Earlier appearance of impaired insulin secretion than of visceral adiposity in the pathogenesis of NIDDM. 5-Year follow-up of initially nondiabetic Japanese-American men

PIONEER REAL Japan: Baseline characteristics of a multicenter, prospective, real-world study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice in Japan

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

PIONEER REAL Japan was a non-interventional, multicenter, prospective study investigating oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice. We report baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults aged ≥20 years with type 2 diabetes but no previous treatment with injectable glucose-lowering medication were enrolled. Participants initiated oral semaglutide at their treating physician's discretion and were followed for 34-44 weeks. Participants were stratified into <75-year-old and ≥75-year-old subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 624 participants initiated the study. The mean (standard deviation) age was 64.1 years (14.1), the mean (standard deviation) body weight was 72.4 kg (16.1), and the mean (standard deviation) body mass index was 27.5 kg/m2 (5.0). Participants had a median (interquartile range) type 2 diabetes duration of 9.3 years (4.2, 15.2) and mean (standard deviation) glycated hemoglobin 7.7% (1.1). Most (75.6%) participants were taking glucose-lowering medications at baseline; the most common was metformin (51.9%). The main reasons for initiating oral semaglutide were glycemic control and weight loss. Most (86.0%) participants had an individualized target for glycemic control of glycated hemoglobin ≤7%. The <75-year-old subgroup was heavier (mean [standard deviation] body mass index 28.6 kg/m2 [5.2] vs 25.1 kg/m2 [3.4]) but had comparable glycated hemoglobin levels (mean [standard deviation] 7.7% [1.2] vs 7.8% [1.0]) to the ≥75-year-old subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

PIONEER REAL Japan describes the characteristics of individuals with type 2 diabetes prescribed oral semaglutide. The baseline characteristics provide insights into Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes prescribed oral semaglutide in clinical practice.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels and Diabetes in a Japanese Population: The DOSANCO Health Study

BACKGROUND

Both decreased insulin sensitivity and impaired insulin secretion are common in Asian populations with diabetes, in contrast to Western populations. There is limited evidence regarding the association between insulin response in diabetes in Asian populations and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25[OH]D₃) insufficiency.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of diabetes, defined as a fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL and/or a HbA1c level ≥6.5%, among 480 participants aged 35-79 years not taking anti-diabetes medications, based on serum 25(OH)D₃ levels. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios for diabetes in each serum 25(OH)D₃ group. Furthermore, this study examined the association between serum 25(OH)D₃ levels and the index of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) using a linear regression model.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diabetes was 7.29% in the study population, and was higher in lower serum 25(OH)D₃ quartile groups. The odds ratios for diabetes in the first, second, and third serum 25(OH)D₃ quartile groups (25[OH]D₃: ≤18.10, 18.11-22.90, and 22.91-28.17 ng/mL) were 4.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-12.92), 2.50 (95% CI, 0.77-8.10), and 1.91 (95% CI, 0.60-6.09), respectively, with the fourth quartile group (⩾28.18 ng/mL) serving as the reference group, after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical and environmental factors. Serum 25(OH)D₃ levels showed an inverse association with log-transformed HOMA-IR after adjusting for similar factors (standardized β = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.14 to -0.02).

CONCLUSION

Serum 25(OH)D₃ levels were inversely associated with diabetes prevalence in a general Japanese population, with a slight inverse association between serum 25(OH)D₃ levels and HOMA-IR.

Dietary carbohydrate and the risk of type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

We did this study to clarify the association between carbohydrate intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and potential effect modification by geographical location. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to find prospective cohort studies of dietary carbohydrate intake and T2D risk. A random-effects dose–response meta-analysis was performed to calculate the summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95%CIs. The quality of cohort studies and the certainty of evidence was rated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and GRADE tool, respectively. Eighteen prospective cohort studies with 29,229 cases among 607,882 participants were included. Thirteen studies were rated to have high quality, and five as moderate quality. The HR for the highest compared with the lowest category of carbohydrate intake was 1.02 (95%CI: 0.91, 1.15; I² = 67%, GRADE = low certainty). The HRs were 0.93 (95%CI: 0.82, 1.05; I² = 58%, n = 7) and 1.26 (95%CI: 1.11, 1.44; I² = 6%, n = 6) in Western and Asian countries, respectively. Dose–response analysis indicated a J shaped association, with the lowest risk at 50% carbohydrate intake (HR_50%: 0.95, 95%CI: 0.90, 0.99) and with risk increasing significantly at 70% carbohydrate intake (HR_70%: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.35). There was no association between low carbohydrate diet score and the risk of T2D (HR: 1.14, 95%CI: 0.89, 1.47; I² = 90%, n = 5). Carbohydrate intake within the recommended 45–65% of calorie intake was not associated with an increased risk of T2D. Carbohydrate intake more than 70% calorie intake might be associated with a higher risk.

Hyperferritinemia Is a Predictor of Onset of Diabetes in Japanese Males Independently of Decreased Renal Function and Fatty Liver: A Fifteen-Year Follow-Up Study

Background

Type 2 diabetes is an important health concern worldwide. The disease etiology may depend on multiple environmental and genetic factors that cause insulin resistance, including dysregulation of iron storage. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship of the serum ferritin concentration with onset of diabetes over a long period.

Methods

Correlations of serum ferritin and metabolic markers with onset of diabetes mellitus were examined over 15 years in 150 males participating in a health screening program.

Results

HOMA-β showed a gradual significant decrease in the first 4 years in subjects with ferritin > 190 ng/mL (group H) compared to those with ferritin ≤ 190 ng/mL, but there was no difference in HOMA-R between these groups. A significant number of cases with onset of diabetes was observed over 15 years (hazard ratio (HR): 3.97), and obesity, fasting blood glucose level, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), HOMA-R, fasting immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) were all significant in univariate comparison between non-diabetes and diabetes-onset groups. In multivariate analysis, ferritin in group H (HR: 3.25), fatty liver (HR: 3.38), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 70 mL/min/1.73 m² (HR: 3.48) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 40 mg/dL (HR: 2.61) were significant predictive factors for onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the serum ferritin level is an important index for priority intervention in preventive medicine for reduction of onset of diabetes.

Risk for incident diabetes is greater in prediabetic men with HIV than without HIV

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a major comorbidity in people with HIV (PWH). Hyperglycemia below diabetic range defines prediabetes (prediabetes mellitus). We compared the progression from prediabetes mellitus to diabetes mellitus in PWH and people without HIV (PWOH).

METHODS

Fasting glucose was measured semiannually in the MACS since 1999. Men with prediabetes mellitus (fasting glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dl, confirmed within a year by fasting glucose in the prediabetes mellitus range or HbA1c between 5.7 and 6.4%) were included. The first visit with prediabetes mellitus was the baseline visit. Incident diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose at least 126 mg/dl, confirmed at a subsequent visit, or self-reported diabetes mellitus, or use of anti-diabetes mellitus medication. We used binomial transition models to compare the progression from prediabetes mellitus to diabetes mellitus by HIV serostatus, adjusted for age, number of previous prediabetes mellitus to diabetes mellitus transitions, ethnicity, BMI, family history of diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

RESULTS

Between 1999 and 2019, 1584 men (793 PWH; 791 PWOH) with prediabetes mellitus were included. At baseline, PWH were younger (48 vs. 51 years, P < 0.01), had lower BMI (26 vs. 27), were more frequently nonwhite (47 vs. 30%), and HCV-infected as per last measure (8 vs. 4%) than PWOH (all P < 0.01). Over a median 12-year follow-up, 23% of participants developed diabetes mellitus. In adjusted analyses, the risk for incident diabetes mellitus was 40% (95% CI: 0--80%) higher among PWH than PWOH (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Among men with prediabetes mellitus, PWH had an increased risk of incident diabetes mellitus adjusted for competing risk factors, warranting the evaluation of diabetes mellitus prevention strategies.

Frequency of consumption of balanced meals, bodyweight gain and incident risk of glucose intolerance in Japanese men and women: A cohort study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

This cohort study assessed the risk for bodyweight gain and development of glucose intolerance based on the frequency of consumption of balanced meals including grain, fish or meat and vegetables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The participants (8,573 men, 3,327 women) were employees of a company in Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the frequency of balanced meal consumption. Bodyweight changes and the incidence of glucose intolerance (glycated hemoglobin >6.0%) during the 3-year follow-up period were determined through annual health examinations.

RESULTS

The mean bodyweight change over a period of 3 years was 0.78 kg for men and 0.84 kg for women. A lower frequency of balanced meals was associated with a higher bodyweight gain for men (P for trend = 0.004), but not for women. During the study, 464 men and 115 women developed glucose intolerance. Overall, the frequency of balanced meals was not associated with the risk of glucose intolerance in either sex. However, the interaction between the frequency of balanced meals and degree of obesity had a significant effect on the incidence of glucose intolerance in men (P = 0.005), with less frequent consumption of balanced meals being associated with a higher risk for glucose intolerance among men with a BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher frequency of balanced meals, including grain, fish or meat and vegetable dishes - important components of healthy Japanese food - was associated with a lower risk of glucose intolerance in obese men, but not in non-obese men and women.

The Safety and Efficacy of Second-Generation Basal Insulin Analogues in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes at Risk of Hypoglycemia and Use in Other Special Populations: A Narrative Review

Hypoglycemia is a major barrier impeding glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus and creates a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Certain populations that require special attention, such as older adults and individuals with renal impairment, a longer duration of diabetes or those who have experienced prior hypoglycemia, may be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia, particularly with insulin treatment. Second-generation basal insulin analogues (insulin glargine 300 U/mL and degludec) have demonstrated reductions in hypoglycemia compared with insulin glargine 100 U/mL although evidence of this benefit across specific populations is less clear. In this review we summarize the literature with respect to the efficacy and safety data for second-generation basal insulin analogues in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are at risk of hypoglycemia or who require special attention. Randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and real-world evidence demonstrate that the use of second-generation basal insulin analogues is associated with less hypoglycemia compared with insulin glargine 100 U/mL without compromising glycated hemoglobin control. A reduced risk of hypoglycemia with second-generation basal insulin analogues was evident in older adults and in individuals with obesity, renal impairment, a history of cardiovascular disease or a long duration of insulin use. Further studies are needed in other populations, including those with more severe renal impairment or hepatic dysfunction, the hospitalized population and those with cognitive impairment. Overall, less hypoglycemia associated with second-generation basal insulin analogues may help reduce barriers for insulin use, improve adherence and offset the costs of hypoglycemia-related healthcare resource utilization.

Decreased arterial distensibility and postmeal hyperinsulinemia in young Japanese women with family history of diabetes

INTRODUCTION

To assess vascular function and characterize insulin secretion using a physiological approach in Japanese women with family history of type 2 diabetes (FHD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Standardized mixed-meal tests were performed with multiple postprandial glucose, insulin and free fatty acids (FFA) measurements over a 30-120 min period in 31 Japanese women aged 21-24 years. Arterial distensibility was assessed as well.

RESULTS

Fasting glucose, triglyceride and insulin averaged <90 mg/dL, <60 mg/dL and <5 μU/mL, respectively, and did not differ cross-sectionally between 10 with (FHD+) and 21 without FHD (FHD-). FHD+ showed higher insulin responses not only during the first 30 min (p=0.005) but also during the second hour (60-120 min, p<0,05) in spite of identical postprandial suppression of FFA and identical fasting and postprandial glucose and FFA concentrations, except for higher 60 min FFA in FHD+. Further, FHD+ had decreased arterial distensibility (p=0.003). On multivariate regression analysis, arterial distensibility emerged as the only significant independent predictor of FHD+. Endurance training in FHD+ did not alter decreased arterial distensibility whereas it abolished postprandial hyperinsulinemia.

CONCLUSIONS

FHD was associated with decreased arterial distensibility and postprandial hyperinsulinemia despite nearly identical postprandial glycemia and postprandial FFA suppression, suggesting that impaired vascular insulin sensitivity may precede glucose and lipid dysmetabolism in normal weight Japanese women aged 22 years.

Comparative efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide versus SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients inadequately controlled with one to two oral antidiabetic drugs: a systematic literature review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the comparative efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide relative to sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) licensed in Europe and North America among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled with 1-2 oral antidiabetics (OADs), using a network meta-analysis (NMA). Design systematic review and network meta-analysis. Data Sources EMBASE, MEDLINE and CENTRAL were searched from January 1994 to August 2017.

METHODS

Randomised controlled trials with ≥20 weeks of treatment evaluating once-weekly semaglutide or SGLT-2is. Primary outcomes included change from baseline in: HbA1c, weight, systolic blood pressure, postprandial blood glucose and fasting plasma glucose. Fixed-effect and random-effect Bayesian NMA were used to indirectly compare treatment effects at 26 (±4) weeks. Metaregression and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Model selection was performed using the deviance information criterion and consistency was assessed by comparing indirect (edge-splitting) to direct evidence.

RESULTS

Forty-eight publications representing 21 trials were included. The mean differences (MD) in change from baseline in HbA1c of once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg versus SGLT-2is ranged from -0.56% for canagliflozin 300 mg (95% credible interval (CrI): -0.76 to -0.33%), to -0.95% for dapagliflozin 5 mg (95% CrI: -1.20 to -0.69%). The MD in change from baseline in weight of once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg versus SGLT-2is ranged from -1.35 kg for canagliflozin 300 mg to -2.48 kg for dapagliflozin 5 mg, while change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose ranged from -0.41 mmol/L for canagliflozin 300 mg to -1.37 mmol/L for dapagliflozin 5 mg. Once-weekly semaglutide was not statistically differentiable than all SGLT-2is in reducing systolic blood pressure. NMA was not feasible for postprandial blood glucose and safety outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Once-weekly semaglutide demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1c and body weight in T2D patients inadequately controlled with 1-2 OADs compared to all SGLT-2is licensed in Europe and North America.

Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Are Asian/Pacific Islander Women at Greater Risk?

US Asian/Pacific Islander (API) communities experience high air pollution levels. APIs may be predisposed to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and have the highest prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Exposure to high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) impairs pancreatic β-cell function, leading to insulin resistance, but racial/ethnic differences in this association are unexamined. We analyzed singleton deliveries (n = 220,065) from the Consortium on Safe Labor (2002-2008). Exposure to 14 VOCs in each hospital referral region was based on modified Community Multiscale Air Quality models. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios for GDM associated with high (≥75th percentile) versus low (<75th percentile) VOC exposure 3 months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Preconception and first-trimester exposure to high VOC levels was associated with increased odds of GDM among whites and APIs. GDM risk was significantly higher for APIs than whites for most VOCs. Preconception benzene exposure was associated with 29% (95% confidence interval: 12, 47) increased odds of GDM among whites compared with 45% (95% confidence interval: 16, 81) increased odds among APIs. These findings highlight environmental health disparities affecting pregnant women. Increased focus on GDM risk in US API communities is warranted.

Development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with intermediate hyperglycaemia

BACKGROUND

Intermediate hyperglycaemia (IH) is characterised by one or more measurements of elevated blood glucose concentrations, such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and elevated glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). These levels are higher than normal but below the diagnostic threshold for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The reduced threshold of 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) fasting plasma glucose (FPG) for defining IFG, introduced by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2003, substantially increased the prevalence of IFG. Likewise, the lowering of the HbA1c threshold from 6.0% to 5.7% by the ADA in 2010 could potentially have significant medical, public health and socioeconomic impacts.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the overall prognosis of people with IH for developing T2DM, regression from IH to normoglycaemia and the difference in T2DM incidence in people with IH versus people with normoglycaemia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, ClincialTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Search Portal up to December 2016 and updated the MEDLINE search in February 2018. We used several complementary search methods in addition to a Boolean search based on analytical text mining.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included prospective cohort studies investigating the development of T2DM in people with IH. We used standard definitions of IH as described by the ADA or World Health Organization (WHO). We excluded intervention trials and studies on cohorts with additional comorbidities at baseline, studies with missing data on the transition from IH to T2DM, and studies where T2DM incidence was evaluated by documents or self-report only.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

One review author extracted study characteristics, and a second author checked the extracted data. We used a tailored version of the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool for assessing risk of bias. We pooled incidence and incidence rate ratios (IRR) using a random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity. To meta-analyse incidence data, we used a method for pooling proportions. For hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) of IH versus normoglycaemia, reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI), we obtained standard errors from these CIs and performed random-effects meta-analyses using the generic inverse-variance method. We used multivariable HRs and the model with the greatest number of covariates. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence with an adapted version of the GRADE framework.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 103 prospective cohort studies. The studies mainly defined IH by IFG5.6 (FPG mmol/L 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L or 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL), IFG6.1 (FPG 6.1 mmol/L to 6.9 mmol/L or 110 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL), IGT (plasma glucose 7.8 mmol/L to 11.1 mmol/L or 140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL two hours after a 75 g glucose load on the oral glucose tolerance test, combined IFG and IGT (IFG/IGT), and elevated HbA1c (HbA1c5.7: HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% or 39 mmol/mol to 46 mmol/mol; HbA1c6.0: HbA1c 6.0% to 6.4% or 42 mmol/mol to 46 mmol/mol). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 24 years. Ninety-three studies evaluated the overall prognosis of people with IH measured by cumulative T2DM incidence, and 52 studies evaluated glycaemic status as a prognostic factor for T2DM by comparing a cohort with IH to a cohort with normoglycaemia. Participants were of Australian, European or North American origin in 41 studies; Latin American in 7; Asian or Middle Eastern in 50; and Islanders or American Indians in 5. Six studies included children and/or adolescents.Cumulative incidence of T2DM associated with IFG5.6, IFG6.1, IGT and the combination of IFG/IGT increased with length of follow-up. Cumulative incidence was highest with IFG/IGT, followed by IGT, IFG6.1 and IFG5.6. Limited data showed a higher T2DM incidence associated with HbA1c6.0 compared to HbA1c5.7. We rated the evidence for overall prognosis as of moderate certainty because of imprecision (wide CIs in most studies). In the 47 studies reporting restitution of normoglycaemia, regression ranged from 33% to 59% within one to five years follow-up, and from 17% to 42% for 6 to 11 years of follow-up (moderate-certainty evidence).Studies evaluating the prognostic effect of IH versus normoglycaemia reported different effect measures (HRs, IRRs and ORs). Overall, the effect measures all indicated an elevated risk of T2DM at 1 to 24 years of follow-up. Taking into account the long-term follow-up of cohort studies, estimation of HRs for time-dependent events like T2DM incidence appeared most reliable. The pooled HR and the number of studies and participants for different IH definitions as compared to normoglycaemia were: IFG5.6: HR 4.32 (95% CI 2.61 to 7.12), 8 studies, 9017 participants; IFG6.1: HR 5.47 (95% CI 3.50 to 8.54), 9 studies, 2818 participants; IGT: HR 3.61 (95% CI 2.31 to 5.64), 5 studies, 4010 participants; IFG and IGT: HR 6.90 (95% CI 4.15 to 11.45), 5 studies, 1038 participants; HbA1c5.7: HR 5.55 (95% CI 2.77 to 11.12), 4 studies, 5223 participants; HbA1c6.0: HR 10.10 (95% CI 3.59 to 28.43), 6 studies, 4532 participants. In subgroup analyses, there was no clear pattern of differences between geographic regions. We downgraded the evidence for the prognostic effect of IH versus normoglycaemia to low-certainty evidence due to study limitations because many studies did not adequately adjust for confounders. Imprecision and inconsistency required further downgrading due to wide 95% CIs and wide 95% prediction intervals (sometimes ranging from negative to positive prognostic factor to outcome associations), respectively.This evidence is up to date as of 26 February 2018.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Overall prognosis of people with IH worsened over time. T2DM cumulative incidence generally increased over the course of follow-up but varied with IH definition. Regression from IH to normoglycaemia decreased over time but was observed even after 11 years of follow-up. The risk of developing T2DM when comparing IH with normoglycaemia at baseline varied by IH definition. Taking into consideration the uncertainty of the available evidence, as well as the fluctuating stages of normoglycaemia, IH and T2DM, which may transition from one stage to another in both directions even after years of follow-up, practitioners should be careful about the potential implications of any active intervention for people 'diagnosed' with IH.

Diabetes Comorbidity Increases Risk of Postoperative Complications in Traumatic Thoracic Vertebral Fracture Repair: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

Thoracic vertebral fracture repair after a traumatic injury can be associated with significant risk for postoperative complications. Surgical outcomes are further complicated by patient comorbidity, particularly diabetes mellitus. This study compared outcomes and complication rates for traumatic thoracic vertebral fracture repair in a matched sample of patients with diabetes and nondiabetic control subjects.

METHODS

Patients with a surgical repair of a trauma-induced thoracic vertebral fracture treated from 2010 to 2015 were identified from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database, yielding 5557 cases. Patients with comorbid diabetes were matched by propensity score matching (PSM) with patients without diabetes on age, race, and body type and were compared by postoperative complications and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Prior to PSM, the diabetes group was older on average and had a greater proportion of patients who were obese (Ps < 0.001). After PSM, each group consisted of 544 patients (N = 1088) and no longer differed by any baseline characteristic. Comorbid diabetes was associated with longer average length of hospital stay and greater frequency of several major and minor postoperative complications (Ps < 0.05), including prolonged intensive care, pneumonia, acute renal failure, stroke, pressure ulcers, and urinary tract infections, but no differences were found in reoperation rates or in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes comorbidity can significantly increase the risk of postoperative complications after traumatic thoracic vertebral fracture repair, which may lead to delayed recovery and greater health care-related costs. This finding is an important consideration for surgical decision-making and patient counseling on treatment options with this comorbid condition.

Comparative efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide and SGLT-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: a systematic literature review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Treatment intensification with additional anti-diabetic agents is recommended in type 2 diabetes (T2D) for patients inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. The present network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated comparative efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) in T2D patients inadequately controlled with metformin.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials with ≥20 weeks duration were searched in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL. Primary efficacy outcomes were: change from baseline in HbA_1c, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), post-prandial blood glucose (PPG), and fasting blood glucose (FPG). Treatment effects at 26 (±4) weeks were compared using Bayesian NMAs. Meta-regression and sensitivity analysis were used to address the trial heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Eight trials were found eligible for this NMA. Statistically significant reductions in HbA1c were observed with both 1.0 mg and 0.5 mg doses of once-weekly semaglutide when compared to SGLT-2is. The mean differences in change from baseline in HbA_1c for once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg vs SGLT-2is ranged from -0.66% for canagliflozin 300 mg (95% Credible Intervals [CrI]: -0.82, -0.50%) to -1.11% for dapagliflozin 5 mg (95% CrI: -1.37, -0.85%). Once-weekly semaglutide 1.0 mg performed significantly better than all SGLT-2is of interest in reducing weight and improving FPG levels: however, SBP reduction was not statistically differentiable. Results of sensitivity analysis and meta-regressions aligned with base-case results. NMAs were not possible for PPG and safety outcomes, due to lack of data.

CONCLUSION

Once-weekly semaglutide treatment is significantly better compared to SGLT-2is in achieving adequate glycemic control in T2D patients inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy.

Incidence of diabetes and its mortality according to body mass index in South Koreans aged 40-79 years

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess diabetes incidence and all-cause mortality according to baseline body mass index (BMI) and to compare relative risks of mortality associated with incident diabetes across various BMI classes in a cohort of South Korean adults.

Patients and methods

Based on data from the National Health Insurance database of Korean individuals aged 40-79 years without preexisting diabetes, we calculated BMI at the baseline health examination. We estimated the relative risk of mortality associated with incident diabetes using time-dependent Cox models and considering the time of diabetes diagnosis.

Results

We noted 29,307 incident diabetes cases and 22,940 deaths during an 8-year follow-up of the initial cohort (n=436,692) and 73,756 incident diabetes cases and 57,556 deaths during a 10-year follow-up of the replication cohort (n=850,282). Regarding all-cause mortality, time-dependent Cox models revealed statistically significant interactions between diabetes status and baseline BMI class (P=0.018 and P<0.001 in the initial and replication cohorts, respectively). In separately conducted analyses for each BMI class, diabetes-associated relative risks for BMI values of 16.0-18.4, 18.5-22.9, 23.0-24.9, 25.0-29.9, and 30.0-34.9 kg/m² were 1.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-2.07), 1.39 (95% CI, 1.26-1.54), 1.20 (95% CI, 1.08-1.35), 1.18 (95% CI, 1.07-1.30), and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.74-1.28) in the initial cohort, and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.18-1.74), 1.33 (95% CI, 1.26-1.41), 1.24 (95% CI, 1.16-1.31), 1.11 (95% CI, 1.05-1.17), and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.85-1.16) in the replication cohort. The increasing trend of relative risk with decreasing BMI persisted mostly among subgroups stratified according to age or sex and smoking status.

Conclusion

Incident diabetes was associated with a greater increase in all-cause mortality risk in adults with lower BMI relative to those with higher BMI. This emphasizes the importance of treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes among normal weight or underweight adults, particularly in Asia.

Correlation of Glypican-4 Level with Basal Active Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported that glypican-4 (GPC4) regulates insulin signaling by interacting with insulin receptor and through adipocyte differentiation. However, GPC4 has not been studied with regard to its effects on clinical factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to identify factors associated with GPC4 level in T2DM.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and December 2013, we selected 152 subjects with T2DM and collected serum and plasma into tubes pretreated with aprotinin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor to preserve active gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GPC4, active GLP-1, active GIP, and other factors were measured in these plasma samples. We performed a linear regression analysis to identify factors associated with GPC4 level.

RESULTS

The subjects had a mean age of 58.1 years, were mildly obese (mean body mass index [BMI], 26.1 kg/m²), had T2DM of long-duration (mean, 101.3 months), glycated hemoglobin 7.5%, low insulin secretion, and low insulin resistance (mean homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], 1.2). Their mean GPC4 was 2.0±0.2 ng/mL. In multivariate analysis, GPC4 was independently associated with age (β=0.224, P=0.009), and levels of active GLP-1 (β=0.171, P=0.049) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; β=-0.176, P=0.043) after being adjusted for other clinical factors.

CONCLUSION

GPC4 was independently associated with age, active GLP-1, and AST in T2DM patients, but was not associated with HOMA-IR and BMI, which are well known factors related to GPC4. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms of the association between GPC4 and basal active GLP-1 levels.

Differences in the associations of anthropometric measures with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus between Korean and US populations: Comparisons of representative nationwide sample data

BACKGROUNDS

Variation among ethnic groups in the association between obesity and insulin resistance (IR)/diabetes has been suggested, but studies reported inconsistent results. We evaluated ethnic differences in the association between obesity and insulin resistance (IR)/diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using Korea (n=18,845) and the USA (n=4657) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES) 2007-2010. We performed statistical comparisons of AUC-ROC (area under the curve in a receiver operating characteristic curve) values for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to predict IR or diabetes among different ethnic groups.

RESULTS

AUC-ROC values for BMI and WC for predicting IR were highest in Whites (0.8324 and 0.8468) and lowest in Koreans (0.7422 and 0.7367). Whites showed the highest AUC-ROC values for BMI (0.6869) and WC (0.7421) for predicting diabetes, while the AUC-ROC for HOMA-IR was highest in Koreans (0.8861). Linear regression showed significant interactions between ethnicity and the main effects (all P<0.0001). Increases in BMI were associated with a larger increase in HOMA-IR in Whites (β=0.0719) and WC in Hispanics (β=0.0324), while BMI was associated with a larger increase in fasting glucose in Koreans (β=0.8279) and WC in Blacks (β=0.4037). In addition, the slope for fasting glucose with increasing HOMA-IR was steeper in Koreans (β=16.5952, P<0.001) than in other groups.

CONCLUSION

The ability of BMI and WC to predict IR and diabetes was highest in Whites, while the ability of HOMA-IR to predict diabetes was highest in Koreans.

Dietary carbohydrate intake, presence of obesity and the incident risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese men

Aims/Introduction

The present cohort study assessed the risk among Japanese men for developing type 2 diabetes, based on the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates and degree of obesity.

Participants and Methods

The participants were 2,006 male factory employees, and the macronutrient intake of each patient was measured using a self‐administered diet history questionnaire. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual blood examinations over a 10‐year period.

Results

During the study, 232 participants developed diabetes. The crude incidence rates (/1,000 person‐years) for different levels of carbohydrate intake as a percentage of calories consumed (<50.0, 50.0–57.4, 57.5–65.0, >65.0% of energy intake) were 16.5, 14.4, 12.7 and 17.6. Overall, carbohydrate intake was not associated with the risk of diabetes. However, there was significant interaction between carbohydrate intake and degree of obesity on the incidence of diabetes (P for interaction = 0.024). Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with elevated risk for diabetes among participants with a body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m² (P for trend = 0.034). For obese participants, the multivariate‐adjusted hazard ratio for those with carbohydrate intakes >65% energy was 2.01 (95% confidence interval 1.08–3.71), which was significantly higher than that of participants with carbohydrate intakes 50.0–57.4% energy.

Conclusions

Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with higher risk of diabetes in obese participants, but not in non‐obese participants. Obese participants with carbohydrate intakes >65% energy should reduce their intakes to levels within the desirable carbohydrate energy proportion for Japanese (50–65% energy) to prevent development of type 2 diabetes.

Changing Clinical Characteristics according to Insulin Resistance and Insulin Secretion in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Korea

BACKGROUND

The role of increased insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes has been emphasized in Asian populations. Thus, we evaluated the proportion of insulin resistance and the insulin secretory capacity in patients with early phase type 2 diabetes in Korea.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1,314 drug-naive patients with newly diagnosed diabetes from primary care clinics nationwide. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as an index to measure insulin resistance, which was defined as a HOMA-IR ≥2.5. Insulin secretory defects were classified based on fasting plasma C-peptide levels: severe (<1.1 ng/mL), moderate (1.1 to 1.7 ng/mL) and mild to non-insulin secretory defect (≥1.7 ng/mL).

RESULTS

The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.2 kg/m(2); 77% of patients had BMIs >23.0 kg/m(2). Up to 50% of patients had central obesity based on their waist circumference (≥90 cm in men and 85 cm in women), and 70.6% had metabolic syndrome. Overall, 59.5% of subjects had insulin resistance, and 20.2% demonstrated a moderate to severe insulin secretory defect. Among those with insulin resistance, a high proportion of subjects (79.0%) had a mild or no insulin secretory defect. Only 2.6% of the men and 1.9% of the women had both insulin resistance and a moderate to severe insulin secretory defect.

CONCLUSION

In this study, patients with early phase type 2 diabetes demonstrated increased insulin resistance, but preserved insulin secretion, with a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Effects of 6-Month Sitagliptin Treatment on Insulin and Glucagon Responses in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sitagliptin, an oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, on insulin secretion and glucagon suppression in Korean subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Twenty-four subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after 6 months of sitagliptin treatment. Sitagliptin, insulin, and sulfonylurea were withdrawn for 3 days before OGTT to eliminate any acute effects on β-cell insulin or α-cell glucagon secretion. Venous samples were drawn five times during each OGTT to measure plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon. Indices on insulin secretion and resistance were calculated.

RESULTS

Early phase insulin secretion, measured by the insulinogenic index significantly increased after 6 months of sitagliptin treatment, especially in the higher baseline body mass index group and higher baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) group. There were no significant differences in the insulin resistance indices before and after sitagliptin treatment. Although no significant differences were observed in the absolute levels of glucagon and the glucagon-to-insulin ratio, there was a significant reduction in the percentile change of glucagon-to-insulin ratio at 30- and 120-minute during the OGTT.

CONCLUSION

Although the HbA1c level did not decrease significantly after 6 months of sitagliptin treatment, an increase in insulin secretion and reduction in early phase postprandial plasma glucagon-to-insulin ratio excursion was confirmed in Korean subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Insulin degludec versus insulin glargine, both once daily as add-on to existing orally administered antidiabetic drugs in insulin-naive Japanese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes: subgroup analysis of a pan-Asian, treat-to-target phase 3 trial

Insulin degludec (IDeg) is a novel basal insulin analogue with an ultralong duration of action that provides flat and stable reductions in blood glucose. The BEGIN ONCE ASIA trial was a phase 3 pan-Asian study examining the efficacy and safety of IDeg once daily (OD) versus insulin glargine (IGlar) OD in insulin-naive patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this multinational, 26-week, open-label, treat-to-target trial, participants were randomised (2:1) to IDeg OD or IGlar OD, administered with one or more antidiabetic drugs (OAD) per os. Here we report the results from a post hoc analysis of Japanese patients enrolled in the trial [n = 133; 63.2 % male; mean age 61.0 years; mean body mass index 24.1 kg/m²; mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) 8.5 %]. After 26 weeks, mean HbA_1c levels were similar between the two groups [estimated mean treatment difference 0.11 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI) -0.09, 0.31]. Confirmed hypoglycaemia was reported in 53.4 and 61.4 % of patients in the IDeg OD and IGlar OD groups [rate ratio (IDeg/IGlar) 0.87; 95 % CI 0.51, 1.48]. Confirmed nocturnal hypoglycaemia was reported in 17.0 and 22.7 % of patients in the IDeg OD and IGlar OD groups, respectively [rate ratio (IDeg/IGlar) 0.50; 95 % CI 0.19, 1.32]. Adverse event rates were similar between treatment groups. Initiating insulin treatment with IDeg OD in Japanese patients with T2D, inadequately maintained on OADs and requiring treatment intensification, provided effective glycaemic control with low rates of confirmed and nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia.

Main characteristics of metabolically obese normal weight and metabolically healthy obese phenotypes

In this review, the influence of fat depots on insulin resistance and the main characteristics of metabolically obese normal-weight and metabolically healthy obese phenotypes are discussed. Medline/PubMed and Science Direct were searched for articles related to the terms metabolically healthy obesity, metabolically obese normal weight, adipose tissue, and insulin resistance. Normal weight and obesity might be heterogeneous in regard to their effects. Fat distribution and lower insulin sensitivity are the main factors defining phenotypes within the same body mass index. Although these terms are interesting, controversies about them remain. Future studies exploring these phenotypes will help elucidate the roles of adiposity and/or insulin resistance in the development of metabolic alterations.

Sitagliptin added to treatment with ongoing pioglitazone for up to 52 weeks improves glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims/Introduction:  Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus often require treatment with more than one oral antihyperglycemic agent to achieve their glycemic goal. The present study was carried out to assess the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin as add‐on therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled (HbA1c ≥ 6.9% and <10.4%) on pioglitazone monotherapy (15–45 mg/day).

Materials and Methods:  In the initial 12‐week, double‐blind treatment period, patients were randomized (1:1) to sitagliptin 50 mg/day (n = 66) or placebo (n = 68), followed by a 40‐week open‐label treatment period in which all patients received sitagliptin 50 mg/day that could have been increased to 100 mg/day for patients meeting predefined glycemic parameters.

Results:  After 12 weeks, mean changes from baseline in HbA1c (the primary end‐point), fasting plasma glucose and 2‐h post‐meal glucose were −0.8%, −0.9 mmol/L and −2.7 mmol/L, respectively, in the sitagliptin group compared with placebo (all P < 0.001). The incidence of adverse experiences during the double‐blind treatment period was similar in both treatment groups, and the incidences of hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal adverse experiences were low. In the open‐label period, improvements in glycemic parameters with sitagliptin treatment were maintained and sitagliptin was generally well tolerated.

Conclusions:  Sitagliptin as add‐on therapy provided significant improvements in glycemic parameters and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on pioglitazone monotherapy. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT00372060). (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00120.x, 2011)

A Prospective Study of Variability in Glycemic Control during Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in Type 2 Diabetic Women Using High Sensitivity C - Reactive Protein

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the metabolic syndromes prevalent worldwide, with more concentration in the Asian region. Many studies have been conducted in order to understand the complex pathogenesis of this disease. Yet, there exists a lacuna in our knowledge about DM. This study aims at establishing the reason for glycemic variation in menstruating Type-2 diabetic women by estimation of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker that exhibits significant association with changes in blood glucose levels.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective study was undertaken in Type-2 diabetic women of reproductive age group to assess the variability of glycemic control during different phases of menstrual cycle using high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) as the biomarker. Fifty women were enrolled after satisfying a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The fasting blood glucose, hs-CRP concentration and endogenous female hormones were assayed in follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. The observed parameters were analyzed statistically for significant correlation. Observation and Result: The result showed that hs-CRP level significantly correlates with increasing levels of fasting blood glucose level in both the phases of menstrual cycle in Type-2 diabetic women. The significance is statistically stronger during luteal phase of the cycle (r = 0.807; p<0.05). The correlation observed between hs-CRP and Estrodiol in follicular phase (r = -0.311; p < 0.05) was not statistically significant. The hs-CRP level increased significantly with progesterone level during luteal phase (r = 0.826; p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that Type-2 diabetic women of reproductive age group encounter a period of poor glycemic control during luteal phase, as shown by statistically high hs-CRP level mediated by endogenous progesterone hormone. Therefore, this study advocates careful monitoring, life style adjustments and drug regime to reduce the fluctuation in glycemic level experienced by Type-2 diabetic premenopausal women in the luteal phase.

Efficacy of glimepiride/metformin fixed-dose combination vs metformin uptitration in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled on low-dose metformin monotherapy: A randomized, open label, parallel group, multicenter study in Korea

Aims/Introduction

To compare the efficacy and safety of early combination therapy with glimepiride/metformin to metformin uptitration in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Korean type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled on low-dose metformin monotherapy.

Materials and Methods

In a randomized, open label, parallel group, multicenter study, 209 Korean type 2 diabetic patients (HbA1c 7.0–10.0%, on metformin 500–1,000 mg/day) received glimepiride/metformin fixed-dose combination (G/M FDC) or metformin uptitration treatment (Met UP). The primary end-point was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.

Results

G/M FDC therapy provided significantly greater adjusted mean decreases vs Met UP therapy in HbA1c (−1.2 vs −0.8%, P < 0.0001), and fasting plasma glucose (−35.7 vs −18.6 mg/dL, P < 0.0001). A significantly greater proportion of patients with G/M FDC therapy achieved HbA1c < 7% (74.7 vs 46.6%, P < 0.0001) at the end of the study. More patients experienced hypoglycemia with G/M FDC therapy compared with Met UP therapy (41 vs 5.6%, P < 0.0001), but there was no serious hypoglycemia in any group. A modest increase in mean bodyweight occurred in the patients who were treated with G/M FDC therapy (1.0 kg), whereas a slight decrease was observed in the patients who were treated with Met UP therapy (−0.7 kg).

Conclusion

The present study showed that glimepiride/metformin fixed-dose combination therapy was more effective in glycemic control than metformin uptitration, and was well tolerated in type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled by low-dose metformin monotherapy in Korea. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (no. NCT00612144).

Characterization of pancreatic islets in two selectively bred mouse lines with different susceptibilities to high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance

Hereditary predisposition to diet-induced type 2 diabetes has not yet been fully elucidated. We recently established 2 mouse lines with different susceptibilities (resistant and prone) to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced glucose intolerance by selective breeding (designated selectively bred diet-induced glucose intolerance-resistant [SDG-R] and -prone [SDG-P], respectively). To investigate the predisposition to HFD-induced glucose intolerance in pancreatic islets, we examined the islet morphological features and functions in these novel mouse lines. Male SDG-P and SDG-R mice were fed a HFD for 5 weeks. Before and after HFD feeding, glucose tolerance was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Morphometry and functional analyses of the pancreatic islets were also performed before and after the feeding period. Before HFD feeding, SDG-P mice showed modestly higher postchallenge blood glucose levels and lower insulin increments in OGTT than SDG-R mice. Although SDG-P mice showed greater β cell proliferation than SDG-R mice under HFD feeding, SDG-P mice developed overt glucose intolerance, whereas SDG-R mice maintained normal glucose tolerance. Regardless of whether it was before or after HFD feeding, the isolated islets from SDG-P mice showed impaired glucose- and KCl-stimulated insulin secretion relative to those from SDG-R mice; accordingly, the expression levels of the insulin secretion-related genes in SDG-P islets were significantly lower than those in SDG-R islets. These findings suggest that the innate predispositions in pancreatic islets may determine the susceptibility to diet-induced diabetes. SDG-R and SDG-P mice may therefore be useful polygenic animal models to study the gene–environment interactions in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: A 26-week, randomized, controlled, Pan-Asian, treat-to-target trial

Introduction

Insulin degludec (IDeg) is an ultra‐long‐acting basal insulin with a consistent action profile of >42 h. This trial compared the efficacy and safety of IDeg with insulin glargine (IGlar) in insulin‐naïve Asian patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

In this multinational, 26‐week, open‐label, treat‐to‐target trial, 435 participants (202 females, 233 males; mean age 58.6 years; mean body mass index 25 kg/m²; mean glycated hemoglobin [HbA_1c] 8.5%) were randomized (2:1) to IDeg or IGlar, each administered once daily with ≥1 oral antidiabetic drug(s) (OAD).

Results

After 26 weeks, HbA_1c had decreased by 1.24 and 1.35% in the IDeg and IGlar groups, respectively (treatment difference [IDeg – IGlar] 0.11%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.03 to 0.24), confirming non‐inferiority. Rates of overall confirmed hypoglycemia were similar for IDeg and IGlar during the full trial period (3.0 vs 3.7 episodes/patient‐year of exposure [PYE]; rate ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.11, P = 0.20), but significantly lower (by 37%) for IDeg during the maintenance period (from week 16 onward; RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.94, P = 0.02). No significant difference in the rate of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia was found between IDeg and IGlar in the full trial period (0.8 vs 1.2 episodes/PYE; RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.04, P = 0.07) or maintenance period (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.00, P = 0.05). Adverse event rates were similar between treatments.

Conclusions

Initiating insulin therapy with IDeg in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes, inadequately controlled with OADs, provides similar improvements in long‐term glycemic control to IGlar, but at a significantly lower rate of overall confirmed hypoglycemia once stable glycemic control and insulin dosing are achieved. This trial was registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (no. NCT01059799).

Family history of diabetes, lifestyle factors, and the 7-year incident risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men and women

Aims/Introduction

This cohort study of middle‐aged Japanese participants investigated the relationship between family history of diabetes, the incident risk of type 2 diabetes and the interaction of these variables with other factors.

Materials and Methods

Study participants were 3,517 employees (2,037 men and 1,480 women) of a metal products factory in Japan. Baseline health examinations included questions about medical history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, questions about lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and habitual exercise, and a self‐administered diet history questionnaire. Family history of diabetes was defined as having at least one‐first‐degree relative with diabetes. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations over a 7‐year period. Hazard ratios (HRs) for type 2 diabetes were estimated by Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results

Of the 3,517 participants, 630 (18%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus. During the study, 228 participants developed diabetes. The age and sex‐adjusted HR for type 2 diabetes in participants with a family history of diabetes was 1.82 (95% confidence interval 1.36–2.43) as compared with those without a family history of diabetes. HRs did not change after adjustment for body mass index and lifestyle factors. We found no interactions with body mass index, insulin resistance, pancreatic β‐cell function or lifestyle factors.

Conclusions

Family history of diabetes was associated with the incident risk of diabetes, and these associations were independent of other risk factors, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors in Japanese men and women.

Challenges in achieving optimal glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients with declining renal function: The Southeast Asia perspective

It is well recognised that Asia is at the epicenter of the global type 2 diabetes epidemic. Driven by socioeconomic changes involving industrialization, urbanization and adoption of Western lifestyles, the unprecedented increases in the prevalence of diabetes are particularly evident in Southeast Asia. The impact of diabetes is immense, and despite evidence of the benefit of optimal glucose control in reducing the risk of disease progression and development of macrovascular and microvascular complications, many individuals in this region remain poorly controlled. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly common diabetes-associated complication in Asian patients. Furthermore, Southeast Asia has one of the highest rates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world. Consequently, CKD in diabetes is associated with considerable morbidity and cardiovascular-related mortality, highlighting the need to screen and assess patients early in the course of the disease. The management of type 2 diabetes patients with declining renal function represents a significant challenge. Many of the older antidiabetic agents, such as metformin and sulfonylureas, are limited in their utility in CKD as a result of contraindications or hypoglycemic episodes. In contrast, dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors have provided a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for achieving glycemic control in these special populations. With comparable efficacy to and more favorable pharmacokinetic and side-effect profiles than traditional therapies, agents in this drug class, such as linagliptin, offer a more tailored approach to disease control in type 2 diabetes patients with declining renal function.

Decreased beta cell function and insulin sensitivity contributed to increasing fasting glucose in Chinese

To evaluate the role of insulin resistance and beta cell function to increasing fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1,272 Chinese subjects (18-80 years of age) were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), combined glucose intolerance (CGI), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity was measured by Matsuda index (ISI(M)) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (1/HOMA-IR); β-cell function adjusted by insulin sensitivity was assessed from disposition index (DI) at basal DI(0) (homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B) × [1/HOMA-IR]), early-phase DI(30) (the ratio of total insulin AUC and total glucose AUC during 0-30 min of the OGTT (InsAUC(30)/GluAUC(30)) × ISI(M)) and total DI(120) (the ratio of total insulin AUC and total glucose AUC during 0-120 min of the OGTT (InsAUC(120)/GluAUC(120)) × ISI(M)). Compared with NGT, in IFG, ISI(M) (-23%), DI(0) (-38%), DI(30) (-30%), and DI(120) (-31%) were decreased significantly. As the FPG increased across categories classified by FPG levels from NGT → IFG → T2DM with 2 h PG < 7.8 mmol/l, ISI(M), DI(0), DI(30) and DI(120) showed decline beginning from normal range of FPG, compared with the reference category of FPG < 4.0 mmol/l. Correlation analysis showed that ISI(M) and DI were correlated inversely with FPG concentration (r = -0.242 for ISI(M), r = -0.933 for DI(0), r = -0.806 for DI(30), r = -0.817 for DI(120); P < 0.001). Both the impairment of beta cell function and insulin sensitivity started at the low point of FPG within the normoglycemic range and contributed to the deterioration of fasting glucose.

Self-reported speed of eating and 7-year risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men

OBJECTIVE

This cohort study investigated the association between eating speed and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Participants were 2,050 male employees of a metal products factory in Japan. We measured self-reported categorical eating speed. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations over a 7-year period. The association between eating speed and the incidence of diabetes adjusted for multiple variables (age, family history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol drinking, habitual exercise, and presence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity (BMI≥25 kg/m(2)) across the categories of eating speed (slow, medium, and fast) was 14.6, 23.3, and 34.8%, respectively, and a faster eating speed was associated with a higher prevalence of obesity. During the study, 177 participants developed diabetes. Crude incidence rates (/1,000 person-years) across the three categories of eating speed were 9.9, 15.6, and 17.3, respectively. Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) across the categories were 1.00 (reference), 1.68 (0.93-3.02), and 1.97 (1.10-3.55), respectively, and eating speed was associated with the risk of diabetes (p for trend=0.030). After further adjustment for BMI, a significant association was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Eating speed was associated with the incidence of diabetes. Since these associations were not significant after adjusting for BMI, eating speed may act via its effect on body weight. Eating speed is a controllable risk factor, and eating slowly could be an acceptable lifestyle intervention for the prevention of diabetes mellitus.

High normal HbA(1c) levels were associated with impaired insulin secretion without escalating insulin resistance in Japanese individuals: the Toranomon Hospital Health Management Center Study 8 (TOPICS 8)

AIMS

We aimed to characterize the association of insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion and β-cell dysfunction in relation to HbA(1c) levels in a non-diabetic range in Japanese individuals without clinically diagnosed diabetes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1444 individuals without a history of outpatient treatment of diabetes or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and beta-cell function, insulinogenic index, Matsuda index and disposition index were calculated using data from 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests and compared across quintile (Q) categories of HbA(1c) levels.

RESULTS

Fasting plasma glucose and 30-min and 60-min plasma glucose (PG) levels were significantly higher when HbA(1c) exceeded 36 mmol/mol (5.4%). A HbA(1c) concentration of 36-37 mmol/mol (5.4-5.5%) (Q3) was significantly associated with a 15% lower homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function value and 31% lower insulinogenic index value compared with HbA(1c) ≤ 32 mmol/mol (≤ 5.1%) (Q1) (P <0.01). Further, a HbA(1c) concentration of 38-40 mmol/mol (5.6-5.8%) (Q4) was associated with 17% (P <0.01) and 24% (P <0.05) reductions in those indexes, respectively. However, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was not significantly elevated and the Matsuda index was not significantly lower unless HbA(1c) exceeded 41 mmol/mol (5.9%). Individuals with HbA(1c) ≥ 41 mmol/mol (≥ 5.9%) (Q5) had a 69% lower disposition index than those with a HbA(1c) concentration of ≤ 32 mmol/mol (≤ 5.1%) (Q1).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated HbA(1c) levels ≥ 41 mmol/mol (≥ 5.9%) were associated with substantial reductions in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and β-cell dysfunction in Japanese individuals not treated for diabetes. High normal HbA(1c) levels of 36-40 mmol/mol (5.4-5.8%) were also associated with impaired insulin secretion without marked insulin resistance in Japanese individuals.

Fasting insulin levels and metabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients at the first visit in Japan: a 10-year, nationwide, observational study (JDDM 28)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between fasting insulin levels and metabolic risk factors (MRFs) in type 2 diabetic patients at the first clinic/hospital visit in Japan over the years 2000 to 2009.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In total, 4,798 drug-naive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were registered on their first clinic/hospital visits. Conventional clinical factors and fasting insulin levels were observed at baseline within the Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management (JDDM) study between consecutive 2-year groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using a model in which the dependent variable was fasting insulin values using various clinical explanatory variables.

RESULTS

Fasting insulin levels were found to be decreasing from 2000 to 2009. Multiple linear regression analysis with the fasting insulin levels as the dependent variable showed that waist circumference (WC), BMI, mean blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol were significant, with WC and BMI as the main factors. ANCOVA after adjustment for age and fasting plasma glucose clearly shows the decreasing trend in fasting insulin levels and the increasing trend in BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

During the 10-year observation period, the decreasing trend in fasting insulin was related to the slight increase in WC/BMI in type 2 diabetes. Low pancreatic β-cell reserve on top of a lifestyle background might be dependent on an increase in MRFs.

Insulin secretion based on the late oral glucose tolerance test period and incident diabetes: the San Antonio Heart Study

AIMS

The Insulinogenic Index from 0 to 30 min (ΔI (0-30) /ΔG(0-30) ), a measure of insulin secretion derived from the early period of the oral glucose tolerance test, predicts future diabetes. However, there are few data on secretory measures from the late oral glucose tolerance test period. We therefore investigated the association of the ratio of the area under the insulin curve to the area under the glucose curve from 60 to 120 min (I/G(AUC 60-120) ) with incident diabetes.

METHODS

Participants were 1540 Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in the San Antonio Heart Study who were free of diabetes at baseline. We analysed indices of sensitivity (Matsuda index) and secretion from the early (ΔI(0-30) /ΔG(0-30) ) and late oral glucose tolerance test periods (I/G(AUC 60-120) ).

RESULTS

A total of 179 participants developed diabetes after 7.5 years. I/G(AUC 60-120) was an independent predictor of diabetes [odds ratio × 1 SD unit increase, 0.37 (0.26-0.54)] in a model that also included age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, family history of diabetes, Matsuda index and (ΔI (0-30) /ΔG(0-30) ) as covariates. I/G(AUC 60-120) increased the C statistic (a test of discrimination) of the model (0.882 vs. 0.875, P=0.044). I/G(AUC 60-120) correctly reclassified one-fifth of individuals with moderate and strong risks of future diabetes. The net reclassification improvement was 0.13 (P<0.001) and the integrated discrimination improvement was 0.033 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

An insulin secretory measure derived from the late oral glucose tolerance test period is useful for classifying individuals at risk of future diabetes independently of other risk factors, including insulin sensitivity and a secretory measure from the early oral glucose tolerance test period.

Visceral adiposity as a target for the management of the metabolic syndrome

Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), develops due not only to a single cardiovascular risk factor but to a variety of complex factors. The concept of the multiple cardiometabolic risk factor clustering syndrome has been proposed as a highly atherogenic state, independent of hypercholesterolemia and smoking. Body fat distribution, especially visceral fat accumulation, is a major correlate of a cluster of diabetogenic, atherogenic, prothrombotic, and proinflammatory metabolic abnormalities referred to as the metabolic syndrome, with dysfunctional adipocytes and dysregulated production of adipocytokines (hypoadiponectinemia). Medical research has focused on visceral adiposity as an important component of the syndrome in Japanese subjects with a mild degree of adiposity compared with Western subjects. For the prevention of ACVD at least in Japan, it might be practical to stratify subjects with multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease based on visceral fat accumulation. Visceral fat reduction through health promotion programs using risk factor-oriented approaches may be effective in reducing ACVD events, as well as producing improvement in risks and hypoadiponectinemia. This review article discusses visceral adiposity as a key player in the syndrome. Visceral fat reduction with life-style modification is a potentially useful strategy in the prevention of ACVD in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: Lessons Learned from Japanese Americans in Seattle

Migrant Japanese populations in both the United States and Brazil have for a long time shown a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than in native Japanese, suggesting an interaction of lifestyle and genetic predisposition in the etiology of type 2 diabetes. The overall objective of the Seattle Japanese American Community Diabetes Study was to learn more about the etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in Japanese Americans. This metabolically based epidemiologic study included extensive assessments of insulin sensitivity, insulin response, and adiposity with the latter including measurements of body fat distribution by both anthropometry and computed tomography. Because of this, the importance of visceral adiposity as a risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and the metabolic syndrome was demonstrated. In conjunction with an examination of diet and physical activity patterns, the result was a clearer understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in Japanese Americans. Wepropose that a lifestyle that fosters increased weight gain, especially in the visceral adipose depot, promotes the development of insulin resistance which in turn exposes an underlying reduced beta-cell reserve in susceptible individuals, resulting in glucose intolerance and eventually in many the development of diabetes. We have shown that it may be possible to delay or prevent the development of diabetes through dietary and exercise interventions in individuals identified as having impaired glucose tolerance. The lessons learned from studying migrant Japanese in Seattle may in many ways be applicable to other populations of Asian origin.

Serum glycerophosphate levels are increased in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To identify metabolites showing changes in serum levels among Japanese male with diabetes.

METHODS

We performed metabolite profiling by coupling capillary electrophoresis with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using fasting serum samples from Japanese male subjects with diabetes (n=17), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n=5) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n=14).

RESULTS

Other than the expected differences in characteristics related to abnormal glucose metabolism, the percent body fat was significantly different among subjects with diabetes, IGT and NGT (27.3±6.2, 22.2±4.5 and 19.2±6.0%, respectively, p=0.0022). Therefore, percent body fat was considered as a possible confounding factor in subsequent analyses. Of 560 metabolites detected using our platform, the levels of 74 metabolites were quantified in all of the serum samples. Significant differences between diabetes and NGT were observed for 24 metabolites. The top-ranked metabolite was glycerol-3-phophate (glycerophosphate), which was significantly higher in subjects with diabetes than in those with NGT, even after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (11.7±3.6 vs. 6.4±1.9 µM, respectively; corrected p=0.0222). Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that serum glycerophosphate levels were significantly correlated with 2-h plasma glucose after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (r=0.553, p=0.0005), independently of other characteristics, including FPG and HbA1c.

CONCLUSION

Serum glycerophosphate levels were found to be elevated in Japanese men with diabetes, and correlated with 2-h PG, independent of FPG and HbA1c. Namely, serum glycerophosphate level at fasting condition can be a marker for predicting glucose intolerance. These results warrant further studies to evaluate the relevance of glycerophosphate in the pathophysiology of diabetes.

Dietary glycemic index and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men

This cohort study investigated the association between dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men, and the effect of insulin resistance and pancreatic B-cell function on the association. Participants were 1995 male employees of a metal products factory in Japan. Dietary GI and GL were assessed using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. The incidence of diabetes was detected in annual medical examinations over a 6-year period. The association between GI, GL, and the incidence of diabetes was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. During the study, 133 participants developed diabetes. Age- and body mass index-adjusted hazard ratios across the GI quintiles were 1.00 (reference), 1.62, 1.50, 1.68, and 1.80; and those of GL were 1.00 (reference), 1.07, 1.48, 0.95, and 0.98. The hazard ratio for the highest GI quintile was significantly greater than that for the lowest quintile. The influence of GI was more pronounced in the lowest insulin resistance subgroups. GI and pancreatic B-cell function were independently associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus; participants with low B-cell function and the highest tertile of GI had the highest risk of diabetes. Dietary GI is associated with the incidence of diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men. GI and B-cell function were independently associated with incidence of diabetes.

Predictors of impaired glucose regulation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Introduction. Many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have impaired glucose regulation or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated characteristics of NAFLD patients associated with hyperglycemia. Methods. During a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum glucose and insulin were measured in 152 NAFLD patients. Results. 48.7% of NAFLD patients had hyperglycemia. Age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.13), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.25), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98) proved to be independent predictors of hyperglycemia. After OGTT, 30 min insulin was lower in hyperglycemic patients (74.2 ± 49.7 versus 94.5 ± 53.9 μIU/mL, P = 0.02), while 90 min insulin (170.1 ± 84.6 versus 122.9 ± 97.7 μU/mL, P = 0.01) and 120 min insulin (164.0 ± 101.2 versus 85.3 ± 61.9 μIU/mL, P < 0.01) were higher. Conclusions. NAFLD patients with higher BMI, lower HDL-C, or older age were more likely to have impaired glucose metabolism. An OGTT could be of value for early diagnosis of DM among this population.

Increased insulin resistance is associated with increased urinary excretion of chromium in non-diabetic, normotensive Saudi adults

The role of trivalent chromium in improving glucose tolerance is well documented. Increased urinary chromium has been reported in type 2 diabetes mellitus, but it was not clear whether this had preceded diabetes mellitus, or was caused by it. Aim was to investigate the relationship between urinary chromium and the degree of insulin resistance in non-diabetic normotensive Saudi adults. 357 healthy adults aged 18–50 years were recruited randomly in a cross-sectional study design. Anthropometric and demographic information were taken. Insulin, glucose and free fatty acids were measured in fasting blood samples. Fasting urinary chromium and creatinine were also determined. Using modified QUICKI, subjects were labeled as high insulin resistant, or low insulin resistant. High insulin resistant subjects were matched for age and sex to low insulin resistant subjects. High insulin resistant subjects had higher mean BMI (p<0.001), mean waist circumference (p<0.01), and median urinary chromium (p<0.001) compared to low insulin resistant subgroup. Higher urinary chromium in high insulin resistant subgroup indicates a renal lesion leading to chromium deficiency and possibly diabetes mellitus eventually. Chromium supplementation might help to protect against the development of diabetes mellitus in this group of high insulin resistant non-diabetic Saudi individuals.

The effects of pioglitazone in reducing atherosclerosis progression and neointima volume in type 2 diabetic patients: prospective randomized study with volumetric intravascular ultrasonography analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pioglitazone has been known for its anti-atherogenic effects. We compared the effects of pioglitazone in reducing atherosclerosis progression and neointima volume in type 2 diabetic patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized single-blinded, 8-month follow-up study. Patients with significant coronary artery stenosis were randomly assigned to either pioglitazone (n=19) or placebo (n=18) following zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) implantation. Intravascular ultrasonography of the culprit vessel was performed from 20 mm distal and proximal to the stent at baseline. and at 8-month, and volumetric analysis was performed. Changes in inflammation markers, insulin resistance and lipid profile were compared.

RESULTS

Changes in atherosclerosis progression from baseline in the pioglitazone group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (0.06±0.73 vs. 1.16±1.41 mm(3)/mm, p=0.024, respectively), and neointima volume was significantly lower in the pioglitazone group compared to the placebo group (1.74±0.93 vs. 2.42±1.98 mm(3)/mm, p=0.007, respectively). Homeostatic model assessment-index, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly lower in the pioglitazone group at 8 months. Adiponectin levels increased significantly only in the pioglitazone group. No significant differences in retinol binding protein-4 levels between the 2 groups were seen during the 8-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Compared to placebo, pioglitazone was associated with significant reduction in atherosclerosis progression and neointima formation in type 2 diabetic patients with ZES implantation.

NF-kappaB binding activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression correlate with body mass index but not glycosylated hemoglobin in Chinese population

AIMS

Chronic inflammation is linked to type 2 diabetes (T2DM), so we investigated correlations between obesity, blood glucose levels, and inflammation in T2DM patients.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 40 T2DM patients (27 men, 13 women; mean age 49.63 years), and 10 non-diabetic controls (all men; mean age 38.60 years). Inflammation was measured as DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), a key transcription factor in inflammation. Protein levels of NF-kappaB subunit p65, and NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaBalpha were assessed by Western blot. Transcript levels for p65, IkappaBalpha, and the NF-kappaB target genes TNF-alpha, MMP-9, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 were measured by real-time PCR. Body mass index (BMI) and glycohemoglobin were measured for all the subjects.

RESULTS

NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, p65 and IkappaBalpha protein levels, and expression of IL-6, TNFalpha and MMP-9 were significantly higher in PBMCs from T2DM patients, than from non-diabetic controls. NF-kappaB binding was significantly positively associated with both BMI and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammation was observed in PBMCs in T2DM patients in a Chinese population, and correlated independently with obesity and blood glucose levels. Lack of correlation with glycohemoglobin suggested that moderate-term blood glucose control did not mitigate inflammation.