Type 2 diabetes in patients with end-stage kidney disease: influence on cardiovascular disease-related mortality risk

The Prognostic Role of Serum β-Trace Protein Levels among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the most commonly encountered etiology of mortality in patients having kidney failure. β-Trace protein (BTP) is a biomarker of glomerular filtration function as well as a potential predictor of adverse CV outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of BTP in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). A total of 96 patients undergoing HD were enrolled. Baseline variables were collected, and the patients were tracked for 3 years. Twenty-five patients died at 3 years. Those who experienced mortality were noted to have higher serum concentrations of BTP and a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for serum BTP distinguishing mortality from survival was 0.659 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.555-0.752; p = 0.027). After the adjustment of variables potentially affecting survival rates, BTP levels above the median (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.913, 95% CI, 1.256-6.754; p = 0.013), the presence of DM (aHR: 2.474, 95% CI, 1.041-5.875; p = 0.040), and low serum albumin (aHR: 0.298, 95% CI, 0.110-0.806; p = 0.017) independently correlated with survival in HD patients. Serum BTP is a novel biomarker for predicting overall outcomes in HD patients.

Association between diabetic status and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality on dialysis following first kidney allograft loss

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a greater risk of mortality in kidney transplant patients, primarily driven by a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. However, the associations between diabetes status at time of first allograft loss and mortality on dialysis remain unknown.

Methods

All patients with failed first kidney allografts transplanted in Australia and New Zealand between 2000 and 2020 were included. The associations between diabetes status at first allograft loss, all-cause and cause-specific mortality were examined using competing risk analyses, separating patients with diabetes into those with pre-transplant DM or post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM).

Results

Of 3782 patients with a median (IQR) follow-up duration of 2.7 (1.1-5.4) years, 539 (14%) and 390 (10%) patients had pre-transplant DM or developed PTDM, respectively. In the follow-up period, 1336 (35%) patients died, with 424 (32%), 264 (20%) and 199 (15%) deaths attributed to CVD, dialysis withdrawal and infection, respectively. Compared to patients without DM, the adjusted subdistribution HRs (95% CI) for pre-transplant DM and PTDM for all-cause mortality on dialysis were 1.47 (1.17-1.84) and 1.47 (1.23-1.76), respectively; for CVD-related mortality were 0.81 (0.51-1.29) and 1.02 (0.70-1.47), respectively; for infection-related mortality were 1.84 (1.02-3.35) and 2.70 (1.73-4.20), respectively; and for dialysis withdrawal-related mortality were 1.71 (1.05-2.77) and 1.51 (1.02-2.22), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes at the time of kidney allograft loss have a significant survival disadvantage, with the excess mortality risk attributed to infection and dialysis withdrawal.

Trends in mortality and comorbidities in hemodialysis patients between 2012 and 2017 in an East-European Country: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evidence trends and changes in mortality, comorbid conditions, prognosis, and causes of death after 5 years of continuous evolution of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Romania.

METHODS

We included two cohorts of stable HD patients (901 from 2012 and 1396 from 2017). Both cohorts were followed up for 1 year. The 5-year survivors of the 2012 cohort were identified in 2017 and their data changes were assessed.

RESULTS

The 2017 patients were older, with longer time on dialysis, higher serum creatinine and urea levels, and required higher ultrafiltration volume per dialysis. They also had lower hemoglobin, lower C-reactive protein, higher albumin, higher calcium bicarbonate, and higher parathyroidectomy prevalence. The 2017 cohort presented with lower average dialysis flow, less administration of iron sucrose, had more catheters, lower hepatitis C prevalence, higher diabetes mellitus prevalence, higher heart valve calcifications, higher heart rate disorders, higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, and lower ejection fraction. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death in both years (50% in 2012 and 45.6% in 2017), followed by sepsis and cancer. The mortality was higher in 2017 compared to 2012 (14.1 vs 6.6%). The 5-year mortality was 37.2% with an average of 7.44%/year. The risk of death increased with age, higher C-reactive protein, higher phosphate, lower hemoglobin, and lower albumin.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular disease remains the main causes of death in HD-treated patients but with decreasing trend. Developing regional therapeutic strategies for quality care with early intervention will most likely improve mortality.

Epidemiological analysis of death among patients on maintenance hemodialysis: results from the beijing blood purification quality Control and Improvement Center

BACKGROUND

China has the largest number of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) worldwide. Despite continuous improvements in hemodialysis techniques, patients on MHD have a higher mortality rate than the general population. Understanding the characteristics of death in this population can better promote clinical practice, thereby improving patients' survival.

METHODS

We collected demographic and clinical data for patients on MHD registered in the Beijing Blood Purification Quality Control and Improvement Center database from 2014 to 2020. The annual mortality rate was calculatedand the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis vintage, and cause of death among deceased patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

(1) 24,363 patients on MHD were included, of which 6,065 patients died from 2014 to 2020. The annual mortality rate fluctuated between 7.4% and 8.0%. The median age of death was 70.0 (60.8-79.0) years and the male to female ratio was 1.27:1 (2). The top three primary causes of ESRD in deceased patients were chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and hypertensive nephropathy (HN). Comparison of the annual mortality rate showed DN > HN > CGN (3). The median dialysis vintage of deceased patients was 3.7 (1.8-6.9) years, which slowly increased annually. Patients with diabetes had a shorter dialysis vintage than patients without diabetes (3.4 vs. 4.1 years, Z = 8.3, P < 0.001) (4). The major causes of death were cardiovascular disease (20.2%), sudden death (18.1%), infection (17.9%), and cerebrovascular disease (12.6%). Proportions of death from cardiovascular disease, infection, and sudden death were higher in patients with diabetes (22.2%, 20.2%, and 20.0%) than patients without diabetes (18.4%, 15.8%, and 16.3%). Sudden death was the leading cause of death in young (18-44 years; 27.0%) and middle aged (45-64 years; 20.8%) patients, whereas infection was the leading cause of death in patients aged ≥ 75 years (24.5%).

CONCLUSION

The annual mortality rate of patients on MHD in Beijing was relatively stable from 2014 to 2020. Sudden death was more likely to occur in young and middle-aged patients, and more patients aged ≥ 75 years died from infections.

Comprehensive review of current management guidelines of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent and progressive condition affecting millions worldwide. It is a long-term condition characterized by gradual loss of kidney function over time. The management of CKD is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. This review aims to outline the current management guidelines for CKD. The study included a comprehensive search of various PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for articles published between 2010 and 2023. The search terms used were "chronic kidney disease," "management," and "guidelines." The inclusion criteria were articles that provided management guidelines for patients with CKD. A total of 23 articles were included in the review. Most articles were based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines, the most widely recognized and used guidelines for managing CKD. The study found that the guidelines emphasize the importance of early detection and management of CKD and the need for an approach that involves multiple disciplines in its management. The guidelines recommend several interventions to slow the progression of CKD, including blood pressure control, glycemic control in diabetic patients, and reduce proteinuria. Other interventions include lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes, physical activity, and smoking cessation. The guidelines also recommend regular monitoring of kidney function and referral to a nephrologist for patients with advanced CKD or other complications. Overall, the current management guidelines for CKD emphasize the importance of early detection and a multidisciplinary approach to its management.

Use of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) as a novel prognostic marker for patients on peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), a novel inflammation maker, has proven to be associated with prognostic outcomes in various diseases. However, few studies have been conducted assessing how SIRI may influence outcomes of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Herein, we assessed the predictive value of SIRI on mortality all-cause mortality, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) in PD patients.

METHODS

A total of 646 PD patients were enrolled in this study. PD patients received regular PD treatments at the Zhujiang Hospital from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2018. SIRI values could be computed as follows: neutrophil count × monocyte count/lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median level of SIRI. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier methods were applied to analyze the relationship between SIRI and mortality outcomes in PD patients.

RESULTS

During the median 31-month follow-up period, 97 (15.0%) PD patients died from all-causes, and 47 (49.0%) died of CVD. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that a high SIRI corresponded to the high mortality of all-cause deaths, including CVD (both p < 0.001) in patients on PD. After adjusting for potential confounders, the higher SIRI level was significantly associated with an increased all-cause mortality (HR: 2.007, 95% CI: 1.304-3.088, p = 0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.847, 95% CI: 1.445-5.608, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

SIRI was a promising predictor of mortality in PD patients, with a higher SIRI corresponding to increased risk of mortality.

Impact of parathyroidectomy among nondiabetic hemodialysis patients with severe hyperparathyroidism

Background

Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is a treatment for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and has uncertain risks and benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PTX versus nonoperative treatment among nondiabetic hemodialysis patients.

Methods

A retrospective matched cohort study was performed. Each PTX patient was matched with one patient who had severe HPT but rejected PTX. The patients were matched by sex, birth date, date of first dialysis, nondiabetic status, and left ventricular ejection fraction. The serum markers, survival, main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rates, and hospitalization were compared between the PTX patients and matched non-PTX patients.

Results

There were 1143 patients at our center in the Chinese National Renal Data System (CNRDS) between 2010 and 2020. Of these, 75 PTX patients were matched with 75 non-PTX patients. Rapid decreases in the mean intact parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphorus concentrations, and a gradual increase in hemoglobin concentration were observed in the PTX group. The mortality was 2.9 per 100 patient-years in the PTX group and 10.9 per 100 patient-years in the non-PTX group (p < 0.001). Compared with non-PTX patients, PTX patients had an adjusted HR for death of 0.236 (95% CI 0.108–0.518). The cumulative MACCE rates were 6.7 per 100 patient-years in the PTX group and 15.2 per 100 patient-years in the non-PTX group (p < 0.001). The adjusted HR of the occurrence of first MACCE for PTX patients compared with non-PTX patients was 0.524 (95% CI 0.279-0.982). The cumulative hospitalization rates were 50.3 per 100 patient-years in the PTX group and 66.5 per 100 patient-years in the matched non-PTX group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with non-PTX patients, PTX was associated with an improvement in the biochemical measures and patient-level outcomes in nondiabetic hemodialysis patients with severe HPT.

Resistant Starch as a Dietary Intervention to Limit the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and as the number of individuals with diabetes increases there is a concomitant increase in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Diabetes contributes to the development of DKD through a number of pathways, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and the gut-kidney axis, which may be amenable to dietary therapy. Resistant starch (RS) is a dietary fibre that alters the gut microbial consortium, leading to an increase in the microbial production of short chain fatty acids. Evidence from animal and human studies indicate that short chain fatty acids are able to attenuate inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, which may mitigate the progression of DKD. In this review, we evaluate and summarise the evidence from both preclinical models of DKD and clinical trials that have utilised RS as a dietary therapy to limit the progression of DKD.

Diabetes Prevalence, Treatment, Control, and Outcomes Among Hemodialysis Patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We provide the first description of DM prevalence, related outcomes, and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)/mortality relationship in national hemodialysis (HD) patient samples across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the prospective Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) in the GCC (2012-2018, N = 2274 HD patients ≥18 years old). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and all-cause mortality was analyzed for patients with DM versus without DM and by HbA1c levels in patients with DM by Cox regression with progressive confounder adjustments.

RESULTS

DM in the GCC ranged from 45% to 74% in patients with HD by country. Patients with DM were 13 years older (59.9 vs. 46.7 years) and had greater body mass index (BMI), shorter median years on dialysis (1.5 vs. 3.0 years), and higher comorbidity burden. In patients with DM, insulin use was 26% to 50% across countries, with variable oral antidiabetic drug use (2%-32%); median HbA1c levels were 6.1% to 7.5% across countries. Patients with DM (vs. without DM) had higher crude death rates (15.6 vs. 6.2 deaths per 100 patient-years, mean follow-up 1.3 years) and adjusted mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.72 [95% CI 1.23-2.39]). In patients with DM, mortality was lowest at HbA1c 6.5% to 7.5%, with mortality particularly elevated at high HbA1c >9% (HR = 2.13 [95% CI 1.10-4.10]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with DM in the GCC have high comorbidity burden and mortality rates despite a relatively young mean age. In GCC countries, a holistic strategy for improving diabetes care and outcomes for HD patients is needed at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

Global Epidemiology, Health Outcomes, and Treatment Options for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney Failure

The burden of type 2 diabetes and related complications has steadily increased over the last few decades and is one of the foremost global public health threats in the 21st century. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure and is an important contributor to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. In addition, up to one in three patients who have received kidney transplants develop post-transplant diabetes, but the management of this common complication continues to pose a significant challenge for clinicians. In this review, we will describe the global prevalence and temporal trend of kidney failure attributed to diabetes mellitus in both developing and developed countries. We will examine the survival differences between treated kidney failure patients with and without type 2 diabetes, focusing on the survival differences in those on maintenance dialysis or have received kidney transplants. With the increased availability of novel hypoglycemic agents, we will address the potential impacts of these novel agents in patients with diabetes and kidney failure and in those who have developed post-transplant diabetes.

Self-efficacy remains a vital factor in reducing the risk of dialysis in type 2 diabetes care

Studies have provided promising outcomes of the pay-for-performance (P4P) program or with good continuity of care levels in diabetes control.We investigate the different exposures in continuity of care (COC) with their providers and those who participate in the P4P program and its effects on the risk of diabetes diabetic nephropathy in the future.We obtained COC and P4P information from the annual database, to which we applied a hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) in 3 levels adjusted to account for other covariates as well as the effects of hospital clustering and accumulating time.Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in 2003At the individual level, those with a higher Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI) score have a higher likelihood of diabetic nephropathy than those with a lower DCSI (OR, 1.46), whereas contrasting results were obtained for the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (odds ratio[OR], 0.88). Patients who visited family physicians, endocrinologists, and gastroenterologists showed a lower likelihood of diabetic nephropathy (OR, 0.664, 0.683, and 0.641, respectively), whereas those who continued to visit neurologists showed an increased risk of diabetic nephropathy by 4 folds. At the hospital level, patients with diabetes visiting primary care clinics had a lower risk of diabetic nephropathy with an OR of 0.584 than those visiting hospitals of other higher levels. Regarding the repeat time level, the patients who had a higher COC score and participated in the P4P program had a reduced diabetic nephropathy risk with an OR of 0.339 and 0.775, respectively.Diabetes control necessitates long-term care involving the patients' healthcare providers for the management of their conditions to reduce the risk of diabetic nephropathy. Indeed, most contributing factors are related to patients, but we cannot eliminate the optimal outcomes related to good relationships with healthcare providers and participation in the P4P program.

Synergy between the pay-for-performance scheme and better physician-patient relationship might reduce the risk of retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

This study investigated whether participation by patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan's pay-for-performance (P4P) program and maintaining good continuity of care (COC) with their healthcare provider reduced the likelihood of future complications, such as retinopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis used longitudinal panel data for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes from the National Health Insurance claims database in Taiwan. COC was measured annually from 2003 to 2013, and was used to allocate the patients to low, medium and high groups. Cox regression analysis was used with time-dependent (time-varying) covariates in a reduced model (with only P4P or COC), and the full model was adjusted with other covariates.

RESULTS

Despite the same significant effects of treatment at primary care, the Diabetes Complications Severity Index scores were significantly associated with the development of retinopathy. After adjusting for these, the hazard ratios for developing retinopathy among P4P participants in the low, medium and high COC groups were 0.594 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.398-0.898, P = 0.012), 0.676 (95% CI 0.520-0.867, P = 0.0026) and 0.802 (95% CI 0.603-1.030, P = 0.1062), respectively. Thus, patients with low or median COC who participated in the P4P program had a significantly lower risk of retinopathy than those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes care requires a long-term relationship between patients and their care providers. Besides encouraging patients to participate in P4P programs, health authorities should provide more incentives for providers or patients to regularly survey patients' lipid profiles and glucose levels, and reward the better interpersonal relationship to prevent retinopathy.

Impact of Pretransplant and New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation on the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Kidney Transplant Recipients: a Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Pretransplant diabetes and new onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT) are known risk factors for vascular events after kidney transplantation but the incidence and magnitude of the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiac deaths remains uncertain in recent era.

METHODS

A population cohort study of kidney transplant recipients identified using data from linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada. The incidence rates of MACE (expressed as events with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) per 1000-person-years were reported according to diabetes status of pretransplant diabetes, NODAT or no diabetes. Extended Cox regression model was used to examine the association between diabetes status, MACE and cardiac death.

RESULTS

Of 5248 recipients, 1973 (38%) had pretransplant diabetes and 799 (15%) developed NODAT with a median follow-up of 5.5 years. The incidence rates (95%CI) of MACE for recipients with pretransplant diabetes, NODAT and no diabetes between 1-3 years posttransplant were 38.1 (32.1-45.3), 12.6 (6.3-25.2) and 11.8 (9.2-15.0) per 1000-person-years, respectively. Compared to recipients with pretransplant diabetes, recipients with NODAT experienced a lower risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]0.59, 95%CI 0.47-0.74]), but not cardiac death [0.97(0.61-1.55)]. The rate of MACE and cardiac death was lowest in patients without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pretransplant diabetes incur the greatest rate of MACE and cardiac deaths after transplantation. Having NODAT also bear high burden of vascular events compared to those without diabetes, but the magnitude of the increased rate remains lower than recipients with pretransplant diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease-related mortality risk in end stage renal disease and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

Background

Patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can have microvascular and macrovascular complications, including renal impairment and cardiovascular diseases. However, it is unknown how diabetes and renal disease could influence cardiovascular mortality.

Objective

This study aims at examining the medical literature to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular death in concomitant end stage renal disease with type 2 diabetes.

Method

Medical literature was reviewed through Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Ovid database in the duration between 2009 and 2019. Searching terms included were a combination of "type 2 diabetes mellitus" AND "end-stage renal disease" AND "cardiovascular mortality". Following this, results were filtered to include only original research articles investigating cardiovascular mortality in concomitant diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Selected trials mentioned diabetes control as well as the follow-up duration of the included patients.

Result

A total of 1508 articles were retrieved. Following the exclusion of articles on animals and including only trials on humans, 32 articles appeared. A total of eight articles were identified as eligible, covering a total of 2,06,492 diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease. All the studies were prospective studies, except for three studies that were retrospective.

Conclusion

There is an elevated cardiovascular mortality risk in concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease, especially with uncontrolled blood glucose levels.

Worldwide inertia to the use of cardiorenal protective glucose-lowering drugs (SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA) in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes

The disclosure of proven cardiorenal benefits with certain antidiabetic agents was supposed to herald a new era in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially for the many patients with T2D who are at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. However, as the evidence in favour of various sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) accumulates, prescriptions of these agents continue to stagnate, even among eligible, at-risk patients. By contrast, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) DPP-4i remain more widely used than SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in these patients, despite a similar cost to SGLT2i and a large body of evidence showing no clear benefit on cardiorenal outcomes. We are a group of diabetologists united by a shared concern that clinical inertia is preventing these patients from receiving life-saving treatments, as well as placing them at greater risk of hospitalisation for heart failure and progression of renal disease. We propose a manifesto for change, in order to increase uptake of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in appropriate patients as a matter of urgency, especially those who could be readily switched from an agent without proven cardiorenal benefit. Central to our manifesto is a shift from linear treatment algorithms based on HbA1c target setting to parallel, independent considerations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure and renal risks, in accordance with newly updated guidelines. Finally, we call upon all colleagues to play their part in implementing our manifesto at a local level, ensuring that patients do not pay a heavy price for continued clinical inertia in T2D.

Effect of adding vildagliptin to insulin in haemodialysed patients with type 2 diabetes: The VILDDIAL study, a randomized, multicentre, prospective study

AIM

To evaluate the effect of adding the dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor vildagliptin to insulin on the glycaemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing haemodialysis.

METHODS

Overall, 65 insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing haemodialysis (HbA1c: 7.3% ± 1.1%; age: 70.5 ± 8.5 years) were randomized (1:1) either to receive vildagliptin 50 mg/day in addition to insulin (vildagliptin-insulin group) or to pursue their usual insulin regimen (insulin-only group). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed for 48 ± 6 hours at baseline and at week 12. The primary study endpoint was change from baseline in mean interstitial glucose using CGM. The secondary endpoints included other CGM variables and glucose control markers.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, a greater reduction in mean CGM glucose from baseline was observed in the vildagliptin-insulin group compared with the insulin-only group, although the between-treatment difference was not statistically significant (mean difference [CI 95%]: -0.96 mmol/L [-2.09; 0.18] vs. -0.29 mmol/L [-1.29; 0.76], P = 0.32). However, a significant decrease from baseline in HbA1c, glycated albumin and insulin daily doses was observed in the vildagliptin-insulin group versus the insulin-only group (-0.6% [-1.19; -0.1], P < 0.01), in the vildagliptin-insulin group versus no change in the insulin-only group (-130.6 μmol/L [-271; 10.7] vs. +36.2 μmol/L [-164.4; 236.9], P = 0.04 and - 5.9 IU/day [-1.8; 7.1] vs. +1.1 IU/day [-14.5; 16.6], P = 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in the percentage of time spent in hypoglycaemia using CGM, occurrence of severe hypoglycaemia or number of adverse events.

CONCLUSION

In this study, vildagliptin added to insulin improved glycaemic control with an associated insulin-sparing effect in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing haemodialysis and was well tolerated.

Associations between diabetes and sex with peritoneal dialysis technique and patient survival: Results from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry cohort study

BACKGROUND

A differential association between mortality and cause of end-stage kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been shown. Sex-specific differences in diabetes-related complications have been described. It is unclear whether sex affects the associations between diabetes and peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique and patient survival.

METHODS

Using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, we examined a two-way interaction between sex and diabetes status (no diabetes, T2DM and non-diabetic nephropathy [T2DM + non-DN] and T2DM and diabetic nephropathy [T2DM + DN]) for PD technique failure (including death), all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in incident adult PD patients between 1996 and 2016 using adjusted Cox regression. Mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether peritonitis was a mediator in these associations.

RESULTS

In 8279 PD patients, those with T2DM + DN had the greatest risks in technique failure, all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality followed by patients with T2DM + non-DN, then patients without diabetes. Sex modified the association with diabetes status in technique failure (p _interaction = 0.001) and cardiac mortality (p _interaction = 0.008). In women with T2DM + DN, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for technique failure was 1.45 (1.30-1.62) and was higher than men with T2DM + DN (1.17 [1.08-1.28]; referent: no diabetes). In women with T2DM + DN, the adjusted HR for cardiac mortality was 2.12 (1.73-2.61) and was also higher than men with T2DM + DN (1.66 [1.43-1.95]). Less than 10 % of the effect between diabetes and PD technique failure or mortality was mediated by peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

PD patients with diabetic nephropathy had increased risk of PD technique failure and mortality, with the magnitude of these risks greater in women.

Relationship between serum bilirubin levels and mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Background: Studies have shown that the serum total bilirubin (TBil) is associated with the mortality of the general population and of hemodialysis patients. However, few studies have examined the associations of the direct bilirubin (DBil) and indirect bilirubin (IBil) with the mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from 740 PD patients. The primary endpoint was 5-year all-cause mortality. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test. The mortality hazard ratio was evaluated using Cox regression models.

Results: Among the 740 PD patients, the mean age was 49.9 ± 15.0 years, 54.9% were men, and 20.3% had diabetes. During the median follow-up period of 28 months (interquartile range, 14–41 months), 178 patients died. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was higher in the patients in the higher TBil group than in the lower TBil group (25.6% vs. 18.3%, p = .017) and in patients in the higher IBil group than in the lower IBil group (24.3% vs. 19%, p = .026). Multivariate analysis showed that compared with the lower TBil group, the 5-year mortality risk was higher in the higher TBil group (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.11–2.56, p = .014). Similarly, there was a 56% higher risk of 5-year mortality in the higher IBil group than in the lower IBil group (HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04–2.34, p = .032). However, no such associations were observed between the DBil and the mortality risk.

Conclusions: The baseline serum TBil and IBil levels were significantly associated with 5-year all-cause mortality among PD patients.

Is the use of metformin in patients undergoing dialysis hazardous for life? A systematic review of the safety of metformin in patients undergoing dialysis

AIMS

Metformin may have clinical benefits in dialysis patients; however, its safety in this population is unknown. This systematic review evaluated the safety of metformin in dialysis patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials and observational studies evaluating metformin use in dialysis patients. Three authors reviewed the studies and extracted data. The primary outcomes were mortality, occurrence of lactic acidosis and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients taking metformin during dialysis treatment for ≥12 months (long term). Risk of bias was assessed using Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-1). Overall quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

Fifteen observational studies were eligible; 7 were prospective observational studies and 8 were case reports/case series. No randomised controlled trials were identified. The 7 prospective observational studies (n = 194) reported on cautious metformin use in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Only 3 provided long-term follow-up data. In 2 long-term studies of metformin therapy (≤1000 mg/d) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), 1 reported 6 deaths (6/83; 7%) due to major cardiovascular events (3 MI) and the other reported no deaths (0/35). One long-term study of metformin therapy (250 mg to 500 mg thrice weekly) in patients undergoing haemodialysis reported 4 deaths (4/61; 7%) due to major cardiovascular events (2 MI). These findings provide very low-quality evidence as they come from small observational studies.

CONCLUSION

The evidence regarding the safety of metformin in people undergoing dialysis is inconclusive. Appropriately designed randomised controlled trials are needed to resolve this uncertainty.

The importance of dyslipidaemia in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular events are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in those with diabetes. A key contributor to the development of atherosclerosis in this population is the presence of a particularly atherogenic lipid profile often referred to as 'Diabetic Dyslipidemia'. This profile is characterized by elevated triglycerides, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, small dense LDL particles, and reduced HDL levels. This article reviews the underlying aetiology and pathophysiology of this dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis in those with diabetes, provides insights from epidemiological and genetic studies, and current cardiovascular risk reducing interventions including novel therapies such as PCSK-9 inhibitors.