The effect of iron and erythropoietin treatment on the A1C of patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Glycated Albumin and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients With CKD: A Prospective Cohort Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is widely used to estimate glycemia, yet it is less reliable in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is growing interest in the complementary use of glycated albumin (GA) to improve glycemic monitoring and risk stratification. However, whether GA associates with clinical outcomes in a non-dialysis-dependent CKD population remains unknown.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

3,110 participants with CKD from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study.

EXPOSURE

Baseline GA levels.

OUTCOME

Incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, and all-cause mortality.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Participant characteristics included mean age 59.0±10.8 SD years; 1,357 (43.6%) female; and 1,550 (49.8%) with diabetes. The median GA was 18.7% (IQR, 15.8%-23.3%). During an average 7.9-year follow-up, there were 980 ESKD events, 968 CVD events, and 1,084 deaths. Higher GA levels were associated with greater risks of all outcomes, regardless of diabetes status: hazard ratios for ESKD, CVD, and death among participants with the highest quartile compared with quartile 2 (reference) were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.19-1.69), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.39-2.01), and 1.63 (95% CI, 1.37-1.94), respectively. The associations with CVD and death appeared J-shaped, with increased risk also seen at the lowest GA levels. Among patients with coexisting CKD and diabetes, the associations of GA with outcomes remained significant even after adjusting for HbA1c. For each outcome, we observed a significant increase in the fraction of new prognostic information when both GA and HbA1c were added to models.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of longitudinal GA measurements; and HbA1c measurements were largely unavailable in participants without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with CKD, GA levels were independently associated with risks of ESKD, CVD, and mortality, regardless of diabetes status. GA added prognostic value to HbA1c among patients with coexisting CKD and diabetes.

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is widely used to estimate glycemia, yet it is less reliable in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is growing interest in the complementary use of glycated albumin (GA) to improve glycemic monitoring and risk stratification. However, whether GA associates with clinical outcomes in a non-dialysis-dependent CKD population remains unknown. In this cohort study of 3,110 individuals with non-dialysis-dependent CKD, GA levels were independently associated with risks of end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. The associations with CVD and mortality appeared to be J-shaped. Among patients with coexisting CKD and diabetes, GA added prognostic value to HbA1c. Thus, GA may be a valuable complementary test to HbA1c in patients with CKD.

Medical database analysis of the association between kidney function and achievement of glycemic control in older Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes who started with oral antidiabetic drugs

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Despite the emergence of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action, treatment options for older people and those with chronic kidney disease are still limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a medical database compiled from Diagnostic Procedure Combination hospitals, we retrospectively analyzed treatment status, glycemic control and kidney function over 3 years after the first oral antidiabetic drugs in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes who were aged ≥65 years.

RESULTS

Among 5,434 study participants, 3,246 (59.7%) were men, the median age was 72.0 years, the baseline median hemoglobin A1c was 7.1% and the baseline median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 66.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. Treatment was intensified in 40.0% of people during the 3-year observation period, and the median time to the first treatment intensification was 198 days. Insulin was the most commonly used agent for treatment intensification (36.9%, 802/2,175). Hemoglobin A1c of <7.0% was achieved in 3,571 (65.7%) at 360 ± 90 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that baseline age, hemoglobin A1c and estimated glomerular filtration rate were negatively associated with achieving hemoglobin A1c of <7.0% at 360 ± 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In older Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes, those with a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate were more likely to achieve hemoglobin A1c of <7.0%. To safely manage blood glucose levels in older adults with chronic kidney disease, physicians should remain vigilant about the risk of iatrogenic hypoglycemia.

Anemia and its association with glycemia and transaminitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional pilot study

Background and Aims

Anemia impairs glucose homeostasis, affects glycemic control, and predisposes to complications in diabetics. It correlates with oxidative stress and increases the risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications. However, it is an underrecognized comorbidity in diabetics. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anemia in diabetic patients and compare the metabolic profiles of anemic and non-anemic diabetics.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted among type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients, at the outpatient clinic. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), known hematological disorders, and chronic inflammatory disorders were excluded.

Results

Of the 97 patients, 37 (38.14%) were found to be anemic (hemoglobin (Hb): male <13 g/dl, female <12 g/dl). The mean values of fasting blood sugar (FBS) in low and normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) patients were 265.9 ± 43.7 mg/dl and 157.2 ± 7.2 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.0026), and those of postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) were 370.3 ± 58.4 mg/dl and 226.3 ± 10.1 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.0015). It was found that 6 (22.2%) of 27 patients with raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had anemia against 27 (45.8%) of 59 patients with normal ALT (P = 0.03). The mean Hb levels in patients with raised and normal ALT were 13.31 ± 2.3 gm% and 12.2 ± 2.0 gm% (P = 0.03), respectively.

Conclusions

Blood sugar may have a direct relationship with MCV in T2DM patients. Hb tends to relate to hepatic enzymes likely due to altered dietary patterns in anemics. Further larger studies on the effect of iron supplementation and dietary habits on glycemic control and hepatic steatosis are warranted.

The use of semaglutide in patients with renal failure- a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist is approved for weight loss and diabetes treatment, but limited literature exists regarding semaglutide use in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, this project assessed the safety and efficacy of semaglutide among patients with eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) 15-29 mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD stage 4), eGFR<15 mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD stage 5) or on dialysis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective Electronic Medical Record based analysis of consecutive patients with advanced CKD (defined as CKD 4 or greater) who were started on semaglutide (injectable or oral). Data was collected between Jan 2018 and Jan 2023. Investigators verified CKD diagnosis and manually extracted data. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, paired T-test, linear mixed effects models and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients with CKD 4 or greater who initiated semaglutide were included. Most patients had a history of T2DM (96.0%), and most were male (53.9%). The mean age was 66.8 y (SD 11.5) with the mean BMI was 36.2 (SD 7.5). The initial doses were 3 mg orally and 0.25 mg by injection. Maximum prescribed dose was 1mg (injectable) in 28 (45.2%) patients and 14 mg (orally) in 2 (14.2%) patients. Patients received semaglutide for a median duration of 17.4 (IQR 0.43, 48.8) months. Forty-eight (63.1%) patients reported no adverse effects associated with the therapy. Mean weight decreased from 106.2(SD 24.2) to 101.3 (SD 27.3) kg (p<0.001). Eight patients (16%) with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) discontinued insulin after starting semaglutide. Mean HbA1c decreased from 8.0 % (SD 1.7) to 7.1 % (SD 1.3) (p<0.001). Adverse effects were the primary reason for semaglutide discontinuation (37.0%), with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain being the most common complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this retrospective study semaglutide appears to be tolerated by most individuals with CKD 4 or greater despite associated gastrointestinal side effects similar to those observed in patients with better kidney function and leads to an improvement of glycemic control and insulin discontinuation in patients with T2DM. Modest weight loss (approximately 4.6 % of the total body weight) was observed on the prescribed doses. Larger prospective randomized studies are needed to comprehensively assess the risks and benefits of semaglutide in patients with CKD 4 or greater and obesity.

Management of diabetes in people with advanced chronic kidney disease

Diabetes is the commonest cause of end stage kidney disease globally, accounting for almost 40% of new cases requiring renal replacement therapy. Management of diabetes in people with advanced kidney disease on renal replacement therapy is challenging due to some unique aspects of assessment and treatment in this group of patients. Standard glycaemic assessment using glycated haemoglobin may not be valid in such patients due to altered red blood cell turnover or iron/erythropoietin deficiency, leading to changed red blood cell longevity. Therefore, use of continuous glucose monitoring may be beneficial to enable more focussed glycaemic assessment and improved adjustment of therapy. People with advanced kidney disease may be at higher risk of hypoglycaemia due to a number of physiological mechanisms, and in addition, therapeutic options are limited in such patients due to lack of experience or license. Insulin therapy is the basis of treatment of people with diabetes with advanced kidney disease due to many other drugs classes being contraindicated. Targets for glycaemic control should be adjusted according to co-morbidity and frailty, and continuous glucose monitoring should be used in people on dialysis to ensure low risk of hypoglycaemia. Post-transplant diabetes is common amongst people undergoing solid organ transplantation and confers a greater risk of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients. It should be actively screened for and managed in the post-transplant setting.

Hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Assessment and treatment of hyperglycaemia in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are challenging. In advanced CKD HbA1c can be unreliable, and treatment adjustments should be supported by other glucose measurements (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) or blood glucose measurements). Glucose-lowering treatments should be evaluated based on CKD and an individualised assessment of risk factors especially hypoglycaemia. This review aims at providing an overview of the options for glycaemic monitoring and glucose-lowering treatments in people with diabetes and CKD.

Determination of Time in Range Associated With HbA1c ≤7% in a Prospective Cohort of Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Three Months

INTRODUCTION

Finding a goal of time in range (%TIR) that defines good glycemic control is necessary. Previous retrospective studies suggest good concordance between HbA1c ≤7% with a TIR >70%; however, the studies that included the largest number of patients used blood glucose measurement data with a follow-up time of less than 90 days. This study defined the TIR value that best discriminates HbA1c ≤7%.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study of diagnostic tests based on a cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with a hybrid closed loop (HCL) followed for three months. The ability of %TIR to distinguish patients with HbA1c ≤7% was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We determined the %TIR cutoff point with the best operating characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients were included (58.1% women, 47% overweight or obese, and 33% with high glycemic variability). A moderate negative correlation (R = -.54, P < .001) was found between %TIR and HbA1c. The discrimination ability was moderate, with an area under the curve of 0.7485 (95% confidence interval = 0.6608-0.8363). The cutoff point that best predicted HbA1c ≤7% was %TIR ≥75.5 (sensitivity 70%, specificity 67%). The findings were similar among those with a coefficient of variation (CV%) ≥36%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the %TIR adequately identifies patients with HbA1c ≤7%. A target of TIR ≥75%, rather than the currently recommended TIR ≥70%, may be a more suitable value for optimal glycemic control.

Discordance Between Glycated Hemoglobin A1c and the Glucose Management Indicator in People With Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease

INTRODUCTION

Assessment of glucose exposure via glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has limitations for interpretation in individuals with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The glucose management indicator (GMI) derived from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data could be an alternative. However, the concordance between HbA1c measured in laboratory and GMI (HbA1c-GMI) is uncertain in individuals with CKD. The purpose of this study is to analyze this discrepancy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a multicentric, retrospective, observational study. A group of individuals with diabetes and CKD (n = 170) was compared with a group of individuals with diabetes without CKD (n = 185). All individuals used an intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM). A comparison of 14-day and 90-day glucose data recorded by the isCGM was performed to calculate GMI and the discordance between lab HbA1c and GMI was analyzed by a Bland-Altman method and linear regression.

RESULTS

HbA1c-GMI discordance was significantly higher in the CKD group versus without CKD group (0.78 ± 0.57 [0.66-0.90] vs 0.59 ± 0.44 [0.50-0.66]%, P < .005). An absolute difference >0.5% was found in 68.2% of individuals with CKD versus 42.2% of individuals without CKD. We suggest a new specific formula to estimate HbA1c from the linear regression between HbA1c and mean glucose CGM, namely CKD-GMI = 0.0261 × 90-day mean glucose (mg/L) + 3.5579 (r2 = 0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

HbA1c-GMI discordance is frequent and usually in favor of an HbA1c level higher than the GMI value, which can lead to errors in changes in glucose-lowering therapy, especially for individuals with CKD. This latter population should benefit from the CGM to measure their glucose exposure more precisely.

Long-term Visit-to-Visit Variability in Hemoglobin A1c and Kidney-Related Outcomes in Persons With Diabetes

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

To characterize associations between long-term visit-to-visit variability of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and risk of adverse kidney outcomes in patients with diabetes.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

93,598 adults with diabetes undergoing routine care in Stockholm, Sweden.

EXPOSURES AND PREDICTORS

Categories of baseline and time-varying HbA1c variability score (HVS, the percentage of total HbA1c measures that vary by>0.5% [5.5mmol/mol] during a 3-year window): 0-20%, 21%-40%, 41%-60%, 61%-80%, and 81%-100%, with 0-20% as the reference group.

OUTCOME

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression (composite of>50% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decline and kidney failure), acute kidney disease (AKI by clinical diagnosis or transient creatinine elevations according to KDIGO criteria), and worsening of albuminuria.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Compared with persons showing low HbA1c variability (HVS 0-20%), any increase in variability was associated with a higher risk of adverse kidney outcomes beyond mean HbA1c. For example, for patients with a baseline HbA1c variability of 81%-100%, the adjusted HR was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.47-1.74) for CKD progression, 1.23 [1.16-1.3] for AKI, and 1.28 [1.21-1.36] for worsening of albuminuria. The results were consistent across subgroups (diabetes subtypes, baseline eGFR, or albuminuria categories), in time-varying analyses and in sensitivity analyses including time-weighted average HbA1c or alternative metrics of variability.

LIMITATIONS

Observational study, limitations of claims data, lack of information on diet, body mass index, medication changes, and diabetes duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher long-term visit-to-visit HbA1c variability is consistently associated with the risks of CKD progression, AKI, and worsening of albuminuria.

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

The evidence for current guideline recommendations derives from clinical trials that focus on a single HbA1c as the definitive measure of efficacy of an intervention. However, long-term visit-to-visit fluctuations of HbA1c may provide additional value in the prediction of future kidney complications. We evaluated the long-term fluctuations in glycemic control in almost 100,000 persons with diabetes undergoing routine care in Stockholm, Sweden. We observed that higher long-term HbA1c fluctuation is consistently associated with the risks of chronic kidney disease progression, worsening of albuminuria and acute kidney injury. This finding supports a role for long-term glycemic variability in the development of kidney complications and illustrates the potential usefulness of this metric for risk stratification at the bedside beyond a single HbA1c test.

[Alternative strategies to the use of glycosylated hemoglobin in monitoring the glycemic status of diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease]

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the recommended glycemic marker to achieve an optimal glycemic control that is essential to prevent comorbidities associated with the disease. However, in patients on haemodialysis (HD) this marker has important limitations, this reason has led us to search alternative markers such as glycosylated albumin (AG), labile fraction of glycosylated hemoglobin (LHbA1c) or glycation indices.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 47 patients in HD, 23 with DM, obtaining samples for the determination of de AG, HbA1c y LHbA1c. Glycation indices, which allow estimated the HbA1c using glucose, AG or LHbA1c, were calculated including a control group composed of 75 diabetic patients without kidney disease.

RESULTS

Diabetic patients in HD had significantly higher mean values than patients without DM for glucose [160 (44) vs 96 (12)mg/dL], HbA1c [6,4 (1,0) vs 4,9 (0,3)%], AG [16,0 (5,1) vs 12,9 (1,6)%] and LHbA1c [2,0 (0,3) vs 1,7 (0,2)%]. HbA1c calculated using glycation indices was significantly higher than measured in all HD patients, regardless of the marker used for the estimation.

CONCLUSIONS

The glycemic markers evaluated (glucose, AG and LHbA1c), could reflect a possible underestimation of the real glycemic state by HbA1c because of the limitations of this marker in HD patients. The use of alternative markers, knowing their limitations, could improve the monitoring of patients on HD and, therefore, reduce the risk of developing DM2 complications.

Low mean HbA1c does not increase all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes: Effect-modifications by anemia and chronic kidney disease stages

Background

Previous studies reported that low levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were associated with increased mortality. We investigated rates and risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in association with mean HbA1c levels with stratification of anemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages, major causes of low HbA1c.

Methods

47,145 patients with prescription of antidiabetic agents >6 months in the outpatient visits (2003–2018) were linked to Taiwan’s National Death Registry to identify all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Poisson assumption was used to estimate the mortality rates, and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the relative hazards of respective mortality in relation to mean HbA1c in different statuses of anemia and CKD stages.

Results

All-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were the lowest in non-anemic stages 1–2 CKD patients, and the highest in anemic stages 3–5 CKD patients. In stages 1–2 CKD, excessive HRs observed in those with mean HbA1c <6.0% (Hazard Ratio [HR]) 1.58; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.18–2.12) became inconsequential after adjustment of medications and laboratory results (HR: 1.26; 95% CI 0.89–1.79). The similar patterns were observed in anemic stages 1–2 CKD, anemic or non-anemic stages 3–5 CKD. Low HbA1c was not related to cardiovascular mortality in any anemia status or CKD staging.

Conclusions

Higher risks associated with low mean HbA1c and all-cause mortality were attenuated by adjustment of medications and comorbidities. It is imperative for the diabetologists to consider confounding effects of underlying illness before concluding low HbA1c associated higher mortality.

Glycated hemoglobin levels and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in hemodialysis patients with diabetes

AIM

Adequate glycemic control is fundamental for improving clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients with diabetes. However, the target for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and whether cause-specific mortality differs based on HbA1c levels remain unclear.

METHODS

A total of 24,243 HD patients with diabetes were enrolled from a multicenter, nationwide registry. We examined the association between HbA1c levels and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

RESULTS

Compared to patients with HbA1c 6.5%-7.5%, patients with HbA_1c 8.5-9.5% and ≥9.5% were associated with a 1.26-fold (95% CI, 1.12-1.42) and 1.56-fold (95% CI, 1.37-1.77) risk for all-cause mortality. The risk of all-cause mortality did not increase in patients with HbA1c < 5.5%. In cause-specific mortality, the risk of cardiovascular deaths significantly increased from small increase of HbA1c levels. However, the risk of other causes of death increased only in patients with HbA1c > 9.5%. The slope of HR increase with increasing HbA1c levels was significantly faster for cardiovascular causes than for other causes.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a linear relationship between HbA1c levels and risk of all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients, and the risk of cardiovascular death increased earlier and more rapidly, with increasing HbA1c levels, compared with other causes of death.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring metrics in the Assessment of Glycemia in Moderate-to-Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Diabetes

Introduction

Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has reduced reliability in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) owing to factors influencing red cell turnover. Recent guidelines support the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in glycemic assessment in these patients. We evaluated relationships between HbA1c and CGM metrics of average glycemia and glucose variability (GV) in moderate-to-advanced CKD.

Methods

There were a total of 90 patients with diabetes in CKD stages G3b (n = 33), G4 (n = 43), and G5 (nondialysis) (n = 14) (age [mean ± SD] 65.4 ± 9.0 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 26.1 ± 9.6 ml/min per 1.73 m², and HbA1c 7.4 ± 0.8%). CGM metrics were estimated from blinded CGM (Medtronic Ipro2 with Enlite sensor) and compared with HbA1c in the same week.

Results

Correlations between glucose management indicator (GMI) and HbA1c attenuated with advancing CKD (G3b [r = 0.68, P < 0.0001], G4 [r = 0.52, P < 0.001], G5 [r = 0.22, P = 0.44], P = 0.01 for CKD stage). In G3b and G4, HbA1c correlated significantly with time-in-range (TIR) (3.9–10.0 mmol/l) (r = −0.55 and r = −0.54, respectively) and % time > 13.9 mmol/l (r = 0.53 and r = 0.44, respectively), but not in G5. HbA1c showed no correlation with % time <3.0 mmol/l (r = −0.045, P = 0.67) or % coefficient of variation (CV) (r = −0.05, P = 0.64) in any CKD stage. Only eGFR was a significant determinant of bias for the difference between GMI and HbA1c (difference −0.28%, 95% CI [−0.52 to −0.03] per 15 ml/min per 1.73 m² decrement, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

CGM-derived indices might serve as an adjunct to HbA1c monitoring to guide glycemic management, especially in those with eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m². Time in hypoglycemia and glycemic variability are relevant glycemic targets for optimization not reflected by HbA1c.

The Potential Diagnostic and Predictive Role of HbA1c in Diabetic, Septic Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background

As diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor of sepsis, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of diabetes mellitus and poor glycemic control on the diagnosis of sepsis.

Methods

In our retrospective study, we included diabetic, septic patients-in whom the diagnosis of sepsis was based on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria (n = 112, SIRS group)-who had HbA1c levels measured either in the previous 30 days (n = 39, SIRS 30 d subgroup) or within 24 hours after their emergency department admission (n = 73, SIRS 24 h subgroup). We later selected those patients from the SIRS group, whose sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was ≥2 (n = 55, SOFA group), and these patients were also divided based on the time of HbA1c measurement (n = 21, SOFA 30 d subgroup and n = 34, SOFA 24 h subgroup). We analyzed the relationship between laboratory parameters, length of hospital stay, and HbA1c.

Results

We found a significant positive correlation between glucose and HbA1c (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), significant negative correlations between white blood cell count (WBC) and glucose (p=0.01, p=0.02, respectively), WBC and HbA1c levels (p=0.001, p=0.02, respectively) in the SIRS 24 h and SOFA 24 h subgroups. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between length of hospital stay and HbA1c in the SOFA 24 h subgroup (p=0.01). No significant correlations were found in the SIRS 30 d and SOFA 30 d subgroups.

Conclusion

Based on our results, normal WBC with elevated HbA1c might be considered a positive SIRS criterium in diabetic, SIRS 24 h patients. Besides this potential diagnostic role, HbA1c might also be an additional prognostic biomarker in diabetic, SOFA 24 h patients.

Sex-Specific Associations of Iron-Anemia Status With Hemoglobin A1C Levels Among Hispanics/Latinos Without Self-Reported Diabetes Mellitus: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the sex-specific associations of mutually exclusive iron-anemia status categories with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Baseline cross-sectional data (7247 women and 4904 men without self-reported diabetes mellitus) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were analyzed. Per the American Diabetes Association's defined criteria, based on HbA1C levels, the participants were categorized as having normoglycemia, prediabetes, or probable diabetes mellitus. The iron-anemia status categories were as follows: no anemia and no iron deficiency (reference), iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and non-iron deficiency anemia (non-IDA). Survey multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the sex-specific associations of iron-anemia status with HbA1C levels after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalence of iron-anemia status categories differed by sex. Compared with those with no anemia and no iron deficiency and normoglycemia, women with IDA had higher odds of having prediabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% CI, 1.64-2.89) and probable diabetes mellitus (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.62-7.99) based on HbA1C levels; men with non-IDA had higher odds of having probable diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.13-7.78) based on HbA1C levels. All other associations did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus, the age-standardized prevalence of iron deficiency, IDA, and non-IDA is high and varies by sex. Women with IDA had higher odds of having prediabetes and probable diabetes mellitus, defined based on HbA1C levels. Men with non-IDA had higher odds of having probable diabetes mellitus, defined based on HbA1C levels. Iron-anemia status should be considered while interpreting elevated HbA1C levels among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus.

Hemoglobin A1c and Fructosamine Evaluated in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis Using Long-Term Continuous Glucose Monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Shortened erythrocyte life span and erythropoietin-stimulating agents may affect hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). We compared HbA1c with interstitial glucose measured by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving PD.

METHODS

Fourteen days of CGM (Ipro2, Medtronic) were performed in 23 patients with type 2 diabetes receiving PD and in 23 controls with type 2 diabetes and an estimated glomerular filtration rate over 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients were matched on gender and age (±5 years). HbA1c (mmol/mol), its derived estimate of mean plasma glucose (eMPGA1c) (mmol/L), and fructosamine (µmol/L) were measured at the end of the CGM period and compared with the mean sensor glucose (mmol/L) from CGM.

RESULTS

In the PD group, mean sensor glucose was 0.98 (95% con-fidence interval (CI): 0.43-1.54) mmol/L higher than the eMPGA1c compared with the control group (p = 0.002) where glucose levels were nearly identical (-0.05 (95% CI: -0.35-0.25) mmol/L). A significant association was found between fructosamine and mean sensor glucose using linear regression with no difference between slopes (p = 0.89) or y-intercepts (p = 0.28).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

HbA1c underestimates mean plasma glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving PD. However, the clinical significance of this finding is undetermined. Fructosamine seems to more accurately reflect glycemic status. CGM or fructosamine could complement HbA1c to increase the accuracy of glycemic monitoring in the PD population.

24-h Glycaemic profiles in peritoneal dialysis patients and non-dialysis controls with advanced kidney disease

BACKGROUND

For patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), the deleterious effects of high concentrations of dialysate glucose on the peritoneal membrane are well-documented. Systemic effects of peritoneally absorbed glucose are more poorly defined. Using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), we aimed to describe 24-h glycaemic profiles of PD patients without diabetes and compare with non-dialysis controls with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, case-control study, 15 patients on PD (9 automated PD (APD) and 6 continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD)) and 16 CKD-5 controls underwent 72 h of CGM and metabolic profiling. CGM was used to derive average glucose concentrations and within-participant standard deviation (SD) of glucose. Data were analysed for the whole 72-h monitoring period and as daytime (09.00 to 21.00) and night-time (21.00 to 09.00).

RESULTS

Average glucose concentrations and within-participant SD of glucose for the whole monitoring period were not different between the three groups (p ≥ 0.5). Daytime average glucose concentrations were also similar across the three groups (p = 0.729). APD was associated with a significantly higher nocturnal glucose than CAPD (5.25 mmol/L ± 0.65 vs. 4.28 ± 0.5, p = 0.026). A significant drop in nocturnal glucose compared with daytime average seen in both CAPD patients and controls was absent in APD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematically different glycaemic patterns were observed in non-diabetic APD and CAPD patients, including an absence of physiological nocturnal glucose dipping in patients on APD. Comprehensive CGM data sets highlight subtleties not appreciated by traditional metabolic biomarkers; this has implications when choosing the most appropriate outcome measures in future research addressing the metabolic impact of PD.

The substantial burden of non-communicable diseases and HIV-comorbidity amongst adults: Screening results from an integrated HIV testing services clinic for adults in Soweto, South Africa

BACKGROUND

South Africa is disproportionately impacted by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and HIV/AIDS. We investigated the prevalence of known/unknown NCD risk factors, HIV, and NCD risk factor-HIV comorbidity; and treatment status on known diseases to determine the prevalence of controlled/uncontrolled disease.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study (June 2018-March 2019) within an integrated testing centre in Soweto, South Africa, screened adults (aged ≥18 years) for body mass index (BMI), hypertension (HT), rapid glucose and cholesterol, and HIV. Results were stratified by age group, sex, HIV-status, and self-reported ART use. Analysis included Fisher's exact, chi-squared, Kruskal Wallis, and Student's T-tests.

FINDINGS

Of 780 enrolled participants, 19.2% were HIV-positive, 37.5% were overweight/obese, 18.0% hypertensive, 10.8% hyperglycaemic, and 8.1% had hypercholesterolaemia. Significantly more women had overweight/obese BMI than men (46.8% vs 19.7%; p<0.0001), and women aged 25-34 years had significantly more hypercholesterolaemia than same-aged men (18.2% vs 5.6%; p = 0.02). HIV-positive participants had significantly more hyperglycaemia than HIV-negative participants (16.1% vs 9.6%; p = 0.02), and those on ART (63.9%) had significantly more hypercholesterolaemia than those not on ART (21.7% vs. 4.9%; p = 0.002). Of participants with HT, hyperglycaemia, and hypercholesterolaemia; 72.4%, 96.1%, and 93.3% were newly diagnosed. All participants with previously diagnosed NCDs remained with uncontrolled disease.

INTERPRETATION

There is a high burden of HIV, NCD risk factors, and comorbidity in Soweto, and amongst young adults (18-34 years), especially women. Lowering age requirements for glucose/cholesterol screening to 18+ years, regardless of BMI, HIV-status, or ART use, may yield timely NCD diagnosis/management.

Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes in Renal Transplant Recipients: An Update

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent and relevant complication after renal transplantation: it affects 20-30% of renal transplant recipients and increases the risk for cardiovascular and infectious events. Thus, understanding pathogenesis of PTDM would help limiting its consequences. In this review, we analyse novel aspects of PTDM, based on studies of the last decade, such as the clinical evolution of PTDM, early and late, the reversibility rate, diagnostic criteria, risk factors, including pre-transplant metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (IR) and the interaction between these factors and immunosuppressive medications. Also, we discuss novel pathogenic factors, in particular the role of β-cell function in an environment of IR and common pathways between pre-existing cell damage and tacrolimus-induced toxicity. The relevant role of prediabetes in the pathogenesis of PTDM and cardiovascular disease is also addressed. Finally, current evidence on PTDM treatment is discussed.

Current Pharmacological Intervention and Medical Management for Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients

Hyperglycemia after kidney transplantation is common in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Both pretransplant and post-transplant diabetes mellitus are associated with increased kidney allograft failure and mortality. Glucose management may be challenging for kidney transplant recipients. The pathophysiology and pattern of hyperglycemia in patients following kidney transplantation is different from those with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In patients with pre-existing and post-transplant diabetes mellitus, there is limited data on the management of hyperglycemia after kidney transplantation. The following article discusses the nomenclature and diagnosis of pre- and post-transplant diabetes mellitus, the impact of transplant-related hyperglycemia on patient and kidney allograft outcomes, risk factors and potential pathogenic mechanisms of hyperglycemia after kidney transplantation, glucose management before and after transplantation, and modalities for prevention of post-transplant diabetes mellitus.

Applications and pitfalls of hemoglobin A1C and alternative methods of glycemic monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Intensive glycemic control minimizes the risks of microvascular complications in diabetes. A1C is a convenient estimate of mean blood glucose, but is not the only marker available. The practical use and limitations of alternative markers and continuous glucose monitors are the focus of this review.

METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies concerning applications or limitations of A1C, fructosamine, glycated albumin, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, skin autofluorescence, and continuous glucose monitoring. Papers reporting on strengths, limitations, or comparisons of these methods were reviewed for inclusion.

RESULTS

A1C reflects three months of glycemic control and is not an ideal marker in all patient populations. Fructosamine and glycated albumin reflect mean blood glucose over three weeks. 1,5-Anhydroglucitol can measure hyperglycemic excursions in days to weeks. Continuous glucose monitors provide immediate feedback for timely intervention to reduce glycemic excursions and can assess glycemic variability. Current barriers to continuous glucose monitor use include inexperience, cost, discomfort, and medication interference.

CONCLUSIONS

Many promising alternative glycemic markers exist. The main limitations for all alternative methods of glycemic monitoring are a lack of standardization for clinically useful cut-offs or guidelines, and a lack of long-term data on their association with complications, particularly in varied patient populations.

The agreement between fasting glucose and markers of chronic glycaemic exposure in individuals with and without chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

Background

To assess whether the agreement between fasting glucose and glycated proteins is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a community-based sample of 1621 mixed-ancestry South Africans.

Methods

CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m². Fasting plasma glucose and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations were measured by enzymatic hexokinase method and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively, with fructosamine and glycated albumin measured by immunoturbidimetry and enzymatic method, respectively.

Results

Of those with CKD (n = 96), 79, 16 and 5% where in stages 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Those with CKD had higher levels of HbA1c (6.2 vs. 5.7%; p < 0.0001), glycated albumin (15.0 vs. 13.0%; p < 0.0001) and fructosamine levels (269.7 vs. 236.4 μmol/l; p < 0.0001), compared to those without CKD. Higher fasting glucose levels were associated with higher HbA1c, glycated albumin and fructosamine, independent of age, gender, and CKD. However, the association with HbA1c and glycated albumin differed by CKD status, at the upper concentrations of the respective markers (interaction term for both: p ≤ 0.095).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that although HbA1c and glycated albumin perform acceptably under conditions of normoglycaemia, these markers correlate less well with blood glucose levels in people with CKD who are not on dialysis.

Spurious HbA1c results in patients with diabetes treated with dapsone

SUMMARY

Measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) has been utilised in assessing long-term control of blood glucose in patients with diabetes, as well as diagnosing diabetes and identifying patients at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. HbA1c reflects the level of blood glucose to which the erythrocyte has been exposed during its lifespan, and there are a number of clinical situations affecting the erythrocyte life span in which HbA1c values may be spuriously high or low and therefore not reflective of the true level of glucose control. In the present case series, we describe the particulars of three patients with diabetes who had spuriously low HbA1c levels as a result of dapsone usage. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations of HbA1c testing and the mechanisms by which it may be affected by dapsone in particular.

LEARNING POINTS

Various conditions and medications can result in falsely low HbA1c. Dapsone can lead to falsely low HbA1c by inducing haemolysis and by forming methaemoglobin. Capillary glucose measurement, urine glucose measurements and fructosamine levels should be used as alternatives to HbA1c for monitoring glycaemic control if it was falsely low or high.

Nonproteinuric Versus Proteinuric Phenotypes in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of a Nationwide, Biopsy-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Clinicopathological characteristics, renal prognosis, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduced renal function without overt proteinuria are scarce.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed 526 patients with type 2 diabetes and reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m²), who underwent clinical renal biopsy and had follow-up data, from Japan's nationwide multicenter renal biopsy registry. For comparative analyses, we derived one-to-two cohorts of those without proteinuria versus those with proteinuria using propensity score-matching methods addressing the imbalances of age, sex, diabetes duration, and baseline eGFR. The primary end point was progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) defined as new-onset end-stage renal disease, decrease of eGFR by ≥50%, or doubling of serum creatinine. The secondary end point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients with nonproteinuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR] <300 mg/g) had lower systolic blood pressure and less severe pathological lesions compared with 164 propensity score-matched patients with proteinuria (UACR ≥300 mg/g). After a median follow-up of 1.9 years (interquartile range 0.9-5.0 years) from the date of renal biopsy, the 5-year CKD progression-free survival was 86.6% (95% CI 72.5-93.8) for the nonproteinuric group and 30.3% (95% CI 22.4-38.6) for the proteinuric group (log-rank test P < 0.001). The lower renal risk was consistent across all subgroup analyses. The all-cause mortality was also lower in the nonproteinuric group (log-rank test P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with nonproteinuric diabetic kidney disease had better-controlled blood pressure and fewer typical morphological changes and were at lower risk of CKD progression and all-cause mortality.

Managing care for people with diabetes undergoing dialysis

BACKGROUND

Caring for patients with diabetes undergoing dialysis often proves challenging for staff working in haemodialysis units as they are not experts in diabetes and unfamiliar with insulin dosing regimens and the impact dialysis can have on blood sugar levels and lifestyle adjustment. There is a need to improve the knowledge base of renal healthcare professionals to better understand the physiology of diabetes, its relationship with end stage kidney disease, and potential changes that can take place when commencing dialysis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of diabetes, associated risk factors, and complications associated with combined kidney disease & diabetes. In addition, readers will learn about the impact of dialysis on this complex patient group; adjustments which need to be made to accommodate haemodialysis schedules e.g. timing of meals and insulin requirements; treatment time including travel; the monitoring of blood glucose levels: increased risk of hypoglycaemia; review of oral glycaemic medication and the need to maintain regular health checks and contact with diabetes teams.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Specialist evidence based guidelines for the management of patients with diabetes receiving haemodialysis are readily available and can be used to support clinical practice. One of the key components to improving the patient experience is to maintain collaborative working relationship between renal and diabetes teams.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After reading this paper the reader will be able to Understand the risk factors and complications of diabetes and relate to patients in their care Critically review the management of patients undergoing dialysis with diabetes Gain knowledge and understanding of changes in the dosing of insulin needed for patients receiving dialysis Understand how clinical guidelines can be applied in practice.

Influence of iron deficiency on Hb A1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients

AIMS

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is gold-standard for the assessment of glycemic control in diabetic patients. Previous studies have reported that iron deficiency may elevate A1c concentrations, independent of glycemia. This study aimed to analyze the effect of iron status on HbA1c levels in diabetic patients.

METHODS

661 patients 336 females (228 menopausal and 108 premenopausal) and 325 males (237 age> 50 years and 88 age < 50 years) were recruited. HbA1c, ferritin, fasting plasma glucose, hemogram and medical history were recorded. Analysis of variance ANOVA and Pearson's regression were applied.

RESULTS

patients were divided according gender, age, glycemia and iron status (normal, latent iron deficiency LID, iron deficiency anemia IDA).All groups presented increasing HbA1c values in parallel with iron deficiency, subclinical and anemia, but the level of significance was not homogeneous in the different groups. Controlled premenopausal women HbA1c in normal iron status and IDA groups P = 0.0048, between normal and LID, P = 0.033. Not controlled premenopausal women Normal group and IDAP < 0.001, normal iron status and LID P = 0.019. Controlled menopausal women normal group and IDAP < 0.0001, LID and IDA P = 0.01. Not controlled menopausal women normal group and IDA P = 0.04. Controlled men over 50 years normal and IDA groups P = 0.002, LID and IDA P = 0.02. Controlled young men normal group and LID P = 0.03.

CONCLUSION

This study found a positive correlation between iron deficiency and increased HA1c levels. In diabetic patients with IDA should be interpreted with caution, due to the possibility of spurious increment in HbA1c.

HbA1c: a review of non-glycaemic variables

Identification of the correlation between HbA1c and diabetic complications has yielded one of the most clinically useful biomarkers. HbA1c has revolutionised the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus. However, with widespread adoption of HbA1c has come increasing recognition that non-glycaemic variables can also affect HbA1c, with varying clinical significance. Furthermore, the identification of a discrepancy between predicted and measured HbA1c in some individuals, the so-called 'glycation gap', may be clinically significant. We aimed to review the current body of evidence relating to non-glycaemic variables to quantify any significance and provide subsequent suggestions. A PubMed-based literature search was performed, using a variety of search terms, to retrieve articles detailing the non-glycaemic variables suggested to affect HbA1c. Articles were reviewed to assess the relevance of any findings in clinical practice and where possible guidance is given. A range of non-glycaemic variables have statistically significant effects on HbA1c. While the clinical implications are generally irrelevant, a small number of non-glycaemic variables do have clinically significant effects and alternative biomarkers should be considered instead of, or in addition to, HbA1c. There are a small number of non-glycaemic variables which have a clinically significant effect on HbA1c, However, the vast majority of non-glycaemic variables have no clinical relevance. While clinicians should have an awareness of those non-glycaemic variables with clinical significance, in the vast majority of clinical scenarios HbA1c should continue to be used with confidence.

Anemia modifies the prognostic value of glycated hemoglobin in patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease

A common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia can influence glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. In diabetic patients, anemia occurs earlier and with higher severity over the course of CKD stages. To elucidate the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) on the predictive value of HbA1c, we enrolled 1558 diabetic patients with stages 3-4 CKD, categorized according to baseline Hb and HbA1c quartiles. Linear regression revealed that higher HbA1c correlated significantly with higher Hb in the Hb < 10 g/dL group (β = 0.146, P = 0.004). A fully-adjusted Cox regression model revealed worse clinical outcomes in patients with higher HbA1c quartiles in the Hb ≥ 10 g/dL group. Hazard ratios for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), all-cause mortality, and composite endpoint (cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality) in patients with Hb ≥ 10 g/dL and the highest HbA1c quartile were 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-3.15), 1.76 (95% CI, 1.02-3.03), and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.03-2.31), respectively. By contrast, HbA1c was not associated with clinical outcomes in the Hb < 10 g/dL group. In conclusion, in stages 3-4 diabetic CKD, higher HbA1c is associated with a higher risk of poor clinical outcomes in patients with Hb ≥ 10 g/dL.

Glycated Albumin Versus HbA1c in the Evaluation of Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes and CKD

INTRODUCTION

It is inaccurate to assess blood glucose with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and whether glycated albumin (GA) is better than HbA1c in these patients remains unclear.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE to July 2017 for studies that investigated the correlation between GA or HbA1c and the average glucose levels (AG) relevant to this theme. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 and Stata12.0. The outcome was the correlation coefficient between GA or HbA1c and AG. For the first time, we made a comparison of GA and HbA1c in different CKD stages.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies with 3928 patients were included. Early stages of CKD refer to CKD stage 1 to 3. Advanced CKD refer to CKD stage 4 and 5 including patients receiving dialysis. The meta-analysis suggested that in early stages of CKD, the pooled R between GA and AG was 0.61 (95% CI = 0.49-0.73) and 0.71 (95% CI = 0.55-0.87) for HbA1c (P > 0.05). In advanced CKD patients, the pooled R between GA and AG was 0.57 (95% CI = 0.52-0.62), and 0.49 (95% CI = 0.45-0.52) for HbA1c (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

GA is superior to HbA1c in assessing blood glucose control in diabetes patients with advanced CKD.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and tocilizumab on the glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; an observational study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with inflammation. We tried to investigate the influence of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and tocilizumab (TCZ) on the glucose metabolism of RA patients. RA patients in whom treatment with TNFi or TCZ was initiated from 2008 to 2015 were studied based on their medical records. We analyzed patients whose glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured both before and 3 months after the initiation of these biologic agents. The association between HbA1c reduction and the treatment was evaluated. From 971 cases treated with these biologic agents, 221 cases whose medical records of HbA1c were available, were included (TNFi, n = 154; TCZ, n = 67). Both the TNFi and TCZ groups had significantly lower HbA1c values at 1 month and 3 months after the initiation of treatment (TNFi, p<0.001; TCZ, p<0.001). Although the pretreatment HbA1c values did not differ (TNFi, 6.2%; TCZ, 6.2%; p = 0.532), the 3-month treatment HbA1c values were lower (TNFi, 6.1%; TCZ, 5.8%; p = 0.010) and the changes in HbA1c (ΔHbA1c) were greater (TNFi, 0.1%; TCZ, 0.4%; p<0.001) in the TCZ group. The reduction of HbA1c—defined by the achievement of a ΔHbA1c of ≥0.5%—was associated with baseline diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, baseline diabetes treatment, hospitalization, medical change during the observation period, and TCZ. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, TCZ was associated with the reduction of HbA1c in comparison to TNFi (adjusted OR = 5.59, 95% CI = 2.56–12.2; p<0.001). The HbA1c levels in RA patients were significantly lower after the initiation of TNFi or TCZ. Our study suggests that TCZ decreases the HbA1c levels in RA patients to a greater extent than TNFi.

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease: an increasingly common multi-morbid disease in need of a paradigm shift in care

Diabetes is considered the commonest cause of end-stage renal disease. The increasing incidence of obesity and an ageing population, together, will lead to a greater number of people with diabetes associated with chronic kidney disease that could either be secondary to diabetic nephropathy or of different aetiology. Ageing and obesity influence approaches to the management of diabetes and accurate assessment of kidney disease. People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease consume a disproportionate component of expenditure on medical care. Guidelines on managing diabetes and kidney disease do not recognize the complex multi-morbid nature of the process. In addition to managing glycaemia and monitoring renal function, the assessment and management of cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular disease itself need to be factored into care. People with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy are more vulnerable to retinopathy and foot complications requiring coordinated care. People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease are more prone to anaemia and metabolic bone disease than those without diabetes at similar stages of chronic kidney disease, further increasing their vulnerability to acute complications from cardiovascular disease, foot emergencies and fractures. People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease are also more prone to hospitalization with infections and acute kidney injury. Given the 30-40% prevalence of kidney disease amongst people with diabetes, potentially >2% of the adult population would fit into this category, making it vital that new surveillance models of supported care are provided for those living with diabetes and kidney disease and for primary care teams who manage the vast majority of such people.

Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Iron Deficiency: CLEVER Trial Study Design and Protocol

INTRODUCTION

HbA1c is the gold standard for glycemic control in pre-diabetes and diabetes. However, its validity has been questioned, especially in the presence of imbalanced iron homeostasis. The CLEVER trial aims to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency and HbA1c (a biomarker for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of type 2 diabetes) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

METHODS

The CLEVER (intravenous ferric CarboxymaLtosE for improVement of mEtabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes patients with iRon deficiency) trial is a randomized, single-blind, proof-of-concept study with two treatment arms. 140 men and women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency will receive either placebo or ferric carboxymaltose (500 or 1000 mg) as intravenous infusions. The primary outcome measure is the change in HbA1c level between baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints include change of iron status and metabolic markers as well as treatment safety and tolerability. Furthermore, the potential clinical improvement in quality of life and the reliability of HbA1c measurement in patients with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency will be investigated.

RESULTS

Both excessive iron and iron deficiency are associated with metabolic disorders; excessive iron is a risk factor for the development of diabetes, whereas iron deficiency is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. It has been suggested that iron increases insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. CLEVER is the first study to investigate the hypothesis that intravenous substitution with ferric carboxymaltose reduces HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and iron deficiency, thereby improving metabolic status and quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01513369).

FUNDING

GWT-TUD GmbH acts as sponsor of the clinical trial. Financial support is provided by Vifor Pharma.

Effect of iron supplementation on HbA1c levels in pregnant women with and without anaemia

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anaemia has been associated with higher HbA1c levels. However, during and after iron supplementation there is a decrease in HbA1c results, causing a misinterpretation. Our aim was to analyse the effect of iron supplementation on HbA1c levels in nondiabetic pregnant women with and without anaemia.

METHODS

Pregnant women in prenatal care, without gestational diabetes (GDM) or previous diabetes mellitus (DM) that performed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the third trimester of pregnancy were invited to participate. Clinical and laboratorial analyses were performed, including standardized questionnaire, OGTT, full blood count and HbA1c.

RESULTS

A total of 231 pregnant women without DM or GDM were included in the study. According to anaemia and/or iron supplementation, we divided women in: no iron and no anaemia - Group 1 (N=86); no iron and with anaemia - Group 2 (N=29); iron and no anaemia - Group 3 (N=87); iron and anaemia - Group 4 (N=29). There was statistically a significant, although no clinically relevant, difference between HbA1c values in pregnant women in Groups 1 and 4 [5.1±0.4% (32±4.4mmol/mol) and 4.8±0.3% (29±3.3mmol/mol), P<0.01; respectively]. HbA1c values in pregnant women in Groups 1, 2 and 3 were similar, independently of anaemia [5.1±0.4% (32±4.4mmol/mol); 5.0±0.4% (31±4.4mmol/mol) and 5.0±0.4% (31±4.4mmol/mol); p>0.05; respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Iron supplementation during pregnancy does not affect HbA1c levels and has no clinical impact in the final interpretation of results in the absence of anaemia or presence of mild anaemia. Interpreting HbA1c results in pregnant women during iron therapy and with moderate or severe anaemia still requires caution.

Effect of treatment of iron deficiency anemia onhemoglobin A1c in type 2 diabetic patients

Background/aim: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment of iron deficiency anemia on hemoglobin A1c in type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and methods: Ninety type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with IDA were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind clinical trial. The intervention group (n = 45) received 200 mg/day oral iron for 3 months and the control group (n = 45) received an oral placebo for the same period. Fasting blood sugar, complete blood count, and HbA1c were measured for all subjects at the beginning and the end of the trial.Results: The mean age of the treatment and control group was 51.47 ± 1.05 and 52 ± 1.1 years, respectively. The two groups were not statistically significantly different with regard to diabetes duration (P = 0.436) and age (P = 0.617). Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and HbA1c were significantly improved in the intervention group in comparison with the control group (P = 0.005).Conclusion: Iron status should be considered during the interpretation of the HbA1c concentrations in diabetes mellitus. Iron replacement therapy can decrease HbA1c in anemic patients with IDA and T2DM.

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ) and fasting plasma glucose relationships in sea-level and high-altitude settings

AIM

Higher haemoglobin levels and differences in glucose metabolism have been reported among high-altitude residents, which may influence the diagnostic performance of HbA_1c . This study explores the relationship between HbA_1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in populations living at sea level and at an altitude of > 3000 m.

METHODS

Data from 3613 Peruvian adults without a known diagnosis of diabetes from sea-level and high-altitude settings were evaluated. Linear, quadratic and cubic regression models were performed adjusting for potential confounders. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed and concordance between HbA_1c and FPG was assessed using a Kappa index.

RESULTS

At sea level and high altitude, means were 13.5 and 16.7 g/dl (P > 0.05) for haemoglobin level; 41 and 40 mmol/mol (5.9% and 5.8%; P < 0.01) for HbA_1c ; and 5.8 and 5.1 mmol/l (105 and 91.3 mg/dl; P < 0.001) for FPG, respectively. The adjusted relationship between HbA_1c and FPG was quadratic at sea level and linear at high altitude. Adjusted models showed that, to predict an HbA_1c value of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), the corresponding mean FPG values at sea level and high altitude were 6.6 and 14.8 mmol/l (120 and 266 mg/dl), respectively. An HbA_1c cut-off of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) had a sensitivity for high FPG of 87.3% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 76.5 to 94.4) at sea level and 40.9% (95% CI 20.7 to 63.6) at high altitude.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between HbA_1c and FPG is less clear at high altitude than at sea level. Caution is warranted when using HbA_1c to diagnose diabetes mellitus in this setting.

Iron deficiency anemia and glucose metabolism

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. It occurs at all stages of the life cycle, but is more prevalent in pregnant women and young children. IDA appears to be more common in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic population. Iron deficiency (ID) and IDA can impair glucose homeostasis in animals and human and may negatively affect glycemic control and predispose to more complications in diabetic patients. On the other hand diabetes and its complications are associated with anemia and its correction improves diabetes control and may prevent or delay the occurrence of complications. Physicians treating this form of anemia should be aware of its negative effect on glycemic control in normal and diabetic patients (both type 1 and type 2). They should prevent ID and treat early all those with IDA.This brief review aims to enlighten the different effects of IDA on glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic patients.

Management of anemia in patients with diabetic kidney disease: A consensus statement

This consensus statement focuses on the window of opportunity, which exists while treating patients with diabetic kidney disease and anemia.

Changes in antidiabetic prescription patterns and indicators of diabetic control among 200,000 patients over 13 years at a single institution in Japan

BACKGROUND

We examined the long-term changes in the management of diabetes at a single institution in Japan.

METHODS

Two repeated cross-sectional studies and a retrospective cohort study were conducted among patients who visited our institution between 2001 and 2013. We examined the changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycated albumin levels, the prescription frequencies, and the daily doses of each antidiabetic agent among patients treated regularly for diabetes during the 13-year study period. The trends in control and treatment parameters were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

In the first repeated cross-sectional studies, 200,298 patients had their glucose metabolism indicators measured, and diabetologists prescribed medications to 193, 445 patients. Of these, 170 patients were included in the retrospective cohort study. The patients' diabetic control tended to improve over the study period. The mean HbA1c level improved from 7.9 to 7.6% (from 63 to 60 mmol/mol) (rs = -0.11, p < 0.01) in the cross-sectional study, corresponding to a change from 8.2 to 7.7% (from 66 to 61 mmol/mol) (rs = -0.22, p < 0.01) in the retrospective study. The mean GA level improved from 22.7 to 20.7% (rs = -0.13, p < 0.01) in the cross-sectional study and from 23.5 to 21.5% (rs = -0.14, p < 0.01) in the retrospective study. Over the study period, prescription frequencies and daily doses of antidiabetic agents changed as treatment guidelines were altered.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed a tendency toward long-term improvements in diabetic control, with changes in the prescription patterns consistent with research and guideline evidence.

Overview of Data Concerning the Safe Use of Antihyperglycemic Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease

INTRODUCTION

It can be a challenge to manage glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), due to both patient and medication issues. Although most antihyperglycemic medications can be used in mild kidney disease, many medications are either not advised or require dose adjustments in more advanced CKD. This review summarizes product label information, pharmacokinetic and clinical studies, and clinical guidelines relevant to use of antihyperglycemic medications in CKD.

METHODS

Product labels and guidelines from North America and Europe, as well as pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of diabetes medication use in CKD were identified through Medline and PubMed searches, up to February 2015. Available data are summarized and correlations between treatment recommendations and available research are discussed, as are glycemic targets for patients with CKD.

RESULTS

Newer medications have significantly more data available than older medications regarding use in CKD, although larger clinical studies are still lacking for some drugs. As CKD advances, dose adjustment is needed for many medications [numerous dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, some insulins, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors], although not for others (thiazolidinediones, meglitinides). Some medications are not recommended for use in more advanced CKD (metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, some glucagon-like protein-1 receptor agonists) for safety or efficacy reasons. There is not always good alignment between label recommendations, pharmacokinetic or clinical studies, and guideline recommendations for use of these drugs in CKD. In particular, controversy remains about the use of metformin in moderate CKD and appropriate use of liraglutide and sulfonylureas in advanced CKD.

CONCLUSION

Considerable variability exists with respect to recommendations and clinical data for the many antihyperglycemic drugs used in patients with T2DM and CKD.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company.

Glycemic control and antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with renal complications

BACKGROUND

Good glycemic control can delay the progression of kidney diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with renal complications. To date, the association between antidiabetic agents and glycemic control in this specific patient population is not well established.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify antidiabetic regimens as well as other factors that associated with glycemic control in T2DM patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional study involved 242 T2DM inpatients and outpatients with renal complications from January 2009 to March 2014 and was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) was used as main parameter to assess patients' glycemic status. Patients were classified to have good (A1C <7%) or poor glycemic control (A1C ≥7%) based on the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association.

RESULTS

Majority of the patients presented with CKD stage 4 (43.4%). Approximately 55.4% of patients were categorized to have poor glycemic control. Insulin (57.9%) was the most commonly prescribed antidiabetic medication, followed by sulfonylureas (43%). Of all antidiabetic regimens, sulfonylureas monotherapy (P<0.001), insulin therapy (P=0.005), and combination of biguanides with insulin (P=0.038) were found to be significantly associated with glycemic control. Other factors including duration of T2DM (P=0.004), comorbidities such as anemia (P=0.024) and retinopathy (P=0.033), concurrent medications such as erythropoietin therapy (P=0.047), α-blockers (P=0.033), and antigouts (P=0.003) were also correlated with A1C.

CONCLUSION

Identification of factors that are associated with glycemic control is important to help in optimization of glucose control in T2DM patients with renal complication.

Ethnic/racial determinants of glycemic markers in a UK sample

OBJECTIVE

To investigate possible causes for previously reported glycemia-independent South Asian-white differences in HbA1c.

METHODS

Demographic and laboratory data on non-diabetic patients from primary care were analyzed. Linear regression models measured the association between race/ethnicity and three glycemic measures (HbA1c, fructosamine and fasting plasma glucose), adjusted for a range of hematological, biochemical and demographic factors.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and forty-eight patients consisting of 711 white subjects (407 women) and 237 South Asian subjects (138 women) were studied. Unadjusted bivariate analysis showed that South Asians had higher HbA1c concentrations [41 (5.9 %) vs. 40 (5.8 %) mmol/mol (p = 0.011), coefficient 1.21, 95 % CI 0.27, 2.17 (p = 0.011)] similar fructosamine [228.4 vs. 226.7 mmol/L (p = 0.352), coefficient 3.93, 95 % CI 0.79, 7.08 (p = 0.014)] and fasting plasma glucose [5.1 vs. 5.2 mmol/L (p = 0.154), coefficient -0.09, 95 % CI -0.22, -0.04 (p = 0.156)] concentrations than whites. South Asians also had lower hemoglobin, ferritin and vitamin B12 concentrations than whites. After adjustment for independent variables, South Asian ethnicity was associated with higher HbA1c concentrations [0.89, 95 % CI 0.06-1.72 (p = 0.035)], higher fructosamine levels [3.93, 95 % CI 0.79, 7.08 (p = 0.014)] and lower fasting plasma glucose concentrations [-0.12, 95 % CI -0.26, -0.02 (p = 0.026)] compared to white race.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased prevalence of hematological abnormalities in South Asians and their higher adjusted HbA1c and fructosamine but lower fasting glucose levels compared to white subjects suggest that ethnic differences in glycation markers may, in part, be due to a combination of erythrocyte factors and glycemia-independent glycation.

What is the Role of HbA1c in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients?

The definition of a good glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus on hemodialysis is far from settled. In the general population, hemoglobin A1c is highly correlated with the average glycemia of the last 8-12 weeks. However, in hemodialysis patients, the correlation of hbA1c with glycemia is weaker as it also reflects changes in hemoglobin characteristics and red blood cells half-life. As expected, studies show that the association between HbA1c and outcomes in these patients differ from the general population. Therefore, the value of HbA1c in the treatment of hemodialysis patients has been questioned. Guidelines are generally cautious in their recommendations about possible targets of HbA1c in this population. Indeed, the risk of not treating hyperglycemia should be weighed against the particularly high risk of precipitating hypoglycemia in dialysis patients. In this review, a critical analysis of the current role of HbA1c in the care of hemodialysis patients is presented.

Serum hepcidin predicts uremic accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Hepcidin, as a regulator of body iron stores, has been recently discovered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and the leading cause of death in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. In the current study, we aimed to explore the relationship between serum hepcidin and uremic accelerated atherosclerosis (UAAS) in CHD patients with diabetic nephropathy (CHD/DN).

METHODS

A total of 78 CHD/DN and 86 chronic hemodialyzed nondiabetic patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CHD/non-DN) were recruited in this study. The level of serum hepcidin-25 was specifically measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

High serum level of hepcidin-25 was seen in CHD patients. Serum hepcidin-25 in CHD/DN was significantly higher than that in CHD/non-DN patients. Serum hepcidin-25 was positively correlated with ferritin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), TNF-α, and IL-6 in CHD/DN patients. CHD/DN patients exhibited higher common carotid artery intima media thickness (CCA-IMT), hs-CRP, and hepcidin-25 levels than that in CHD/non-DN patients. Moreover, in CHD/DN patients, CCA-IMT was positively correlated with serum hepcidin, hs-CRP, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. On multiple regression analysis, serum hepcidin and hs-CRP level exhibited independent association with IMT in CHD/DN patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest possible linkage between iron metabolism and hepcidin modulation abnormalities that may contribute to the development of UAAS in CHD/DN patients.

Effect of chronic kidney disease on A1C in individuals being screened for diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) has been recommended for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is reported to increase A1C. The prevalence of CKD and its association with A1C as a diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes screening in a community population was studied.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Age, gender, ethnicity (white/South Asian), haemoglobin, A1C, fasting glucose and fructosamine were compared in participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-59 (CKD 3) and ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) using chi-squared or t-tests. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed with A1C as the dependent variable; remaining variables were forced into a model to identify correlates with A1C. Data were parametric and expressed as means.

RESULTS

Of 949 participants 83.7% had eGFR ≥60, 16.3% had CKD 3 and only 2 had eGFR <30 (CKD ≥4). Compared with eGFR ≥60, patients with CKD 3 were older [p<0.001], had higher A1C [6.0% vs. 5.8%, p<0.001], fasting glucose [5.4 vs. 5.2m mol/L, p=0.003] and fructosamine [233.7 vs. 225.8μ mol/L, p<0.001] but lower haemoglobin [p=0.006]. After adjustment, gender and CKD stage were not associated with A1C. A1C was associated (p<0.05) positively with age, South Asian ethnicity, fasting glucose and fructosamine and inversely with haemoglobin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe CKD (stage ≥4) is rare in primary care patients being screened for type 2 diabetes and its impact on A1C could not be evaluated. Although A1C is higher among patients with CKD stage 3 compared to those with eGFR ≥60, this appeared to be due to the confounding effect of other variables rather than the presence of CKD.

Serum albumin-adjusted glycated albumin is a better indicator of glycaemic control in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease not on haemodialysis

Backgrounds

Diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease who are not on haemodialysis show low concentrations of HbA1c and glycated albumin due to renal anaemia and proteinuria, respectively. In the present study, we examined whether serum albumin-adjusted glycated albumin could accurately reflect glycaemic control in these patients.

Methods

To examine the correlation between glycated albumin and serum albumin (Study 1), 49 diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease not on haemodialysis were used. To evaluate the association between the glycaemic control indicators and the glycaemic control state (Study 2), 30 diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease were enrolled. The estimated HbA1c and the estimated glycated albumin concentrations were calculated based on the mean blood glucose concentrations obtained from the diurnal variation. The adjusted glycated albumin concentrations were calculated from the regression formula between the serum albumin and glycated albumin obtained from Study 1.

Results

No significant correlation was found between the measured HbA1c and estimated HbA1c concentrations. The estimated HbA1c (inversely) and measured HbA1c/estimated HbA1c ratio (positively), but not measured HbA1c, showed a significant correlation with Hb concentrations. The estimated glycated albumin was positively associated with the measured glycated albumin and adjusted glycated albumin concentrations. Although measured glycated albumin/estimated glycated albumin ratio was positively correlated with serum albumin, there was no significant association between the adjusted glycated albumin/estimated glycated albumin ratio and serum albumin, Hb and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusions

We found for the first time that the adjustment of glycated albumin by serum albumin could be useful to determine glycaemic control in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease not on haemodialysis. These findings suggest that adjusted glycated albumin might be a better indicator of glycaemic control than measured HbA1c and measured glycated albumin in these patients.