Diabetes in all hospitalized cases in Germany 2015-2019 and impact of the first COVID-19 year 2020

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the proportion of diabetes among all hospitalized cases in Germany between 2015 and 2020.

METHODS

Using the nationwide Diagnosis-Related-Groups statistics, we identified among all inpatient cases aged ≥ 20 years all types of diabetes in the main or secondary diagnoses based on ICD-10 codes, as well all COVID-19 diagnoses for 2020.

RESULTS

From 2015 to 2019, the proportion of cases with diabetes among all hospitalizations increased from 18.3% (3.01 of 16.45 million) to 18.5% (3.07 of 16.64 million). Although the total number of hospitalizations decreased in 2020, the proportion of cases with diabetes increased to 18.8% (2.73 of 14.50 million). The proportion of COVID-19 diagnosis was higher in cases with diabetes than in those without in all sex and age subgroups. The relative risk (RR) for a COVID-19 diagnosis in cases with vs without diabetes was highest in age group 40-49 years (RR in females: 1.51; in males: 1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of diabetes in the hospital is twice as high as the prevalence in the general population and has increased further with the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the increased morbidity in this high-risk patient group. This study provides essential information that should help to better estimate the need for diabetological expertise in inpatient care settings.

Association of wound genesis on varying aspects of health-related quality of life in patients with different types of chronic wounds: Results of a cross-sectional multicentre study

Patients with chronic wounds are significantly impaired in their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The validated Wound‐QoL questionnaire allows assessing the impact of chronic wounds on different aspects of HRQoL including physical, psychological, and everyday life‐related impairments. The aim of our study was to investigate associations of these HRQoL dimensions with age, sex, and particularly wound genesis. In this retrospective, cross‐sectional, multicentre study, Wound‐QoL questionnaires from clinical routine of patients with venous leg ulcers, arterial leg ulcers, mixed leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) were evaluated. Effects of wound genesis, sex, and age were assessed with analysis of variance as well as correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The completed questionnaires of 381 patients (f = 152/m = 229; mean age 68.9) were included. The wound genesis groups showed significantly different distributions of age and sex. We also found significant differences between those groups in everyday life‐related QoL, with the greatest impairments in patients with DFU. Physical QoL scores showed significant differences between men and women depending on diagnosis group: in patients with venous leg ulcers, women had greater impairment of physical QoL than men. Independent of the underlying diagnosis, women had significantly higher scores in the psychological subscale as well as in the Wound‐QoL sum scale. Within the subgroup of arterial leg ulcer patients, overall HRQoL sum score was significantly worse in older patients. Regression analyses supported negative effects of DFU diagnosis and female sex on HRQoL. Our data offer evidence that HRQoL shows clinically relevant differences between patients with chronic wounds of different genesis. Moreover, our data revealed that HRQoL is associated with age and sex, which should be considered when treating the patient groups. In order to be able to capture these important aspects and to offer individualised and patient‐oriented treatments, the Wound‐QoL should be implemented as a quick and uncomplicated standard instrument in daily routine. Patients with chronic wounds are significantly impaired in their health‐related quality of life. Validated Wound‐QoL questionnaire is a quick and easy‐to‐use instrument for daily practice. Wound‐related quality of life shows clinically relevant differences between patients with chronic wounds of different genesis. Wound‐related quality of life is associated with age and sex, which should be considered when treating these patient groups. Health‐related quality of life should be regularly objectified in all patients with chronic wounds with a validated measuring instrument.

Charakteristika von Diabetespatienten mit und ohne Pflegebedürftigkeit

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden multizentrischen Auswertung mit 6.424 Pflegepatienten unter 500.973 Menschen mit Diabetes aus dem DPV-Register wird die Erkrankungssituation der Pflegebedürftigen im Vergleich zu Patienten ohne Pflegebedürftigkeit, differenziert nach Altersgruppen und Diabetestyp, dargestellt.

15 % der Pflegebedürftigen haben einen Typ-1-Diabetes, darunter fallen 99,0 % der Kinder, 9,5 % der 18- bis 75-Jährigen und 2,4 % der über 75-Jährigen. Pflegebedürftigkeit ist bei Erwachsenen und Senioren insbesondere mit den Krankheitsbildern Demenz, Depression, Herzinsuffizienz, Durchblutungsstörungen der Hirngefäße/Schlaganfall sowie mit dem diabetischen Fußsyndrom/Amputationen assoziiert. In der diabetologischen Therapie des Typ-2-DM wird bei 77 % der Pflegebedürftigen und damit deutlich häufiger als in der Vergleichsgruppe mit 55 % Insulin eingesetzt. Trotz höherer HbA1c-Werte und höherer Nüchternglukose als bei Typ-2-Patienten ohne Pflege treten unter Pflegebedürftigen gleichzeitig signifikant häufiger Hypoglykämien mit und ohne Koma auf. Stoffwechselbedingte Entgleisungen führten bei 15 % der Pflegepatienten mit Typ-2-DM gegenüber nur 6 % der Menschen mit Typ-2-DM ohne Pflegebedarf zu Klinikaufnahmen.

Im Rahmen der Versorgung sollte verstärkt auf die Vermeidung von Stoffwechselentgleisungen geachtet und präventiv auf einen späteren Eintritt der assoziierten Krankheitsbilder hingewirkt werden. Die Versorgungsstrukturen sollten regional auf die Begleitung der Betroffenen spezialisiert werden. In der Aus- und Weiterbildung von Pflegepersonal und Ärzten sollten die Besonderheiten von jungen und alten Menschen mit Typ-1- und Typ-2-Diabetes stärker beachtet werden.

[Charcot foot masked by erysipelas and peripheral arterial disease]

Charcot foot is also known as Charcot disease or Charcot arthropathy. The associated aseptic destruction of the bones and joints of the foot results due to peripheral neuropathy accompanied by impaired pain perception, impaired vasomotricity with increased vasodilation, and an unequal weight distribution. Because it is frequently diagnosed late and, thus, incorrectly treated, serious complications often result. An 86-year-old man in poor health was diagnosed with erysipelas of the right foot. The foot was glossy and edematously swollen, showing necrosis of the distal phalanx of the third toe. The patient experienced pain after a walking distance of approximately 20 m. In addition to erysipelas, confirmed neuropathic arthropathy and radiological indicators for Charcot foot established peripheral artery disease (PAD) as a third diagnosis. Despite multiple systemic antibiotic therapies, there was a progressive disease pattern marked by increasing inflammation parameters with an increasing decline of the patient's overall health. The patient suffered severe deterioration in spite of vascular surgical measures, ultimately leading to his death. In the present case, the indicators and respective confirmation of the three overlapping diagnoses erysipelas, Charcot foot and PAD are elaborated.

Psoriasis and Diabetes: A Multicenter Study in 222078 Type 2 Diabetes Patients Reveals High Levels of Depression

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between psoriasis and disease outcome in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

222078 T2D patients (≥10 years old) from the prospective, multicenter diabetes patient registry were analyzed. Specific search items were used to identify psoriasis patients. Multiple regression models were fitted and adjusted for demographic confounder.

RESULTS

232 T2D patients had comorbid psoriasis. After adjusting psoriasis patients revealed a higher BMI (31.8 [31.0; 32.6] versus 30.6 [30.5; 30.6] kg/m2, p = 0.004) and HbA1c (64.8 [62.1; 67.6] versus 59.0 [58.9; 59.1] mmol/mol, p < 0.0001). Insulin was used more frequently (62.3 [55.7; 68.5] versus 50.9 [50.7; 51.1] %, p = 0.001), only OAD/GLP-1 was similar, and nonpharmacological treatment was less common (13.3 [9.5; 18.3] versus 21.9 [21.7; 22.1] %, p = 0.002). Severe hypoglycemia (0.31 [0.238; 0.399] versus 0.06 [0.057; 0.060] events per patient-year, p < 0.0001), hypertension (86.1 [81.1; 90.0] versus 68.0 [67.8; 68.2] %, p < 0.0001), and thyroid disease (14.0 [10.1; 19.2] versus 4.6 [4.5; 4.7] %, p < 0.0001) were more prevalent. Depression occurred more often (10.5 [7.1; 15.2] versus 2.8 [2.7; 2.8] %, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical diabetes characteristics in psoriasis T2D patients were clearly worse compared to patients without psoriasis. Comorbid conditions and depression were more prevalent, and more intensive diabetes therapy was required.

[Innovative wound care--new studies to increase evidence]

BACKGROUND

Today numerous products for wound care are available. A research-based evidence on which the clinician can base its selection, is still missing. In the guidelines randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been left out.

METHOD

In the overview three current RCT with products for the treatment of chronically venous ulcers will be presented.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The pre-mentioned studies show, that it is possible to provide a basis for evidence-based treatment in wound healing. The effective value ofa wound treatment based on the costs and benefits must be defined by the health system. But products, for which data from randomized trials exist, should be evaluated in a different way to products, for which there are no such data.

Classification of wounds at risk and their antimicrobial treatment with polihexanide: a practice-oriented expert recommendation

Currently, there are no generally accepted definitions for wounds at risk of infection. In clinical practice, too many chronic wounds are regarded as being at risk of infection, and therefore many topical antimicrobials - in terms of frequency and duration of use - are applied to wounds. Based on expert discussion and current knowledge, a clinical assessment score was developed. The objective of this wounds at risk (W.A.R.) score is to allow decision-making on the indication for the use of antiseptics on the basis of polihexanide. The proposed clinical classification of W.A.R. shall facilitate the decision for wound antisepsis and allow an appropriate general treatment regimen with the focus on the prevention of wound infection. The W.A.R. score is based on a clinically oriented risk assessment using concrete patient circumstances. The indication for the use of antiseptics results from the addition of differently weighted risk causes, for which points are assigned. Antimicrobial treatment is justified in the case of 3 or more points.

[The diabetic foot syndrome - an interdisciplinary challenge]

Therapy and diagnosis of the diabetic foot syndrome are almost standardized, all procedures are well established. There are no challenges in technical dimensions. But the rate of major amputations remains unacceptably high in Germany. Because there are other causes than lack of medical knowledge, this review describes the somatologic, psychiatric, and philosophic perspectives of the problem.

Das diabetische Fußsyndrom

Das diabetische Fußsyndrom bietet keine Herausforderung in technischer oder medizinischer Hinsicht, wohl aber enorme, bisher nicht überwundene organisatorische Schwierigkeiten der interdisziplinären Kooperation. Die unverändert hohe Zahl von Majoramputationen beim diabetischen Fuß- Syndrom bleibt ein ungelöstes Problem im deutschen Gesundheitswesen. Der Artikel beleuchtet die Ursachen unter somatologischen, psychiatrischen und philosophischen Aspekten.

Detection and imaging of atmospheric radio flashes from cosmic ray air showers

The nature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) at energies >10(20) eV remains a mystery. They are likely to be of extragalactic origin, but should be absorbed within approximately 50 Mpc through interactions with the cosmic microwave background. As there are no sufficiently powerful accelerators within this distance from the Galaxy, explanations for UHECRs range from unusual astrophysical sources to exotic string physics. Also unclear is whether UHECRs consist of protons, heavy nuclei, neutrinos or gamma-rays. To resolve these questions, larger detectors with higher duty cycles and which combine multiple detection techniques are needed. Radio emission from UHECRs, on the other hand, is unaffected by attenuation, has a high duty cycle, gives calorimetric measurements and provides high directional accuracy. Here we report the detection of radio flashes from cosmic-ray air showers using low-cost digital radio receivers. We show that the radiation can be understood in terms of the geosynchrotron effect. Our results show that it should be possible to determine the nature and composition of UHECRs with combined radio and particle detectors, and to detect the ultrahigh-energy neutrinos expected from flavour mixing.

Insulin Pump Therapy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Results of the Nationwide Quality Circle in Germany (ASD) 1999 - 2000

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Only a few specialised centres in Germany initiated insulin pump therapy before 1990. Initiation of pump therapy involves the participation in a structured treatment and teaching programme (TTP). During the last decade insulin pump therapy has been widely used. The impact of this decentralisation on the quality of care is still unknown. The aim of this trial was both to evaluate the outcome of insulin pump therapy outside specialised centres and to identify features that might be associated with persistently increased HbA1 c levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

250 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (age 36.0 +/- 13.1 years; diabetes duration 16.1 +/- 9.9 years), who were on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy during 1999 - 2000, were individually included in the study. Second examination was performed one year after participation in the in-patient TTP for insulin pump therapy. Patients were recruited from 21 member institutions of the Working Group for Structured Diabetes Therapy of the German Diabetes Association. Further details were sought by questionnaire on those patients with persistently increased HbA1c (> 1.7 fold of mean normal range.)

RESULTS

One year after participation in the TTP for CSII relative HbA1c (original value/mean normal of the local method [Müller et al., 1999]) decreased from 1.51 (0.9 - 3.2) to 1.44 (0.9 - 3.6) (p < 0.0001), severe hypoglycaemia from 0.46 to 0.12/patient/year (p < 0.001), severe ketoacidosis from 0.08 to 0.05/patients/year (p = 0.003) and hospitalisation from 5.2 to 3.1 days/patient/year (p = 0.002). In 43/207 (17%) the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia was unchanged (before 0.12 and after TTP 0.14/patients/year), there was slight increase in severe ketoacidosis (before 0.15; after TTP 0.23/patients/year) and hospitalisation days were unchanged (before 4.5; after TTP 4.4 days/patients/year). The following factors were associated with adverse outcomes: psychological problems including eating disorders and alcohol abuse (28%), lack of interest in self-management (28%) and social problems (11%). In 28% there was no follow-up treatment by diabetologists specialised in pump therapy.

CONCLUSION

The benefits of insulin pump therapy are improvement of HbA1c, reduction of hypoglycaemia, ketoacidosis and hospitalisation days as well as improved flexibility. It is possible to draw up a list of clinical criteria and service requirements, which are likely to reduce failures.

[Self-treatment instruction of patients with type 1 diabetes. Report from hospitals belonging to Working Group for Structured Diabetes Therapy (ASD) in Germany 1998]

AIM

Intensified insulin therapy is the therapy of choice for patients with diabetes Type I. Intensified insulin therapy includes an basis-bolus insulin injection regimen or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, several times daily blood glucose self-monitoring, self-adaptation of insulin dosages by the patients themselves and a far-reaching liberalization of nutrition. The patients learn self management of diabetes therapy in a structured treatment and teaching program. The effectivity of this program is evaluated in the routine care.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A peer-review quality circle was formed as an official working group of the German Diabetes Association based on the formation of a working group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Strukturierte Diabetestherapie [ASD]) of presently 135 general internal medicine departments from city, country and university hospitals throughout the country. The group attempted to document and to improve the quality of structure and process of Type-I diabetes care in its participating institutions by a system of peer supervision. Systematic follow-up examinations of 50 consecutive Type-I diabetic patients 12 to 15 months after participation in the program confirm the outcome quality. The working group meets every year to discuss the results non anonymously. A PC-system (DIQUAL) was developed for collecting, checking and pooling of the outcome data.

RESULTS

From 1992 a representative sample of 6.555 patients with Type-I diabetes was examined. At the first time in 1998 the outcome results of 1.789 patients were analyzed depending on the therapeutic goals. In patients with a high initial HbA1c (> or = 8%) an improvement from 9.8 to 8.0% was reached going together with a reduction of severe hypoglycemia from 0.23 to 0.13/patient/year. In patients with an acceptable initial HbA1c (< 8%) the frequency of severe hypoglycemia could be reduced from 0.65 to 0.24/patient/year without any deterioration in metabolic control. Furthermore the incidence of ketoacidosis with hospitalization and the inpatient days were reduced significantly.

CONCLUSION

A substantial improvement of HbA1c and reduction of acute complications, especially of severe hypoglycemia in patients with Type-I diabetes were reached by participation in a structured teaching and treatment programme in clinical routine care.

[Postoperative analgesia in children after hernioplasty. Wound infiltration with different concentrations of bupivacaine: a pilot study]

Wound instillation seems to be an easy and preferable way to achieve postoperative analgesia in pediatric hernioplasty. This prospective, randomized and double-blinded pilot-study was initiated to gain preliminary information in order to define the appropriate concentration of local anaesthetic for efficient posthernioplastic analgesia.

METHOD

29 children aged 3.1 to 13.7 (5.25 (3.8-8.2) years were randomly assigned to receive either 0.2 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.125% (n = 10), bupivacaine 0.25% (n = 10) or bupivacaine 0.5% (n = 9). The local anesthetic (LA) was instillated intraoperatively before wound closure above the external oblique muscle and below Scarpa's fascia. After entering the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) pain was assessed by a trained nurse using the linear analogue pain scale (LAPS) in intervals of 15 min. Patients were observed in the PACU for 30-60 min. Pain was further evaluated for 5.5(3-6) h in the ward every hour. In day-only patients the parents were contacted 24 h postoperatively to obtain additional information.

RESULTS

From the beginning of the observation period the 0.5% group tended to have less pain than the others in the PACU. The 0.125% and 0.25% group required earlier supplementary analgetics. In addition, the 0.5% group needed once (1/9) supplementary analgesics; the 0.25% group five times (5/10) and the 0.125% group six times (6/10). None of these results is statistically significant, though they appear to be clinically relevant.

DISCUSSION

Wound instillation with 0.2 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% seems to be easy to perform, safe and efficient in controlling posthernioplastic pain. Because of the small numbers of patients included however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. Neither in the LAPS on arrival and observation at the PACU nor in the need for supplementary analgesics. Despite lacking significance the clinical impression suggests a difference to be validated by larger studies. Our data implies that wound instillation with 0.2 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.5% should be regarded for routine usage.

Therapy of severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Zero-mortality under very-low-dose insulin application

OBJECTIVE

Despite modern concepts in therapy by low-dose insulin application and better care in intensive care units (ICUs), there still is a mortality of 5-10% for severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The aim of this study was to develop a therapy concept to reduce complications and mortality in DKA.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

From 1986 to 1997, 114 consecutive patients (mean [range]; age 34 [11-74] years) with type 1 diabetes suffering from severe DKA were treated on ICUs and investigated in a retrospective and prospective study. The following are the criteria for admission onto ICUs: < 7.20 pH level, > 300 mg/dl blood glucose, less than -12 mmol/l base excess, or < 300 mg/dl blood glucose plus severe symptoms (i.e., coma). We treated patients according to the following concepts: very-low-dose insulin application by a basal insulin infusion of 1 U/h (0.5-4.0 U/h i.v.), maximal decrease of blood glucose level by 50 mg. dl-1. h-1, slow-motion reequilibration by fluid substitution of 1,000 ml/h (Ringer-Lactate, NaCl 0.9% or half-electrolyte fluids) in the first 4 h, potassium replacement and heparin (500-1,000 U/h i.v.).

RESULTS

When patients were admitted to ICU, we found the following parameters: mean (range); 609.0 (86.0-1,428.0) mg/dl blood glucose level; 7.13 (6.53-7.36) pH level; and -19.7 (-41.2 to -7.0) mmol/l base excess. After 12 h of treatment, we reached the following parameters: mean values; 251 mg/dl blood glucose level, 7.31 pH level, and -9.37 mmol/l base excess level. All patients survived without any lasting deficiencies or fatal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Very-low-dose insulin application and slow-motion reequilibration plus monitored substitution of electrolytes are the basic strategies in the treatment of severe DKA. In our view, small doses of infused insulin are the main reason for the safe results of this therapy program.

Intensified treatment and education of type 1 diabetes as clinical routine. A nationwide quality-circle experience in Germany. ASD (the Working Group on Structured Diabetes Therapy of the German Diabetes Association)

This contribution describes the nationwide implementation of an intensive treatment and education program for type 1 diabetic patients in the clinical routine of the German health care system. Based on the formation of a working group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Strukturierte Diabetestherapie [ASD]) of presently 57 general internal medicine departments, mainly from secondary and tertiary care levels in city and country hospitals throughout the country, a peer-review quality circle was formed as an official working group of the German Diabetes Association. The participating institutions performed a structured program of intensive treatment and education in all type 1 diabetic patients referred to them on a routine basis. The program includes multiple daily insulin injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, several times daily blood glucose self-monitoring and self-adaptation of insulin dosages and other aspects of treatment by the patients, and a far-reaching liberalization of the nutrition regimen. The group has attempted to document and to improve the quality of the structure and process of type 1 diabetes care in its participating institutions by a system of peer supervision. Furthermore, all member institutions volunteered to collect outcome data based on systematic 1-1.3 years' follow-up examinations of consecutive type 1 diabetic patients. For the 1997 evaluation of 1,103 type 1 diabetic patients, significant decreases of GHb levels and of incidence rates of severe hypoglycemia (from 0.35 to 0.16 cases per patient-year) and ketoacidosis (from 0.08 to 0.02 cases per patient-year) are presented. The ASD quality circle represents a model to improve principal aspects of type 1 diabetes care on a nationwide basis.

[Post-herpetic neuralgia: clinical predictors and psychopathologic findings]

48 patients, who had had acute Herpes zoster were screened for a retrospective investigation concerning the development of post-herpetic neuralgia. Subjects with and without neuralgia were compared with respect to medical, demographic and psychological variables. Nine patients were excluded from the investigation because of reported pain, which was not due to Herpes zoster. From the 39 subjects who remained in the analysis, 59% had postherpetic neuralgia for at least three months, and 28% for more than a year. No medical or demographic risk factor was sufficient for a prediction of the pain group. By applying objective criteria to psychometric test protocols, an index was constructed which differed between the groups. The pain-group showed a higher frequency of psychopathological impairment than those without post-herpetic neuralgia. However, the psychopathology was not consistently related to the length of neuralgia or the intensity of persistent pain.

[Headache in early syphilis--a case report]

A 16-year-old girl fell ill with headache of uncertain etiology. Some weeks later an exanthem led to the diagnosis of lues. Characteristic changes in serum and liquor parameters were found. Hearing disorder and choked disc improved during the therapy with penicillin. The rare picture of early luetic meningitis remains important for the differential diagnosis of headache.

[A case of malignant neuroleptic syndrome with rhabdomyolysis and a therapeutic trial using physostigmine]

We report the case of a 22-year-old schizophrenic patient who developed a neuroleptic malignant syndrome under treatment with Benperidol, Levomepromazin and Biperiden. Clinical signs were: fever, rigidity, altered consciousness and rhabdomyolysis of hip-abductors. Intravenous injection of physostigmine led to clearing of consciousness, whereas there seemed to be no impact on fever and rigidity.