Impact of Hyperglycemia and Age on Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Glycemic variability in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: An integrative review

PURPOSE

Glycemic variability is associated with risks for adverse events in patients with cancer. Several studies have evaluated the presence and impact of hyperglycemia and/or hypoglycemia in patients with cancer; however, few studies have evaluated glycemic variability. The purpose of this integrative review of studies in patients with gastrointestinal cancers was to investigate the presence and methods of reporting glycemic variability during and following treatments.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for publications between 1/1/1969 and 7/24/2019. Studies of patients with gastrointestinal cancer following surgery, during treatment, and <5 years following treatment were included and evaluated by cancer type and method of glucose and glycemic variability measurement.

RESULTS

Among 1526 patients with gastrointestinal cancer across 19 studies, gastric and pancreatic cancers were most prevalent. Timing of glucose testing and methods of analyzing glycemic variability varied. Most analyses used the standard deviation or interquartile range. Glycemic variability was more prevalent among patients with Type 2 Diabetes and among those with pancreatic cancer. In some patients glycemic variability remained notable > one year following surgery despite improvements in glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

Patients with gastrointestinal cancer experience glycemic variability during and up to one year following treatment. There was heterogeneity in methods related to timing of testing and reporting glycemic variability among the 19 studies in this review. Future investigations need to identify the presence and define the methods of measuring glycemic variability in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Azacitidine-induced hyperglycaemia

A case illustrating significant hyperglycaemia with azacitidine therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome is presented. The significance of treatment-induced hyperglycaemia with regard to increased risk of infection, and possible mechanisms of azacitidine-induced hyperglycaemia are discussed.

Association between glycemic control, age, and outcomes among intensively treated patients with acute myeloid leukemia

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia and glycemic variability during intensive acute myeloid leukemia therapy (AML) on outcomes by age.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 262 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AML hospitalized for intensive induction. Hyperglycemia was assessed by mean blood glucose (BG) (mg/dL) during hospitalization and glycemic variability was determined by the standard deviation (SD) of mean BG. Outcomes were complete remission ± incomplete count recovery (CR + CRi), and overall survival (OS). We used logistic regression to evaluate CR + CRi, and Cox proportional hazard models for OS, stratified by age (< 60 vs ≥ 60 years).

RESULTS

Older patients (N = 138, median age 70) had higher baseline comorbidity (CCI > 1 60.1% vs 25.8%) and prevalence of diabetes (20.3% vs 7.3%) compared to younger (N = 124, median age 47). The mean ± SD number of BG values obtained per patient during hospitalization was 61 ± 71. The mean (± SD) glucose (mg/dL) during hospitalization was 121.7 (25.9) in older patients (≥ 60 years) versus 111.6 (16.4) in younger. In older patients, higher mean glucose and greater glycemic variability were associated with lower odds of remission (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93 and OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61-0.88 respectively, per 10-unit increase) and higher mortality rates (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.21 and HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.26, respectively, per 10-unit increase) in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations that hyperglycemia and increased glycemic variability were associated with lower remission rates and increased mortality in older patients suggest glycemic control may be a potentially modifiable factor to improve AML outcomes.

Measurement of Hyperglycemia and Impact on Health Outcomes in People With Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Poor health outcomes have been associated with hyperglycemia in patients with and without diabetes. However, the impact of hyperglycemia on the health-related outcomes of patients with cancer has shown conflicting results. The purpose of this review was to explore definitions and measurement issues related to the assessment of hyperglycemia and the subsequent impact on the findings of health-related outcomes in adults with cancer.
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LITERATURE SEARCH

Four electronic databases were searched.

DATA EVALUATION

A total of 30 articles were reviewed. Quantitative articles were synthesized using integrative review strategies. 
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SYNTHESIS

Three key gaps were identified in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the inconsistencies in measuring or assessing hyperglycemia and the lack of standardized guidelines in treating hyperglycemia. Failure to have a standard approach to the measurement and management of hyperglycemia impedes the ability of healthcare providers to determine the significance of its impact on health outcomes. Further research is needed to establish appropriate measurement guidelines to address hyperglycemia in people with cancer.
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IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Evidence-based measurement and treatment guidelines are needed to inform and assist healthcare providers with clinical decision making for people with cancer who experience hyperglycemia.

Comorbidity, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Purpose of review

To describe the pathology, impact of comorbidities, functional limitations, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) related to treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older adults.

Recent findings

AML is a rare aggressive hematologic disease that occurs most often in older adults. The prognosis for older patients with AML is markedly worse due to genetic mutations and patient characteristics such as comorbidities and functional limitations. Patient characteristics may influence treatment decisions, as well as impact symptoms, functional ability, health-related outcomes and (QOL).

Summary

As the population continues to age, the number of people diagnosed with AML is expected to increase. Better management of comorbidities is imperative to improving QOL and other treatment related outcomes. Prospective, longitudinal and multi-site studies are warranted to further understand the interaction between these characteristics on symptoms, outcomes and QOL.