Real-world use of oral versus subcutaneous semaglutide in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients: which option to which patient?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the variables influencing the therapeutic choice toward oral versus subcutaneous semaglutide in a cohort of diabetic subjects.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data of 292 patients followed at the Diabetes Unit of the University Hospital of Siena and the Hospital of Grosseto, who were prescribed oral (n = 115) or subcutaneous (n = 177) semaglutide between October 2021 and October 2022.

RESULTS

Oral semaglutide was preferentially prescribed in older subjects with longer disease duration in replacement of other antidiabetic drugs, while subcutaneous semaglutide was preferentially prescribed in add-on to metformin in subjects with higher body weight and BMI. After 6 months, both formulations significantly improved glycemic control and body weight, however injectable semaglutide showed a greater efficacy on A1c levels, weight loss, BMI and waist circumference reduction. No differences were found in terms of adverse events.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, injectable semaglutide is preferred in patients with excess weight and shorter disease duration, while the oral formulation was used later and especially after therapeutic failure of previous therapies. Follow-up data indicate similar tolerability and efficacy of both formulations, despite subcutaneous semaglutide demonstrated greater efficacy.

Assisted reproductive technology, risk of gestational diabetes, and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in single pregnancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical and anthropometric data of 219ART- and 256 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched women with spontaneous conception screened for GDM. The primary outcome was to evaluate GDM prevalence in ART women.

RESULTS

There were no differences in age, BMI, and family history of diabetes in the two groups of women. ART-women were more frequently primiparous, whereas the prevalence of previous GDM was higher in SC-women. The prevalence of GDM in the whole cohort was 36.1% and was higher in ART-women (52.3% vs. 23.4%; p < 0.0001). In the whole cohort, on multivariate analysis, family history of diabetes (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.03-2.69), previous GDM (OR 7.05; 95% CI: 2.92-17.04), pre-pregnancy obesity (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.21-6.13), and ART (OR 4.14; 95% CI 2.65-6.48) were independent risk factors for GDM. Among ART-women, age over 40 years was associated with GDM. Preterm delivery was more common in ART-women; gestational week at delivery, birth weight, ponderal index, and Apgar score were lower in ART-women than in SC-women, both in the whole cohort and in GDM women.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women undergoing ART treatment, at least one in two develops GDM. ART appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM in single pregnancies, particularly above the age of 40. ART treatment seems to be associated with an increased rate of preterm delivery and lower neonatal birth weight and Apgar score, especially in GDM women.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was not registered as it is an observational retrospective evaluation.

Treating Type 1 Diabetes by Pancreas Transplant Alone: A Cohort Study on Actual Long-term (10 Years) Efficacy and Safety

BACKGROUND

Physiologically regulated insulin secretion and euglycemia are achievable in type 1 diabetes (T1D) by islet or pancreas transplantation. However, pancreas transplant alone (PTA) remains a debated approach, with uncertainties on its relative benefits and risks. We determined the actual long-term (10 y) efficacy and safety of PTA in carefully characterized T1D subjects.

METHODS

This is a single-center, cohort study in 66 consecutive T1D subjects who received a PTA between April 2001 and December 2007, and were then all followed until 10 y since transplant. Main features evaluated were patient survival, pancreas graft function, C-peptide levels, glycemic parameters, and the function of the native kidneys.

RESULTS

Ten-year actual patient survival was 92.4%. Optimal (insulin independence) or good (minimal insulin requirement) graft function was observed in 57.4% and 3.2% of patients, respectively. Six (9.0%) patients developed stage 5 or 4 chronic kidney disease. In the remaining individuals bearing a successful PTA, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline per year was -2.29 ± 2.69 mL/min/1.73 m2. Reduction of eGFR at 1 y post-PTA was higher in those with pre-PTA hyperfiltration and higher HbA1c concentrations; eGFR changes afterward significantly correlated with diabetes duration. In recipients with normoglycemia at 10 y, 74% of normoalbuminuric or microalbuminuric subjects pre-PTA remained stable, and 26% progressed toward a worse stage; conversely, in 62.5% of the macroalbuminuric individuals albuminuria severity regressed.

CONCLUSIONS

These long-term effects of PTA on patient survival, graft function, and the native kidneys support PTA as a suitable approach to treat diabetes in selected T1D patients.

First World Consensus Conference on pancreas transplantation: Part II - recommendations

The First World Consensus Conference on Pancreas Transplantation provided 49 jury deliberations regarding the impact of pancreas transplantation on the treatment of diabetic patients, and 110 experts' recommendations for the practice of pancreas transplantation. The main message from this consensus conference is that both simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) and pancreas transplantation alone can improve long-term patient survival, and all types of pancreas transplantation dramatically improve the quality of life of recipients. Pancreas transplantation may also improve the course of chronic complications of diabetes, depending on their severity. Therefore, the advantages of pancreas transplantation appear to clearly surpass potential disadvantages. Pancreas after kidney transplantation increases the risk of mortality only in the early period after transplantation, but is associated with improved life expectancy thereafter. Additionally, preemptive SPK, when compared to SPK performed in patients undergoing dialysis, appears to be associated with improved outcomes. Time on dialysis has negative prognostic implications in SPK recipients. Increased long-term survival, improvement in the course of diabetic complications, and amelioration of quality of life justify preferential allocation of kidney grafts to SPK recipients. Audience discussions and live voting are available online at the following URL address: http://mediaeventi.unipi.it/category/1st-world-consensus-conference-of-pancreas-transplantation/246.

Exercise during pregnancy: how much active are pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes despite few contraindications?

INTRODUCTION

Diet and physical activity are cornerstones in prevention and treatment of Gestational Diabetes (GDM) though some caution may be required under specific circumstances. The aims of this study were to evaluate activity habits during pregnancy and contraindications to physical activity in women at risk for GDM.

METHODS

536 pregnant women (age 35 ± 5 years; gestation week 25 ± 4; pre-pregnancy BMI 24.6 ± 12.9 kg/m²), selective screened for GDM, filled out a standardized questionnaire recording physical activity during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Of 536 women, 73.4% reported regular exercise before pregnancy and 95.5% of them continued during pregnancy. 8.2% had absolute contraindications to exercise, such as placenta praevia /vaginal bleeding and incompetent cervix/cerclage. Physical activity during the last month was reported by 66.2% of women; frequency was 1-2 times/week (44%); intensity was light (83%) and duration on average (44%) 20-40 min/day. 48% of women spent most of their time in sedentary behaviors (sitting). Among women with GDM, physical activity was associated with better metabolic profile and lower needed of insulin therapy.

CONCLUSION

Women at risk for GDM spent most of their time in sedentary behaviors, despite a low prevalence of contraindications to exercise. Therefore, our data call for the need of motivational counseling aimed to implement physical activity during pregnancy.

Postpartum screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in women with gestational diabetes: Is it really performed?

AIMS

This study evaluates the adherence to postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) screening in women with previous gestational diabetes (GDM) and identifies elements associated with poor attendance.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 650 consecutive women with GDM between 2016 and 2018, who should had 75 g-OGTT, 4-12 weeks after delivery. Impaired glucose regulation (IGR) was defined according with ADA criteria.

RESULTS

Only 41% of women had postpartum OGTT. Of these, 1.9% received T2DM diagnosis, with IGR prevalence of 18%. After introducing a recommendation letter, adherence to screening increased (47% in 2017 and 43% in 2018 vs. 32% in 2016). Screening procedure was less common in women with: no-family history of T2DM (38% vs. 46%; p < 0.05), age <35 (33% vs. 47%; p < 0.01), lower level of education (32% no-high-school-diploma vs. 35% high-school-diploma vs. 49% university-degree; p < 0.01) and unstable employment (35% vs. 44%; p < 0.05). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, age <35 years (OR 1.61; 95%CI: 1.14-2.28) and lowest educational level (OR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.13-2.37, compared to University degree) were independently associated with non-adherence.

CONCLUSION

Only 41% of women had postpartum T2DM screening. Women with lower attendance are those with age <35 years or low educational level. Further strategies are needed to implement postpartum test.

A direct look at the dysfunction and pathology of the β cells in human type 2 diabetes

β cells uniquely produce and secrete insulin under the control of several, integrated signals, to maintain blood glucose concentrations within a narrow physiological interval. β cell failure is key to the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes, due to impaired function and reduced mass. In this review we focus on several features of human β cell dysfunction and pathology in type 2 diabetes, as revealed by direct assessment of isolated islet traits and examination of pancreatic tissue from organ donors, surgical samples or autoptic specimens. Insulin secretion defects and pathology findings are discussed in relation to some of the major underlying mechanisms, to also provide clues for conceiving better prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes by targeting the pancreatic β cells.

The Molecular Signature More Than the Site of Localization Defines the Origin of the Malignancy

The diagnosis of the primary origin of metastases to the thyroid gland is not easy, in particular in case of concomitant lung adenocarcinoma which shares several immunophenotypical features. Although rare, these tumors should be completely characterized in order to set up specific therapies. This is the case of a 64-years-old woman referred to our institution for a very advanced neoplastic disease diagnosed both as poorly differentiated/anaplastic thyroid cancer (PDTC/ATC) for the huge involvement of the neck and concomitant lung adenocarcinoma (LA). Neither the clinical features and the imaging evaluation nor the tumor markers allowed a well-defined diagnosis. Moreover, the histologic features of the thyroid and lung biopsies confirmed the synchronous occurrence of two different tumors. The molecular analysis showed a c.34G>T (p.G12C) mutation in the codon 12 of K-RAS gene, in both tissues. Since, this mutation is highly prevalent in LA and virtually absent in PDTC/ATC the lung origin of the malignancy was assumed, and the patient was addressed to the correct therapeutic strategy.

Freestyle Libre trend arrows for the management of adults with insulin-treated diabetes: A practical approach

Freestyle Libre (FSL) system is a new method to detect glucose enabling a new paradigm in glucose monitoring and self-management. The sensor, reading the interstitial fluid glucose concentration, provides a numerical data of glucose level and a trend arrow that add context to static measurement of glucose level. Therefore, patients could easily follow the progression of their glucose levels over the time, allowing early detection and timely treatment of deviations from targeted glucose level range, thus preventing extreme fluctuations. In order to take full advantage of the system both the caregiver and the person with diabetes must appreciate the need of careful interpretation of the data generated by the FSL. To this purpose we have generated recommendations that are based on methods suggested for CGM, our clinical experience and discussion with experienced patients using FSL, to provide a pragmatic approach to use FSL trend arrow data for managing diabetes in adults.

Update on pancreatic transplantation on the management of diabetes

Pancreas transplantation is the only therapy that can restore insulin independence in beta-cell penic diabetic recipients. Because of the need for life-long immunosuppression and the intial surgical risk associated with the transplant procedure, Pancreas transplantation is a therapeutic option only in selected diabetic patients. Based on renal function, three main populations of diabetic recipients of a pancreas transplant can be identified: uremic patients, posturemic patients (following successful kidney transplantation), and non-uremic patients. Uremic patients are best treated by simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation with grafts obtained from the same deceased donor. Posturemic patients can receive a pancreas after kidney transplantation, if the previous renal graft has a good functional reserve. Non-uremic patients can receive a pancreas alone transplant if their diabetes is poorly controlled, despite optimal insulin therapy, suffer from unawareness hypoglycemia events and/or develop progressive chronic complications of diabetes. The results of pancreas transplantation have improved over the years and are currently not inferior to those of renal transplantation in non-diabetic recipients. A functioning pancreatic graft can prolong the life of diabetic recipients, improves their quality of life, and can halt, or reverse, the progression of chronic complications of diabetes. Unfortunately, because of ageing of donor population and lack of timely referral of potential recipients, the annual volume of pancreas transplants is declining. Considering that the results of pancreas transplantation depend on center volume, and that adequate center volume is required also for training of newer generations of transplant physcians and surgeons, centralization of pancreas transplantation activity should be considered.