Pragmatic dietary advice for diabetes during Navratris

Cultural Influences on Making Nutritional Adjustments in Type 2 Diabetes in Pakistan: The Perspectives of People Living With Diabetes and Their Family Members

In Pakistan, type 2 diabetes is widespread, and although dietary recommendations from healthcare professionals are critical to its treatment, cultural norms can have a great influence on the dietary habits of people living with diabetes (PLwD). Understanding the social aspects of the lives of PLwD is crucial when examining the effectiveness of nutritional recommendations and adjustments. This study investigated (1) how PLwD and their family members adjust their nutrition to the recommendations of healthcare professionals to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and (2) what do PLwD and their family members perceive as enablers and barriers to the necessary nutritional adjustments for managing T2DM. Prime consideration was given to experiences of living in Pakistan as the cultural context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 PLwD and 17 family members; the data were analysed thematically. Three themes emerged: (i) 'Influence of family system, gender, and age on meals prepared at home': family hierarchy and opinions based on gender and age can enable or hinder nutritional adjustment in meals prepared at home; (ii) 'Temptations of "unhealthy" foods, festivals, cultural interactions, and social etiquette': family/social interactions at home, gatherings, or festivities can affect PLwD's ability to resist temptations to eat foods prohibited by healthcare professionals; and (iii) 'Folk knowledge, folk remedy, and the balance between culture and Western medicine': PLwD and their family members in Pakistan hold strong beliefs concerning foods' medicinal properties. Power dynamics within families need to be considered when making nutritional recommendations. Medical guidelines should acknowledge personal agency and cultural beliefs.

Alteration in serum miR126 expression in healthy adults observing Navratri fast

Background

Fasting is practiced by various religions in the world. The previous studies show the effect of fasting on biochemical markers in healthy subjects; however, no study is available on its effect on gene expression or epigenetic markers. In the present study, miR126, a microRNA, was measured in serum samples of healthy adult subjects, and their correlation with biochemical profile was carried out during the short-term fasting of the Navratri festival.

Methods

A total of 30 subjects who underwent fasting for 07 days during the Navratri festival were recruited for the study. The fasting blood samples were obtained at three different time points; day 1 of fasting, day 7 of fasting, and day 7 after completion of fasting period. The miR126 expression, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile were measured in all the three samples.

Results

The miR126 levels showed a decreasing trend with a significant difference across the three time points (p-value = 0.006). Fasting plasma glucose increased continuously across three time points without showing any statistical significance. Serum total cholesterol (p = 0.001) and triglycerides (p = 0.001) levels were decreased initially and then increased after resuming normal diet. There was a medium-level negative correlation (-0.332) between baseline fasting glucose level and miR126 level (p = 0.068).

Conclusion

The study revealed that serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were more dynamic than the miR126 levels. A significant decrease in the miR126 expression across three time points is a promising outcome of this pilot study and indicates its role in short-term fasting. However, the fasting plasma glucose showed heterogeneous values without significant correlation with miR126 levels.

Expert Consensus Recommendations on Time in Range for Monitoring Glucose Levels in People with Diabetes: An Indian Perspective

Keeping up with the global scenario, diabetes prevalence is on rise in India. Inadequate glycemic control is a major cause of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. The conventional standards of care (SOC) in diabetes, including self-monitoring of blood glucose and measurement of glycated hemoglobin, have supported achievement of glycemic control, yet there are a few limitations. With the use of current technologies and metrics, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and standardized CGM data reporting, the continuous real-time glucose levels can be measured, and importantly, the percentage of time above, below, and within the target glucose range can be calculated, which facilitates patient-centric care, a current goal in diabetes management. International consensus recommendations endorse the incorporation of CGM and CGM data reporting in SOC for diabetes management. The guidelines provide time in range (TIR) thresholds for different patient populations and different types of diabetes. However, extrapolation of these global guidelines does not aptly cover the Indian population, which has diverse diet, culture, and religious practices. In this context, a consensus meeting was held in India in 2021 with experts in the field of diabetes care. The purpose of the meeting was to develop consensus recommendations for TIR thresholds for different patient profiles in India. Those expert recommendations, together with an evidence-based review, are reported here. The aim of this agreement is to aid clinicians across India to routinely use CGM and CGM data reports for optimizing individualized diabetes care, by implementing clinical targets for TIR.

Pathophysiology, phenotypes and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indian and Chinese populations

Nearly half of all adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) live in India and China. These populations have an underlying predisposition to deficient insulin secretion, which has a key role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Indian and Chinese people might be more susceptible to hepatic or skeletal muscle insulin resistance, respectively, than other populations, resulting in specific forms of insulin deficiency. Cluster-based phenotypic analyses demonstrate a higher frequency of severe insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus and younger ages at diagnosis, lower β-cell function, lower insulin resistance and lower BMI among Indian and Chinese people compared with European people. Individuals diagnosed earliest in life have the most aggressive course of disease and the highest risk of complications. These characteristics might contribute to distinctive responses to glucose-lowering medications. Incretin-based agents are particularly effective for lowering glucose levels in these populations; they enhance incretin-augmented insulin secretion and suppress glucagon secretion. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors might also lower blood levels of glucose especially effectively among Asian people, while α-glucosidase inhibitors are better tolerated in east Asian populations versus other populations. Further research is needed to better characterize and address the pathophysiology and phenotypes of T2DM in Indian and Chinese populations, and to further develop individualized treatment strategies.

Factors Determining the Success of Therapeutic Lifestyle Interventions in Diabetes - Role of Partner and Family Support

Background and aims: Knowledge of therapeutic lifestyle interventions is one of the most important pillars of diabetes care; however, its incorporation in real-world settings is poor. This review evaluates the role of partner and family support in diabetes management. Methods: Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Medline and Embase for articles published before July 2018, using the terms “therapeutic lifestyle intervention” [MeSH Terms], OR “diet changes” [All Fields], OR “spousal participation” [All Fields], OR “lifestyle interventions” [All Fields], “lifestyle changes” [All Fields] AND “diabetes” [All Fields]. The search was not restricted to English-language literature; literature in Spanish, French and German were also evaluated. Results: A total of 66 of articles were reviewed, which included 33 original work, 21 review articles, and 12 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Studies and meta-analyses have showed that if one partner has type-2 diabetes this increases the risk in other by 5–26%. Partner and family have similar diet, lifestyle, and micro- and macro-environments which could explain the similar increased risk of diabetes and non-communicable diseases. Studies have consistently shown that spousal and family support plays a key role in overcoming negative behaviours and optimising behaviours in diabetes control. Partner support has major role in prevention and control of diabetes distress, associated depression, and medication non-compliance which have an adverse impact in glycaemic outcomes. These data are predominantly available from observational studies. There is paucity of data from interventional trials evaluating effects of family and spousal participation on health, glycaemic control and quality of life. Conclusion: The support of family and spouse/partner is beneficial to improve adherence to the lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy required to achieve optimum glycaemic control and avoid associated complications.

Adherence to dietary recommendations in diabetes mellitus: disease acceptance as a potential mediator

BACKGROUND

Adherence by diabetic patients to dietary recommendations is important for effective therapy. Considering patients' expectations in case of diet is significant in this regard. The aim of this paper was to analyze the relationship between selected independent variables (eg, regular blood glucose testing) and patients' adherence to dietary recommendations, bearing in mind that the degree of disease acceptance might play a mediation role.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 91 patients treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus in a public medical facility. Paper-and-pencil interviewing was administered ahead of the planned visit with a diabetes specialist. Two measures were applied in the study: the Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire and the Patient Diet Adherence in Diabetes Scale. Additionally, data related to sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle-related factors, and the course of the disease (management, incidence of complications, and dietician's supervision) were also collected. The regression method was used in the analysis, and Cohen's methodology was used to estimate partial mediation. Significance of the mediation effect was assessed by the Goodman test. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Patients' non-adherence to dietary recommendations was related to a low level of disease acceptance (standardized regression coefficient =-0.266; P=0.010). Moreover, failure to perform regular blood glucose testing was associated with a lack of disease acceptance (standardized regression coefficient =-0.455; P=0.000). However, the lack of regular blood glucose testing and low level of acceptance had only partially negative impacts on adherence to dietary recommendations (Goodman mediation test, Z=1.939; P=0.054). This dependence was not seen in patients treated with diet and concomitant oral medicines and/or insulin therapy.

CONCLUSION

Effective dietary education should include activities promoting a more positive attitude toward the disease. This may be obtained by individual counseling, respecting the patient's needs, and focus on regular blood glucose testing.