Prevalence of diabetic macrovascular complications and related factors from 2005 to 2014 in Taiwan: A nationwide survey

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Stroke in Inpatients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence and the cluster characteristics of risk factors of stroke were assessed in a Chinese diabetic population.

METHODS

Clinical data of 30 693 inpatients who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and admitted between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The age-standardized prevalence of stroke was estimated using the 2010 Chinese population census data, and risk factors were analyzed by multiple imputation and regression.

RESULTS

The crude and standardized prevalence rates of stroke in patients with T2DM were 34.4% and 21.5%, respectively, and 85.2% of the stroke patients had ischemic stroke. Nearly half of the patients who experienced stroke had clusters of more than 4 risk factors. Compared with no-risk-factor clustering, the risk of stroke significantly increased 3-4 times in the presence of more than 4 risk-factor clusters (P<0.001). Hypertension was the most common major risk factor for ischemic stroke [odds ratio (OR), 2.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.18-2.50] and hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 3.68; 95% CI 2.95-4.59; P<0.001). Moreover, a 1-standard-deviation increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG) was significantly negatively correlated with ischemic stroke risk, and the same change in FBG was significantly associated with an 8% increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of stroke in patients with T2DM is rather high, and the clustering of risk factors is associated with the development of stroke in T2DM patients. Risk factors differ in different stroke subtypes. Identifying risk factors for a specific high-risk group is necessary.

Vascular complications of diabetes: A narrative review

Diabetes mellitus is a complex chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and various complications. According to the different pathophysiological mechanisms, these complications can be classified as microvascular or macrovascular complications, which have long-term negative effects on vital organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain, and lead to increased patient mortality. Diabetes mellitus is a major global health issue, and its incidence and prevalence have increased significantly in recent years. Moreover, the incidence is expected to continue to rise as more people adopt a Western lifestyle and diet. Thus, it is essential to understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatment of vascular complications to aid patients in managing the disease effectively. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature to clarify the above content. Furthermore, this paper also delves into the correlation between novel risk factors, such as long noncoding RNAs, gut microbiota, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, with diabetic vascular complications.

Examination of Lower Limb Microcirculation in Diabetic Patients with and without Intermittent Claudication

Intermittent claudication is a frequent complaint in lower extremity artery disease, but approximately two thirds of patients are asymptomatic, most of which are diabetic patients. Non-invasive angiological and microrheological tests on diabetic subjects with and without intermittent claudication were performed in the present study. In total, 98 diabetic patients were included and divided into two groups: 20 patients (63.5 ± 8.8 years, 55% men, 45% women) had intermittent claudication, 78 patients (65.5 ± 9.3 years, 61.5% men, 38.5% women) were asymptomatic. Hand-held Doppler ultrasound examination, transcutaneous tissue partial oxygen pressure (tcpO2) measurement, Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork tests, and 6-min walk tests were performed, and erythrocyte aggregation was investigated. Ankle-brachial index (p < 0.02) and tcpO2, measured during provocation tests (p < 0.003) and the 6-min walk test (p < 0.0001), significantly deteriorated in the symptomatic group. A higher erythrocyte aggregation index and faster aggregate formation was observed in claudication patients (p < 0.02). Despite the statistically better results of the asymptomatic group, 13% of these patients had severe limb ischemia based on the results of tcpO2 measurement. Claudication can be associated with worse hemodynamic and hemorheological conditions in diabetic patients; however, severe ischemia can also develop in asymptomatic subjects. Non-invasive vascular tests can detect ischemia, which highlights the importance of early instrumental screening of the lower limbs.

Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease development

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare cardiovascular risks among participants with T2DM with and without subsequent HTN and participants with HTN with and without subsequent T2DM.

METHODS

From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2018, we identified 16,236 matched pairs of T2DM participants with and without HTN (T2DM cohorts), 53,509 pairs of HTN participants with and without T2DM (HTN cohorts), and 21,158 pairs of comorbid HTN and T2DM participants with T2DM history or HTN history (comorbid cohorts) from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to calculate the risk of cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time of this study was 6.75 years. Mean incident rates of coronary artery disease for T2DM cohorts, HTN cohorts, and comorbid cohorts were 16.80, 23.18, and 31.53 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) for incident coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure in T2DM participants with versus without HTN were 2.22 (2.07-2.37), 1.19 (1.16-1.23), and 0.92 (0.82-1.02), respectively; the adjusted HRs for HTN participants with versus without T2DM were 1.69 (1.55-1.84), 1.25 (1.21-1.30), and 0.98 (0.93-1.05), respectively; the adjusted HRs for comorbid T2DM and HTN participants with previous T2DM versus previous HTN were 2.78 (2.37-3.27), 1.20 (1.13-1.28), and 0.95 (0.88-1.03), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide cohort study demonstrated that both T2DM with subsequent HTN and HTN with subsequent diabetes were associated with higher cardiovascular disease risks.

A nationwide cohort investigation on pay-for-performance and major adverse limb events in patients with diabetes

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance program to assess the effect of diabetic pay-for-performance (P4P) program on major adverse limb events (MALE) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study included patients with T2DM who had completed or not completed a 1-year P4P program from 2002 to 2013. Propensity-score matching was used to balance the baseline characteristics between groups. The Cox proportional-hazard model and Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model were used to examine the association between P4P and the risks of MALE, MACE, systemic thromboembolism (ST), heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. Patients who underwent the P4P program had a significantly decreased incidence of MALE (2.0% vs. 2.6%, subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.71-0.76). Regarding the individual components, the P4P group demonstrated lower risks for foot ulcer (1.1% vs 1.3%, SHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.77-0.84), gangrene (0.57% vs 0.93%, SHR 0.59, 95% CI 0.56-0.63), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (0.61% vs 0.79%, SHR 0.72, 95% CI 0.68-0.77), and amputation (0.46% vs 0.75%, SHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.55-0.62). In addition, the risks of MACE, ST, HF hospitalization, and all-cause mortality were remarkably lower in the P4P group. The P4P program might significantly reduce critical events of MALE, MACE, ST, HF, and mortality in the diabetic population.

Prevalences of diabetes mellitus and carotid atherosclerosis and their relationships in middle-aged adults and elders: a community-based study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus (DM) are both severe chronic diseases that cause huge burdens on patients' families and societies. Connections between the two diseases have brought high attention recently, however, population-based study with large sample size was few. The study aimed to explore the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and DM.

METHODS

We enrolled 3908 adults aged 40-74 years from communities and measured their cardio-metabolic profiles and scanned their carotid arteries bilaterally.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence rates of carotid plaque and DM were 34.4 and 10.7%, respectively. The age-specific prevalence rates of DM and carotid plaque were nearly linearly correlated in both sexes (both Pearson's correlation coefficient r > 0.97). The prevalence rates of carotid plaque, total plaque number ≥3, maximum diameter stenosis ≥30%, and plaque score ≥3 were 53.6, 24.8, 19.1, and 28.6%, respectively, in DM patients and were 32.1, 9.4, 9.8, and 11.2%, respectively, in non-DM controls. After adjustment for other conventional risk factors, the multivariable-adjusted OR of having carotid plaque was 1.60 (95% CI 1.27-2.01) and were 2.06 (95% CI 1.55-2.75), 1.33 (95% CI 0.99-1.78), and 2.03 (95% CI 1.55-2.65) for total plaque number ≥3, maximum diameter stenosis ≥30%, and plaque score ≥3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that prevalences of DM were linearly correlated with prevalences of carotid plaque and DM patients had higher prevalence rates of carotid plaque and more advanced carotid atherosclerosis than non-DM controls. Our results indicated the need to address the role of DM in atherosclerosis development.

2021 Consensus Pathway of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology on Novel Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a major threat to human health in the 21st century. More than half a billion people may suffer from this pandemic disease in 2030, leading to a huge burden of cardiovascular complications. Recently, 2 novel antidiabetic agents, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, reduced cardiovascular complications in a number of randomized control trials. To integrate new information and to achieve a streamlined process for better patient care, a working group was appointed by the Taiwan Society of Cardiology to formulate a stepwise consensus pathway for these therapies to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. This consensus pathway is complementary to clinical guidelines, acting as a reference to improve patient care.

Distinct associations of self-monitoring of blood glucose with glycemic control and hypoglycemia between groups of recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up type 2 diabetes: The Taiwan Diabetes Registry

BACKGROUND

We investigated the uses and frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with glycemic control and hypoglycemia in two groups of type 2 diabetes (T2D) (recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up) using real-world data in Taiwan (the Taiwan Diabetes Registry).

METHODS

Patients with T2D recently diagnosed within 6 months (n = 3297, mean age 54.4 ± 13.9 years) and T2D patients with long-term follow-up (n = 1201, mean age 65.5 ± 12.1 years, mean diabetes duration 14.3 ± 7.8 years) from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry were analysed. All patients were interviewed by certified diabetes educators. Information about SMBG and hypoglycemia was recorded. Demography, personal history, and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of SMBG with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% and hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

Mean HbA1c values were 8.4 ± 2.5 and 7.6 ± 1.4%, respectively, in the recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up T2D groups. The self-reported rates of hypoglycemic events within 3 months were 10.5% and 19.0%, respectively. SMBG was associated with higher odds of HbA1c <7% (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.44) in patients with recently diagnosed T2D, but with lower odds of HbA1c <7% in T2D patients with long-term follow-up (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44-0.82). In both study populations, SMBG was independently associated with hypoglycemia (OR 3.90 [95% CI 2.99-5.08] and OR 3.93 [95% CI 2.73-5.66], respectively). The aforementioned findings were consistent across the strata of SMBG frequency.

CONCLUSION

We reported different associations between SMBG and glycemic control in patients recently diagnosed with T2D and in T2D patients with long-term follow-up. SMBG was associated with higher detection of hypoglycemic episodes in both study populations.

Use of the ankle-brachial index combined with the percentage of mean arterial pressure at the ankle to improve prediction of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an observational study

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the lower extremities is a common complication of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to be associated with mortality. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple noninvasive method to screen PAD, but this method has limited sensitivity. We hypothesized that using the percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) in combination with the ABI would improve the prediction of mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients with type 2 diabetes who had undergone ABI and  %MAP measurements at our hospital. We separated the cohort into four groups according to their ABI and  %MAP values, and we examined whether these indices were associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 5569 patients (mean age, 65 ± 11 years) were enrolled. During the follow-up period (median, 22.9 months), 266 (4.8%) of the enrolled patients died. The combination of ABI and  %MAP was significantly more effective than ABI alone for predicting mortality (C index of 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.57 to 0.65 vs. C index of 0.57, 95% CI of 0.53 to 0.62; P = 0.038). In multivariate analysis (with a reference group defined by ABI > 0.90 and  %MAP ≤ 45%), the highest risk of mortality was seen in patients with ABI ≤ 0.90 and  %MAP > 45% (hazard ratio = 2.045 [95% CI 1.420, 2.945], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of  %MAP alongside ABI appears to significantly improve the prediction of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

2019 Diabetes Atlas: Achievements and challenges in diabetes care in Taiwan

The 2019 Diabetes Atlas delineated both accomplishments and challenges in diabetes care in Taiwan between 2005 and 2014. The series reported that Taiwan had significantly improved aspects of care quality for patients with diabetes. For example, the mortality rate decreased, the difference between the life expectancies of patients with diabetes and those of the general population decreased, and the rates of hospitalization because of heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and unsatisfactory glycemic control decreased. However, despite these achievements, the 2019 Diabetes Atlas also reported some substantial challenges that have not been overcome. For example, the incidence of diabetes among women aged <19 years and 20-39 years increased by 27% and 33%, respectively. Furthermore, a high prevalence of macrovascular complications, a continuous increase in the dialysis prevalence rates among men with diabetes of all ages, and a low participation rate (<20%) of patients with diabetes in the pay-for-performance program were observed. The publication of the 2019 Diabetes Atlas is a milestone that demonstrates a strong will in medical societies to improve the quality of diabetes care. We expect this initiative can be reorganized every 5 years to report the results of continuous monitoring and surveillance and update the epidemiological features of diabetes in Taiwan.