Aging is associated with increased HbA1c levels, independently of glucose levels and insulin resistance, and also with decreased HbA1c diagnostic specificity

High remnant cholesterol as a risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study of a US population

AIMS

To examine any potential links between remnant cholesterol (RC) and comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We used data from 2709 American people aged > 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2011-2018. Subjects were categorized according to whether they had comorbid CKD. Logistic regression models and smoothed curve fitting methods were employed to assess the association of RC with comorbid CKD in patients with prediabetes and T2DM.

RESULTS

The 2709 participants included 1473 patients with T2DM and 1236 with prediabetes [impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG)], of whom 744 (27.46%) had comorbid CKD. In multivariate-adjusted analysis, both RC and triglycerides (TG) were significantly associated with an increased risk of comorbid CKD, and a 1 mmol/L elevation of RC increased the risk by 38.1% [OR (95% CI) 1.636 (1.242, 2.156)], which was higher than the risk associated with a 1 mmol/L increase in TG [1.255 (1.106, 1.424)]. Additionally, those in the highest quartile of RC had a 43.6% higher risk of concomitant renal damage than those in the lowest quartile. RC was linearly and positively associated with the incidence of comorbid CKD in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

RC is an independent risk factor for comorbid CKD in patients with prediabetes and T2DM. This finding provides a novel insight into the management and early detection of renal disease in patients with impaired glucose metabolism.

Using generative AI to investigate medical imagery models and datasets

BACKGROUND

AI models have shown promise in performing many medical imaging tasks. However, our ability to explain what signals these models have learned is severely lacking. Explanations are needed in order to increase the trust of doctors in AI-based models, especially in domains where AI prediction capabilities surpass those of humans. Moreover, such explanations could enable novel scientific discovery by uncovering signals in the data that aren't yet known to experts.

METHODS

In this paper, we present a workflow for generating hypotheses to understand which visual signals in images are correlated with a classification model's predictions for a given task. This approach leverages an automatic visual explanation algorithm followed by interdisciplinary expert review. We propose the following 4 steps: (i) Train a classifier to perform a given task to assess whether the imagery indeed contains signals relevant to the task; (ii) Train a StyleGAN-based image generator with an architecture that enables guidance by the classifier ("StylEx"); (iii) Automatically detect, extract, and visualize the top visual attributes that the classifier is sensitive towards. For visualization, we independently modify each of these attributes to generate counterfactual visualizations for a set of images (i.e., what the image would look like with the attribute increased or decreased); (iv) Formulate hypotheses for the underlying mechanisms, to stimulate future research. Specifically, present the discovered attributes and corresponding counterfactual visualizations to an interdisciplinary panel of experts so that hypotheses can account for social and structural determinants of health (e.g., whether the attributes correspond to known patho-physiological or socio-cultural phenomena, or could be novel discoveries).

FINDINGS

To demonstrate the broad applicability of our approach, we present results on eight prediction tasks across three medical imaging modalities-retinal fundus photographs, external eye photographs, and chest radiographs. We showcase examples where many of the automatically-learned attributes clearly capture clinically known features (e.g., types of cataract, enlarged heart), and demonstrate automatically-learned confounders that arise from factors beyond physiological mechanisms (e.g., chest X-ray underexposure is correlated with the classifier predicting abnormality, and eye makeup is correlated with the classifier predicting low hemoglobin levels). We further show that our method reveals a number of physiologically plausible, previously-unknown attributes based on the literature (e.g., differences in the fundus associated with self-reported sex, which were previously unknown).

INTERPRETATION

Our approach enables hypotheses generation via attribute visualizations and has the potential to enable researchers to better understand, improve their assessment, and extract new knowledge from AI-based models, as well as debug and design better datasets. Though not designed to infer causality, importantly, we highlight that attributes generated by our framework can capture phenomena beyond physiology or pathophysiology, reflecting the real world nature of healthcare delivery and socio-cultural factors, and hence interdisciplinary perspectives are critical in these investigations. Finally, we will release code to help researchers train their own StylEx models and analyze their predictive tasks of interest, and use the methodology presented in this paper for responsible interpretation of the revealed attributes.

FUNDING

Google.

Establishment of reference interval for hemoglobin A1C and other hemoglobin subfractions for healthy Saudi adults

BACKGROUND

The establishment of Reference Intervals (RIs) for Hemoglobin A1C and other hemoglobin subfractions (A1A, A1B, F, LA1C, A0) is of utmost importance in screening, diagnosing, and monitoring diabetes and other hemoglobin abnormalities through the application of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Because there are no locally established RIs for these parameters, it is essential to establish RIs specific to the Saudi population to accurately diagnose and monitor diabetic individuals and identify abnormal levels in hemoglobin subfractions.

METHODS

As part of the IFCC global multicenter study of laboratory reference values, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. The study involved recruiting a total of 381 healthy adult subjects (>18 years, BMI 28.3 ± 6 kg/m2). Blood samples were analyzed for A1C, biochemical and other immunoassay parameters. The need for RIs based on sex, age, and BMI was determined using the standard deviation ratio (SDR) through a 3-level nested ANOVA.

RESULTS

Based on the threshold of SDR≥0.4, RIs for A1C and other Hb subfractions were not partitioned by sex or BMI, but partitioned by age (<45 & ≥45 years) for A1C, LA1C, A0 and F. Spearman's correlation between glucose, insulin, and C-peptide showed a positive association with different hemoglobin subtractions of A1B, F, A1C, and LA1C. The RIs were obtained by using the parametric method and the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) principle was applied on A1C.

CONCLUSION

This study established RIs for A1C and other Hb subfractions for healthy adult Saudis. Age was found to be an important source of variation for most of the parameters including A1C. These findings will enhance the understanding and clinical decision-making concerning A1C and other hemoglobin subfractions. The elevated upper limit of RIs for A1C reflects the high prevalence of diabetes in the Saudi population specially in those with increased age.

Association of a Blood-Based Aging Biomarker Index With Death and Chronic Disease: Cardiovascular Health Study

BACKGROUND

A goal of gerontology is to discover phenotypes that reflect biological aging distinct from disease pathogenesis. Biomarkers that are strongly associated with mortality could be used to define such a phenotype. However, the relation of such an index with multiple chronic conditions warrants further exploration.

METHODS

A biomarker index (BI) was constructed in the Cardiovascular Health Study (N = 3 197), with a mean age of 74 years. The BI incorporated circulating levels of new biomarkers, including insulin-like growth factor-1, interleukin-6, amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, cystatin-C, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha soluble receptor 1, fasting insulin, and fasting glucose, and was built based on their relationships with mortality. Cox proportional hazards models predicting a composite of death and chronic disease involving cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cancer were calculated with 6 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

The hazard ratio (HR, 95% CI) for the composite outcome of death or chronic disease per category of BI was 1.65 (1.52, 1.80) and 1.75 (1.58, 1.94) in women and men, respectively. The HR (95% CI) per 5 years of age was 1.57 (1.48, 1.67) and 1.55 (1.44, 1.67) in women and men, respectively. Moreover, BI could attenuate the effect of age on the composite outcome by 16.7% and 22.0% in women and men, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarker index was significantly and independently associated with a composite outcome of death and chronic disease, and attenuated the effect of age. The BI that is composed of plasma biomarkers may be a practical intermediate phenotype for interventions aiming to modify the course of aging.

Establishment of a feline glycated hemoglobin reference interval for a novel dried-blood-spot assay and the effects of anemia on assay results

BACKGROUND

Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects long-term (months) glycemic control and has been previously investigated as a monitoring and diagnostic tool in diabetic cats. However, a standardized, reliable, and globally available test and reference intervals (RIs) have not been established. A novel dried-blood-spot card system (A1Care, Baycom Diagnostics) allows for easy collection and evaluation of HbA1c levels in feline patients.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish an RI for HbA1c values in healthy adult cats using the A1Care (Baycom Diagnostics) dried-blood-spot card system.

METHODS

Forty-one healthy client-owned adult cats were enrolled in this study. The RI for HbA1c was calculated according to the recommendation of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

RESULTS

The A1Care HbA1c RI for cats was determined to be 1.9%-3.1%. In healthy cats, A1Care HbA1c values were positively correlated with age (Spearman rho = 0.4 [95% CI 0.1 to 0.6], P = 0.01). In 50% of anemic cats, the A1Care HbA1c value was above 3.1%. There was a weak negative correlation between the A1Care HbA1c value and PCV (Spearman rho = -0.4 [95% CI -0.6 to -0.1]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study established an RI for HbA1c in healthy adult cats similar to previously reported RIs. Future clinical studies are necessary to substantiate that this RI can differentiate diabetic from nondiabetic cats. Further long-term clinical studies will be valuable to determine if HbA1c values can be used as a screening test for prediabetes in cats.

Perspectives on Prediabetes and Aging

Diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) have been shown to effectively delay, and sometimes prevent, the progression from prediabetes to diabetes; however, labeling someone with prediabetes comes with potential negative psychological, financial, and self-perception consequences. Many older adults with prediabetes nowadays have a relatively "low-risk" form of prediabetes that rarely progresses to diabetes and may regress to normoglycemia. In this article, we review the impact of aging on glucose metabolism and provide a holistic approach to cases of prediabetes in older adults that maximizes the benefit-risk balance of interventions aimed at addressing prediabetes.

The prediabetes conundrum: striking the balance between risk and resources

The current definition of prediabetes is controversial and subject to continuous debate. Nonetheless, prediabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, is highly prevalent and is associated with diabetic complications and mortality. Thereby, it has the potential to become a huge strain on healthcare systems in the future, necessitating action from legislators and healthcare providers. But how do we best reduce its associated burden on health? As a compromise between differing opinions in the literature and among the authors of this article, we suggest stratifying individuals with prediabetes according to estimated risk and only offering individual-level preventive interventions to those at high risk. At the same time, we argue to identify those with prediabetes and already established diabetes-related complications and treat them as we would treat individuals with established type 2 diabetes.

Potential Synergistic Supplementation of NAD+ Promoting Compounds as a Strategy for Increasing Healthspan

Disrupted biological function, manifesting through the hallmarks of aging, poses one of the largest threats to healthspan and risk of disease development, such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and neurodegeneration. In recent years, numerous geroprotectors, senolytics, and other nutraceuticals have emerged as potential disruptors of aging and may be viable interventions in the immediate state of human longevity science. In this review, we focus on the decrease in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) with age and the supplementation of NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), in combination with other geroprotective compounds, to restore NAD+ levels present in youth. Furthermore, these geroprotectors may enhance the efficacy of NMN supplementation while concurrently providing their own numerous health benefits. By analyzing the prevention of NAD+ degradation through the inhibition of CD38 or supporting protective downstream agents of SIRT1, we provide a potential framework of the CD38/NAD+/SIRT1 axis through which geroprotectors may enhance the efficacy of NAD+ precursor supplementation and reduce the risk of age-related diseases, thereby potentiating healthspan in humans.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder in Older Adults from Germany

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for adhesive capsulitis in older adults from Germany. The one-year and lifetime prevalence of adhesive capsulitis were assessed in adults aged ≥65 years with at least one visit to one of 1207 general practices in Germany in 2021. Associations between physical and psychiatric conditions and adhesive capsulitis were further assessed in older patients diagnosed for the first time with adhesive capsulitis in general practices in 2010-2021 (index date) and matched (1:5) to patients without adhesive capsulitis using a propensity score based on age, sex, and the index year. In adults without adhesive capsulitis, the index date was a randomly selected visit date in 2010-2021. The one-year and lifetime prevalence of adhesive capsulitis in older adults in 2021 were 0.4% and 2.4%, respectively. In 8439 patients with and 42,195 patients without adhesive capsulitis, 12 conditions were positively and significantly associated with adhesive capsulitis. Effect sizes were strongest for other and unspecified osteoarthritis (OR = 1.93), injury to the shoulder and upper arm (OR = 1.85), and injury to the thorax (OR = 1.47). Based on these findings, adhesive capsulitis can occur at older age, and osteoarthritis and injuries are major risk factors.

Biological Age Predictors: The Status Quo and Future Trends

There is no single universal biomarker yet to estimate overall health status and longevity prospects. Moreover, a consensual approach to the very concept of aging and the means of its assessment are yet to be developed. Markers of aging could facilitate effective health control, more accurate life expectancy estimates, and improved health and quality of life. Clinicians routinely use several indicators that could be biomarkers of aging. Duly validated in a large cohort, models based on a combination of these markers could provide a highly accurate assessment of biological age and the pace of aging. Biological aging is a complex characteristic of chronological age (usually), health-to-age concordance, and medically estimated life expectancy. This study is a review of the most promising techniques that could soon be used in routine clinical practice. Two main selection criteria were applied: a sufficient sample size and reliability based on validation. The selected biological age calculators were grouped according to the type of biomarker used: (1) standard clinical and laboratory markers; (2) molecular markers; and (3) epigenetic markers. The most accurate were the calculators, which factored in a variety of biomarkers. Despite their demonstrated effectiveness, most of them require further improvement and cannot yet be considered for use in standard clinical practice. To illustrate their clinical application, we reviewed their use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mode of treatments and achievement of treatment targets among type 2 diabetes patients with different comorbidities - a register-based retrospective cohort study in Finland

AIMS

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease often associated with comorbidities that complicate the management of T2D and affect the achievement of treatment targets. However, adherence to guidelines and individualized treatments can potentially improve treatment outcomes. This study assessed the association between different glucose lowering and lipid lowering medication lines and the achievement of treatment targets with different comorbidities among a T2D cohort in North Karelia, Finland (2011-12 to 2015-16).

METHODS

The data on all diagnosed T2D patients (n = 10,190) in North Karelia were collated retrospectively from regional electronic health records (EHRs). Analyses were performed considering the age, sex, and comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and any mental disorders (AMD). We analyzed the trends in using glucose lowering and lipid lowering medications and the effect of changes in medication on the achievement of treatment targets among different patient groups.

RESULTS

Metformin was the most common treatment in all patient groups. The use of only metformin declined and the use of metformin and/or other non-insulin medications increased during the follow-up. A Combination of insulin and non-insulin medication was mostly used by T2D patients with both cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders (T2D + CVD + AMD), and the use of insulin increased among this group in follow-up. Achievement of the glucose treatment target deteriorated even after the intensification of medication among all patient groups during the follow-up. A considerably higher number of patients with T2D + AMD and T2D + CVD + AMD did not use lipid lowering medication when compared to the T2D + CVD patients both at baseline and follow-up. However, the achievement of the LDL treatment target improved during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Achievement of the glucose target deteriorated even after the intensification of treatment, and especially among patients with multiple diseases. Many T2D patients with AMD and CVD remained without lipid lowering medication, which needs further attention.

The Geriatric Depression Scale Predicts Glycemic Control in Older Adult with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Longitudinal Study

The presence of comorbid depression and diabetes is associated with worse glycemic control, higher complication and greater mortality risk than expected by each condition alone. The association between various levels of severity of depressive symptoms and glycemic control over time among type 2 diabetic older patients was unclear. This study aimed to investigate a longitudinal association between depression and HbA1c among type 2 diabetic older patients. Type 2 diabetes patients aged 60 years and above with normal cognition were recruited from the outpatient department from 1 June 2020 to 1 July 2021. The Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) and HbA1c were assessed at five time points (baseline and every 12 weeks) for 1 year. A linear mixed effect model was used. Of the 161 enrolled participants, 146 completed the study. At baseline, 14% were susceptible to depression or having depression (TGDS score 6 and above), and there was a significant correlation between HbA1c and depression (r = 0.26, p ≤ 0.01). The longitudinal analysis indicated that TGDS was a significant predictor of HbA1c in the next visit, and the relationship was J-shaped. A TGDS below 5 was associated with decreasing HbA1c in the next visit, but the association became positive at a TGDS score at 5 or higher. The presence of significant symptoms of depression was associated with glycemic control in the next 3-month interval OPD visit event, although major depressive disorder has not yet been established.

The Impact of Dementia on Diabetes Control: An Evaluation of HbA1c Trajectories and Care Outcomes in Linked Primary and Specialist Care Data

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes self-care may become increasingly challenging as cognition declines. We sought to characterize glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) trajectories, markers of diabetes-related management, health care utilization, and mortality in people with preexisting type 2 diabetes (T2D) with and without dementia and based on the extent of cognitive impairment at the time of dementia diagnosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective matched cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Using a linkage between a primary care (Lambeth DataNet) and a secondary mental healthcare database, up to 5 individuals aged ≥65 y with preexisting T2D without dementia were matched to each individual with dementia based on age, sex, and general practice.

METHODS

Comparisons were made for HbA1c trajectories (linear mixed effects models), markers of diabetes-related management and severity at dementia diagnosis (logistic regression), mortality (Cox regression), and health care utilization (multilevel mixed effects binomial regression).

RESULTS

In 725 incident dementia and 3154 matched comparators, HbA1c trajectories differed by dementia status; HbA1c increased over time for mild dementia and non-dementia, but the increase was greater in the mild dementia group; for those with moderate-severe dementia, HbA1c decreased over time. Despite individuals with dementia having increased health care utilization around the time of dementia diagnosis, they were less likely to have had routine diabetes-related management. Patients with dementia had a higher prevalence of macrovascular complications and diabetes foot morbidity at dementia diagnosis and a higher mortality risk than those without dementia; these relationships were most marked in those with moderate-severe dementia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our study has highlighted important differences in the monitoring, management, and control of diabetes in people with dementia. The effects of frailty and the extent of cognitive impairment on the ability to self-manage diabetes and on glycemic control may need to be considered in treatment guidelines and by primary care.

Management of dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in prediabetes

Prediabetes affects at least 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. and 1 in 5 in Europe. Although guidelines advocate aggressive management of lipid parameters in diabetes, most guidelines do not address treatment of dyslipidemia in prediabetes despite the increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Several criteria are used to diagnose prediabetes: impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and HbA1c of 5.7-6.4%. Individuals with prediabetes have a greater risk of diabetes, a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia with a more atherogenic lipid profile and an increased risk of ASCVD. In addition to calculating ASCVD risk using traditional methods, an OGTT may further stratify risk. Those with 1-hour plasma glucose ≥8.6 mmol/L (155 mg/dL) and/or 2-hour ≥7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) (IGT) have a greater risk of ASCVD. Diet and lifestyle modification are fundamental in prediabetes. Statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors are recommended in people requiring pharmacotherapy. Although high-intensity statins may increase risk of diabetes, this is acceptable because of the greater reduction of ASCVD. The LDL-C goal in prediabetes should be individualized. In those with IGT and/or elevated 1-hour plasma glucose, the same intensive approach to dyslipidemia as recommended for diabetes should be considered, particularly if other ASCVD risk factors are present.

Effectiveness of physical activity counselling provided for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary healthcare in North Karelia, Finland: a register-based evaluation study

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity (PA) plays a significant role in the treatment of type two diabetes (T2D). This study evaluated the effectiveness of PA counselling in primary healthcare (PHC) on clinical outcome measures in patients with T2D, comparing them with a registry-based controls.

SETTING

The study was carried out in North Karelia, Finland, among PHC clients who have been diagnosed with T2D in 2016-2018.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population consisted of patients aged 19-87 years diagnosed with T2D (n=1803). Altogether 546 patients were referred to the PA educator of whom 521 participated the counselling. In totally 1382 sex, age, time of diagnosis and intervention time-matched controls were used to see the effect of intervention.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients with T2D followed up in PHC were offered to participate in PA counselling provided by trained PA educators. The number of counselling sessions and their content were tailored according to patients needs and willingness to participate. To assess the effects of PA to management of T2D clinical outcome measures such as weight and Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lipid levels were assessed using data from electronic patient records. Each patient was followed up from records at least for a year.

RESULTS

Weight and body mass index (BMI) decreased in both groups and mean yearly changes did not differ between the groups. HbA1c levels declined in the intervention and increased in the control group with statistically significant difference in the mean yearly change between the groups (p=0.001). The low-density lipoprotein declined in both groups. The decline was bigger in the intervention group, but the difference did not quite reach the statistical significance (p=0.096).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that PA counselling in PHC offers significant benefits in the treatment outcomes of T2D although no significant declines were not observed in the weight or BMI.

The relative contribution of diurnal and nocturnal glucose exposures to HbA1c in type 1 diabetes males: a pooled analysis

Purpose

The exact contribution of daily glucose exposure to HbA1c in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains controversial. We examined the contribution of pre- and postprandial glycaemia, nocturnal and early-morning glycaemia, and glycaemic variability to HbA1c levels in T1D. In this analysis, we used clinical data, namely age, BMI and HbA1c, as well as glycaemic metrics (24-h glycaemia, postprandial, nocturnal, early-morning glycaemia, wake-up glucose, and glycaemic variability) obtained over a four-week period of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) wear in thirty-two males with T1D.

Methods

The trapezoid method was used estimate the incremental area under the glucose curve (iAUC) for 24-h, postprandial (3-h period following breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively), nocturnal (between 24:00–04:00 AM), and early-morning (2-h period 2-h prior to wake-up) glycaemia. Linear regression analysis was employed whereby CGM-derived glycaemic metrics were explanatory variables and HbA1c was the outcome.

Results

Thirty-two T1D males (mean ± SD: age 29 ± 4 years; HbA1c 7.3 ± 0.9% [56 ± 13 mmol/mol]; BMI 25.80 ± 5.01 kg/m²) were included in this analysis. In linear models adjusted for age and BMI, HbA1c was associated with 24-h mean glucose (r² = 0.735, p < 0.001), SD (r² = 0.643, p = 0.039), and dinner iAUC (r² = 0.711, p = 0.001). CGM-derived metrics and non-glycaemic factors explained 77% of the variance in HbA1c, in which postprandial glucose accounted for 32% of the variance explained. The single greatest contributor to HbA1c was dinner iAUC resulting in 0.6%-point (~7 mmol/mol) increase in HbA1c per SD increase in dinner iAUC.

Conclusions

Using comprehensive CGM profiling, we show that postprandial glucose, specifically evening-time postprandial glucose, is the single largest contributing factor to HbA1c in T1D.

Trial registration number

NCT02204839 (July 30th 2014); NCT02595658 (November 3rd 2015).

Glycaemic control and its associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

To examine the patient‐related factors that have been linked to glycaemic control in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Middle Eastern countries.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data Sources

A computerized search was conducted using the databases MEDLINE (via PubMed and Ovid), EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL to identify peer‐reviewed articles published in English between 1 January 2010 and 21 May 2020. On 28 June 2021, the search was updated with the same keywords and databases; however, no further relevant studies were identified.

Review Methods

Extracted data were analysed using Review Manager 5.4.

Results

The final sample consisted of 54 articles with a total of 41,079 participants. Pooled data showed an increased risk of inadequate glycaemic control in smokers [OR = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.52; p = .010], obese patients (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.54; p = .002), patients with elevated waist to hip ratio (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.26; p = .004) and longer disease duration (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.64, 2.48; p < .001). A lower risk of inadequate control was associated with physical activity (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.67; p < .001) and self‐management (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.82; p = .006).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the opportunity to address factors to improve glycaemic control. Further longitudinal studies are required to better understand these variations, to assess all predictors of glycaemic control in participants with type 2 diabetes, and to provide a strong basis for future measures to optimize glycaemic control.

Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations in non-diabetic Taiwanese individuals based on the waist-hip ratio

Background

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects the average blood sugar over the past eight to twelve weeks. Several demographic and lifestyle factors are known to affect HbA1c levels. We evaluated the association of HbA1c with aerobic and resistance exercise in non-diabetic Taiwanese adults based on the waist-hip ratio (WHR).

Methods

We conducted this study based on TWB data collected from 90,958 individuals between 2008 and 2019. We estimated the Beta (β) coefficient and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for HbA1c using multivariate regression models.

Results

Based on the multivariate analysis, lower HbA1c levels were associated with both resistance exercise (β-coefficient = -0.027, 95% CI -0.037 to -0.017) and aerobic exercise (β-coefficient = 0.018, 95% CI, -0.023 to -0.013). Higher HbA1c levels were associated with abnormal WHR compared to normal WHR (β-coefficient = 0.091, 95% CI, 0.086 to 0.096). We detected an interaction between exercise and WHR (p for interaction = 0.0181). To determine the magnitude of the interaction, we performed additional analyses (with the reference group being ’abnormal WHR with no exercise’) and observed substantial decreases in HbA1c regardless of the WHR and exercise category. However, the largest reduction occurred in the ’normal WHR and resistance exercise’ group (β = -0.121, 95% CI, -0.132 to -0.109).

Conclusions

We found that normal resistance exercise, coupled with a normal WHR was significantly associated with lower HbA1c levels among non-diabetic individuals in Taiwan.

Endothelin-1-mediated miR-let-7g-5p triggers interlukin-6 and TNF-α to cause myopathy and chronic adipose inflammation in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes and sarcopenia are verified as mutual relationships, which seriously affect the quality of life of the elderly. Endothelin-1 is well investigated, is elevated in patients with diabetes, and is related to muscle cellular senescence and fibrosis. However, the mechanism of ET-1 between diabetes and myopathy is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly with diabetes and to clarify its relationship with ET-1 molecular biological mechanism, progress as well as changes in muscle and fat.

Methods: We recruited 157 type 2 diabetes patients over 55 years old and investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in diabetes patients and examined the association of ET-1 alterations with HbA1c, creatinine, or AMS/ht2. Next, sought to determine how ET-1 regulates inflammation in muscle cells by western blot and qPCR assay. Using XF Seahorse Technology, we directly quantified mitochondrial bioenergetics in 3T3-L1 cells.

Results: ET-1 was positively correlated with HbA1c, creatinine levels, and duration of disease, and negatively correlated with AMS/ht2. We found that ET-1 dose-dependently induces tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6β expression through the PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways in C2C12 cells. Also identified that TNF-α, IL-6β, and visfatin releases were found in co-cultured with conditioned medium of ET-1/C2C12 in 3T3-L1 cells. ET-1 also reduces the energy metabolism of fat and induces micro-environment inflammation which causes myopathy. ET-1 also suppresses miR-let-7g-5p expression in myocytes and adipocytes.

Conclusion: We describe a new mechanism of ET-1 triggering chronic inflammation in patients with hyperglycemia.

Use of Retrospective Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Is Underrated and Underused

Access to real-time glucose data in real time allows users to make informed decisions about their insulin dosages, appropriate carbohydrate intake, exercise, and other health behaviors. Programmable alarms and alerts warn users about current and/or impending acute glycemic events. However, the value and utility of retrospective data analysis for clinical decision-making have gone mostly unrecognized. This article presents a series of patient case examples that illustrate how our use of retrospective data enables us to identify and effectively address patterns of problematic glycemia.

Two Birds One Stone: The Neuroprotective Effect of Antidiabetic Agents on Parkinson Disease-Focus on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease affecting more than 1% of the population over 65 years old. The etiology of the disease is unknown and there are only symptomatic managements available with no known disease-modifying treatment. Aging, genes, and environmental factors contribute to PD development and key players involved in the pathophysiology of the disease include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagic-lysosomal imbalance, and neuroinflammation. Recent epidemiology studies have shown that type-2 diabetes (T2DM) not only increased the risk for PD, but also is associated with PD clinical severity. A higher rate of insulin resistance has been reported in PD patients and is suggested to be a pathologic driver in this disease. Oral diabetic drugs including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been shown to provide neuroprotective effects in both PD patients and experimental models; additionally, antidiabetic drugs have been demonstrated to lower incidence rates of PD in DM patients. Among these, the most recently developed drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors may provide neuroprotective effects through improving mitochondrial function and antioxidative effects. In this article, we will discuss the involvement of mitochondrial-related oxidative stress in the development of PD and potential benefits provided by antidiabetic agents especially focusing on sglt2 inhibitors.

Person-Centered Medication Therapy for Diabetes in Older Adults: A Practical Review

Diabetes is one of the most common disease states in older adults and there are significant risks to the use of antidiabetic medications. The older adult population varies greatly in functional ability, independence, and cognition. These factors, along with increased risk of hypoglycemia, falls, and other comorbidities, add to the complexity of creating medication regimens to treat diabetes in older adults. In the current review, a person-centered approach to diabetes care in older adults is described to aid clinician decision making. By keeping the patient and their individual factors in the center of the decision, risks of over- or under-treating diabetes can be minimized. The review will discuss person-centered goal setting, practical approaches to diabetes medication management, and specific considerations for choosing medication classes based on patient characteristics. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(10), 7-13.].

Digital interventions self-management education for type 1 and 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To describe and assess digital health-led diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) effectiveness in improving glycosylated hemoglobin, diabetes knowledge, and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of Type 1 and 2 Diabetes in the past 10 years.

DESIGN

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO registration number CRD42019139884.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Scopus between January 2010 and August 2019. Study Selection and Appraisal: Randomized control trials of digital health-led DSMES for Type 1 (T1DM) or 2 (T2DM) diabetes compared to usual care were included. Outcomes were change in HbA1c, diabetes knowledge, and HrQoL. Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to assess bias and GRADEpro for overall quality. The analysis involved narrative synthesis, subgroup and pooled meta-analyses.

RESULTS

From 4286 articles, 39 studies (6861 participants) were included. Mean age was 51.62 years, range (13-70). Meta-analysis revealed intervention effects on HbA1c for T2DM with difference in means (MD) from baseline -0.480% (-0.661, -0.299), I²75% (6 months), -0.457% (-0.761, -0.151), I² 81% (12 months), and for T1DM -0.41% (-1.022, 0.208) I² 83% (6 months), -0.03% (-0.210, 0.142) I² 0% (12 months). Few reported HrQoL with Hedges' g 0.183 (-0.039, 0.405), I² 0% (6 months), 0.153 (-0.060, 0.366), I² 0% (12 months) and diabetes knowledge with Hedges' g 1.003 (0.068, 1.938), I² 87% (3 months).

CONCLUSION

Digital health-led DSMES are effective in improving HbA1c and diabetes knowledge, notably for T2DM. Research shows non-significant changes in HrQoL. Intervention effect on HbA1c was more impressive if delivered through mobile apps or patient portals. Further research is needed on the impact of DSMES on these outcomes, especially for newly diagnosed diabetes patients.

Abundance of undiagnosed cardiometabolic risk within the population of a long-stay prison in the UK

BACKGROUND

The health of people in prisons is a public health issue. It is well known that those in prison experience poorer health outcomes than those in the general community. One such example is the burden of non-communicable diseases, more specifically cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, there is limited evidence research on the extent of cardiometabolic risk factors in the prison environment in Wales, the wider UK or globally.

METHODS

Risk assessments were performed on a representative sample of 299 men at HMP Parc, Bridgend. The risk assessments were 30 min in duration and men aged 25-84 years old and free from pre-existing CVD and T2DM were eligible. During the risk assessment, a number of demographic, anthropometric and clinical markers were obtained. The 10-year risk of CVD and T2DM was predicted using the QRISK2 algorithm and Diabetes UK Risk Score, respectively.

RESULTS

The majority of the men was found to be either overweight (43.5%) or obese (37.5%) and/or demonstrated evidence of central obesity (40.1%). Cardiometabolic risk factors including systolic hypertension (25.1%), high cholesterol (29.8%), low HDL cholesterol (56.2%) and elevated total cholesterol: HDL ratios (23.1%) were observed in a considerable number of men. Ultimately, 15.4% were calculated at increased risk of CVD, and 31.8% predicted at moderate or high risk of T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, a substantial prevalence of previously undiagnosed cardiometabolic risk factors was observed and men in prison are at elevated risk of cardiometabolic disease at a younger age than current screening guidelines.

Deep Learning Algorithm for Management of Diabetes Mellitus via Electrocardiogram-Based Glycated Hemoglobin (ECG-HbA1c): A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) provides information on diabetes mellitus (DM) management. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a noninvasive test of cardiac activity that has been determined to be related to DM and its complications. This study developed a deep learning model (DLM) to estimate HbA1c via ECG.

METHODS

there were 104,823 ECGs with corresponding HbA1c or fasting glucose which were utilized to train a DLM for calculating ECG-HbA1c. Next, 1539 cases from outpatient departments and health examination centers provided 2190 ECGs for initial validation, and another 3293 cases with their first ECGs were employed to analyze its contributions to DM management. The primary analysis was used to distinguish patients with and without mild to severe DM, and the secondary analysis was to explore the predictive value of ECG-HbA1c for future complications, which included all-cause mortality, new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD), and new-onset heart failure (HF).

RESULTS

we used a gender/age-matching strategy to train a DLM to achieve the best AUCs of 0.8255 with a sensitivity of 71.9% and specificity of 77.7% in a follow-up cohort with correlation of 0.496 and mean absolute errors of 1.230. The stratified analysis shows that DM presented in patients with fewer comorbidities was significantly more likely to be detected by ECG-HbA1c. Patients with higher ECG-HbA1c under the same Lab-HbA1c exhibited worse physical conditions. Of interest, ECG-HbA1c may contribute to the mortality (gender/age adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.53, 95% conference interval (CI): 1.08-2.17), new-onset CKD (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.30-1.87), and new-onset HF (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.13-2.01) independently of Lab-HbA1c. An additional impact of ECG-HbA1c on the risk of all-cause mortality (C-index: 0.831 to 0.835, p < 0.05), new-onset CKD (C-index: 0.735 to 0.745, p < 0.01), and new-onset HF (C-index: 0.793 to 0.796, p < 0.05) were observed in full adjustment models.

CONCLUSION

the ECG-HbA1c could be considered as a novel biomarker for screening DM and predicting the progression of DM and its complications.

Ranking Biomarkers of Aging by Citation Profiling and Effort Scoring

Aging affects most living organisms and includes the processes that reduce health and survival. The chronological and the biological age of individuals can differ remarkably, and there is a lack of reliable biomarkers to monitor the consequences of aging. In this review we give an overview of commonly mentioned and frequently used potential aging-related biomarkers. We were interested in biomarkers of aging in general and in biomarkers related to cellular senescence in particular. To answer the question whether a biological feature is relevant as a potential biomarker of aging or senescence in the scientific community we used the PICO strategy known from evidence-based medicine. We introduced two scoring systems, aimed at reflecting biomarker relevance and measurement effort, which can be used to support study designs in both clinical and research settings.

Should continuous glucose monitoring systems be offered to all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus?

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune condition characterised by autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cell. It is associated with macrovascular and microvascular complications. Tight glycaemic control has been shown to ameliorate the long-term complications of T1DM, but this benefit has to be balanced with the risk and fear of hypoglycaemia. Monitoring glucose levels frequently helps patients to achieve more intensive glycaemic control. Finger prick blood glucose monitoring has traditionally been the most commonly used method to monitor glucose levels. More recently, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, which measure interstitial glucose, have become available. CGM systems remove or significantly reduce the need for blood glucose testing and have been shown in real world and clinical trial settings to improve glycaemic control, reduce frequency of hypoglycaemia, improve recognition of hypoglycaemia and improve quality of life. The question now is whether CGM should replace capillary blood glucose measurements and be offered to all patients with T1DM.

Metabolic syndrome and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in older adults

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) is a cytokine produced in response to tissue injury and inflammatory states that may capture distinct pathways between the risk factors aggregated within metabolic syndrome (MS) and the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This work aims to study the association of MS and its components with GDF-15 among older adults, examining the roles of body fat distribution, glucose metabolism, and inflammation. Data were taken from the Seniors-ENRICA-2 study in Spain, which included 1938 non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥65 years free of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. MS was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following components: high waist circumference, elevated fasting blood glucose levels, raised blood pressure, increased triglyceride levels, and low serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Statistical analyses were performed with linear regression models and adjusted for potential sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders. MS was associated with higher GDF-15 levels (fully adjusted mean increase [95% confidence interval] = 9.34% [5.16,13.7]). The MS components showing the strongest associations were high waist circumference (6.74% [2.97,10.6]), elevated glucose levels (4.91% [0.77,9.23]), and low HDL-cholesterol (8.13% [3.51,13.0]). High waist-to-hip ratio (7.07% [2.63,11.7]), urine albumin (12.1% [2.57,22.5]), and C-reactive protein (10.4% [3.89,17.3]) were also associated with increased GDF-15. In conclusion, MS was associated with higher GDF-15 levels in older adults. Abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia -possibly linked to microvascular disease, as inferred from elevated urine albumin-, low HDL-cholesterol, and inflammation were the main drivers of this association.

Amyloid-related protein changes associated with dementia differ according to severity of hypoglycemia

INTRODUCTION

Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D) may increase risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but no data on changes in AD-related proteins with differing degrees of hypoglycemia exist. We hypothesized that milder prolonged hypoglycemia would cause greater AD-related protein changes versus severe transient hypoglycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Two prospective case-control induced hypoglycemia studies were compared: study 1, hypoglycemic clamp to 2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for 1 hour in 17 subjects (T2D (n=10), controls (n=7)); study 2, hypoglycemic clamp to 2.0 mmol/L (36 mg/dL) undertaken transiently and reversed in 46 subjects (T2D (n=23), controls (n=23)). Blood sampling at baseline, hypoglycemia and 24-hour post-hypoglycemia, with proteomic analysis of amyloid-related proteins performed.

RESULTS

In control subjects, the percentage change from baseline to hypoglycemia differed between study 1 and study 2 for 5 of 11 proteins in the AD-related panel: serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) (p=0.009), pappalysin (PAPPA) (p=0.002), apolipoprotein E2 (p=0.02), apolipoprotein E3 (p=0.03) and apolipoprotein E4 (p=0.02). In controls, the percentage change from baseline to 24 hours differed between studies for two proteins: SAA1 (p=0.003) and PAPPA (p=0.004); however, after Bonferroni correction only SAA1 and PAPPA remain significant. In T2D, there were no differential protein changes between the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential changes in AD-related proteins were seen only in control subjects in response to iatrogenic induction of hypoglycemic insults of differing length and severity and may reflect a protective response that was absent in subjects with T2D. Milder prolonged hypoglycemia caused greater AD-related protein changes than severe acute hypoglycemia in control subjects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT02205996, NCT03102801.

Metabolic footprint of aging and obesity in red blood cells

Aging is a physiological process whose underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. The study of the biochemical transformations associated with aging is crucial for understanding this process and could translate into an improvement of the quality of life of the aging population. Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant cells in humans and are involved in essential functions that could undergo different alterations with age. The present study analyzed the metabolic alterations experienced by RBCs during aging, as well as the influence of obesity and gender in this process. To this end, the metabolic profile of 83 samples from healthy and obese patients was obtained by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed differences between Age-1 (≤45) and Age-2 (>45) subgroups, as well as between BMI-1 (<30) and BMI-2 (≥30) subgroups, while no differences were associated with gender. A general decrease in the levels of amino acids was detected with age, in addition to metabolic alterations of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, nucleotide metabolism, glutathione metabolism and the Luebering-Rapoport shunt. Obesity also had an impact on the metabolomics profile of RBCs; sometimes mimicking the alterations induced by aging, while, in other cases, its influence was the opposite, suggesting these changes could counteract the adaptation of the organism to senescence.

Human erythrocyte surface fucose expression increases with age and hyperglycemia

Background: Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals, together with glucose and its metabolites are believed to play important roles in the aging process. The carbohydrate components of glycosylated proteins are important in mediating cell-cell interactions and a role has been suggested for them in the aging process. Erythrocytes are critical cells in the human body, heavily glycosylated and relatively easily available and so are good candidates to yield insights into how patterns of glycosylation change with age and disease. It has been claimed, based on a periodic acid Schiff assay, that human aging is associated with a decline of erythrocyte surface sialic acids. Plant lectins allow for more specific assays for glycans, including determining the linkage of sialic acids and analysis of single cells by flow cytometry. Methods: Plant lectins, including Maackia amurensis lectin II (MAL), binding to α-2,3 linked sialic acids and Sambucus nigra (SNA), α-2,6 sialic acids, were used in flow cytometry and western blot of erythrocyte surface membrane. N-glycomics mass spectrometry determines glycan structures. Donors varying in age and hyperglycemia, as indicated by HbA1c were analysed. Results: Erythrocyte surface sialic acids have no significant associations with donor age. A combination of storage and cellular aging produces a specific loss of α-2,6 sialic acids. By contrast, erythrocyte surface terminal fucoses increase significantly with donor age. In order to determine which aspects of aging are important in determining this change, we investigated whether this novel human aging biomarker is associated with higher plasma glucose values, assessed by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Fucose levels were associated with HbA1c levels, but not ROS generation. Conclusion: Our study identifies novel glycan-based biomarkers for human aging and disease. The simplicity of lectin-based assays provide an attractive cellular tool to study aging and disease processes.

The Effect of High-Intensity Power Training on Habitual, Intervention and Total Physical Activity Levels in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Secondary Outcomes of the GREAT2DO Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

We examined the effect of power training on habitual, intervention and total physical activity (PA) levels in older adults with type 2 diabetes and their relationship to metabolic control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

103 adults with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive supervised power training or sham exercise three times/week for 12 months. Habitual, intervention, and total PA, as well as insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were measured.

RESULTS

Participants were aged 67.9 ± 5.5 yrs, with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c = 7.1%) and higher than average habitual PA levels compared to healthy peers. Habitual PA did not change significantly over 12 months (p = 0.74), and there was no effect of group assignment on change over time in habitual PA over 0-6 (p = 0.16) or 0-6-12 months (p = 0.51). By contrast, intervention PA, leg press tonnage and total PA increased over both 6- and 12-month timepoints (p = 0.0001), and these changes were significantly greater in the power training compared to the sham exercise group across timepoints (p = 0.0001). However, there were no associations between changes in any PA measures over time and changes in metabolic profile.

CONCLUSION

Structured high-intensity power training may be an effective strategy to enhance overall PA in this high-risk cohort.

Aging and Allostasis: Using Bayesian Network Analytics to Explore and Evaluate Allostatic Markers in the Context of Aging

Allostatic load reflects the cumulative strain on organic functions that may gradually evolve into overt disease. Our aim was to evaluate the allostatic parameters in the context of aging, and identify the parameters that may be suitable for an allostatic load index for elderly people (>60 years). From previously published studies, 11 allostatic (bio)markers could be identified that sustain sufficient variability with aging to capture meaningful changes in health status. Based on reported statistics (prevalence of a biomarker and its associated outcome, and/or an odds/risk ratio relating these two), seven of these could be adopted in a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN), providing the probability of “disturbed” allostasis in any given elder. Additional statistical analyses showed that changes in IL-6 and BMI contributed the most to a “disturbed” allostasis, indicating their prognostic potential in relation to deteriorating health in otherwise generally healthy elderly. In this way, and despite the natural decline in variance that irrevocably alters the prognostic relevance of most allostatic (bio)markers with aging, it appeared possible to outline an allostatic load index specifically for the elderly. The allostatic parameters here identified might consequently be considered a useful basis for future quantitative modelling in the context of (healthy) aging.

Can the biological mechanisms of ageing be corrected by food supplementation. The concept of health care over sick care

"From care for the sick to care for health" implies that age-related diseases and discomforts, which impair the quality of life, should be prevented rather than treated. Healthy lifestyle and nutrition, and hormone supplementation - when needed - are of crucial importance. Food supplementation with nutraceuticals composed of vitamins, oligo-minerals, plant extracts and essential amino- and fatty acids should reduce age-related oxidative and epigenetic damage to DNA, and inhibit inflammatory and metabolic impairment. This study of the potential beneficial effects of novel nutraceuticals on the biological mechanisms of physical and mental ageing suggests these supplements may be scientifically justified. In the absence of adverse side effects and the expected favourable effect on the quality-adjusted life years, the benefit over risk ratio of nutraceutical supplementation should be positive.

Assessment of Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System in the Elderly with Different Comorbid Factors

Background  Studies in healthy elderly patients have shown the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in the range of 20 to 30%. However, there is paucity in data pertaining to AD in the elderly in the Indian context. Objective  To assess the prevalence of AD in the elderly irrespective of their comorbidity status. Methods  A total of 141 elderly patients with or without comorbidities/symptoms of AD were included. Demographic and clinical details of the patients were recorded. Autonomic function tests (AFTs) such as deep breathing test, Valsalva ratio, orthostatic heart rate (OHR), isometric handgrip test, and orthostatic blood pressure were performed based on Ewing's battery of tests. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and the accuracy of AFTs were evaluated. Results  Most patients ( n  = 85) were aged between 60 and 69 years, with a male predominance (58.87%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Postural hypotension was the most common symptom of AD. With advancing age, symptoms of AD manifested significantly more. Overall, 73.8% of patients had AD, of whom 45.4% had early AD. Number of AD symptoms, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and comorbid factors (diabetes and hypertension) were significantly associated with the results of AFTs ( p  < 0.05). AFTs were highly significant with respect to the results obtained ( p  < 0.001). Deep breathing test, abnormal in majority of study patients, has a sensitivity of 93.3% and OHR has a specificity of 81.1% to determine AD. Conclusion  The study concludes that age itself is an independent predictor of AD, which increases in severity if associated with comorbidities.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and HbA1c in middle age and older adults without type 2 diabetes mellitus: A preliminary randomized study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Probiotic supplementation improves glycemic control in persons with diabetes and the current study examined whether these benefits extend to healthy individuals.

METHODS

The current study was a 90-day placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were quantified at baseline and follow up.

RESULTS

ANCOVA controlling for baseline values showed group differences in follow up HbA1c [F (1,90) = 8.44, p = 0.005]; HbA1c values increased in the placebo group, though remained stable in the probiotic group.

CONCLUSIONS

If replicated, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may protect against changes in glycemic control.

Investigation of geographic disparities of pre-diabetes and diabetes in Florida

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, and its precursor, pre-diabetes, is estimated to occur in one-third of American adults. Understanding the geographic disparities in the distribution of these conditions and identifying high-prevalence areas is critical to guiding control and prevention programs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate clusters of pre-diabetes and diabetes risk in Florida and identify significant predictors of the conditions.

METHODS

Data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were obtained from the Florida Department of Health. Spatial scan statistics were used to identify and locate significant high-prevalence local clusters. The county prevalence proportions of pre-diabetes and diabetes and the identified significant clusters were displayed in maps. Logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of the two conditions for individuals living within and outside high-prevalence clusters.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 34,186 respondents. The overall prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 8.2 and 11.5%, respectively. Three significant (p < 0.05) local, high-prevalence spatial clusters were detected for pre-diabetes, while five were detected for diabetes. The counties within the high-prevalence clusters had prevalence ratios ranging from 1.29 to 1.85. There were differences in the predictors of the conditions based on whether respondents lived within or outside high-prevalence clusters. Predictors of both pre-diabetes and diabetes regardless of region or place of residence were obesity/overweight, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Income and physical activity level were significant predictors of diabetes but not pre-diabetes. Arthritis, sex, and marital status were significant predictors of diabetes only among residents of high-prevalence clusters, while educational attainment and smoking were significant predictors of diabetes only among residents of non-cluster counties.

CONCLUSIONS

Geographic disparities of pre-diabetes and diabetes exist in Florida. Information from this study is useful for guiding resource allocation and targeting of intervention programs focusing on identified modifiable predictors of pre-diabetes and diabetes so as to reduce health disparities and improve the health of all Floridians.

Pitfalls of HbA1c in the Diagnosis of Diabetes

Many health care providers screen high-risk individuals exclusively with an HbA1c despite its insensitivity for detecting dysglycemia. The 2 cases presented describe the inherent caveats of interpreting HbA1c without performing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The first case reflects the risk of overdiagnosing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in an older African American male in whom HbA1c levels, although variable, were primarily in the mid-prediabetes range (5.7-6.4% [39-46 mmol/mol]) for many years although the initial OGTT demonstrated borderline impaired fasting glucose with a fasting plasma glucose of 102 mg/dL [5.7 mmol/L]) without evidence for impaired glucose tolerance (2-hour glucose ≥140-199 mg/dl ([7.8-11.1 mmol/L]). Because subsequent HbA1c levels were diagnostic of T2D (6.5%-6.6% [48-49 mmol/mol]), a second OGTT performed was normal. The second case illustrates the risk of underdiagnosing T2D in a male with HIV having normal HbA1c levels over many years who underwent an OGTT when mild prediabetes (HbA1c = 5.7% [39 mmol/mol]) developed that was diagnostic of T2D. To avoid inadvertent mistreatment, it is therefore essential to perform an OGTT, despite its limitations, in high-risk individuals, particularly when glucose or fructosamine and HbA1c values are discordant. Innate differences in the relationship between fructosamine or fasting glucose to HbA1c are demonstrated by the glycation gap or hemoglobin glycation index.

Efficacy of 10-20-30 training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on HbA1c, body composition and maximum oxygen uptake in male patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To compare the efficacy of 10-20-30 training versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on HbA1c, body composition and maximum oxygen uptake (V˙O₂ max) in male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one male participants with T2D were randomly assigned (1:1) to a 10-20-30 (N = 26) and a MICT (N = 25) training group. Interventions consisted of supervised cycling three times weekly for 10 weeks, lasting 29 minutes (10-20-30) and 50 minutes (MICT) in a local non-clinical setting. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to 10-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 51 participants enrolled, 44 (mean age 61.0 ± 6.8 [mean ± SD] years, diagnosed 7.5 ± 5.8 years, baseline HbA1c 7.4% ± 1.3%) were included in the analysis. Training compliance was 84% and 86% in 10-20-30 and MICT, respectively. No adverse events occurred during the intervention. HbA1c decreased (P <0.001) by 0.5 (95% CI -0.72 to -0.21) percentage points with training in 10-20-30, with no change in MICT. The change in 10-20-30 was greater (P <0.05) than in MICT. Visceral fat mass decreased (P <0.05) only with 10-20-30 training, whereas total fat mass decreased (P <0.01) and V˙O₂ max increased (P <0.01) with training in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten weeks of 10-20-30 training was superior to MICT in lowering HbA1c, and only 10-20-30 training decreased visceral fat mass in patients with T2D. Furthermore, 10-20-30 training was as effective as MICT in reducing total fat mass and increasing V˙O₂ max, despite a 42% lower training time commitment.

The effect of the glycemic control on the aqueous humor glucose levels in diabetic patients undergoing elective cataract surgery

PURPOSE

Aqueous humor glucose levels play a role in the anterior segment disorders' pathophysiology, mainly in diabetics. Our purpose was to evaluate the ratio of aqueous humor glucose levels to blood glucose levels in diabetics and to evaluate the correlation between this ratio and blood glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

METHODS

This prospective study was performed in Sheba Medical Center during 2016-2018. The study included type 2 diabetic patients admitted for elective cataract surgery. Blood glucose levels were measured immediately before surgery. HbA1c was obtained within 3 months preoperatively. At the beginning of surgery, 0.05-0.1 mL aqueous humor was drawn. Main outcome measures were aqueous humor glucose/blood glucose ratio and the correlation between HbA1c and aqueous humor glucose/blood glucose ratio.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (mean age 75.2 ± 11.2 years) were recruited. The average aqueous humor glucose/blood glucose ratio was 0.69 ± 0.20. A significant positive correlation was found between aqueous humor and blood glucose levels, Pearson coefficient constant R = 0.63 (p < 0.01), and specifically stronger among older patients R = 0.89 (p < 0.01), females R = 0.74 (p < 0.01), patients with short-term disease (<10 years) R = 0.80 (p < 0.01), and patients treated with oral anti-diabetic treatment R = 0.74 (p < 0.01). A significant strong positive correlation was found between HbA1c levels and aqueous humor glucose/blood glucose ratio R = 0.62 (p < 0.01), and specifically stronger among older patients R = 0.82 (p < 0.01), males R = 0.70 (p < 0.01), patients with prolonged disease (⩾10 years) R = 0.540 (p < 0.05), and patients treated with oral anti-diabetic treatment R = 0.62 (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

A significant strong correlation was found between aqueous humor glucose levels and blood glucose levels. Poor glycemic control was strongly correlated with an increased ratio, reflecting an increased anterior chamber's glucose permeability. Older age group was found to have stronger correlation of poor glycemic control with this ratio.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Upper Egypt Villages

BACKGROUND

A large percentage of diabetic patients also have other components of metabolic syndrome, which is a group of cardiovascular (CV) hazard factors related to both diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We do not know about the prevalence of CV risk factors in diabetic patients in Upper Egypt. We aimed to assess the CV risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients in Upper Egypt villages.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 800 patients with type 2 DM. We classified the participants into three groups according to the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. We assessed the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors and their association with HbA1c levels through a detailed history, full clinical examination, and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

We found that 75% of the participants were males, 25.5% elderly, 60.25% had hypertension, 60.75% had dyslipidemia, 33.25% were overweight or obese, 19.75% had a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), 55.75% had established CVD, 42.5% were smokers, and only 12.25% were physically inactive. We found that 84% of the participants had ≥ two cardiovascular risk factors other than DM. HbA1c level was ≥ 7% in 77% of patients. After multivariate regression analysis, we found a significant association of higher systolic blood pressure (BP), more elevated diastolic BP, higher body mass index (BMI), increased waist circumference, old age, long duration of DM, and an increase in the number of clustered CV risk factors with a higher HbA1c level. At the same time, insulin therapy was significantly associated with a lower HbA1c level.

CONCLUSION

All type 2 diabetic patients in Upper Egypt villages have other associated CV risk factors. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors showed a significant association with higher HbA1c levels. These findings require the thought of associated CV risk factors in choosing medical treatments to optimize glycemic control and multifactorial intervention to improve CV risk.

Aging and cancer: Is glucose a mediator between them?

Aging can increase cancer incidence because of accumulated mutations that initiate cancer and via compromised body control of premalignant lesions development into cancer. Relative contributions of these two factors are debated. Recent evidence suggests that the latter is rate limiting. In particular, hyperglycemia caused by compromised body control of blood glucose may be a factor of selection of somatic mutation-bearing cells for the ability to use glucose for proliferation. High glucose utilization in aerobic glycolysis is a long known characteristic of cancer. The new evidence adds to the concepts that have been being developed starting from mid-1970ies to suggest that age-related shifts in glucose and lipid metabolism increase the risk of cancer and compromise prognoses for cancer patients and to propose antidiabetic biguanides, including metformin, for cancer prevention and as an adjuvant means of cancer treatment aimed at the metabolic rehabilitation of patients. The new evidence is consistent with several effects of glucose contributing to aging and acting synergistically to enhance carcinogenesis. Glucose can affect (i) separate cells (via promoting somatic mutagenesis and epigenetic instability), (ii) cell populations (via being a factor of selection of phenotypic variants in cell populations for higher glucose consumption and, ultimately, for high aerobic glycolysis); (iii) cell microenvironment (via modification of extracellular matrix proteins), and (iv) the systemic levels (via shifting the endocrine regulation of metabolism toward increasing blood lipids and body fat, which compromise immunological surveillance and promote inflammation). Thus, maintenance of youthful metabolic characteristics must be important for cancer prevention and treatment.

Age and glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes in the United States: An assessment from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014

AIM

To assess the age and its association with glycemic control (GC) among adults with type 2-diabetes in the United States.

MATERIALS AND MATERIALS

Data were collected from the National Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 (n = 697), cross-sectional national survey adults with Type2 diabetes. Characteristics included retinopathy diagnosis, blood pressure, albumin-creatinine ratio, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), BMI, cholesterol, smoking status, pills/insulin, exercise, age, age at diagnosis, education, sex, race, and marital status. Diabetes preventive behaviors were included. Predictors of GC were assessed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The mean age was 61 (SD ±13); the average age at diagnosis 50 (SD ±12.9) and women (51%). Age ≥60, diabetes length >10yrs, taking pills/on insulin, albumin-creatinine ratio ≤30mg/g, optimal BP, no retinopathy diagnosis, optimal cholesterol, seeing a doctor for diabetes, doctors checkup ≥2 times and checking HbA1c annually were significant predictors of GC. The association between GC and age (OR=.97, p<.001; CI: .96-.98) diabetes length >10yrs (OR=1.55, p<.05; CI: 1.02-2.34), creatinine-albumin ratio ≤30mg/g (OR=1.97, p<.001; CI: 1.32-2.94) and checking HbA1c annually (OR=1.86, p<.01; CI: 1.16-3.00) remained significant after adjustment for the effects of all other statistically significant covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

GC was prevalent among older individuals; suggestive of intervention programs for young adults with diabetes and continuous HbA1c assessment at least annually.

Endothelial Function Assessed by Digital Volume Plethysmography Predicts the Development and Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background

Endothelial dysfunction is a consequence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but it is unclear whether endothelial dysfunction of conductance versus resistance vessels may also precede type 2 diabetes mellitus development.

Methods and Results

In a population‐based cohort of 15 010 individuals from the GHS (Gutenberg Health Study) (aged 35–74 years at enrollment in 2007–2012), we identified 1610 cases of incident pre–diabetes mellitus and 386 cases of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus by hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) and/or medical history between 2012 and 2017. Endothelial function of conductance and resistance vessels was measured by flow‐mediated dilation and digital volume plethysmography–derived reactive hyperemia index, respectively. Multivariable regression modeling was used to estimate β coefficients of HbA_1c levels at follow‐up and relative risks of incident (pre–)diabetes mellitus. Reactive hyperemia index was independently associated with HbA_1c after multivariable adjustment for baseline HbA_1c, sex, age, socioeconomic status, arterial hypertension, waist/height ratio, pack‐years of smoking, non–high‐density lipoprotein/high‐density lipoprotein ratio, physical activity, family history of myocardial infarction/stroke, prevalent cardiovascular disease, medication use, and C‐reactive protein (β=−0.020; P=0.0029). The adjusted relative risk per SD decline in reactive hyperemia index was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02–1.15; P=0.012) for incident pre–diabetes mellitus and 1.16 (95% CI, 1.01–1.34; P=0.041) for incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. Flow‐mediated dilation independently increased the relative risk for developing pre–diabetes mellitus by 8% (95% CI, 1.02–1.14; P=0.012), but it was not independently associated with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (relative risk, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.86–1.19; P=0.92) and with HbA_1c (β=−0.003; P=0.59).

Conclusions

Endothelial dysfunction of resistance rather than conductance vessels may precede the development of (pre–)diabetes mellitus. Assessment of endothelial function by digital volume plethysmography may help to identify subjects at risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Change in HbA1c Across the Baseline HbA1c Range in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Receiving Once-Weekly Dulaglutide Versus Other Incretin Agents

INTRODUCTION

This exploratory post hoc analysis investigated the relative changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with dulaglutide versus active comparators across a continuous range of baseline HbA_1c values using data from three phase III randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

Data from patients receiving once-weekly dulaglutide 0.75 and 1.5 mg, once-daily sitagliptin 100 mg, once-daily liraglutide 1.8 mg or twice-daily exenatide 10 μg in the intent-to-treat populations in the AWARD-5, AWARD-6 and AWARD-1 trials were analysed using last observation carried forward analysis of covariance. Starting with the predefined statistical model from each study, the type of association between HbA_1c baseline and change at 26 weeks was modelled. Consistency of treatment effect was assessed via treatment-by-baseline HbA_1c interaction terms.

RESULTS

Improvements in HbA_1c occurred in all treatment groups across the entire baseline HbA_1c range. The relationship between HbA_1c baseline and magnitude of change was linear in all treatment groups, with greater reductions in patients with higher baseline HbA_1c values. Across the continuum of baseline HbA_1c values, patients treated with dulaglutide 1.5 mg achieved a similar mean HbA_1c reduction to patients receiving liraglutide 1.8 mg and a greater reduction than patients receiving twice-daily exenatide or sitagliptin. In AWARD-5, the treatment-by-baseline HbA_1c interaction P value (0.001) demonstrated progressively greater HbA_1c reduction in dulaglutide-treated compared with sitagliptin-treated patients as baseline HbA_1c increased.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that dulaglutide is an appropriate therapeutic option for patients with T2DM across a wide range of baseline HbA_1c values, including those with poor metabolic control.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company. Plain language summary available for this article.

The relationship between plasma lipids, oxidant-antioxidant status, and glycated proteins in individuals at risk for atherosclerosis

Objective: Ageing is one of the major risks for atherosclerosis. The age-related changes of interactions between plasma lipids, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and glycation processes are still not established while we age. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze such relationships in individuals at risk for atherosclerosis due to their age.

Methods: Elderly and middle-aged persons with no acute disease or severe chronic disorder were assessed. Fasting plasma lipids (total cholesterol (T-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triacylglycerols), thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS), plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), and glucose and glycated proteins (fructosamine (FA) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c)) were determined. An oral glucose tolerance test allowed exclusion of persons with type 2 diabetes.

Results: Lipid profiles were significantly profitable, increased HDL-C especially (p<0.0001), in the elderly versus middle-aged group. Decreased TBARS and TAS were found in the elderly versus middle-aged group (p=0.0001 and p=0.00002, respectively). Increased fructosamine was found in the elderly (255±30 μmol/L) versus middle-aged (236±33 μmol/L) group (p=0.006). Multiple regression analysis showed that in the middle-aged group TBARS correlated with T-C and HDL-C, and in the elderly group with HbA_1c and FA independently of other factors.

Conclusion: The factors which have an impact on oxidant–antioxidant status are crucial to understanding the pathomechanisms of senescence as well as the development of chronic diseases. Healthy aging may be maintained throughout proper lipid control. Moreover, data support the premise that the balance between lipid metabolism and oxidative stress may play a role in the initial phases of glycation plasma proteins particularly among elderly persons.

Reconsidering the HbA1c Cutoff for Diabetes Diagnosis Based on a Large Chinese Cohort

INTRODUCTION

The HbA1c has been considered as the 'gold standard' in diabetes diagnosis and management, however, age, gender and body mass index (BMI) might have certain effects on HbA1c. We are aiming to further investigate the correlation between age and HbA1c, and whether it was affected by gender and BMI.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey including 135,893 nondiabetic individuals who took the physical examination between 2013 and 2017 was conducted. The subjects were grouped by gender, age and BMI, and the interactive and independent effects of the 3 factors on the HbA1c were detected. The median and 95% confidence interval (CI) of HbA1c levels were calculated.

RESULTS

The HbA1c levels gradually increased along with age, both in female and male, and there is a positive association between BMI and the HbA1c. The difference on HbA1c in gender was associated with both age and BMI, the age-related increase in HbAlc was accentuated in the subgroup with higher BMI, and there was a marked accentuation of the positive association between BMI and HbA1c as age increased. In almost all the young and middle-aged (aged 20-59) subgroups, the 97.5^th percentiles of HbA1c levels were lower than 6.5%, suggesting that the single HbA1c cutoff value is probably not applicable to the young and middle-aged population.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that the effects of age, gender and BMI should be taken into consideration when using HbA1c for the diagnosis and management of diabetes, especially in the young and middle-aged population.

Maintenance of good glycaemic control is challenging - A cohort study of type 2 diabetes patient in North Karelia, Finland

AIMS

This study assessed type 2 diabetes treatment outcomes and process indicators using a comprehensive type 2 diabetes patient cohort in North Karelia, Finland, from 2011 to 2016.

METHODS

Data from all diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients (n = 8429) living in North Karelia were collated retrospectively from regional electronic patient records. We assessed whether HbA1c and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured and managed as recommended.

RESULTS

The HbA1c measurement rate improved (78% vs 89%) during 2011-2012 and 2015-2016, but a gradual deterioration in glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.0% or 53 mmol/mol) was observed among both females (75% vs 67%) and males (72% vs 64%). The LDL measurement rate initially improved from the baseline. LDL control (<2.5 mmol/L) improved among both females (52% vs 59%) and males (58% vs 66%). A gender difference was observed in the achievement of the treatment target for LDL, with females showing worse control.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) control in type 2 diabetes patients has improved, but the existence of gender disparities needs further attention. Maintaining appropriate HbA1c control among type 2 diabetes patients over time appears to be difficult. Active follow-up and tailored treatment have the potential to improve the quality of care. Electronic patient records could be more efficiently used to improve the quality of care and to support decision-making.

Longitudinal Changes in Serum Glucose Levels are Associated with Metabolic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease Related Brain Regions

BACKGROUND

The association between longitudinal changes in serum glucose level and longitudinal changes in [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (FDG PET) measurements of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether variation in serum glucose levels across time are associated with changes in FDG PET measurements of cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRgl) in brain regions preferentially affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

Participants are a subset of a prospective cohort study investigating FDG PET, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4, and risk for AD which includes data from baseline, interim, and follow up visits over 4.4±1.0-years. An automated brain-mapping algorithm was utilized to characterize and compare associations between longitudinal changes in serum glucose levels and longitudinal changes in rCMRgl.

RESULTS

This study included 80 adults aged 61.5±5 years, including 38 carriers and 42 non-carriers of the APOE ɛ4 allele. Longitudinal increases in serum glucose levels were associated with longitudinal CMRgl decline in the vicinity of parietotemporal, precuneus/posterior cingulate, and prefrontal brain regions preferentially affected by AD (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons). Findings remained significant when controlled for APOE ɛ4 status and baseline and advancing age.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional studies are needed to clarify and confirm the relationship between longitudinal changes in peripheral glucose and FDG PET measurements of AD risk. Future findings will set the stage on the use of FDG PET in the evaluation of possible interventions that target risk factors for the development of AD.