistance. Therefore, first-time smokers should be educated about the health benefits of quitting smoking.

The triglyceride-glucose index as a clinical useful marker for metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): a population-based study among Iranian adults

Background and aims

There is a bi-directional association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel surrogate marker of insulin resistance. In this population-based study, we aimed firstly to investigate the association of the TyG-index with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) risk.

Methods

This case-control study used the data from the first phase of the Persian Cohort Study in Sabzevar. Of 4,241 participants aged 35 to 70 years, we identified and recruited 968 MAFLD cases and 964 age- and sex-adjusted controls. Demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and biochemical information were collected. We calculated TyG and a new index combined of TyG and alanine aminotransferase (TyG-ALT). We used the multivariable unconditional logistic regression model to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of the TyG and TyG-ALT for having MAFLD.

Results

Among those in the highest relative to the lowest TyG and TyG-ALT tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted ORs were 12.01 (95% CI [confidence interval] 9.03 - 15.98; P _trend < 0.001) and 10.89 (95% CI 7.66 - 15.48; P _trend = 0.001), respectively. The area under the curves (AUC) for the TyG-index to predict MAFLD was 8.62, resulting in a cut-off value of 8.62 with a sensitivity of 81.66% and specificity of 75.36%.

Conclusions

The higher TyG and TyG-ALT scores were significantly positively associated with higher MAFLD risk in the Iranian population.

Vaspin attenuates steatosis-induced fibrosis via GRP78 receptor by targeting AMPK signaling pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease that is rapidly becoming a public health problem. An imbalance in lipid distribution to the hepatocytes and metabolism causes hepatocyte steatosis. Vaspin is a newly discovered adipokine that has been linked to a variety of metabolic disorders. The effects of vaspin on steatosis and fibrosis pathogenesis and related mechanisms are unclear. Thus, this study investigated the molecular mechanism of vaspin on hepatocyte steatosis and fibrosis. HepG2 cells were treated with 1.2 mM free fatty acid and the intracellular lipid values were measured by flow cytometry and Nile red assay. RT-qPCR was used to assess the effect of vaspin and blocking of the GRP78 receptor on the expression of lipogenesis, oxidation, uptake, and secretion of fatty acid (FA), as well as AMPK activity. In co-cultured HepG2 and LX-2 cell lines, the expression of main proteins of hepatocyte fibrosis was analyzed using Western blot analysis. In the HepG2 cell line, we discovered that vaspin increased oxidation, FA secretion and gene expression, and AMPK activity and decreased lipogenesis and FA uptake and gene expression. Western blot analysis in co-cultured HepG2 and LX-2 cell lines showed that α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein expression decreased. The data demonstrated that vaspin acts as a novel regulator of hepatocyte steatosis through the GRP78 receptor, effectively reducing hepatocyte fibrosis through AMPK activation and decreasing NF-κB gene expression.

Risk of Post-Myocardial Infarction Pneumonia with Proton Pump Inhibitors, H2 Receptor Antagonists and Mucoprotective Agents: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study

Patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are at high risk of developing pneumonia. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA) are commonly used acid-suppressive medications to the patients with MI for gastrointestinal (GI) protection, which may increase the risk for pneumonia. We evaluated whether PPI, H2RA, and mucoprotective agents without anti-acid properties increase the risk of post-MI pneumonia. We performed a retrospective cohort study based on the National Health Insurance Service—National Sample Cohort in Korea. The study included 3701 patients discharged with MI without prior history of pneumonia. During follow-up, treatments with PPI, H2RA, and mucoprotective agents were collected as time-dependent variables based on the prescription records. We performed multivariate time-dependent Cox regression analyses for the development of post-MI pneumonia. During the mean 4.85 ± 3.75 years follow-up, 999 participants developed pneumonia. In the multivariate analyses (adjusted hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval), the risk for pneumonia was significantly increased in treatment with PPI (2.25; 1.57–3.21) and H2RA (1.50; 1.16–1.93). Meanwhile, the risk for pneumonia was not increased in treatment with mucoprotective agents. When we evaluated GI bleeding event according to the medications as a secondary outcome analysis, mucoprotective agents were associated with increased GI bleeding risk, but PPI and H2RA were not. In the use of the GI medications in the treatment of patients with MI, the influence of these drugs on bleeding and pneumonia should be considered.

Smoking cessation, but not reduction, reduces cardiovascular disease incidence

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the association of smoking cessation and reduction with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 897 975 current smokers aged ≥40 years who had undergone two consecutive national health examinations (in 2009 and 2011) were included. Participants were classified as quitters (20.6%), reducers I (≥50% reduction, 7.3%), reducers II (20-50% reduction, 11.6%), sustainers (45.7%), and increasers (≥20% increase, 14.5%). During 5 575 556 person-years (PY) of follow-up, 17 748 stroke (3.2/1000 PY) and 11 271 myocardial infarction (MI) (2.0/1000 PY) events were identified. Quitters had significantly decreased risk of stroke [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.77 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.81; absolute risk reduction (ARR) -0.37, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.31] and MI (aHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.70-0.78; ARR -0.27, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.22) compared to sustainers after adjustment for demographic factors, comorbidities, and smoking status. The risk of stroke and MI incidence in reducers I (aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97-1.08 and aHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92-1.06, respectively) and reducers II (aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.95-1.05 and aHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.92-1.04, respectively) was not significantly different from the risk in sustainers. Further analysis with a subgroup who underwent a third examination (in 2013) showed that those who quit at the second examination but had starting smoking again by the third examination had 42-69% increased risk of CVD compared to sustained quitters.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking cessation, but not reduction, was associated with reduced CVD risk. Our study emphasizes the importance of sustained quitting in terms of CVD risk reduction.

Current trends in epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk management in type 2 diabetes

With the advances in diabetes care, the trend of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been decreasing over past decades. However, given that CVD is still a major cause of death in patients with diabetes and that the risk of CVD in patients with T2DM is more than twice that in those without DM, there are still considerable challenges to the prevention of CVD in diabetes. Accordingly, there have been several research efforts to decrease cardiovascular (CV) risk in T2DM. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and clinical cohort studies have investigated the effects of factors, such as genetic determinants, hypoglycaemia, and insulin resistance, on CVD and can account for the unexplained CV risk in T2DM. Lifestyle modification is a widely accepted cornerstone method to prevent CVD as the first-line strategy in T2DM. Recent reports from large CV outcome trials have proven the positive CV effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in patients with high CVD risk. Overall, current practice guidelines for the management of CVD in T2DM are moving from a glucocentric strategy to a more individualised patient-centred approach. This review will discuss the current epidemiologic trends of CVD in T2DM and the risk factors linking T2DM to CVD, including genetic contribution, hypoglycaemia, and insulin resistance, and proper care strategies, including lifestyle and therapeutic approaches.

Trends in inpatient admissions and emergency department visits for heart failure in adults with versus without diabetes in the USA, 2006-2017

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. In this study, we estimated trends in the incidence of HF inpatient admissions and emergency department (ED) visits by diabetes status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Population-based age-standardized HF rates in adults with and without diabetes were estimated from the 2006-2017 National Inpatient Sample, Nationwide ED Sample and year-matched National Health Interview Survey, and stratified by age and sex. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint.

RESULTS

HF inpatient admissions did not change in adults with diabetes between 2006 and 2013 (from 53.9 to 50.4 per 1000 persons; annual percent change (APC): -0.3 (95% CI -2.5 to 1.9) but increased from 50.4 to 62.3 between 2013 and 2017 (APC: 4.8 (95% CI 0.3 to 9.6)). In adults without diabetes, inpatient admissions initially declined (from 14.8 in 2006 to 12.9 in 2014; APC -2.3 (95% CI -3.2 to -1.2)) and then plateaued. Patterns were similar in men and women, but relative increases were greatest in young adults with diabetes. HF-related ED visits increased overall, in men and women, and in all age groups, but increases were greater in adults with (vs without) diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Causes of increased HF rates in hospital settings are unknown, and more detailed data are needed to investigate the aetiology and determine prevention strategies, particularly among adults with diabetes and especially young adults with diabetes.

Effect of anti-diabetic drugs in dialysis patients with diabetes: a nationwide retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is common in patients undergoing dialysis. However, the association between anti-diabetic drug use and survival outcomes is rarely discussed. We aimed to investigate whether continued anti-diabetic medication use affects the survival of diabetic dialysis patients and whether different hypoglycemic drug use influences prognosis.

METHODS

Using a nationwide database, we enrolled patients with incident end-stage renal disease under maintenance dialysis during 2011-2015 into the pre-existing diabetes dialysis (PDD), incident diabetes after dialysis (IDD), and non-diabetic dialysis (NDD) groups. The PDD group was further subclassified into patients who continued (PDD-M) and discontinued (PDD-NM) anti-diabetic drug use after dialysis.

RESULTS

A total of 5249 dialysis patients were examined. The PDD-NM group displayed a significantly higher mortality rate than the IDD, PDD-M, and NDD groups (log-rank test P < 0.001). The PDD-M group had a significantly lower risk of death, regardless of insulin (P < 0.001) or oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) (P < 0.001) use. Initial insulin administration or OHA had no statistically significant effect on overall mortality in the IDD group. But OHA use had better survival trends than insulin administration for the older (P = 0.02) and male subgroups (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For dialysis patients with diabetes, continuous administration of anti-diabetic drugs after dialysis and choice of medication may affect outcomes.

Nationwide Trends in Cardiac Risk and Mortality in Patients With Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Danish Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Trends in cardiac risk and death have not been examined in patients with incident type 2 diabetes and no prior cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we aimed to examine trends in cardiac risk and death in relation to the use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications in patients with incident type 2 diabetes without prior cardiovascular disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this population-based cohort study, we included patients with incident type 2 diabetes between 1996 and 2011 through national health registries. Each patient was matched by age and sex with up to five individuals without diabetes from the general population. All individuals were followed for 7 years.

RESULTS

We identified 209,311 patients with incident diabetes. From 1996-1999 to 2008-2011, the 7-year risk of myocardial infarction decreased from 6.9 to 2.8% (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.39 [95% CI 0.37-0.42]), cardiac death from 7.1 to 1.6% (aHR 0.23 [95% CI 0.21-0.24]), and all-cause death from 28.9 to 16.8% (aHR 0.68 [95% CI 0.66-0.69]). Compared with the general population, 7-year risk differences decreased from 3.3 to 0.8% for myocardial infarction, from 2.7 to 0.5% for cardiac death, and from 10.6 to 6.0% for all-cause death. Use of cardiovascular medications within ±1 year of diabetes diagnosis, especially statins (5% of users in 1996-1999 vs. 60% in 2008-2011), increased during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

From 1996 to 2011, Danish patients with incident type 2 diabetes and no prior cardiovascular disease experienced major reductions in cardiac risk and mortality. The risk reductions coincided with increased use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications.

High triglyceride-glucose index is associated with early recurrent ischemic lesion in acute ischemic stroke

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been associated with various metabolic, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases. We evaluated the association between the TyG index and early recurrent ischemic lesions (ERILs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We included consecutive patients diagnosed with AIS between 2010 and 2016. ERILs were defined as new diffusion-weighted imaging lesions outside the initial symptomatic lesion area. The TyG index was calculated using the following formula: log scale of fasting triglyceride × fasting glucose/2. A total of 176 patients with AIS were evaluated. In the multivariable analysis, the TyG index remained significant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–5.15). This close correlation between the TyG index and ERIL was pronounced in ERIL-same group (aOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.40–5.78), but not in ERIL-different group. When comparing the relationship between the TyG index and ERIL by stroke mechanisms, only the intracranial- and extracranial-large artery atherosclerosis groups showed significantly higher TyG index values in patients with ERIL than those without. In conclusion, a higher TyG index was associated with ERIL, especially ERIL-same, in patients with AIS. The TyG index appears to be involved in ERIL occurrence by a mechanism related to atherosclerosis.

Improved insulin sensitivity with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor treatment in a patient with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus with metabolic syndrome: a case report

We herein report the clinical course of a 56-year-old Japanese patient with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and severe insulin resistance. The patient's intravenous glucose tolerance test indicated marked reductions in insulin sensitivity and endogenous insulin secretion. Accordingly, administration of ipragliflozin l-proline, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, promoted improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, as well as a decrease in visceral fat, improvement in dyslipidemia, and decrease in hepatic lipid content, suggesting the potential efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for obese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus exhibiting insulin resistance.

Trends in Cardiovascular Complications and Mortality among Patients with Diabetes in South Korea

We investigated the cardiovascular complications and mortality rates of patients with diabetes in South Korea. The rates of hospitalization due to cardiovascular complications and mortality were analyzed using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. From 2006 to 2015, the rates of hospitalization due to major cardiovascular complications decreased, while those due to heart failure (from 72 to 146 and 124 to 161 per 10,000 men and women, respectively) and peripheral artery disease (from 39 to 55 and 19 to 35 per 10,000 men and women, respectively) increased. In the period 2007 to 2015, the mortality rates for cancer, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertensive disease all decreased. However, the mortality rate for pneumonia increased. We observed a continuous reduction in cardiovascular complications and mortality in adults with diabetes. However, with the increase in some diabetes complications, more efforts are needed to prevent diabetes complications.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Role of Hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the data on the role of endothelial dysfunction and the impact of hypertension as a potent mediator of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RECENT FINDINGS

RA represents the most common autoimmune rheumatic disorder and is characterized by chronic systemic inflammation predisposing to cardiovascular complications. Cardiovascular mortality is increased among patients with RA and represents the leading cause of death. Although the exact prevalence is debated, hypertension is increased in RA. Hypertension acts synergistically with chronic inflammation and accounts, at least partially, for the increased cardiovascular morbidity in this group of patients. Endothelial dysfunction is considered a primary process in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and contributes significantly to the development and progression of the associated micro- and macrovascular complications. Even though several studies in patients with RA have shown the presence of endothelial dysfunction with traditional methods, novel biochemical and vascular methods for the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction have been scarcely applied. In addition, it remains unclear whether and to which extent endothelial dysfunction in RA is present regardless of concomitant hypertension, even in well-controlled patients. Hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic systemic inflammation appear as a mutually reinforcing triad aggravating cardiovascular risk in patients with RA. Detection of endothelial dysfunction in patients with RA in the early stages further aiming at the development of novel therapeutic targets might contribute to prevention of cardiovascular complications and remains under investigation.

Trends in diabetes-related complications in Hong Kong, 2001-2016: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Nationwide studies on contemporary trends in incidence of diabetes-related complications in Asia are lacking. We describe trends in incident coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure, hyperglycaemic crisis, and lower-extremity amputation (LEA) in people with diabetes in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2016.

METHODS

The Hong Kong Diabetes Surveillance Database (HKDSD) is a territory-wide diabetes cohort identified from Hong Kong Hospital Authority electronic medical record system. We identified events of CHD, stroke, heart failure and hyperglycaemic crisis using hospital principal diagnosis codes at discharge and that of LEA using inpatient procedure codes. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to describe incidence trends by age and sex.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2016, a total of 390,071 men and 380,007 women aged 20 years or older with diabetes were included in the HKDSD. Event rates of CHD, stroke, heart failure, hyperglycaemic crisis and LEA declined by 69.4% (average annual percent change: - 7.6, 95% CI - 10.2, - 5.0), 70.3% (- 8.7, 95% CI - 9.8, - 7.5), 63.6% (- 6.4, 95% CI - 8.0, - 4.7), 59.1% (- 6.6, 95% CI - 12.4, - 0.44), and 67.5% (- 5.8, 95% CI - 7.2, - 4.4), in men and by 77.5% (- 9.9, 95% CI - 11.8, - 7.9), 74.5% (- 9.0, 95% CI - 9.6, - 8.4), 65.8% (- 7.0, 95% CI - 8.0, - 6.0), 81.7% (- 8.5, 95% CI - 10.5, - 6.5), and 72.7% (- 9.1. 95% CI - 12.2, - 5.8) in women, respectively, over a 16-year period in people with diabetes in Hong Kong. Joinpoint analysis identified greater declines in event rates of the five diabetes-related complications in the earlier one-third of study period and slowed down but remained significant until 2016. Event rates decreased for all age groups above 45 years for both sexes. There was no significant change in event rates in the group aged 20-44 years except for decline in hyperglycaemic crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

The event rates of diabetes-related complications have declined substantially with no evidence of stabilization or increase in Hong Kong up to 2016. Improvements in outcome were observed for all age subgroups but not in young people with diabetes, calling for urgent action to improve quality of care to prevent complications in young people at risk.

Effects of exercise training and sex on dynamic responses of O2 uptake in type 2 diabetes

Effects of training and sex on oxygen uptake dynamics during exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not well established. We tested the hypotheses that exercise training improves the time constant of the primary phase of oxygen uptake (τ_p oxygen uptake) and with greater effect in males than females. Forty-one subjects with T2DM were assigned to 2 training groups (T_male, T_female) and 2 control groups (C_male, C_female), and were assessed before and after a 12-week intervention period. Twelve weeks of aerobic/resistance training was performed 3 times per week, 60-90 min per session. Assessments included ventilatory threshold (VT), peak oxygen uptake, τ_p oxygen uptake (80%VT), and dynamic responses of cardiac output, mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular conductance (80%VT). Training significantly decreased τ_p oxygen uptake in males by a mean of 20% (T_male = 42.7 ± 6.2 to 34.3 ± 7.2 s) and females by a mean of 16% (T_female = 42.2 ± 9.3 to 35.4 ± 8.6 s); whereas τ_p oxygen uptake was not affected in controls (C_male = 41.6 ± 9.8 to 42.9 ± 7.6 s; C_female = 40.4 ± 12.2 to 40.6 ± 13.4 s). Training increased peak oxygen uptake in both sexes (12%-13%) but did not alter systemic cardiovascular dynamics in either sex. Training improved oxygen uptake dynamics to a similar extent in males and females in the absence of changes in systemic cardiovascular dynamics. Novelty Similar training improvements in oxygen uptake dynamics were observed in males and females with T2DM. In both sexes these improvements occurred without changes in systemic cardiovascular dynamics.

Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Hypertensive Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure of hypertensive individuals.

RECENT FINDINGS

Continuous aerobic training programs are successful in health promotion and are effective in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) modulation. However, HIIT seems to be superior to MICT to improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized clinical trials that compared chronic effects of HIIT and MICT on BP in hypertensive subjects. Pre- and post-intervention changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) between MICT and HIIT were analyzed. Both interventions presented significant differences in SBP (MICT: mean difference (MD), 3.7 mmHg [95% CI = 2.57, 4.82], p < 0.00001; and HIIT: MD, 5.64 mmHg [95% CI = 1.69, 9.52], p = 0.005) and in DBP (MICT: MD, 2.41 mmHg [95% CI = 1.09, 3.72], p = 0.0003; and HIIT: MD, 4.8 mmHg [95% CI = 2.9, 6.7], p < 0.00001) compared with the control group. No differences were found in the SBP values (MD, 1.13 mmHg [95% CI = - 0.01, 2.27], p = 0.05); however, differences were found between groups in DBP (MD, 1.63 mmHg [95% CI = 0.83, 2.44], p = 0.0001). In the secondary outcome, both interventions increased VO₂max in comparison with control groups (MICT: MD, 1.30 ml/kg/min [95% CI = 0.92, 1.68], p < 0.00001; and HIIT: MD, 4.90 ml/kg/min [95% CI = 3.77, 6.04], p < 0.00001), and HIIT promoted greater improvement than MICT (MD, 2.52 ml/kg/min [95% CI = 1.90, 3.13], p < 0.0001). In conclusion, HIIT and MICT promote reduction in SBP in adults with hypertension, and HIIT showed a greater magnitude in DBP reduction. For hypertensive patients, HIIT may be associated with a greater improvement in VO₂max than MICT might.

Prognostic Value of Hyperglycemia on Admission on In-hospital Outcomes in Patients Presenting with ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with acute coronary syndrome, and elevated blood glucose levels on hospital admission may influence outcomes in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to determine the prognostic outcome of hyperglycemia at admission on in-hospital outcomes of STEMI patients with and without T2DM.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted from June 13, 2018, to October 12, 2019, and included patients older than 18 years diagnosed with STEMI. For our purposes, hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose levels >140 mg/dl. Hypertension was considered as systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg. The predictive value of glycemia on admission for outcomes was assessed via patient mortality following thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Results

Our study included 256 patients (196 men, 76.5%; 60 women, 23.5%) with a mean age of 55 ± 11 years. A total of 92 patients (35.9%) were admitted with known T2DM diagnoses: 72 of them had hyperglycemia and 20 patients had euglycemia (p = 0.0001). Post-PCI mortality was six (18.8%) in the hyperglycemic group and one (2.2%) in the euglycemic group (p = 0.03). In-hospital mortality was higher in the hyperglycemic group (n = 12, 12.5%) compared to the euglycemic group (n = 6, 3.7%; p = 0.015). Significant risk factors of mortality for STEMI patients with hyperglycemia on admission were age 60 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 5.63 [1.54-20.58]; p = 0.007), heart failure on admission (OR, 6.84 [1.85-25.22)]; p = 0.003), T2DM (OR, 4.14 [0.50-33.96]; p = 0.05), and presenting with renal failure (OR, 6.78 [1.74-26.42]; p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Thrombolysis and PCI are effective and safe treatments in STEMI patients. Hyperglycemia has a great adverse impact on hospital outcomes in patients with or without T2DM. STEMI patients with hyperglycemia on hospital admission have higher mortality rates.

The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and esophageal, stomach, or colorectal cancer: National population-based cohort study

We investigated the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gastrointestinal tract cancer in the general population. Retrospective data on individuals aged ≥20 years who received healthcare checkups from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 were analyzed using the National Health Insurance Database in Korea. NAFLD was defined based on the fatty liver index (FLI ≥60). The primary outcome was newly diagnosed esophageal, stomach, or colorectal cancer using ICD-10 codes during follow-up until 31 December 2017. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Among 8,120,674 subjects, 936,159 adults (11.5%) were identified as having NAFLD. Their mean age was 46.7 ± 14.1 years, and 52.1% were male. During the follow-up period (7.2 years), 3,792 esophageal, 57,292 stomach and 68,769 colorectal cancer cases were identified. FLI ≥60 was significantly associated with the development of esophageal (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.88-2.35), stomach (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.14-1.22), and colon cancer (HR, 1.23, 95% CI 1.19-1.26) after multivariable adjustment. Compared to subjects without NAFLD, all-cause mortality in patients with esophageal (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.28-1.67), stomach (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.18-1.34), and colorectal cancer (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10-1.22) was significantly increased in subjects with NAFLD (FLI ≥60). NAFLD defined using FLI was a good predictive indicator for GI tract malignancy and all-cause mortality in the general population. Subjects with NAFLD are needed for active surveillance of esophageal, stomach, and colorectal cancers.

Targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway improves exercise tolerance in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The most significant manifestation of heart failure is exercise intolerance. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate whether dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), widely used anti-diabetic drugs, could improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was carried out through March 8th, 2019, for eligible trials. Only randomized controlled studies were included. The primary outcome was exercise tolerance [6-min walk test (6MWT) and peak O2 consumption], and the secondary outcomes included quality of life (QoL), adverse events (AEs) and all-cause death.

RESULT

After the literature was screened by two reviewers independently, four trials (659 patients) conducted with heart failure patients with or without type 2 diabetes met the eligibility criteria. The results suggested that targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway can improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients [MD 24.88 (95% CI 5.45, 44.31), P = 0.01] without decreasing QoL [SMD -0.51 (95% CI -1.13, 0.10), P = 0.10]; additionally, targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway did not show signs of increasing the incidence of serious AEs or mortality.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that DPP-4 inhibitors or GLP-1 RAs improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients. Although the use of these drugs for heart failure has not been approved by any organization, they may be a better choice for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with heart failure. Furthermore, as this pathway contributes to the improvement of exercise tolerance, it may be worth further investigation in exercise-intolerant patients with other diseases.

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+.

Staged complete revascularization or culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and diabetes

BACKGROUND

Recently, several randomized trials have noted improved outcomes with staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of nonculprit vessels in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease. However, it remains unclear whether diabetes status affects the outcomes after different revascularization strategies. This study thus compared the impact of diabetes status on long-term outcomes after staged complete revascularization with that after culprit-only PCI.

METHODS

From January 2006 to December 2015, 371 diabetic patients (staged PCI: 164, culprit-only PCI: 207) and 834 nondiabetic patients (staged PCI: 412, culprit-only PCI: 422) with STEMI and multivessel disease were enrolled. The primary endpoint was 5-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or unplanned revascularization.

RESULTS

The rate of the 5-year composite primary endpoint for diabetic patients was close to that for nondiabetic patients (34.5% vs. 33.7%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.012, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.815-1.255). In nondiabetic patients, the 5-year risks of MACCE (31.8% vs. 35.5%; adjusted HR 0.638, 95% CI 0.500-0.816), MI (4.6% vs. 9.2%; adjusted HR 0.358, 95% CI 0.200-0.641), unplanned revascularization (19.9% vs. 24.9%; adjusted HR 0.532, 95% CI 0.393-0.720), and the composite of cardiac death, MI or stroke (11.4% vs. 15.2%; adjusted HR 0.621, 95% CI 0.419-0.921) were significantly lower after staged PCI than after culprit-only PCI. In contrast, no significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to MACCE, MI, unplanned revascularization, and the composite of cardiac death, MI or stroke in diabetic patients. Significant interactions were found between diabetes status and revascularization assignment for the composite of cardiac death, MI or stroke (Pinteraction = 0.013), MI (Pinteraction = 0.005), and unplanned revascularization (Pinteraction = 0.013) at 5 years. In addition, the interaction tended to be significant for the primary endpoint of MACCE (Pinteraction = 0.053). Moreover, the results of propensity score-matching analysis were concordant with the overall analysis in both diabetic and nondiabetic population.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with STEMI and multivessel disease, diabetes is not an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events at 5 years. In nondiabetic patients, an approach of staged complete revascularization is superior to culprit-only PCI, whereas the advantage of staged PCI is attenuated in diabetic patients. Trial registration This study was not registered in an open access database.

Improved long-term cardiovascular outcomes after intensive versus standard screening of diabetic complications: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Complication screening is recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the optimal screening intensity and schedules are unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether intensive versus standard complication screening affects long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

In this observational study, we included 368 T2D patients referred for intensive screening provided as a 1-day session of clinical-instrumental evaluation of diabetic complications, followed by dedicated counseling. From a total of 4906 patients, we selected control T2D patients who underwent standard complication screening at different visits, by 2:1 propensity score matching. The primary endpoint was the 4p-MACE, defined as cardiovascular mortality, or non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure. The Cox proportional regression analyses was used to compare outcome occurrence in the two groups, adjusted for residual confounders.

RESULTS

357 patients from the intensive screening group (out of 368) were matched with 683 patients in the standard screening group. Clinical characteristics were well balanced between the two groups, except for a slightly higher prevalence of microangiopathy in the intensive group (56% vs 50%; standardized mean difference 0.11, p = 0.1). Median follow-up was 5.6 years. The adjusted incidence of 4p-MACE was significantly lower in the intensive versus standard screening group (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.52-0.95; p = 0.02). All components of the primary endpoint had nominally lower rates in the intensive versus standard screening group, which was particularly significant for heart failure (HR 0.43; 95% CI 0.22-0.83; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Among T2D patients attending a specialist outpatient clinic, intensive complication screening is followed by better long-term cardiovascular outcomes. No significant effect was noted for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and the benefit was mainly driven by a reduced rate of hospitalization for heart failure.

Baseline plasma fibrinogen is associated with haemoglobin A1c and 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a single-centre, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Despite revascularisation, a large proportion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients continue to experience major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), which are worsened by diabetes mellitus (DM). Fibrinogen (FIB) is a risk factor for MACEs in coronary artery disease and often elevated in DM. However, the relationships between FIB, glucose metabolism (haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] and fasting blood glucose [FBG]) and MACEs following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in DM, non-DM or whole patients with ACS remains unknown.

METHODS

A total of 411 ACS patients undergoing PCI were enrolled in this study. We compared baseline FIB levels between DM (n = 103) and non-DM (n = 308) patients and divided participants into three groups according to FIB level, i.e. FIB-L, FIB-M and FIB-H, to compare baseline characteristics and MACEs. Linear regression analysis of the relationship between glucose metabolism and FIB, Cox regression, survival and landmark analyses of MACEs were also performed over a median of 27.55 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients with DM had higher FIB levels than non-DM patients (3.56 ± 0.99 mg/dL vs. 3.34 ± 0.80 mg/dL, P < 0.05). HbA1c and FBG were significantly positively correlated with FIB in whole and DM patients but not in non-DM patients (all P < 0.05). Compared with the FIB-L group, the FIB-M (hazard ratio [HR] 1.797, 95% CI 1.117-2.892, P = 0.016) and FIB-H (HR 1.664, 95% CI 1.002-2.763, P = 0.049) groups were associated with higher MACEs in whole; the FIB-M (HR 7.783, 95% CI 1.012-59.854, P = 0.049) was associated with higher MACEs in DM patients. FIB was not associated with MACEs in non-DM patients. During landmark analysis, FIB showed better predictive value for MACEs after PCI in the first 30 months of follow up than in the subsequent period.

CONCLUSION

In this study from China, FIB was positively associated with glucose metabolism (HbA1c and FBG) in whole and DM populations with ACS. Moreover, elevated baseline FIB levels may be an important and independent predictor of MACEs following PCI, especially amongst those with DM. However, as the follow-up period increased, the baseline FIB levels lost their ability to predict MACEs.

Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aims of this review are to summarize recent data on mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and to determine the interventions that could have contributed to a reduction in mortality.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies found a downward trend in mortality and CVD among both diabetics and non-diabetics worldwide over the last few decades. The decline among diabetics is steeper than that among non-diabetics. Despite a parallel trend of decline, an approximately twofold difference in mortality and CVD between the two populations remains. A greater emphasis on glycemic control, management of cardiovascular risk factors, quality improvement programs, and advances in treatment of conditions associated diabetes are the factors that potentially contributed to the improvement. Although the trend is encouraging, a rising prevalence of diabetes will continue the absolute disease burden to the society. Future interventions should focus on prevention of diabetes.

Comparative study of peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis on the clinical outcomes in Korea: a population-based approach

There has been paucity of data regarding the secular trend of adverse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) as compared with hemodialysis (HD) in Korea. 96,596 patients who started dialysis between 2004-2015 in Korea were identified using the National Health Insurance Service database. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval, CI) of PD over HD for mortality was 1.31 (1.27-1.36; P < 0.001) in the period of 2004-2007 and 1.21 (1.16-1.27; P < 0.001) in the period of 2008-2011. However, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality turned out to be insignificant in the period of 2012-2015. Similar trend was noted for nonfatal cardiovascular events (CVEs). In subgroup analysis, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality was evident, regardless of the status of age, diabetes, and comorbidity burden in 2004-2011. In 2012-2015, however, the hazard of PD over HD for mortality was insignificant when follow up was censored at one year, which became significant when follow up follow up was censored at three or five year. In conclusion, the mortality of PD over HD in Korea has been significantly improved, a finding that was paralleled by the improved nonfatal CVEs.

Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to (1) quantify the association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with type 2 diabetes risk in the general population and statin users and (2) investigate the joint effects of CRF and fatness with type 2 diabetes risk.

METHODS

Databases were searched for cohort studies reporting the association between CRF and type 2 diabetes risk. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) were obtained using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included. The HRs of type 2 diabetes for every 1-metabolic equivalent increase in CRF were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86-0.94) for the general population and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87-0.97) for statin users, and the HRs were linearly shaped (both P_nonlinearity  > 0.40). Compared with the nonstatin cohort, there was an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in statin users with the lowest and moderate CRF categories, but this was not present in the highest CRF category. The HR of type 2 diabetes for overweight/obesity-fit category versus normal weight-fit category was larger than that of the normal weight-unfit category versus the normal weight-fit category (P_interaction   = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

There was an inverse and dose-dependent association between CRF and type 2 diabetes risk. High CRF may eliminate the diabetogenic effect from statins, yet decreased body weight index seems superior in preventing type 2 diabetes.

National trends in diabetes mellitus hospitalization in Spain 1997-2010: Analysis of over 5.4 millions of admissions

AIMS

To analyze national trends in the rates of hospitalizations (all-cause and by principal discharge diagnosis) in total diabetic population of Spain.

METHODS

We carried out a nation-wide population-based study of all diabetic patients hospitalized between 1997 and 2010. All-cause hospitalizations, hospitalizations by principal discharge diagnosis, mean age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, readmission rates and length of hospital stay were examined. Annual rates adjusted for age and sex were analyzed and trends were calculated.

RESULTS

Over 14-years-period, all-cause hospitalizations of diabetic patients increased significantly, with an average annual percentage change of 2.5 (95%CI: 1.5-3.5; P_trend < 0.01). The greatest increase was observed in heart failure (5.4; 95%CI: 4.8-6.0; P_trend < 0.001), followed by neoplasms (4.9; 95%CI: 3.6-5.8; P_trend < 0.001), pneumonia (2.7; 95%CI: 2.0-4.0; P_trend < 0.001), stroke (2.4; 95%CI: 1.6-3.4; P_trend < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2.0; 95%CI: 1.4-3.4; P_trend < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.3; P_trend < 0.01). The adjusted number of all-cause hospitalizations of patients with diabetes per 100,000 inhabitants increased 2.6-fold. The increase in hospitalizations was significantly higher among patients ≥75 years old. Males experienced a greater increase in all-cause, neoplasm, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia hospitalizations (p < 0.01 for all). Hospitalized diabetic patients were progressively older and had more comorbidities, higher readmission rates and shorter hospital stays (p < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalizations of diabetic patients more than doubled in Spain during the study period. Heart failure and neoplasms experienced the greatest annual increases and remained the principal causes of hospitalization, probably associated with advanced age and comorbidities of hospitalized diabetics. Coronary and cerebrovascular diseases experienced a lower annual increase, suggesting an improvement in cardiovascular care in diabetes in Spain.

Global trends in diabetes complications: a review of current evidence

In recent decades, large increases in diabetes prevalence have been demonstrated in virtually all regions of the world. The increase in the number of people with diabetes or with a longer duration of diabetes is likely to alter the disease profile in many populations around the globe, particularly due to a higher incidence of diabetes-specific complications, such as kidney failure and peripheral arterial disease. The epidemiology of other conditions frequently associated with diabetes, including infections and cardiovascular disease, may also change, with direct effects on quality of life, demands on health services and economic costs. The current understanding of the international burden of and variation in diabetes-related complications is poor. The available data suggest that rates of myocardial infarction, stroke and amputation are decreasing among people with diabetes, in parallel with declining mortality. However, these data predominantly come from studies in only a few high-income countries. Trends in other complications of diabetes, such as end-stage renal disease, retinopathy and cancer, are less well explored. In this review, we synthesise data from population-based studies on trends in diabetes complications, with the objectives of: (1) characterising recent and long-term trends in diabetes-related complications; (2) describing regional variation in the excess risk of complications, where possible; and (3) identifying and prioritising gaps for future surveillance and study.

Prevalence and in-hospital outcomes of diabetes among patients with acute coronary syndrome in China: findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome Project

BACKGROUND

Guidelines have classified patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and diabetes as a special population, with specific sections presented for the management of these patients considering their extremely high risk. However, in China up-to-date information is lacking regarding the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS and the potential impact of diabetes status on the in-hospital outcomes of these patients. This study aims to provide updated estimation for the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS in China and to evaluate whether diabetes is still associated with excess risks of early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) for ACS patients.

METHODS

The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS Project was a collaborative study of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. A total of 63,450 inpatients with a definitive diagnosis of ACS were included. Prevalence of diabetes was evaluated in the overall study population and subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between diabetes and in-hospital outcomes, and a propensity-score-matched analysis was further conducted.

RESULTS

Among these ACS patients, 23,880 (37.6%) had diabetes/possible diabetes. Both STEMI and NSTE-ACS patients had a high prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes (36.8% versus 39.0%). The prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes was higher in women (45.0% versus 35.2%, p < 0.001). Even in patients younger than 45 years, 26.9% had diabetes/possible diabetes. While receiving comparable treatments for ACS, diabetes/possible diabetes was associated with a twofold higher risk of all-cause death (adjusted odds ratio 2.04 [95% confidence interval 1.78-2.33]) and a 1.5-fold higher risk of MACCE (adjusted odds ratio 1.54 [95% confidence interval 1.39-1.72]).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes was highly prevalent in patients with ACS in China. Considerable excess risks for early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were found in these patients. Trial registration NCT02306616. Registered December 3, 2014.

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.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review of scientific evidence from across the world in 2007-2017

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common comorbidity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). CVD's prevalence has been growing over time.

PURPOSE

To estimate the current prevalence of CVD among adults with T2DM by reviewing literature published within the last 10 years (2007-March 2017).

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and proceedings of major scientific meetings for original research documenting the prevalence of CVD in T2DM. CVD included stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular death. No restrictions were placed on country of origin or publication language. Two reviewers independently searched for articles and extracted data, adjudicating results through consensus. Data were summarized descriptively. Risk of bias was examined by applying the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 57 articles with 4,549,481 persons having T2DM. Europe produced the most articles (46%), followed by the Western Pacific/China (21%), and North America (13%). Overall in 4,549,481 persons with T2DM, 52.0% were male, 47.0% were obese, aged 63.6 ± 6.9 years old, with T2DM duration of 10.4 ± 3.7 years. CVD affected 32.2% overall (53 studies, N = 4,289,140); 29.1% had atherosclerosis (4 studies, N = 1153), 21.2% had coronary heart disease (42 articles, N = 3,833,200), 14.9% heart failure (14 studies, N = 601,154), 14.6% angina (4 studies, N = 354,743), 10.0% myocardial infarction (13 studies, N = 3,518,833) and 7.6% stroke (39 studies, N = 3,901,505). CVD was the cause of death in 9.9% of T2DM patients (representing 50.3% of all deaths). Risk of bias was low; 80 ± 12% of STROBE checklist items were adequately addressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Globally, overall CVD affects approximately 32.2% of all persons with T2DM. CVD is a major cause of mortality among people with T2DM, accounting for approximately half of all deaths over the study period. Coronary artery disease and stroke were the major contributors.

Routine angiographic follow-up versus clinical follow-up in patients with diabetes following percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents in Korean population

AIMS

The usefulness of routine angiographic follow-up (RAF) and clinical follow-up (CF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with diabetes is not well understood. We compare 3-year clinical outcomes of RAF and CF in diabetic patients underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES).

METHODS

A total of 843 patients with diabetes who underwent PCI with DES were enrolled. RAF was performed at 6-9 months after PCI (n = 426). Rest of patients were medically managed and clinically followed (n = 417); symptom-driven events were captured. After propensity score matched analysis, 2 propensity-matched groups (262 pairs, n = 524, C-statistic = 0.750) were generated. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), the composite of total death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), non-target vessel revascularization (Non-TVR).

RESULTS

During the 3-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidence of target lesion revascularization [TLR: hazard ratio (HR), 4.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18-9.34; p = 0.001], target vessel revascularization (TVR: HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.93-8.40; p < 0.001), non-TVR (HR, 4.92; 95% CI, 1.68-14.4; p = 0.004) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.60-4.01, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the RAF group. However, the incidence of total death, non-fatal MI were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

RAF following index PCI with DES in patients with diabetes was associated with increased incidence of revascularization and MACE without changes of death or re-infarction rates and increased TLR and TVR rates in both first- and second-generation DES.

Past and Current Status of Adult Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management in Korea: A National Health Insurance Service Database Analysis

Korea's National Healthcare Program, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), a government-affiliated agency under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, covers the entire Korean population. The NHIS supervises all medical services in Korea and establishes a systematic National Health Information database (DB). A health information DB system including all of the claims, medications, death information, and health check-ups, both in the general population and in patients with various diseases, is not common worldwide. On June 9, 2014, the NHIS signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) to provide limited open access to its DB. By October 31, 2017, seven papers had been published through this collaborative research project. These studies were conducted to investigate the past and current status of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications and management in Korea. This review is a brief summary of the collaborative projects between the KDA and the NHIS over the last 3 years. According to the analysis, the national health check-up DB or claim DB were used, and the age category or study period were differentially applied.

The association between myocardial infarction and intravitreal bevacizumab injection

To evaluate the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) after receiving intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had received IVB injection in 2016, and grouped them according to whether they received the injection for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetes-related complications, or retinal vein occlusion (RVO). We then investigated the prevalence of MI within 2 months after IVB injection and analyzed the possible association of IVB with MI. During 2016, 724 patients were enrolled and received a total of 1870 IVB injections. Seven patients were diagnosed with MI within 2 months after receiving an IVB injection. Of 274 patients with AMD, 2 were diagnosed with MI; of 311 patients with diabetes-related complications, 3 were diagnosed with MI; and of 139 patients with RVO, 2 were diagnosed with MI (P = 0.785). All MIs occurred between 3 days and 3 weeks after IVB injection (mean = 14.00 ± 6.45 days). The MIs after receiving IVB were associated with previous history of MI or cerebrovascular infarction in multivariate logistic regression analysis (P = 0.005). There was no significant difference in MI prevalence after IVB injection according to the reason for receiving the injection. However, care should be taken when administering IVB injections, especially to patients with risk factors such as history of MI or cerebrovascular infarction.

Severe hypoglycemia is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Nationwide population-based cohort study

AIMS

This study investigated the association between severe hypoglycemia (SH) and new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and all-cause mortality in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Retrospective data on patients with T2DM aged between 30 and 75years who received healthcare checkups from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008 were analyzed using the National Health Insurance Database in Korea. The primary outcome was newly diagnosed non-valvular AF occurring after SH episode using ICD-10 codes.

RESULTS

Among 1,509,280 subjects, 10,864 (0.72%) patients had experienced SH events in the three years prior to health examination, and a total of 48,916 (3.24%) first-time AF episodes occurred during the follow-up period of 8.5years. The incidence of AF was significantly higher in the group with SH than the group without SH. After multivariable adjustment, previous SH was a significant risk factor for the development of AF (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.19). All-cause mortality was also significantly increased in patients with previous SH events and prior SH with subsequent AF occurrence, compared to patients without SH events.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior SH events were associated with a higher risk of new onset AF and all-cause mortality in patients with T2DM.