Therapeutic Inertia in People With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: A Challenge That Just Won't Go Away

iGlarLixi provides improved early glycaemic control after 12 weeks of treatment compared with basal insulin in Asian people with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of the LixiLan-O-AP and LixiLan-L-CN studies

AIMS

To evaluate early glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] < 7.0% [<53.0 mmol/mol], fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ≤ 7.0 mmol/L or postprandial glucose [PPG] ≤ 10.0 mmol/L) with iGlarLixi versus insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) in Asian people with suboptimally controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in LixiLan-O-AP or basal insulin (BI) ± OADs in LixiLan-L-CN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This post hoc analysis evaluated changes from baseline to Week 12 in HbA1c, FPG and PPG, hypoglycaemia incidence and the rates of target HbA1c achievement at Weeks 8 and 12. Median time to glycaemic control (i.e., time to 50% achieving target HbA1c, FPG or PPG) was also assessed.

RESULTS

At Week 12, mean HbA1c reductions were greater with iGlarLixi versus Gla-100 in LixiLan-O-AP (-1.6% vs. -1.1% [-17.0 vs. -12.0 mmol/mol]) and LixiLan-L-CN (-1.3% vs. -0.5% [-13.9 vs. -5.4 mmol/mol]). PPG reductions were greater with iGlarLixi, while FPG reductions and hypoglycaemia incidence were similar. At Weeks 8 and 12, more participants had achieved target HbA1c or PPG with iGlarLixi versus Gla-100 in both studies. Median time to achieve HbA1c and PPG targets was shorter with iGlarLixi versus Gla-100 in LixiLan-O-AP (85 vs. 126 days and 84 vs. 167 days) and LixiLan-L-CN (85 vs. 239 days and 85 days vs. not estimable); median time to achieve FPG target was similar in LixiLan-O-AP (57 vs. 57 days) and LixiLan-L-CN (29 vs. 30 days).

CONCLUSIONS

In Asian people with T2D suboptimally controlled on OADs or BI, iGlarLixi provided comprehensive earlier glycaemic control than Gla-100.

Therapeutic Inertia Quantification in Diabetes Care: A Narrative Review and Synthesis

PURPOSE

Therapeutic inertia, which refers to the failure to adjust therapy despite suboptimal glycemic control, is a growing concern. This phenomenon is associated with significant adverse health consequences and reflects the gap between population health goals and patient outcomes. Current research lacks harmonized and effective ways to measure therapeutic inertia, posing significant challenges to addressing this issue in diabetes care. This review aimed to summarize the approaches used to quantify therapeutic inertia in diabetes care, with the goal of improving clinical management and patient outcomes.

METHODS

A narrative review was conducted to identify relevant articles through a search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception until August 2024, employing search terms related to therapeutic inertia, quantification, and diabetes care. We included all articles that focused on quantifying therapeutic inertia in diabetes care. Quantification methods were summarized with respect to key aspects of formula, scoring, validation, advantages, and limitations.

FINDINGS

Four approaches for quantifying therapeutic inertia were identified from the retrieved articles. However, these methods have several limitations that have led to the development of a therapeutic inertia index. The primary goal of the index as a quality measure is to describe healthcare providers' practices and establish a connection between the implemented process measures and key glycemic outcomes. Three commonly used therapeutic inertia indices have been reported in the literature: the norm-based method, standard-based method (SBM), and American Diabetes Association method.

IMPLICATIONS

There is a need to standardize therapeutic inertia measurement approaches and develop comprehensive interventions to enhance the management of diabetes.

The management of cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes: Insights from an audit of health services providing diabetes care

AIMS

To assess cardiovascular risk management among Australians with diabetes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical audit data collected from diabetes centres participating in the Australian National Diabetes Audit in 2022. Adults (≥18 years) with type 1 or type 2 were included. Clinical performance was assessed by comparing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors against evidence-based clinical targets at the national and diabetes centre level for the total cohort, with sub-analyses by diabetes type, and by cardiovascular disease (CVD) status.

RESULTS

There were 4341 people included; 32.4 % with type 1 and 67.6 % with type 2 diabetes. Of the total cohort, 25.9 % met the HbA1c target (≤7% or 53 mmol/mol), 45.5 % met the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target (<2 mmol/L), 43.4 % met the systolic blood pressure target (<130 mmHg), 19.8 % met the body mass index target (<25 kg/m2), 30.2 % met the physical activity target (≥150 mins/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity), and 85.0 % were non-smokers. Compared to patients with type 1 diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes were less likely to meet targets. Compared to patients without existing CVD, patients with CVD were less likely to meet targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of cardiovascular risk in adults with diabetes is sub-optimal, increasing the risk of preventable adverse health outcomes.

Type 2 diabetes pathway-specific polygenic risk scores elucidate heterogeneity in clinical presentation, disease progression and diabetic complications in 18,217 Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 2 diabetes is a complex and heterogeneous disease and the aetiological components underlying the heterogeneity remain unclear in the Chinese and East Asian population. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether specific pathophysiological pathways drive the clinical heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We employed newly developed type 2 diabetes hard-clustering and soft-clustering pathway-specific polygenic risk scores (psPRSs) to characterise individual genetic susceptibility to pathophysiological pathways implicated in type 2 diabetes in 18,217 Chinese patients from Hong Kong. The 'total' type 2 diabetes polygenic risk score (PRS) was summed by genome-wide significant type 2 diabetes signals (n=1289). We examined the associations between psPRSs and cardiometabolic profile, age of onset, two glycaemic deterioration outcomes (clinical requirement of insulin treatment, defined by two consecutive HbA1c values ≥69 mmol/mol [8.5%] more than 3 months apart during treatment with two or more oral glucose-lowering drugs, and insulin initiation), three renal (albuminuria, end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease) outcomes and five cardiovascular outcomes.

RESULTS

Although most psPRSs and total type 2 diabetes PRS were associated with an earlier and younger onset of type 2 diabetes, the psPRSs showed distinct associations with clinical outcomes. In particular, individuals with normal weight showed higher psPRSs for beta cell dysfunction and lipodystrophy than those who were overweight. The psPRSs for obesity were associated with faster progression to clinical requirement of insulin treatment (adjusted HR [95% CI] 1.09 [1.05, 1.13], p<0.0001), end-stage renal disease (1.10 [1.04, 1.16], p=0.0007) and CVD (1.10 [1.05, 1.16], p<0.0001) while the psPRSs for beta cell dysfunction were associated with reduced incident end-stage renal disease (0.90 [0.85, 0.95], p=0.0001) and heart failure (0.83 [0.73, 0.93], p=0.0011). Major findings remained significant after adjusting for a set of clinical variables.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Beta cell dysfunction and lipodystrophy could be the driving pathological pathways in type 2 diabetes in individuals with normal weight. Genetic risks of beta cell dysfunction and obesity represent two major genetic drivers of type 2 diabetes heterogeneity in disease progression and diabetic complications, which are shared across ancestry groups. Type 2 diabetes psPRSs may help inform patient stratification according to aetiology and guide precision diabetes care.

Clinical inertia and treatment intensification among patients with type ii diabetes mellitus at Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

Background

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have clinical inertia often struggle to control their blood sugar levels and do not receive timely treatment intensification. Strict glycemic control has advantages, but many patients with diabetes are unable to reach their target blood sugar levels. The study's main objective was to determine the prevalence of clinical inertia in patients with type 2 diabetes at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital(DTCSH) in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based, cross-sectional research design was used at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 20/2023 to January 30/2024. A structured questionnaire modified from various medical records and literatures were used to gather data. A logistic regression model was also employed after the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was checked to find contributing variables to clinical inertia. A threshold of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result

In total, 287 samples were included in the research. The occurrences of clinical inertia 31.4% (95%CI: 25.9 - 36.8) were obtained from 90 patients. Aged patients (AOR = 1.103; 95% CI, 1.034 - 1.176; P = 0.003), medication fee (AOR = 4.955; 95% CI, 1.284 - 14.127; P = 0.020), medication nonadherence (AOR = 4.345; 95% CI, 2.457 - 15.537; P = 0.001), increase number of medication (AOR = 4.205; 95% CI, 2.657- 6.655; P ≤ 0.001), poor glycemic control (AOR = 2.253; 95% CI, 1.673 - 3.033; P ≤ 0.001) were more likely to have clinical inertia.

Conclusion

One-third of patients experienced clinical inertia. Age, glycemic control, medication non-adherence, treatment fee, and number of medications were found to be strongly correlated with clinical inertia. More precise knowledge of the clinical inertia and the associated therapies is necessary to tackle this issue more effectively.

Association of the glycemic background patterns and the diabetes management efficacy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Inadequate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a major public health problem and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of intensive and supportive glycemic management strategies over a 12-month period in individuals with T2DM with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 10% and varying backgrounds of glycemic control.

METHODS

This prospective observational study investigated glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled T2DM over 12 months. Participants were categorized into four groups based on prior glycemic history: Newly diagnosed, previously well controlled with recent worsening, previously off-target but now worsening, and HbA1c consistently above 10%. HbA1c levels were monitored quarterly, and patients received medical, educational, and dietary support as needed. The analysis focused on the success rates of good glycemic control and the associated factors within each group.

RESULTS

The study showed significant improvements in HbA1c levels in all participants. The most significant improvement was observed in individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes: 65% achieved an HbA1c target of ≤ 7%. The results varied between participants with different glycemic control histories, followed by decreasing success rates: 39% in participants with previously good glycemic control, 21% in participants whose glycemic control had deteriorated compared to before, and only 10% in participants with persistently poor control, with mean HbA1c levels of 6.3%, 7.7%, 8.2%, and 9.7%, respectively. After one year, 65.2% of the "newly diagnosed patients", 39.3% in the "previously controlled group", 21.9% in the "previously off-target but now worsened'" group and 10% in the "poorly controlled from the start" group had achieved HbA1c levels of 7 and below.

CONCLUSION

In poorly controlled diabetes, the rate at which treatment goals are achieved is associated with the glycemic background characteristics, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies. Therefore, different and comprehensive treatment approaches are needed for patients with persistent uncontrolled diabetes.

A prospective, multicentre study evaluating safety and efficacy of a fixed dose combination of Remogliflozin etabonate, Vildagliptin, and Metformin in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Triad-RMV)

AIMS

The ICMR INDIAB-17 study revealed a diabetes prevalence of 11.4% in India, emphasizing the need for effective treatment for glycemic control. A Phase IV study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Remogliflozin, Metformin and Vildagliptin (RMV) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients uncontrolled on Metformin plus SGLT2 inhibitor or Metformin plus DPP4 inhibitor dual therapy.

METHODS

A total of 215 patients (mean age: 46.4 years; 64% male, 36% female) were enrolled across multiple centers in India. The study population included patients with a baseline HbA1c ≥ 8% at the time of screening. The primary objective was to assess safety based on treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), while the secondary. aim was to evaluate effectiveness in terms of glycemic (HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial glucose) and extra-glycemic measures (renal and lipid parameters). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons, and the Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. Effectiveness was evaluated at baseline, week 12, and week 24.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean HbA1c levels from baseline to both week 12 and week 24 (p < 0.00001). At 24, weeks, 45.1% of patients achieved target HbA1c levels of ≤ 7%. Significant reduction was also observed in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial glucose (PPG) levels. Renal parameters remained stable or improved, and lipid profile parameters, including LDL-C and triglycerides, showed favorable changes. Adverse events of special interest, including hypoglycemia and urinary tract infections, were reported in 4.7% of patients, with no serious adverse event recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The twice daily triple FDC of RMV was well tolerated, safe and effective in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus uncontrolled on dual drug therapy of Metformin plus SGLT2i or Metformin plus DPP4i. The treatment led to significant improvements in glycemic control and other metabolic parameters over 24 weeks, without compromising renal function or causing serious adverse events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CTRI, CTRI/2022/05/042581. Registered 17 May 2022, https//ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/rmaindet.php? trialid=68,757&EncHid=36127.16500&modid=1&compid=19.

Expert Opinion on Optimising Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Using Fixed-Ratio Combination of Basal Insulin and GLP-1 RA for Treatment Intensification and Simplification

The management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) often necessitates treatment intensification, and sometimes simplification to achieve glycaemic targets and mitigate complications. This expert opinion paper evaluates the use and positioning of the fixed-ratio combinations (FRCs) of basal insulin (BI) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in optimising T2D management. On the basis of the evidence presented and discussions, these FRCs offer a promising approach for both treatment intensification and simplification in people with suboptimal glucose control despite receiving various therapies. In treatment intensification, FRCs provide a synergistic effect by addressing multiple pathophysiological defects contributing to hyperglycaemia. These FRCs effectively control both fasting and postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions, offering significantly improved glycaemic control with a lower hypoglycaemia risk and weight neutrality compared to traditional or complex insulin regimens. Moreover, the reduced injection frequency (once daily) and flexibility in the dosing schedule (with any major meal of the day) help mitigate patient resistance to insulin initiation or titration. This further reduces treatment burden, facilitating treatment adherence and enhancing patient convenience. These key benefits of FRCs over complex insulin regimens play a crucial role in long-term glycaemic management and overall treatment outcomes. Hence, the timely use of FRCs in the treatment algorithm for people with T2D represents a valuable strategy for optimising glycaemic control, addressing treatment barriers and enhancing patient-reported outcomes.

Treating Type 2 Diabetes With Early, Intensive, Multimodal Pharmacotherapy: Real-World Evidence From an International Collaborative Database

Aims: We compared the glycaemic and cardiorenal effects of combination therapy involving metformin, pioglitazone, sodium-glucose-linked-cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) versus a more conventional glucocentric treatment approach combining sulphonylureas (SU) and insulin from the point of type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Global Collaborative Network in TriNetX. We included individuals prescribed metformin, pioglitazone, an SGLT2i, and a GLP-1 RA for at least 1-year duration, within 3 years of a T2D diagnosis, and compared with individuals prescribed insulin and a SU within the same temporal pattern. Individuals were followed up for 3 years. Results: We propensity score-matched (PSM) for 26 variables. A total of 1762 individuals were included in the final analysis (n = 881 per cohort). At 3-years, compared to the insulin/SU group, the metformin/pioglitazone/SGLT2i/GLP-1 RA group had a lower risk of heart failure (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.87, p = 0.018), acute coronary syndrome (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.67, p = 0.002), stroke (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.49, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.99, p = 0.042), and hospitalisation (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46-0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this real-world study, early, intensive polytherapy, targeting the distinct pathophysiological defects in T2D, is associated with significantly more favourable cardiorenal outcomes, compared to insulin and SU therapy.

The Use of Rescue Insulin in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE)

OBJECTIVE

To describe rescue insulin use and associated factors in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

GRADE participants (type 2 diabetes duration <10 years, baseline A1C 6.8%-8.5% on metformin monotherapy, N = 5,047) were randomly assigned to insulin glargine U-100, glimepiride, liraglutide, or sitagliptin and followed quarterly for a mean of 5 years. Rescue insulin (glargine or aspart) was to be started within 6 weeks of A1C >7.5%, confirmed. Reasons for delaying rescue insulin were reported by staff-completed survey.

RESULTS

Nearly one-half of GRADE participants (N = 2,387 [47.3%]) met the threshold for rescue insulin. Among participants assigned to glimepiride, liraglutide, or sitagliptin, rescue glargine was added by 69% (39% within 6 weeks). Rescue aspart was added by 44% of glargine-assigned participants (19% within 6 weeks) and by 30% of non-glargine-assigned participants (14% within 6 weeks). Higher A1C values were associated with adding rescue insulin. Intention to change health behaviors (diet/lifestyle, adherence to current treatment) and not wanting to take insulin were among the most common reasons reported for not adding rescue insulin within 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Proportionately, rescue glargine, when required, was more often used than rescue aspart, and higher A1C values were associated with greater rescue insulin use. Wanting to use noninsulin strategies to improve glycemia was commonly reported, although multiple factors likely contributed to not using rescue insulin. These findings highlight the persistent challenge of intensifying type 2 diabetes treatment with insulin, even in a clinical trial.

Gaps Remain for Achieving HbA1c Targets for People with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Using Insulin: Results from NHANES 2009-2020

INTRODUCTION

Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is an important measure to assess glycemic control and predict diabetes complications. However, there is limited information on trends in HbA1c among people with diabetes (PwDs) who use insulin. The aim of this study was to describe trends in HbA1c among PwDs who use insulin by diabetes type and insulin regimen.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009-2020). PwDs were classified into three cohorts: type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus using mealtime insulin (T2DM-MTI), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using basal-only insulin (T2DM basal-only). Trends in HbA1c over time were assessed using regression analysis after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Mean HbA1c values aggregated over 2009-2020 were 8.0% (T1DM), 8.6% (T2DM-MTI), and 8.6% (T2DM basal-only). The American Diabetes Association-recommended target of HbA1c of < 7% was achieved by 25.2% of people in the T1DM and T2DM-MTI groups each and by 12.3% of people in the T2DM basal-only group. Over time, an upward trend was observed in the percentage of people achieving HbA1c < 7% in the T2DM basal-only group. The percentage of PwDs achieving individualized HbA1c targets was 27.0%, 12.4%, and 16.1% for the T1DM, T2DM-MTI, and T2DM basal-only groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study using NHANES data suggests that approximately 25% of PwDs achieve glycemic targets. This study highlights the need for improved therapies to better manage glycemic targets in PwDs.

Trajectory of glycated haemoglobin over time, using real-world data, in type 2 diabetes patients with obesity on a U-100 basal-bolus insulin regimen

AIMS

To identify patient clusters with poor glucose control among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with obesity who are receiving basal-bolus insulin and to identify the potential therapeutic inertia factors associated with poor control.

METHODS

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) trajectories across a 3-year period were structured at 6-month intervals for a retrospective cohort of T2DM patients with obesity on basal-bolus insulin from the Veterans' Health Administration database. Based on each patient's longitudinal HbA1c features, an unsupervised clustering procedure was used to determine the numbers of clusters and associated trajectory patterns. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between HbA1c trajectory clusters and patient characteristics/treatment patterns.

RESULTS

A total of 51 273 patients were included, of whom 11.2% were in a subgroup with persistent missingness of HbA1c values. For those with sufficient HbA1c observations, cluster analysis indicated six distinct HbA1c trajectories: stable low (35.8%); stable high (20.8%); descending low (10.5%); ascending low (10.2%); descending high (5.7%); and ascending high (5.7%). Being of Black ethnicity, not initiating noninsulin antihyperglycaemic agents (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or thiazolidinediones) or concentrated insulin, low adherence (measured by proportion of days covered), and reduced insulin prescription refills were factors associated with poorer HbA1c clusters; similar factors were associated with persistent HbA1c missingness.

CONCLUSION

The present study found the potential for therapeutic inertia among a significant proportion of T2DM patients with obesity on basal-bolus insulin. Subgrouping T2DM patients based on HbA1c missingness and HbA1c trajectories can inform disease management strategies.

Leveraging Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Registered Nurses in Medication Management to Reduce Therapeutic Inertia

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of studies that used registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) or registered nurses (RNs) to deliver pharmacological therapy using protocols for diabetes, dyslipidemia, or hypertension.

Research Design and Methods

A database search of PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted of literature published from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2019.

Results

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, representing randomized controlled trials (12), retrospective (1) and prospective cohort design studies (6), and time series (1). In all, the studies include 7,280 participants with a median study duration of 12 months (range 6-25 months). Fifteen studies were led by RNs alone, two by RDNs, and three by a combination of RDNs and RNs. All demonstrated improvements in A1C, blood pressure, or lipids. Thirteen studies provided a lifestyle behavior change component in addition to medication protocols.

Conclusion

This systematic review provides evidence that RDN- and RN-led medication management using physician-approved protocols or treatment algorithms can lead to clinically significant improvements in diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension management and is as good or better than usual care.

Predictors of Clinical Inertia and Type 2 Diabetes: Assessment of Primary Care Physicians and Their Patients

With the growing prevalence and complex pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, many patients fail to achieve treatment goals despite guidelines and possibilities for treatment individualization. One of the identified root causes of this failure is clinical inertia. We explored this phenomenon, its possible predictors, and groups of patients affected the most, together with offering potential paths for intervention. Our research was a cross-sectional study conducted during 2021 involving 52 physicians and 543 patients of primary healthcare institutions in Belgrade, Serbia. The research instruments were questionnaires based on similar studies, used to collect information related to the factors that contribute to developing clinical inertia originating in both physicians and patients. In 224 patients (41.3%), clinical inertia was identified in patients with poor overall health condition, long diabetes duration, and comorbidities. Studying the changes made to the treatment, most patients (53%) had their treatment adjustment more than a year ago, with 19.3% of patients changing over the previous six months. Moreover, we found significant inertia in the treatment of patients using modern insulin analogues. Referral to secondary healthcare institutions reduced the emergence of inertia. This assessment of primary care physicians and their patients pointed to the high presence of clinical inertia, with an overall health condition, comorbidities, diabetes duration, current treatment, last treatment change, glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting glucose measuring frequency, BMI, patient referral, diet adjustment, and physician education being significant predictors.

CRS Diabetes: An Effective Model for Improving Family Medicine Resident Knowledge, Competence, and Performance in Diabetes Care

The Chief Residents Summit on Intensifying Diabetes Management, now in its 15th year, has resulted in real-world improvements in patient outcomes and has shown itself to be an effective model for teaching diabetes to family medicine residents. This article describes the program and the evidence supporting its effectiveness.

A Custom Target Next-Generation Sequencing 70-Gene Panel and Replication Study to Identify Genetic Markers of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been pointed out as a prominent cause of chronic and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is a genetic predisposition to DKD, although clinically relevant loci are yet to be identified. We utilized a custom target next-generation sequencing 70-gene panel to screen a discovery cohort of 150 controls, DKD and DKD-ESRD patients. Relevant SNPs for the susceptibility and clinical evolution of DKD were replicated in an independent validation cohort of 824 controls and patients. A network analysis aiming to assess the impact of variability along specific pathways was also conducted. Forty-eight SNPs displayed significantly different frequencies in the study groups. Of these, 28 with p-values lower than 0.01 were selected for replication. MYH9 rs710181 was inversely associated with the risk of DKD (OR = 0.52 (0.28-0.97), p = 0.033), whilst SOWAHB rs13140552 and CNDP1 rs4891564 were not carried by cases or controls, respectively (p = 0.044 and 0.023). In addition, the RGMA rs1969589 CC genotype was significantly correlated with lower albumin-to-creatinine ratios in the DKD patients (711.8 ± 113.0 vs. 1375.9 ± 474.1 mg/g for TC/TT; mean difference = 823.5 (84.46-1563.0); p = 0.030). No biological pathway stood out as more significantly affected by genetic variability. Our findings reveal new variants that could be useful as biomarkers of DKD onset and/or evolution.

Therapeutic inertia in the management of dyslipidaemia and hypertension in incident type 2 diabetes and the resulting risk factor burden: Real-world evidence from primary care

OBJECTIVE

To investigate trends in the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidaemia in incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM), time to antihypertensive (AHT) and lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), and the association with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and lipid control.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database, 254 925 people with incident T2DM and existing dyslipidaemia or hypertension were identified. Among those without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) history and not on AHT or LLT at diagnosis, the adjusted median months to initiating an AHT or an LLT, and the probabilities of high SBP or lipid levels over 2 years in people initiating therapy within or after 1 year were evaluated according to high and low ASCVD risk status.

RESULTS

At diabetes diagnosis, 66% and 66% had dyslipidaemia and hypertension, respectively. During 2005 to 2016, dyslipidaemia prevalence increased by 10% in people aged <60 years, while hypertension prevalence remained stable in all age groups. Among those with high ASCVD risk status in the age groups 18 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 59 years, the median number of months to initiation of therapy were 20.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.3-20.5), 10.9 (95% CI 10.8-11.0), and 9.5 (95% CI 9.4-9.6) in the dyslipidaemia subcohort, and 28.1 (95% CI 28.0-28.2), 19.2 (95% CI 19.1-19.3), and 19.9 (95% CI 19.8-20.0) in the hypertension subcohort. Among people with high and low ASCVD risk status, respectively, compared to early LLT initiators, those who initiated LLT after 1 year had a 65.3% to 85.3% and a 65.0% to 85.3% significantly higher probability of failing lipid control at 2 years of follow-up, while late AHT initiators had a 46.5% to 57.9% and a 40.0% to 58.7% significantly higher probability of failing SBP control.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant delay in initiating cardioprotective therapies was observed, and time to first prescription was similar in the primary prevention setting, irrespective of ASCVD risk status across all T2DM diagnosis age groups, resulting in poor risk factor control at 2 years of follow-up.

Clinical Implications of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Dip Following Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Initiation on Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes

Background The frequency of the initial short-term decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR dip, following initiation of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and its clinical implications in real-world practice are not clear. Methods and Results We built a cohort of 36 638 new users of SGLT2i and 209 025 new users of other antihyperglycemics. Inverse probability weighting was used to estimate the excess rate of eGFR dip, risk of the composite cardiovascular outcome of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, or all-cause mortality, and risk of the composite kidney outcome of eGFR decline >50%, end-stage kidney disease, or all-cause mortality. In the first 6 months of therapy, compared with other antihyperglycemics, excess rates of eGFR dip >10% and eGFR dip >30% were 9.86 (95% CI: 8.83-11.00) and 1.15 (0.70-1.62) per 100 SGLT2i users, respectively. In mediation analyses that accounted for eGFR dipping, SGLT2i use was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes (hazard ratio, 0.92 [0.84-0.99] and 0.78 [0.71-0.87], respectively); the magnitude of the association reduced by eGFR dipping was small for both outcomes. SGLT2i was associated with reduced risk of both outcomes in those with higher than average probability of eGFR dip >10% or 30%. Compared with discontinuation, continued use of SGLT2i at 6 months was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in those with no eGFR dip or eGFR dip ≤10%, in those with eGFR dip >10%, and in those with eGFR dip >30%. Conclusions The salutary association of SGLT2i with cardiovascular and kidney outcomes was maintained regardless of eGFR dipping; concerns about eGFR dipping should not preclude use, and occurrence of eGFR dip after SGLT2i initiation may not warrant discontinuation.