Risk of first stroke in people with type 2 diabetes and its relation to glycaemic control: A nationwide observational study

Risk of Stroke in Real-World US Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Semaglutide or a Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor

INTRODUCTION

People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a higher risk of stroke and worse outcomes than those without T2D. Pooled data from randomized controlled trials indicate that the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist semaglutide is associated with stroke risk reduction in people with T2D at high cardiovascular risk. We compared real-world stroke risk in people with T2D or T2D plus atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) initiating either semaglutide or a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP4i).

METHODS

Adults (≥ 18 years old) in a US claims database with a claim indicating initiation of either semaglutide or a DPP4i (index date) during the index period (1 January 2018-30 September 2020), a diagnosis code for T2D on or before the index date and at least 12 months' continuous enrolment in the database pre-index were included and propensity score matched 1:1 on baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. The primary outcome was time to first stroke event during follow-up. Healthcare resource utilization was also compared between groups.

RESULTS

The analysis included 17,920 matched pairs with T2D and 4234 matched pairs with T2D and ASCVD. The groups were well matched on baseline characteristics. People initiating semaglutide had a lower risk of stroke over short-term follow-up than those initiating a DPP4i (T2D: hazard ratio 0.63 [95% confidence interval 0.41-0.95], p = 0.029; T2D plus ASCVD: 0.45 [0.24-0.86], p = 0.015). Semaglutide was also associated with a lower rate of inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits compared with a DPP4i.

CONCLUSION

This proof-of-concept analysis indicates that semaglutide has the potential to reduce the risk of stroke in people with T2D when prescribed in clinical practice.

Visceral Adipose Tissue: The Hidden Culprit for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance in various tissues. Though conventionally associated with obesity, current research indicates that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is the leading determining factor, wielding more influence regardless of individual body mass. The heightened metabolic activity of VAT encourages the circulation of free fatty acid (FFA) molecules, which induce insulin resistance in surrounding tissues. Individuals most vulnerable to this preferential fat deposition are older males with ancestral ties to Asian countries because genetics and sex hormones are pivotal factors for VAT accumulation. However, interventions in one's diet and lifestyle have the potential to strategically discourage the growth of VAT. This illuminates the possibility that the expansion of VAT and, subsequently, the risk of T2D development are preventable. Therefore, by reducing the amount of VAT accumulated in an individual and preventing it from building up, one can effectively control and prevent the development of T2D.

Individualized Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Iran: A Multi-Center Data Analysis

Background

Clinical guidelines and expert committees have recently suggested that the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) should be individualized based on various criteria. Data regarding the achievement of individualized glycemic targets in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is scant in Iran. We intended to provide information found on real-world outcomes from the perspective of an individualized recommendation.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 15 diabetes centers in Iran between 2013-2017. Two steps cluster sampling selection was used to recruit 1591 patients with T2DM. Considering Ismail-Beigi's individualized strategy, the study population was categorized into five treatment intensities of HbA1c: most intensive (≤6.5%), intensive (6.5-7.0%), less intensive (~7.0%), not intensive (7.0-8.0%), and moderated (~8.0%). The percentage of patients who met their group individualized glycemic targets was estimated as the degree of achievement of each treatment intensity.

Results

The cumulative incidence rate of early microvascular, advanced microvascular, and macrovascular complications was 53%, 25%, and 34%, respectively. Besides, [78% 77.6-79%] of patients did not achieve individualized glycemic targets.

Conclusion

The outcome showed poor individualized glycemic control and a high incidence of diabetes complications. Considering individualized HbA1c targets for Iranian patients with T2DM is an urgent need.

Cluster analysis for the overall health status of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes

Purpose

To evaluate the overall health status and health-related abilities and problems of elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity compared with those with diabetes only. Additionally, we aimed to identify different subgroups of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 538 elderly patients with diabetes. The participants completed a series of questionnaires on self-rated health (SRH), diabetes self-management, self-efficacy, health literacy, depression, and diabetes distress. Differences in health-related abilities and problems were compared between elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity and those with diabetes only, with adjustments for covariates using propensity score matching. A cluster analysis was also performed to identify the overall health status subgroups of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes. Additionally, we conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the predictors of health-related abilities and problem-cluster group membership.

Results

Elderly patients with diabetes and multimorbidity experienced more health-related abilities and problems than those with diabetes only, particularly within the domains of depression (p < 0.001), and diabetes distress. The level of health literacy (p < 0.001) and self-management (p = 0.013) in elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes was also significantly higher than that in elderly patients with diabetes only. Cluster analysis of elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes revealed three distinct overall health status clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR = 1.090, p = 0.043), sex (OR = 0.503, p = 0.024), living situation (OR = 2.769, p = 0.011), BMI (OR = 0.838, p = 0.034), regular exercise (OR = 2.912, p = 0.041 in poor vs. good; OR = 3.510, p < 0.001 in intermediate vs. good), and cerebral infarction (OR = 26.280, p < 0.001) independently and significantly predicted cluster membership.

Conclusion

Compared with elderly patients with diabetes only, those with diabetes and multimorbidity experienced more health-related abilities and problems within the domains of depression, and diabetes distress. Additionally, the level of health literacy and self-management in elderly, multimorbid patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that in those with diabetes only. Among the multimorbid diabetes group, old age, male sex, living without a partner, slightly lower BMIs, not exercising regularly, and experiencing cerebral infarctions were all positively correlated with worse overall health status.

Diabetes and Stroke: What Are the Connections?

Stroke is a major cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including stroke. People with diabetes have a 1.5-2 times higher risk of stroke compared with people without diabetes, with risk increasing with diabetes duration. These risks may also differ according to sex, with a greater risk observed among women versus men. Several mechanisms associated with diabetes lead to stroke, including large artery atherosclerosis, cerebral small vessel disease, and cardiac embolism. Hyperglycemia confers increased risk for worse outcomes in people presenting with acute ischemic stroke, compared with people with normal glycemia. Moreover, people with diabetes may have poorer post-stroke outcomes and higher risk of stroke recurrence than those without diabetes. Appropriate management of diabetes and other vascular risk factors may improve stroke outcomes and reduce the risk for recurrent stroke. Secondary stroke prevention guidelines recommend screening for diabetes following a stroke. The diabetes medications pioglitazone and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have demonstrated protection against stroke in randomized controlled trials; this protective effect is believed to be independent of glycemic control. Neurologists are often involved in the management of modifiable risk factors for stroke (including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atrial fibrillation), but less often in the direct management of diabetes. This review provides an overview of the relationships between diabetes and stroke, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, post-stroke outcomes, and treatments for people with stroke and diabetes. This should aid neurologists in diabetes-related decision-making when treating people with acute or recurrent stroke.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Systemic inflammation after stroke: implications for post-stroke comorbidities

Immunological mechanisms have come into the focus of current translational stroke research, and the modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways has been identified as a promising therapeutic approach to protect the ischemic brain. However, stroke not only induces a local neuroinflammatory response but also has a profound impact on systemic immunity. In this review, we will summarize the consequences of ischemic stroke on systemic immunity at all stages of the disease, from onset to long‐term outcome, and discuss underlying mechanisms of systemic brain‐immune communication. Furthermore, since stroke commonly occurs in patients with multiple comorbidities, we will also overview the current understanding of the potential role of systemic immunity in common stroke‐related comorbidities, such as cardiac dysfunction, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and infections. Finally, we will highlight how targeting systemic immunity after stroke could improve long‐term outcomes and alleviate comorbidities of stroke patients.

Metformin versus sulphonylureas for new onset atrial fibrillation and stroke in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population-based study

AIMS

To gain insights on the cardiovascular effects of metformin and sulphonylurea, the present study compares the rates of incident atrial fibrillation, stroke, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality between metformin and sulphonylurea users in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients receiving either sulphonylurea or metformin monotherapy between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2019. The primary outcome was new-onset AF or stroke. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) between sulphonylurea and metformin users was performed, based on demographics, CHA-DS-VASc score, past comorbidities and medication use. Cox regression was used to identify significant risk factors. Competing risk analysis was conducted using cause-specific and subdistribution hazard models. Sensitivity analyses using propensity score stratification, high-dimensional propensity score and inverse probability of treatment weighting were conducted. Subgroup analyses were conducted for age and gender in the matched cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 36,228 sulphonylurea users and 72,456 metformin users were included in the propensity score-matched cohort. Multivariable Cox regression showed that sulphonylurea users had higher risks of incident AF (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.75-3.77; P < 0.0001), stroke (HR: 3.23, 95% CI: 3.01-3.45; P < 0.0001), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 3.60, 95% CI: 2.62-4.81; P < 0.0001) and all-cause mortality (HR: 4.35, 95% CI: 3.16-4.75; P < 0.0001) compared to metformin users. Similarly, significant results were observed using cause-specific and subdistribution hazard models. Sensitivity analysis using techniques based on the propensity score also yielded similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Sulphonylurea use was associated with higher risks of incident AF, stroke, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality compared to metformin. Males and patients older than 65 years with sulphonylurea use were exposed to the highest risks.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Diet-induced weight loss in obese/diabetic mice normalizes glucose metabolism and promotes functional recovery after stroke

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke functional recovery is severely impaired by type 2 diabetes (T2D). This is an important clinical problem since T2D is one of the most common diseases. Because weight loss-based strategies have been shown to decrease stroke risk in people with T2D, we aimed to investigate whether diet-induced weight loss can also improve post-stroke functional recovery and identify some of the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

T2D/obesity was induced by 6 months of high-fat diet (HFD). Weight loss was achieved by a short- or long-term dietary change, replacing HFD with standard diet for 2 or 4 months, respectively. Stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion and post-stroke recovery was assessed by sensorimotor tests. Mechanisms involved in neurovascular damage in the post-stroke recovery phase, i.e. neuroinflammation, impaired angiogenesis and cellular atrophy of GABAergic parvalbumin (PV)+ interneurons were assessed by immunohistochemistry/quantitative microscopy.

RESULTS

Both short- and long-term dietary change led to similar weight loss. However, only the latter enhanced functional recovery after stroke. This effect was associated with pre-stroke normalization of fasting glucose and insulin resistance, and with the reduction of T2D-induced cellular atrophy of PV+ interneurons. Moreover, stroke recovery was associated with decreased T2D-induced neuroinflammation and reduced astrocyte reactivity in the contralateral striatum.

CONCLUSION

The global diabetes epidemic will dramatically increase the number of people in need of post-stroke treatment and care. Our results suggest that diet-induced weight loss leading to pre-stroke normalization of glucose metabolism has great potential to reduce the sequelae of stroke in the diabetic population.

Estimated glucose disposal rate and risk of stroke and mortality in type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study

Background and aims

Insulin resistance contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is also a cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between insulin resistance measured by estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and risk of stroke and mortality thereof in people with T2D.

Materials and methods

Nationwide population based observational cohort study that included all T2D patients from the Swedish national diabetes registry between 2004 and 2016 with full data on eGDR and categorised as following: < 4, 4–6, 6–8, and ≥ 8 mg/kg/min. We calculated crude incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and used multiple Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) to assess the association between the risk of stroke and death, according to the eGDR categories in which the lowest category < 4 (i.e., highest grade of insulin resistance), served as a reference. The relative importance attributed of each factor in the eGDR formula was measured by the R² (± SE) values calculating the explainable log-likelihoods in the Cox regression.

Results

A total of 104 697 T2D individuals, 44.5% women, mean age of 63 years, were included. During a median follow up-time of 5.6 years, 4201 strokes occurred (4.0%). After multivariate adjustment the HRs (95% CI) for stroke in patients with eGDR categories between 4–6, 6–8 and > 8 were: 0.77 (0.69–0.87), 0.68 (0.58–0.80) and 0.60 (0.48–0.76), compared to the reference < 4. Corresponding numbers for the risk of death were: 0.82 (0.70–0.94), 0.75 (0.64–0.88) and 0.68 (0.53–0.89). The attributed relative risk R² (± SE) for each variable in the eGDR formula and stroke was for: hypertension (0.045 ± 0.0024), HbA1c (0.013 ± 0.0014), and waist (0.006 ± 0.0009), respectively.

Conclusion

A low eGDR (a measure of insulin resistance) is associated with an increased risk of stroke and death in individuals with T2D. The relative attributed risk was most important for hypertension.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-021-01394-4.

Association between fasting blood glucose levels and stroke events: a large-scale community-based cohort study from China

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with stroke. However, the association between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and stroke risk in a general population remains not clear. The purpose of our study was to examine the FBG levels on subsequent stroke risk in a community-based cohort in China.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study, employing Cox proportional hazard model to analyse the association of FBG levels with stroke risk.

SETTING

A community-based cohort study included adults participating in a baseline survey conducted in 2013 in Changshu, eastern China.

PARTICIPANTS

16 113 participants were recruited with a multistage sampling method, excluding participants with severe disability, severe cancer, severe psychiatric disturbance or previous stroke before enrolment.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Stroke events.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 417 incident cases of stroke were identified. The adjusted HR for total and ischaemic stroke for participants in the fourth quartile of FBG compared with the first quartile was 1.44 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.94) and 1.57 (95% CI 1.11 to 2.21), respectively. FBG levels of ≥7.0 mmol/L were associated with an increased risk of stroke based on two clinical classifications (American Diabetes Association: 1.68 (1.24 to 2.27); WHO: 1.62 (1.21, 2.13)). In stratified analyses, risk associations existed in women (HR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.01) and postmenopausal women (HR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.68) for the fourth quartile versus the first. More importantly, the meta-analysis observed a positive association between FBG levels and stroke risk (pooled HR: 1.70, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.29; n=7)).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher FBG level was independently associated with an increased risk of stroke in Chinese adults, especially significant in women.

A Personalized Mobile Health Program for Type 2 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Single-Group Pre-Post Study

Background

With increasing type 2 diabetes prevalence, there is a need for effective programs that support diabetes management and improve type 2 diabetes outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown promising results. With advances in wearable sensors and improved integration, mHealth programs could become more accessible and personalized.

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a personalized mHealth-anchored intervention program in improving glycemic control and enhancing care experience in diabetes management. The program was coincidentally implemented during the national-level lockdown for COVID-19 in Singapore, allowing for a timely study of the use of mHealth for chronic disease management.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes were enrolled from the Singapore Armed Forces and offered a 3-month intervention program in addition to the usual care they received. The program was standardized to include (1) in-person initial consultation with a clinical dietitian; (2) in-person review with a diabetes specialist doctor; (3) 1 continuous glucose monitoring device; (4) access to the mobile app for dietary intake and physical activity tracking, and communication via messaging with the dietitian and doctor; and (5) context-sensitive digital health coaching over the mobile app. Medical support was rendered to the patients on an as-needed basis when they required advice on adjustment of medications. Measurements of weight, height, and glycated hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) were conducted at 2 in-person visits at the start and end of the program. At the end of the program, patients were asked to complete a short acceptability feedback survey to understand the motivation for joining the program, their satisfaction, and suggestions for improvement.

Results

Over a 4-week recruitment period, 130 individuals were screened, the enrollment target of 30 patients was met, and 21 patients completed the program and were included in the final analyses; 9 patients were lost to follow-up (full data were not available for the final analyses). There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between patients who were included and excluded from the final analyses (age category: P=.23; gender: P=.21; ethnicity: P>.99; diabetes status category: P=.52, medication adjustment category: P=.65; HbA_1c category: P=.69; BMI: P>.99). The 21 patients who completed the study rated a mean of 9.0 out of 10 on the Likert scale for both satisfaction questions. For the Yes-No question on benefit of the program, all of the patients selected “Yes.” Mean HbA_1c decreased from 7.6% to 7.0% (P=.004). There were no severe hypoglycemia events (glucose level <3.0 mmol/L) reported. Mean weight decreased from 76.8 kg to 73.9 kg (P<.001), a mean decrease of 3.5% from baseline weight. Mean BMI decreased from 27.8 kg/m² to 26.7 kg/m² (P<.001).

Conclusions

The personalized mHealth program was feasible, acceptable, and produced significant reductions in HbA_1c (P=.004) and body weight (P<.001) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Such mHealth programs could overcome challenges posed to chronic disease management by COVID-19, including disruptions to in-person health care access.

Normalisation of glucose metabolism by exendin-4 in the chronic phase after stroke promotes functional recovery in male diabetic mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor activation decreases stroke risk in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), while animal studies have shown the efficacy of this strategy to counteract stroke-induced acute brain damage. However, whether GLP-1 receptor activation also improves recovery in the chronic phase after stroke is unknown. We investigated whether post-acute, chronic administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, improves post-stroke recovery and examined possible underlying mechanisms in T2D and non-T2D mice.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We induced stroke via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in T2D/obese mice (8 months of high-fat diet) and age-matched controls. Exendin-4 was administered for 8 weeks from Day 3 post-tMCAO. We assessed functional recovery by weekly upper-limb grip strength tests. Insulin sensitivity and glycaemia were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks post-tMCAO. Neuronal survival, stroke-induced neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, atrophy of GABAergic parvalbumin+ interneurons, post-stroke vascular remodelling and fibrotic scar formation were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS

Exendin-4 normalised T2D-induced impairment of forepaw grip strength recovery in correlation with normalised glycaemia and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, exendin-4 counteracted T2D-induced atrophy of parvalbumin+ interneurons and decreased microglia activation. Finally, exendin-4 normalised density and pericyte coverage of micro-vessels and restored fibrotic scar formation in T2D mice. In non-T2D mice, the exendin-4-mediated recovery was minor.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Chronic GLP-1 receptor activation mediates post-stroke functional recovery in T2D mice by normalising glucose metabolism and improving neuroplasticity and vascular remodelling in the recovery phase. The results warrant clinical trial of GLP-1 receptor agonists for rehabilitation after stroke in T2D.

Early and long-term prognosis in patients with and without type 2 diabetes after carotid intervention: a Swedish nationwide propensity score matched cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate early and long-term outcomes after treatment of carotid artery stenosis in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to patients without T2D.

DESIGN/METHOD

This observational nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study investigated all T2D patients treated for carotid stenosis registered in the National Swedish Vascular Surgery and the National Diabetes Registries. Data was collected prospectively for all patients after carotid intervention, during 2009-2015. We estimated crude early (within 30-days) hazard ratios (HRs) risk of stroke and death, and long-term HRs risk, adjusted for confounders with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for stroke and death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by using inverse probability of treatment weighting matching.

RESULTS

A total of 1341 patients with T2D and 4162 patients without T2D were included; 89% treated for symptomatic carotid stenosis, 96% with carotid endarterectomy. There was an increased early risk, HRs (95% CI), for stroke in T2D patients 1.65 (1.17-2.32), whereas risk for early death 1.00 (0.49-2.04) was similar in both groups. During a median follow-up of 4.3 (T2D) and 4.6 (without T2D), with a maximum of 8.0 years; after propensity score matching there was an increased HRs (95% CI) of stroke 1.27 (1.05-1.54) and death 1.27 (1.10-1.47) in T2D patients compared to patients without T2D. Corresponding numbers for MACE were 1.21 (1.08-1.35).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T2D run an increased risk for stroke, death, and MACE after carotid intervention. They also have an increased perioperative risk for stroke, but not for death.

Clarifying the effects of diabetes on the cerebral circulation: Implications for stroke recovery and beyond

Given the sheer increased number of victims per year and the availability of only one effective treatment, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains to be one of the most under-treated serious diseases. Diabetes not only increases the incidence of ischemic stroke, but amplifies the ischemic damage, upon which if patients with diabetes suffer from stroke, he/she will confront increased risks of long-term functional deficits. The grim reality makes it a pressing need to intensify efforts at the basic science level to understand how diabetes impairs stroke recovery. This review retrospects the clinical and experimental studies in order to elucidate the detrimental effect of diabetes on cerebrovascular circulation including the major arteries/arterioles, collateral circulation, and neovascularization to shed light on further exploration of novel strategies for cerebral circulation protection before and after AIS in patients with diabetes.

Incidence of stroke and its association with glycemic control and lifestyle in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Fukuoka diabetes registry

AIMS

We prospectively investigated the incidence of stroke and its subtypes, risk factors and prognosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 4,875 participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65.4 years, male 57%, previous stroke 10%) were investigated for the development of stroke for 5 years. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional models.

RESULTS

The incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 6.7 for new-onset stroke (ischemic 5.5, hemorrhagic 1.2) and 22.7 for recurrent stroke (ischemic 18.8, hemorrhagic 3.8), respectively. Ischemic stroke was significantly associated with age, male, reduced regular physical activity, HbA_1c, diabetic kidney disease and previous stroke. Lacunar infarction was significantly associated with obesity, reduced regular physical activity, HbA_1c and diabetic kidney disease, whereas atherothrombotic stroke was significantly associated with age, reduced intake of dietary fiber, reduced regular physical activity, HbA_1c and previous stroke. Recurrent stroke was significantly associated with depressive symptom. Thirty-day and one-year survival was 76% and 64% for hemorrhagic stroke, and 96% and 91% for ischemic stroke, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study reemphasized the importance of glycemic control and lifestyle modification such as regular physical exercise for stroke prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Legacy effect of intensive glucose control on major adverse cardiovascular outcome: Systematic review and meta-analyses of trials according to different scenarios

BACKGROUND

Early and intensive glycaemic control provides long-term protection against the development of microvascular complications, a phenomenon defined legacy effect. Whether a legacy effect of high glucose exists also on macrovascular endpoints is uncertain.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We performed a systematic review of both randomized clinical trials (RCT)s and observational studies pertinent to the research question. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane database up to January 31th 2020. Eligibility criteria for RCTs were: 1 - efficacy assessment of intensive glucose lowering treatment vs a less-stringent/conventional treatment; 2 - the inclusion of a post-active phase, observational follow-up; 3 - enrolment of patients with T1DM, pre-diabetes, and T2DM; and 4 - data report on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) incidence, which was the primary endpoint of this meta-analysis. We performed multiple meta-analyses of the available RCTs according to different scenarios considering the type of diabetes, diabetes duration, the presence of previous cardiovascular events, follow-up extension, and the incidence of MACE recorded only during the observational, post-active phase of the trials. Results from observational studies reporting the association between HbA1c levels during the first year after diabetes diagnosis and subsequent MACE incidence were also collected and are reported narratively. We included data from 7 RCTs and 40,346 patients. The intensive glucose-lowering approach significantly decrease the incidence of MACE compared with conventional treatment (OR 0.86, CI 0.77-0.96; p = 0.007) when considering all the available studies, with a more consistent effect (OR 0.73, CI 0.56-0.94; p = 0.01) in the case of RCTs enrolling patients with diabetes duration <10 years, and an even more pronounced protection (OR 0.64, 48 CI 0.48, 0.86; p = 0.003) when analysing only RCTs enrolling patients without previous cardiovascular events at baseline. Considering only RCTs with a post-trial follow-up >10 years also yielded a relevant beneficial effect of the intensive approach (OR 0.71, CI 0.57, 0.88; p = 0.002). On the other hand, no effect was observed (OR 0.99, CI 0.92, 1.06; p = 0.81) when considering only the events recorded during the post-active, observational phases of the trials. Observational studies showed that HbA1c values >6.5% or 7% during the first year of diabetes diagnosis are associated with a higher incidence of late MACE with increased risk ranging from 19 up to 64%, according to the different study design and HbA1c stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the recommendation regarding glucose-lowering treatment intensification in order to decrease the probability of having a macrovascular event in patients with short diabetes duration, no prevalent cardiovascular diseases, and long life-expectancy. On the other side, data from RCTs do not support the existence of a protective legacy effect on the macrovasculature beyond the period of intensive glycaemic treatment.

Regulation of Glycemia in the Recovery Phase After Stroke Counteracts the Detrimental Effect of Obesity-Induced Type 2 Diabetes on Neurological Recovery

The interplay between obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in poststroke recovery is unclear. Moreover, the impact of glucose control during the chronic phase after stroke is undetermined. We investigated whether obesity-induced T2D impairs neurological recovery after stroke by using a clinically relevant experimental design. We also investigated the potential efficacy of two clinically used T2D drugs: the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor linagliptin and the sulfonylurea glimepiride. We induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in T2D/obese mice (after 7 months of high-fat diet [HFD]) and age-matched controls. After stroke, we replaced HFD with standard diet for 8 weeks to mimic the poststroke clinical situation. Linagliptin or glimepiride were administered daily from 3 days after tMCAO for 8 weeks. We assessed neurological recovery weekly by upper-limb grip strength. Brain damage, neuroinflammation, stroke-induced neurogenesis, and atrophy of parvalbumin-positive (PV⁺) interneurons were quantified by immunohistochemistry. T2D/obesity impaired poststroke neurological recovery in association with hyperglycemia, neuroinflammation, and atrophy of PV⁺ interneurons. Both drugs counteracted these effects. In nondiabetic mice, only linagliptin accelerated recovery. These findings shed light on the interplay between obesity and T2D in stroke recovery. Moreover, they promote the use of rehabilitative strategies that are based on efficacious glycemia regulation, even if initiated days after stroke.

Establishment of Clinical Prediction Model Based on the Study of Risk Factors of Stroke in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose: Stroke has sparked global concern as it seriously threatens people's life, bringing about dramatic health burdens on patients, especially for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Therefore, a risk scoring model is urgently valuable for T2DM patients to predict the risk of stroke incidence and for positive health intervention. Methods: We randomly divided 4,335 T2DM patients into two groups, training set (n = 3,252) and validation set (n = 1,083), at the ratio of 3:1. Characteristic variables were then selected based on the data of training set through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Three models were established to verify predictive ability. Foundation model was composed of basic information and physical indicators. Biochemical model consisted of biochemical indexes. Integrated model combined the above two models. Data of three models were then put into logistic regression analysis to form nomogram prediction models. Tools including C index, calibration plot, and curve analysis were implemented to test discrimination, calibration, and clinical use. To select the best predicting model, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were put into effect. Results: Eleven risk factors were determined, including age, duration of T2DM, estimated glomerular filtration rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, body mass index, uric acid, and glycosylated hemoglobin A_1c, all with significant P-values through logistic regression analysis. In the training set, areas under the curve of three models were 0.810, 0.819, and 0.884, whereas in the validation set, they were 0.836, 0.832, and 0.909. Through calibration plot, the S:P values in the training set were 0.836, 0.754, and 0.621 and were 0.918, 0.682, and 0.666 separately in the validation set. In terms of the decision curve analysis, the risk thresholds were, respectively, 8-73%, 8-98%, and 8%~ in the training set and 8-70%, 8-90%, and 8-95% in the validation set. With the aid of NRI and IDI, integrated model is proved to be the best model in training set and validation set. Besides, internal validation was conducted on all the subjects in this study, and the C index was 0.890 (0.873-0.907). Conclusion: This study established a model predicting risk of stroke for T2DM patients through a community-based survey.