Achievable Cost Saving and Cost-Effective Thresholds for Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Interventions in People Aged 65 Years and Older: A Single-Payer Perspective

Impact of Income and Industry on New-Onset Diabetes among Employees: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of income and industry type on the risk of developing diabetes among Japanese workers, including how this impact is affected by sex. A total of 24,516 employees at small- and medium-sized enterprises in Japan aged 40–74 years who underwent health examinations in fiscal years 2010–2015 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Generalized linear regression models were used to assess the association between new-onset diabetes and income and industry. In men, the cumulative incidence rate was significantly higher in the low-income group; it was highest in the transportation and postal service industries. Although income and industry were independent risk factors for developing diabetes in men, an interaction was found between income and industry, which was affected by participants’ sex: in specific industries (i.e., lifestyle-related, personal services, and entertainment services), men had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes in the high-income group, and women had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes in the low-income group. These findings highlight important factors to consider in assessing diabetes risk and suggest that efficient primary and secondary prevention should be encouraged in industries where workers have a high risk of diabetes.

Assessing the Effect of Including Social Costs in Economic Evaluations of Diabetes-Related Interventions: A Systematic Review

Background

The economic burden of diabetes from a societal perspective is well documented in the cost-of-illness literature. However, the effect of considering social costs in the results and conclusions of economic evaluations of diabetes-related interventions remains unknown.

Objective

To investigate whether the inclusion of social costs (productivity losses and/or informal care) might change the results and conclusions of economic evaluations of diabetes-related interventions.

Methods

A systematic review was designed and launched on Medline and the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry from the University of Tufts, from the year 2000 until 2018. Included studies had to fulfil the following criteria: i) being an original study published in a scientific journal, ii) being an economic evaluation of an intervention on diabetes, iii) including social costs, iv) being written in English, v) using quality-adjusted life years as outcome, and vi) separating the results according to the perspective applied.

Results

From the 691 records identified, 47 studies (6.8%) were selected. Productivity losses were included in 45 of the selected articles (73% used the human capital approach) whereas informal care costs in only 13 (when stated, the opportunity cost method was used in seven studies and the replacement cost in one). The 47 studies resulted in 110 economic evaluation estimations. The inclusion of social costs changed the conclusions in 8 estimations (17%), 6 of them switching from not cost-effective from the healthcare perspective to cost-effective or dominant from the societal perspective. Considering social costs altered the results from cost-effective to dominant in 9 estimations (19%).

Conclusion

When social costs are considered, the results and conclusions of economic evaluations performed in diabetes-related interventions can alter. Wide methodological variations have been observed, which limit the comparability of studies and advocate for the inclusion of a wider perspective via the consideration of social costs in economic evaluations and methodological guidelines relating to their estimation and valuation.

Sharing the 'weight' of obesity management in primary care: integration of registered dietitian nutritionists to provide intensive behavioural therapy for obesity for Medicare patients

BACKGROUND

Clinical provision of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity (IBTO) has been a reimbursable treatment for obesity since 2012. However, gaps remain in the literature regarding its impact on patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to examine the integration of registered dietitian nutritionist provided IBTO into a primary care setting and evaluate clinic outcomes for Medicare Part B beneficiaries. A secondary objective was to examine intensity of IBTO (quantity of IBTO visits) versus clinical outcomes and influence of socioeconomic factors.

METHODS

A case-control retrospective chart review was conducted at a rural, Academic Family Medicine Clinic in Eastern North Carolina for patients seen between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2019. In order to be included in the treatment group, patients had to be female, white or black race, have Medicare insurance and a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2.

RESULTS

Mixed model analysis showed statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes from IBTO treatment. Weight decreased by nearly 3 pounds, while body mass index was half a point lower. A1C was 0.1 units lower for IBTO patients, and they took prescription medication and average of 6 days less than the control group. Minorities and older respondents experienced smaller, all else constant, and annual fixed effects suggest that differentials widen over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) provision of IBTO has demonstrated benefit in improving clinical outcomes including weight, A1C, and reduced medication duration (use) as demonstrated by the IBTO treatment group versus control. IBTO intensity was not predictive of success, and its impact was reduced with older and African American patients. IBTO is beneficial and can be delivered within the primary care setting by a RDN.

Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease affects almost 15% of the US population, and prevalence is anticipated to grow as the population ages and the obesity epidemic continues due to Western dietary practices. The densely caloric Western diet, characterized by high animal protein and low fruit and vegetable content, has fueled the growth of chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease. The glomerulus or filtering unit of the kidney is very susceptible to barotrauma, and diets high in animal protein impede the glomerulus' ability to protect itself from hemodynamic injury. High animal protein intake combined with low intake of fruits and vegetables also leads to a high net endogenous acid production requiring augmentation of ammonium excretion in order to prevent acidosis. This higher workload of the kidney to maintain a normal serum bicarbonate level may further exacerbate kidney disease progression. This article reviews the potential mechanisms whereby several key characteristics of the typical Western diet may impact kidney disease incidence and progression. Reducing animal protein intake and egg yolk and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables and fiber may prevent or delay end-stage renal disease, but few clinical trials have examined vegetarian diets for management of chronic kidney disease. More research is needed to determine optimal dietary patterns for the prevention of kidney disease and its progression.

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the Prevention and Treatment of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that for adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provided by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) is effective in improving medical outcomes and quality of life, and is cost-effective. MNT provided by RDNs is also successful and essential to preventing progression of prediabetes and obesity to type 2 diabetes. It is essential that MNT provided by RDNs be integrated into health care systems and public health programs and be adequately reimbursed. The Academy's evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for the prevention of diabetes and the management of diabetes document strong evidence supporting the clinical effectiveness of MNT provided by RDNs. Cost-effectiveness has also been documented. The nutrition practice guidelines recommend that as part of evidence-based health care, providers caring for individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes should be referred to an RDN for individualized MNT upon diagnosis and at regular intervals throughout the lifespan as part of their treatment regimen. Standards of care for three levels of diabetes practice have been published by the Diabetes Care and Education Practice Group. RDNs are also qualified to provide additional services beyond MNT in diabetes care and management. Unfortunately, barriers to accessing RDN services exist. Reimbursement for services is essential. Major medical and health organizations have provided support for the essential role of MNT and RDNs for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Pathophysiology and Interventions for Prevention and Risk Reduction

Prediabetes is a state characterized by impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. This review discusses the pathophysiology and macrovascular complications of prediabetes. The pathophysiologic defects underlying prediabetes include insulin resistance, alpha- and beta-cell dysfunction, increased lipolysis, inflammation, and suboptimal incretin effect. Recent studies have revealed that the long-term complications of diabetes manifest in some people with prediabetes; these complications include microvascular and macrovascular disorders. Finally, we present an overview of randomized control trials aimed at preventing progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes and discuss their implications for macrovascular risk reduction.

Is quality of life different between diabetic and non-diabetic people? The importance of cardiovascular risks

Background

To analyse and compare the impact of cardiovascular risk factors and disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with and without diabetes living in the community.

Methods

We used data of 1,905 people with diabetes and 19,031 people without diabetes from the last Spanish National Health Survey (years 2011–2012). The HRQoL instrument used was the EuroQol 5D-5L, based on time trade-off scores. Matching methods were used to assess any differences in the HRQoL in people with and without diabetes with the same characteristics (age, gender, education level, and healthy lifestyle), according to cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Disparities were also analysed for every dimension of HRQoL: mobility, daily activities, personal care, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.

Results

There were no significant differences in time trade-off scores between people with and without diabetes when cardiovascular risk factors or established cardiovascular disease were not present. However, when cardiovascular risk factors were present, the HRQoL score was significantly lower in people with diabetes than in those without. This difference was indeed greater when cardiovascular diseases were present. More precisely, people with diabetes and any of the cardiovascular risk factors, who have not yet developed any cardiovascular disease, report lower HRQoL, 0.046 TTO score points over 1 (7.93 over 100 in the VAS score) compared to those without diabetes, and 0.14 TTO score points of difference (14.61 over 100 in the VAS score) if cardiovascular diseases were present. In fact, when the three risk factors were present in people with diabetes, HRQoL was significantly lower (0.10 TTO score points over 1 and 10.86 points over 100 in VAS score), obesity being the most influential risk factor.

Conclusions

The presence of established cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular risk factors, specially obesity, account for impaired quality of life in people with diabetes.