A systematic review and meta-regression on international trends in the incidence of ulcerative colitis in children and adolescents associated with socioeconomic and geographic factors

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) among children and adolescents is rising globally, albeit with notable discrepancies across countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence rates of pediatric UC in various countries and explore potential influencing factors. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE (via OVID) for studies published between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 2019. Additionally, a manual search was performed to identify relevant systematic reviews. Meta-analyses and meta-regressions were employed to determine the overall incidence rate and examine potential factors that may influence it. A total of 66 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, while 65 studies were included in the meta-analysis and 50 studies were meta-regression. The study reports a rising incidence of pediatric UC in several countries but significant differences across geographic regions, with no discernible global temporal trend. In addition, our meta-regression analysis showed that geographic location and socioeconomic factors significantly influenced the incidence of UC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a rising incidence of pediatric UC in numerous countries since 1970, but with significant geographical variation, potentially presenting challenges for respective healthcare systems. We have identified geographic and socioeconomic factors that contribute to the observed heterogeneity in incidence rates. These findings provide a foundation for future research and health policies, aiming to tackle the growing burden of UC among children and adolescents.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• The incidence of ulcerative colitis in childhood and adolescence appears to be increasing worldwide and varies internationally. • Environmental and lifestyle factors are suspected as potential causes.

WHAT IS NEW

• Our results highlight that the heterogeneity in incidence rates can be attributed to geographic and socio-economic factors.

Correlation of Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors With Incidence of Crohn Disease in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

BACKGROUND

The worldwide incidence of Crohn disease (CD) in childhood and adolescence has an increasing trend, with significant differences between different geographic regions and individual countries. This includes an increase in the incidence of CD in countries and geographic regions where CD was not previously prevalent. In response to the increasing incidence, the pediatric care landscape is facing growing challenges.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to comprehensively delineate the incidence rates of CD in pediatric populations across different countries and to explore potential influencing factors.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of PubMed and Embase (via Ovid) for studies from January 1, 1970, to December 31, 2019. In addition, a manual search was performed in relevant and previously published reviews. The results were evaluated quantitatively. For this purpose, random effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed to investigate the overall incidence rate and possible factors influencing the incidence.

RESULTS

A qualitative synthesis of 74 studies was performed, with 72 studies included in the meta-analyses and 52 in the meta-regressions. The results of our meta-analysis showed significant heterogeneity between the individual studies, which cannot be explained by a sample effect alone. Our findings showed geographical differences in incidence rates, which increased with increasing distance from the equator, although no global temporal trend was apparent. The meta-regression analysis also identified geographic location, UV index, and Human Development Index as significant moderators associated with CD incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that pediatric CD incidence has increased in many countries since 1970 but varies widely with geographic location, which may pose challenges to the respective health care systems. We identified geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that contribute to the observed heterogeneity in incidence rates. These results can serve as a basis for future research. To this end, implementations of internationally standardized and interoperable registries combined with the dissemination of health data through federated networks based on a common data model, such as the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership, would be beneficial. This would deepen the understanding of CD and promote evidence-based approaches to preventive and interventional strategies as well as inform public health policies aimed at addressing the increasing burden of CD in children and adolescents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews CRD42020168644; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=168644.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037669.

Growth development of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease in the period 2000-2014 based on data of the Saxon pediatric IBD registry: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children is on the increase worldwide. Growth disorders are common in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this paper is to investigate anthropometric indicators, including height and weight in children with inflammatory bowel disease in Saxony, one of the German federal states, and to evaluate growth trends in patients by comparing their height and weight with that of healthy children in Germany.

METHODS

In Saxony, all children and adolescents with IBD were registered in the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry from 2000 to 2014. The data used are therefore based on a total area-wide survey over 15 years. For this study, 421 datasets of children and adolescents aged 0-14 years with Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 291) or ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 130) were analyzed. Z-score and percentile calculations were used to compare differences between IBD patients and the general population.

RESULTS

The children with CD or UC (both sexes) had a significant lower weight at diagnosis (the mean weight z-score had negative values) versus the general population. The weight values lay mostly below P50 (the 50th percentile, median), more precisely, mostly between P10 and P50 of the body weight child growth curve for corresponding sexes (KiGGS 2003-2006). The height values of both sexes at diagnosis lay also mostly below P50 (the 50th percentile, median) of the child body growth curve for corresponding sexes (KiGGS 2003-2006), i.e. the mean height z-score was negative. But only the children with CD had a significant lower height, more precisely, mostly between P25 and P50 versus the general population (KIGGS). For children with UC the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION

In pediatric patients with IBD the possibility of growth disturbance, mainly in the form of weight retardation, is very probable.

Clinical course of new-onset Crohn's disease in children and adolescents in dependency of age, initial location, initial severity level and therapy over the period 2000-2014 based on the Saxon Pediatric IBD-Registry in Germany

OBJECTIVE

In Saxony, the incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) in children and adolescents increased significantly from 3.3 per 100,000 person-years in 2000 to 5.1 in 2014. The aim of this study was to describe the initial characteristics and the clinical course of CD in children and adolescents and to identify drug treatment options associated with an advantage for a mild course or remission.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected from patients who suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and were recruited in the Saxon Pediatric IBD-Registry. All children newly diagnosed with CD in this registry in Saxony between 2000 and 2014 were included in this registry study. Characteristics such as age, disease location and extra-intestinal manifestations at diagnosis were accessed. The severity level of the disease at diagnosis as well as at follow-up were analysed by PCDAI index. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to length of follow-up: 1-3 years, 4-6 years and 7-9 years after diagnosis. A logistic regression model was conducted to examine which baseline parameters are associated with disease progression.

RESULTS

There were 338 children and adolescents with CD included in this registry study. At diagnosis, the median age of patients was 12.0 (0.7-14.9), 61.5% (n = 208) of the patients were male. The most common disease location observed in pediatric CD patients was the L3 (55%, n = 176). Patients aged 10-14 years were significantly more likely to present an L2 than patients aged 0-4 years (80.3%, n = 53 vs. 19.7%, n = 13, p = 0.01). During the follow-up, data from 71.3% (n = 241) othe patients were available. Disease activity measured by PCDAI decreased in 47.7% (n = 115) of the patients, 40.7% (n = 98) of the patients were stable and increased in 11.6% (n = 28) of the patients. Patients with intermediate/severe disease at onset were more likely to have an active disease at the end of follow up, too (p = 0.00). Logistic regression analysis of the initial characteristics showed that the age at diagnosis, gender, initial location and initial extra-intestinal manifestation are not associated with the progression of the disease (p>0.05). Furthermore, drug treatment options could be identified from our data, which are associated with benefits for a milder course or remission.

CONCLUSION

From 2000 to 2014, the health status of most pediatric patients with CD had improved or remained stable. Initial characteristics including age at diagnosis, initial localization and initial extra-intestinal manifestation are not associated with the progression of the disease, only the initial activity by PCDAI.

Current and projected incidence trends of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease in Germany based on the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry 2000–2014 –a 15-year evaluation of trends

Aims

An increasing number of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The present work aims to investigate the incidence, prevalence and future trends of IBD in children and adolescents in Saxony, Germany.

Methods

The Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry collected data on patients up to 15 years of age from all 31 pediatric hospitals and pediatric gastroenterologists in Saxony over a 15-year period (2000–2014). In 2019, an independent survey estimated a registry completeness of 95.7%. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) per 100,000 person-years (PY) and prevalence per 100,000 children and adolescents were calculated. Evaluation was also been performed in sex and age subgroups. Joinpoint and Poisson regression were used for trend analyses and projections.

Results

532 patients with confirmed IBD during 2000–2014 were included in the epidemiological evaluation. 63.5% (n = 338) patients had CD, 33.1% (n = 176) had UC and 3.4% (n = 18) had unclassified IBD (IBD-U). The 15-year IBD prevalence was 111.8 [95%-CI: 102.3–121.3] per 100,000. The incidence ASR of IBD per 100,000 PY over the whole observation period was 7.5 [6.9–8.1]. ASR for the subtypes were 4.8 [4.3–5.3] for CD, 2.5 [2.1–2.9] for UC and 0.3 [0.1–0.4] for IBD-U. The trend analysis of ASR using the joinpoint regression confirmed a significant increase for incidence of IBD as well as CD. For IBD, the ASR per 100,000 PY increased from 4.6 [2.8–6.3] in 2000 to 8.2 [7.5–13.6] in 2014; projected incidence rates for IBD in Germany are 12.9 [6.5–25.5] in the year 2025 and 14.9 [6.7–32.8] in 2030, respectively. Thus, the number of new IBD diagnoses in Germany would more than triple (325%) in 2030 compared to 2000. The increase is expected to be faster in CD than UC, and be more in males than in females. The expected number of newly diagnosed children with IBD in Germany is projected to rise to about 1,584 [1,512–1,655] in 2025, and to about 1,918 [1,807–2,29] in 2030.

Conclusion

The incidence of IBD in children and adolescents in Saxony increased at a similar rate as in other developed countries during the observation period. Given this trend, the health care system must provide adequate resources for the care of these young patients in the future.

Trends in incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes between 1999 and 2019 based on the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony, Germany

Objective

The Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony has been existing since 1999. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rates, cohort and point prevalence, and the trends of type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents based on the registry data over the past 21 years.

Methods

A completeness check of the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony for the observation period 2012–2019 was performed using the capture-recapture method. The age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person years (PY) were estimated for the observation period 1999–2019. Prevalence was estimated per 100,000 children and adolescents as the point prevalence of five consecutive years, and as a cohort prevalence for the birth cohorts, which result from the difference of age and year at diagnosis. Trend analyses were executed using join point regression.

Results

A completeness of 98% (95% CI 89–100) was determined for the period from 2012 to 2019. The standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents increased from 17.1 per 100,000 PY in 1999 to 24.7 per 100,000 PY in 2019. If this trend continues, the incidence rate will increase to 34.8 (95% CI 24.4–49.6) per 100,000 PY in 2030. The point prevalence of 5 consecutive years did not show a continuous trend over time. According to this method, the prevalence reached a plateau in the last segment (2013–2019). The calculation of cohort prevalence indicated a continuous increase from 2013 to 2019 with no significant statistical difference in terms of sex.

Conclusion

The point prevalence and the last incidence rates indicate that type 1 diabetes of children and adolescents is slowing down or has reached a plateau in Saxony. Nevertheless, the cohort prevalence predicts a steady increase. Future studies should continue investigating these trends in a longer observation period and consider including possible correlating environmental factors.

Chronic-Care-Management Programs for Multimorbid Patients with Diabetes in Europe: A Scoping Review with the Aim to Identify the Best Practice

AIM

This scoping review is aimed at providing a current descriptive overview of care programs based on the chronic care model (CCM) according to E. H. Wagner. The evaluation is carried out within Europe and assesses the methodology and comparability of the studies.

METHODS

A systematic search in the databases PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE via OVID was conducted. In the beginning, 2309 articles were found and 48 full texts were examined, 19 of which were incorporated. Included were CCM-based programs from Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. All 19 articles were presented descriptively whereof 11 articles were finally evaluated in a checklist by Rothe et al. (2020). In this paper, the studies were tabulated and evaluated conforming to the same criteria.

RESULTS

Due to the complexity of the CCM and the heterogeneity of the studies in terms of setting and implementation, a direct comparison proved difficult. Nevertheless, the review shows that CCM was successfully implemented in various care situations and also can be useful in single practices, which often dominate the primary care sector in many European health systems. The present review was able to provide a comprehensive overview of the current care situation of chronically ill patients with multimorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

A unified nomenclature concerning the distinction between disease management programs and CCM-based programs should be aimed for. Similarly, homogeneous quality standards and a Europe-wide evaluation strategy would be necessary to identify best practice models and to provide better care for the steadily growing number of chronically multimorbid patients.

Quality criteria/key components for high quality of diabetes management to avoid diabetes-related complications

Aim

The aim of this review shoud be to map data and to identify quality indicators for good practices for diabetes management and secondary prevention, specifically of type 2 diabetes.

Methods

To achieve this aim we performed the following steps: (i) a literature review on evaluation criteria, (ii) selection of quality criteria and key components for high quality of care, (iii) creation of a checklist to identify the best practice of diabetes management based on the detected criteria.

Results

The literature search about the quality indicators for diabetes care resulted in the following: identifying of key components and quality indicators for structure, process and outcome quality.

Conclusions

The set of quality criteria will be discussed and used to identify the best practice diabetes management programs for secondary prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Incidence trends of pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease in the years 2000-2009 in Saxony, Germany-first results of the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry

Aims

In developed countries, the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the incidence rates and trends over time in the population of children and adolescents in one of the federal states of Germany, in Saxony.

Methods

Over the 10-year period 2000–2009 all 31 children’s hospitals and pediatric gastroenterologists, respectively in Saxony reported all IBD patients up to 15 years of age to the Saxon Pediatric IBD Registry. The completeness of the registry was estimated as 96.7% by independent surveys in the years 2005–2009. Incidence rates were presented as age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) regarding New European Standard Population 1990 per 100,000 person-years (PY) with 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Joinpoint and linear regression was used for trend analyses.

Results

344 patients with confirmed IBD between 2000–2009 were included in the epidemiological evaluation: 212 (61.6%) patients with CD, 122 (35.6%) with UC and 10 (2.9%) with unclassified IBD (IBD-U). The ASR per 100,000 PY over the whole observation period was 7.2 [6.4–7.9] for IBD, 4.4 [3.8–5.0] for CD, 2.6 [2.1–3.0] for UC and 0.2 [0.1–0.3] for IBD-U. For IBD, the ASR per 100,000 PY increased from 4.6 [2.8–6.3] in 2000 to 10.5 [7.5–13.6] in 2009. The incidence trend analysis of ASRs using the joinpoint regression confirmed a significant increase of IBD as well as UC. The mean age at first diagnosis decreased significantly during the observation period from 11.5 (11.0–13.4) in 2000 to 9.6 (5.1–13.5) years in 2009. The median of the diagnostic latency among IBD patients was 3 months.

Conclusion

The incidence of IBD in children and adolescents in Saxony was slightly higher than the average of other countries in the same time period and followed the trend towards a general increase of IBD. The age at diagnosis was subject to a very unfavorable downward trend.

Study protocol epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in childhood and adolescence: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The incidence and prevalence of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases in childhood and adolescence is increasing and varies internationally. The systematic literature review aims to describe international epidemiological trends of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases in the child and adolescence age. A period from 1970 to 2019 will be taken into account when searching for suitable studies as well as geographical differences in the development of incidences will be presented.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The literature databases PubMed and Embase will be searched for the period from 01 January 1970 to 31 December 2019 using linked keywords. A manual search in bibliographies of already published and relevant systematic reviews will complete the systematic literature search. The included studies will be combined in a qualitative and quantitative synthesis and statistically evaluated.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for this study as it is a systematicreview. The results will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and presented in national andinternational meetings. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency inthe public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. This systematic review protocol was registeredwith the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO-NR:CRD42020168644).

Disease-Management-Programs in the Field of Diabetes Mellitus with Identification of the Best Practice in Europe: A Scoping Review

The objective of this scoping review was to create an up-to-date descriptive overview of published Disease-Management-Program evaluations conducted within Europe. We also assessed the methodological quality of the evaluation and the comparability of the included studies. The Databases Pub Med via Medline and Embase via Ovid were searched for thematically fitting publications. Out of 649 initial titles and abstracts, 45 full-texts were screened for inclusions. Finally, 21 publications met all inclusion criteria. DMPs from Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain were included. The results are tabulated in the results section and discussed descriptively. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies and the application of sometimes potentially biased study design comparisons were difficult. A uniform European-wide evaluation strategy and common quality features would be desirable.

Ketoacidosis at onset of type 1 diabetes in children up to 14 years of age and the changes over a period of 18 years in Saxony, Eastern-Germany: A population based register study

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence trends of type 1 diabetes diagnosed with ketoacidosis in Saxony, Germany from 1999 to 2016.

Methods

The population based Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony comprising valid data for all children aged 0–14 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from1999 to 2016 were used for the analyses. Direct age-standardized incidence rates were calculated and the effects of age, sex, calendar year, home districts and family history of any types of diabetes on the incidence were modelled using Poisson regression. Trend analyses for standard rate ratios of children with moderate and severe diabetic ketoacidosis versus children with type 1 diabetes with non-diabetic ketoacidosis were performed using join point regression.

Results

The rate of ketoacidosis at the time of the type 1 diabetes diagnosis was high with 35.2% during the entire observation period in Saxony. The Poisson regression analysis indicated a statistically significant increased occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis for younger age-groups, but no statistically significant differences between boys and girls. The join point trend analyses show that the proportion of severe and moderate ketoacidosis is increasing disproportionally to the increase in incidence of type 1 diabetes over the years.

Conclusion

Due to the observed increasing incidence of diabetes as well of diabetic ketoacidosis, an educational prevention campaign is needed in Saxony as soon as possible to aid pediatricians, general physicians as well as general public to identify the early signs of type 1 diabetes.

Types of diabetes are not limited to age groups: type 1 diabetes in adults and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents

Based on data from the national diabetes registry DPV (Diabetes patient documentation), the diabetes registry of North Rhine-Westphalia and surveys conducted at hospitals and practices in Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, this study estimates the incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes in over-18-year-old adults and type 2 diabetes in 11- to 18-year-old children and adolescents. The national incidence of type 1 diabetes in adults was 6.1 per 100,000 person-years from 2014 to 2016, with slightly lower figures for women compared to men. Annually, around 4,150 adults develop type 1 diabetes. In 2016, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes was estimated at 493 per 100,000 persons and was lower in women at 445 per 100,000 people than in men at 544 per 100,000. Based on this data, there were around 341,000 adults with type 1 diabetes in 2016. For 11- to 18-year-old children and adolescents, the national incidence of type 2 diabetes was 2.8 per 100,000 person-years between 2014 and 2016 and higher for girls than for boys. Annually, around 175 adolescents in this age group develop type 2 diabetes. The incidence estimates for Saxony were higher (4.3 per 100,000 person-years). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes between 2014 and 2016 for 11- to 18-year-old children and adolescents was estimated between 12 and 18 cases per 100,000 persons. During this period, there were about 950 children and adolescents of this age group with type 2 diabetes in Germany.

Chronic Diseases and Employment: Which Interventions Support the Maintenance of Work and Return to Work among Workers with Chronic Illnesses? A Systematic Review

The increase of chronic diseases worldwide impact quality of life, cause economic and medical costs, and make it necessary to look for strategies and solutions that allow people with chronic diseases (PwCDs) to lead an active working life. As part of the CHRODIS Plus Joint European Action project, a systematic review was conducted to identify studies of interventions that support the maintenance of work and return to work (RTW) among workers with chronic illnesses. These interventions should target employees with the following conditions: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic vascular syndrome, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, and neurological disorders. An extensive search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for English language studies. Included in this review were 15 randomized controlled trials (RCT) for adult employees (aged 18+). We found that workplace-oriented and multidisciplinary programs are the most supportive to RTW and reducing the absence due to illness. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapies achieve positive results on RTW and sick leave. Finally, coaching is effective for the self-management of chronic disease and significantly improved perceptions of working capacity and fatigue.

Trends and cyclical variation in the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in 26 European centres in the 25 year period 1989-2013: a multicentre prospective registration study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Against a background of a near-universally increasing incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes, recent reports from some countries suggest a slowing in this increase. Occasional reports also describe cyclical variations in incidence, with periodicities of between 4 and 6 years.

METHODS

Age/sex-standardised incidence rates for the 0- to 14-year-old age group are reported for 26 European centres (representing 22 countries) that have registered newly diagnosed individuals in geographically defined regions for up to 25 years during the period 1989-2013. Poisson regression was used to estimate rates of increase and test for cyclical patterns. Joinpoint regression software was used to fit segmented log-linear relationships to incidence trends.

RESULTS

Significant increases in incidence were noted in all but two small centres, with a maximum rate of increase of 6.6% per annum in a Polish centre. Several centres in high-incidence countries showed reducing rates of increase in more recent years. Despite this, a pooled analysis across all centres revealed a 3.4% (95% CI 2.8%, 3.9%) per annum increase in incidence rate, although there was some suggestion of a reduced rate of increase in the 2004-2008 period. Rates of increase were similar in boys and girls in the 0- to 4-year-old age group (3.7% and 3.7% per annum, respectively) and in the 5- to 9-year-old age group (3.4% and 3.7% per annum, respectively), but were higher in boys than girls in the 10- to 14-year-old age group (3.3% and 2.6% per annum, respectively). Significant 4 year periodicity was detected in four centres, with three centres showing that the most recent peak in fitted rates occurred in 2012.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Despite reductions in the rate of increase in some high-risk countries, the pooled estimate across centres continues to show a 3.4% increase per annum in incidence rate, suggesting a doubling in incidence rate within approximately 20 years in Europe. Although four centres showed support for a cyclical pattern of incidence with a 4 year periodicity, no plausible explanation for this can be given.

Chronic Diseases & Employment: An Overview of Existing Training Tools for Employers

Background: The number of people living with one or more chronic diseases (e.g., neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic disorders) has dramatically increased in recent decades, affecting all sectors, including the social and economic aspects of the work sector. In the frame of the European Union (EU) Joint Action “Chrodis Plus: Implementing good practices for chronic diseases”, a review has been performed in order to identify and analyze existing training tools for employers, including managers and Human Resources Staff (HRs), which aimed at creating and fostering inclusive and supportive workplaces for workers with chronic conditions and to avoid absenteeism, presenteeism, and early retirement. Methods: The training tools were identified through a revision of online published materials through Google Scholar and internet searches, published since 2006, in English, Italian, and Spanish. Results: The mapping of existing training tools highlighted the existence of two types of training tools: the first type includes those implemented by Social and Institutional Organizations (e.g., Patients’ Associations, Ministries, Unions), external to the company; the second involves those implemented by Large Multinational Enterprises. Conclusions: to promote an effective and concrete inclusion and participation of employees that are affected by chronic diseases in the labor market is necessary to involve employers and managers in training programs.

No change in type 2 diabetes prevalence in children and adolescents over 10 years: Update of a population-based survey in South Germany

Objective of this study was to analyze prevalence changes in type 2 diabetes (T2D) among children and adolescents over the last 10 years. We performed a cross-sectional survey in Baden-Württemberg (BW), Germany, by using a written questionnaire and comparing these results with T2D prevalence data from the same area retrieved in 2004/2005. In 2016, 50 patients with T2D under 20 years of age were registered in BW, Germany, which corresponds to a prevalence rate of 2.42 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.75-3.09). The prevalence rate found in the same geographic area 10 years prior was 2.30 per 100 000 (95% CI: 1.70-2.90). Overall, 70% of T2D patients of this age group were treated by adult diabetologists. Concisely the prevalence of T2D in children and adolescents is still low in South Germany, remaining practically unchanged over the past decade.

Incidence of Diabetic Ketoacidosis of New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in Different Countries Correlates with Human Development Index (HDI): An Updated Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is usually diagnosed by insulin deficiency at a young age. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) represents a severe complication occurring before the first diagnosis of T1DM. Actually, the data situation is still unsettled in assessing the current state of diagnosis. This study summarizes the latest rates of DKA of new-onset T1DM in children and adolescents in different countries available over the last five years. Different T1DM-related, geographical and socioeconomic moderators are suitable to explain the heterogeneity of observed DKA rates. A systematic literature search using PubMed, EMBASE*, and MedLine* (*via OVID) was conducted to extract worldwide DKA rates covering publications from April 2011 to May 2016. We define DKA consistently by pH<7.3 or bicarbonate<15 mmol/l. We identified 34 suitable studies covering DKA rates in 25 countries. Overall DKA rates were compared to earlier studies to identify a temporal trend. We further applied a random effects meta-analysis and used meta-regression to reveal moderators of DKA rate heterogeneity. This review evaluating 34 studies includes 47 000 children and adolescents in total. DKA rates varied from 14.7% (Denmark) to 79.8% (Saudi Arabia). DKA rates are still high but a decline can also be recognized. The meta-regression shows that latitude (p<0.000) and human development index (HDI) (p<0.000) are moderators of DKA rates. The frequency of DKA rates occurrence varies widely for different countries. Both latitude and HDI partially explain the observed heterogeneity, while other moderators such as density of physicians showed no obvious correlation.

Systematic Review of the Epidemiology and Natural History of the Metabolic Vascular Syndrome and its Coincidence with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Diseases in Different European Countries

The objectives of this systematic review were to estimate the incidence, prevalence and natural history of the metabolic (vascular) syndrome (MVS) among adults in different European countries. Furthermore, we assessed its co-incidence with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). PubMed, MedLine, and EMBASE (via Ovid) were searched for relevant studies. After reading 116 full-text articles to find eligible ones, 66 publications met our inclusion criteria. Data for the incidence are based on a study from Portugal, in which the incidence rate for the MVS was 47.2/1000 person-years. Prevalence varied strongly depending on country and definition. The lowest was found in the United Kingdom (3%), the highest in Finland (71.7%). No article that deals with the natural history of the MVS was found. Considering the co-existence of MVS and T2DM, it ranged between 2% (United Kingdom) and 74.4% (Spain). The co-occurrence of MVS and CVD ranged from 2.8% (Italy) up to 52% (Netherlands). Coronary heart disease (CHD) varied between 1.2% and 44.2%. With regard to peripheral artery disease (PAD), values between 3.3% and 59.8% were found. Due to the many different definitions of the MVS, a comparison is very difficult. Overall prevalence ranged between 3% and 71.7% depending on definition, age, and country. An association between MVS and T2DM as well as several CVD can be assumed.

Multimorbidity care model: Recommendations from the consensus meeting of the Joint Action on Chronic Diseases and Promoting Healthy Ageing across the Life Cycle (JA-CHRODIS)

Patients with multimorbidity have complex health needs but, due to the current traditional disease-oriented approach, they face a highly fragmented form of care that leads to inefficient, ineffective, and possibly harmful clinical interventions. There is limited evidence on available integrated and multidimensional care pathways for multimorbid patients. An expert consensus meeting was held to develop a framework for care of multimorbid patients that can be applied across Europe, within a project funded by the European Union; the Joint Action on Chronic Diseases and Promoting Healthy Ageing across the Life Cycle (JA-CHRODIS). The experts included a diverse group representing care providers and patients, and included general practitioners, family medicine physicians, neurologists, geriatricians, internists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, diabetologists, epidemiologists, psychologists, and representatives from patient organizations. Sixteen components across five domains were identified (Delivery of Care; Decision Support; Self Management Support; Information Systems and Technology; and Social and Community Resources). The description and aim of each component are described in these guidelines, along with a summary of key characteristics and relevance to multimorbid patients. Due to the lack of evidence-based recommendations specific to multimorbid patients, this care model needs to be assessed and validated in different European settings to examine specifically how multimorbid patients will benefit from this care model, and whether certain components have more importance than others.

Incidence trends of type 1 diabetes before and after the reunification in children up to 14 years of age in Saxony, Eastern Germany

Aims

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in Saxony before and after the German reunification.

Methods

The study examined two registries: one until 1990 and one since 1999. Only patients under 15 years of age with type 1 diabetes and living in Saxony were included in the study. Standardized incidence rates were described based on direct age standardization procedures using the Standard European Population for each calendar year between the observation periods 1982–1989 and 1999–2014. Age was grouped into three classes: 0–4, 5–9 and 10–14 years of age. Incidence data were presented as age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years (PY) with 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Joinpoint regression was used for trend analyses and Poisson regression was used to adjust for the effects of age and sex on the incidence.

Results

A total number of 2,092 incident cases of type 1 diabetes (1,109 males; 983 females) were included. The age-standardized incidence rates of type 1 diabetes per 100,000 PY was 7.9 [95%CI 6.8; 8.9] in the period from 1982–1989 and 20.1 [95%CI 14.0; 26.1] in the period from 1999–2014. The yearly increase in incidence over the entire time period (1982–2014) was 4.3% according to the average annual percent change (AAPC) method, and estimated to be 4.4% [95% CI 4.0; 4.8%] using a Poisson regression model adjusting for sex and age group.

Conclusion

In this study, a significantly increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes was observed after reunification. In future studies it would be interesting to follow up on the question of which environmental and lifestyle factors could be causing the increasing type 1 diabetes incidence.

Health promotion interventions in type 2 diabetes

AIM

To present the most common quality criteria in health promotion interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify review articles, health technology assessments and policy reports of evaluated health promotion interventions in T2DM. A descriptive analysis of study characteristics and evaluation criteria are presented.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that the most common health promotion interventions used in T2DM are initiatives targeting health care professionals. The main ambition of the programs was to increase the collaboration between health care professionals and patients, and between health care centres, program managers and community stakeholders.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation extends our knowledge of the most common health promotion interventions in T2DM and which structure, process and outcome measurements that are reported in such interventions. Future research could usefully explore how the effectiveness of multicomponent and complex interventions may be evaluated and extend the association of these factors into other settings and in relation to other lifestyle related chronic diseases.

National Diabetes Plans: can they support changes in health care systems to strengthen diabetes prevention and care?

Healthcare systems do not fit well with the "modern" patient, who has a right to autonomy and self-determination. The services that are designed and delivered in policy contexts are not prone to encourage innovation. National Diabetes Plans, defined as "any formal strategy for improving diabetes policy, services and outcomes that encompass structured and integrated or linked activities which are planned and co-ordinated nationally and conducted at the national, regional, and local level", may hold a great potential not only to improve prevention and care for type 2 diabetes, but also for transforming healthcare delivery. Today, changes to adapt healthcare delivery tend to be implemented within existing provider structures, with limited understanding of specific context, structures, processes and potential for change. National Diabetes Plan can be a diagnostic tool for barriers, can be a driver for planning the change, and can help develop capacities and competences that are needed to strengthen healthcare systems to better address health promotion and chronic diseases.

Quality indicators for diabetes prevention programs in health care targeted at people at high risk

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes can be efficiently prevented by lifestyle intervention provided for people at high diabetes risk. The aim of this paper was to conduct a literature search on existing quality indicators for type 2 diabetes prevention and to collate and present a set of indicators that could be applied in European countries with different health care systems and cultures.

METHODS

Scientific and grey literature was searched for relevant studies using electronic databases. We also hand searched previous systematic reviews and reference lists of relevant articles.

RESULTS

The only publication identified was the report presenting the results from the IMAGE project. The IMAGE indicators were used as the basis for the proposed indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

Publications on quality indicators of diabetes prevention programmes are scarce. The quality indicators presented here are a first step toward the definition of a core set of European indicators to monitor and improve the quality of diabetes prevention.

Determinants of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: a review

We aimed to review and summarize the evidence from accomplished trials analyzing factors influencing mortality in patients with T2DM and to provide some recommendations for targets and treatment in the European region. The following databases were searched for relevant trials: PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Of 3.806 citations, 134 trials met our inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The reduction in lifetime for 65 + -years-old patients having less than 10 years T2DM amounts to 1.8 years. Having T2DM for more than 10 years lifetime will be reduced by 2.7 years. However, the lifetime shortening factor of T2DM will even be stronger for 40 + -years-old patients at onset. Males will lose 11.6 years of life and 18.6 QUALYs. T2DM among females will reduce life by 14 QUALYs by 22 years. From a statistical point of view, the highest mortality rate will occur in an over 55-years-old European smoking and non-compliant diabetic woman with alcohol abuse living in a rural area with a low level of education and a low socio-economic status. Furthermore, other co-morbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, gout, and depression affect mortality. Additionally, mortality will increase with a BMI over 35 and also with a BMI under 20-25. This refers to the obesity paradox indicating a higher mortality rate among normal weight patients with T2DM compared to overweight patients with T2DM. HbA1c-levels between 6.5 % and 7 % are associated with the lowest impact on mortality.

Seasonal variation in month of diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes registered in 23 European centers during 1989-2008: little short-term influence of sunshine hours or average temperature

BACKGROUND

The month of diagnosis in childhood type 1 diabetes shows seasonal variation.

OBJECTIVE

We describe the pattern and investigate if year-to-year irregularities are associated with meteorological factors using data from 50 000 children diagnosed under the age of 15 yr in 23 population-based European registries during 1989-2008.

METHODS

Tests for seasonal variation in monthly counts aggregated over the 20 yr period were performed. Time series regression was used to investigate if sunshine hour and average temperature data were predictive of the 240 monthly diagnosis counts after taking account of seasonality and long term trends.

RESULTS

Significant sinusoidal pattern was evident in all but two small centers with peaks in November to February and relative amplitudes ranging from ± 11 to ± 38% (median ± 17%). However, most centers showed significant departures from a sinusoidal pattern. Pooling results over centers, there was significant seasonal variation in each age-group at diagnosis, with least seasonal variation in those under 5 yr. Boys showed greater seasonal variation than girls, particularly those aged 10-14 yr. There were no differences in seasonal pattern between four 5-yr sub-periods. Departures from the sinusoidal trend in monthly diagnoses in the period were significantly associated with deviations from the norm in average temperature (0.8% reduction in diagnoses per 1 °C excess) but not with sunshine hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Seasonality was consistently apparent throughout the period in all age-groups and both sexes, but girls and the under 5 s showed less marked variation. Neither sunshine hour nor average temperature data contributed in any substantial way to explaining departures from the sinusoidal pattern.

Trends in Incidence Rates during 1999-2008 and Prevalence in 2008 of Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Germany--Model-Based National Estimates

AIMS

To estimate the national incidence rate and trend of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in Germany from 1999 to 2008 and the national prevalence in 2008 in the age group 0-14 years.

METHODS

Data were taken from a nationwide registry for incident cases of T1DM in the ages 0-4 years and 3 regional registries (North-Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Saxony) for incident cases of T1DM in the ages 0-14 years covering 41% of the child population in Germany. The degree of ascertainment was ≥ 97% in all registries. Incident and prevalent cases were grouped by region, sex, age (0-4, 5-9, 10-14 years), and, for incident data, additionally by two 5-year periods (1999-2003, 2004-2008). Poisson regression models were fitted to the data to derive national estimates of incidence rate trends and prevalence in the age groups 5-9, 10-14 and 0-14 years. We used direct age-standardization.

RESULTS

The estimated national incidence rate in 0-14-year-olds increased significantly by 18.1% (95%CI: 11.6-25.0%, p<0.001) from 1999-2003 to 2004-2008, independent of sex, corresponding to an average annual increase of 3.4% (95%-CI: 2.2-4.6%). The overall incidence rate was estimated at 22.9 per 100,000 person-years and we identified a within-country west-east-gradient previously unknown. The national prevalence in the ages 0-14 years on 31/12/2008 was estimated to be 148.1 per 100,000 persons.

CONCLUSIONS

The national incidence rate of childhood T1DM in Germany is higher than in many other countries around the world. Importantly, the estimated trend of the incidence rate confirms the international data of a global increase of T1DM incidences.

Education and health professionals training programs for people with type 2 diabetes: a review of quality criteria

OBJECTIVE

To contribute to the development of a set of quality criteria for patient education and health professionals training that could be applied in European countries.

METHODS

Literature review quality criteria, pre-selection based on a comparison of the criteria, peer group and expert based selection of the criteria.

RESULTS

14 quality criteria were selected: goals, rationale, target group, setting, scheduling of the education/training sessions, environmental requirements, qualification of the trainers/educators, core components of the educator/trainer's role, curriculum, education methods, education didactics, monitoring of the effectiveness and quality of the program, implementation level and source of funding.

DISCUSSION

A set of preliminary quality criteria for patient education and health professionals training was developed, which could be applied in European countries.

High birth weights but not excessive weight gain prior to manifestation are related to earlier onset of diabetes in childhood: 'accelerator hypothesis' revisited

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Aim of this study was to test Wilkin's 'accelerator hypothesis': whether excessive weight gain accelerates the onset of type 1 diabetes.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Anthropometric birth data of 1117 children who developed diabetes between 1988 and April 2013 were compared with those of a sex, age, and gestational age matched, contemporary regional control group (n = 54 344). Cases were divided into three manifestation groups (G1:0-4.9 yr, G2:5-9.9 yr, and G3: 10-20 yr). Furthermore, growth data of 540 children with diabetes were compared with controls (n = 134 249) in pre-, peri-, and post-onset intervals (interval: 1-6). Also, correlation of age at onset and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) at this point of time were examined.

RESULTS

Cases had significantly higher SDSs for birth weight when compared with controls (boys: p = 0.007, girls: p = 0.002). Children with early manifestation had the highest mean of birth weight SDS (G1>G2>G3), (p = 0.22, adjusted r(2) = 0.001). BMI SDS trend curves of cases are slightly higher compared with those of the healthy controls. This was only significant in years after diagnosis (interval 6, p < 0.000). Cases did not show excessive weight gain in any of the examined intervals before the onset of diagnosis (interval 1-3). One year after diagnosis, we found an inverse correlation between age at diagnosis and BMI SDS at diabetes manifestation. The youngest children at diagnosis (G1) had the lowest BMI SDS at manifestation and vice versa (G1<G2<G3, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data do not support the 'accelerator hypothesis'. There was no sign of excessive weight gain before manifestation. Discrepant results from other studies could be due to non-age-adjusted controls.

Global Diabetes Survey--an annual report on quality of diabetes care

Adequate quality of diabetes care and the best concept for the implementation of national diabetes plans remain controversial. In September 2011 the United Nations High Level Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases agreed on a consensus that national plans for the prevention and control of diabetes should be developed, implemented and monitored. The Global Diabetes Survey (GDS) is a standardised, annual, global questionnaire that will be used to assess responses of representatives from 19 diabetes-related stakeholder groups. It was designed with the goal of generating an annual report on the quality of national diabetes care and to compare findings from different regions and countries. The findings will be freely available for everyone's use and will be used to inform politicians and stakeholders to encourage the improvement of the quality of diabetes care in its medical, economical, structural and political dimensions.

Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in Europe during 1989-2008: evidence of non-uniformity over time in rates of increase

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of the study was to describe 20-year incidence trends for childhood type 1 diabetes in 23 EURODIAB centres and compare rates of increase in the first (1989-1998) and second (1999-2008) halves of the period.

METHODS

All registers operate in geographically defined regions and are based on a clinical diagnosis. Completeness of registration is assessed by capture-recapture methodology. Twenty-three centres in 19 countries registered 49,969 new cases of type 1 diabetes in individuals diagnosed before their 15th birthday during the period studied.

RESULTS

Ascertainment exceeded 90% in most registers. During the 20-year period, all but one register showed statistically significant changes in incidence, with rates universally increasing. When estimated separately for the first and second halves of the period, the median rates of increase were similar: 3.4% per annum and 3.3% per annum, respectively. However, rates of increase differed significantly between the first half and the second half for nine of the 21 registers with adequate coverage of both periods; five registers showed significantly higher rates of increase in the first half, and four significantly higher rates in the second half.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes continues to rise across Europe by an average of approximately 3-4% per annum, but the increase is not necessarily uniform, showing periods of less rapid and more rapid increase in incidence in some registers. This pattern of change suggests that important risk exposures differ over time in different European countries. Further time trend analysis and comparison of the patterns in defined regions is warranted.

Prevalence of nucleic acid sequences specific for human parvoviruses, hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses in coagulation factor concentrates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Due to their high resistance to inactivation procedures, nonenveloped viruses such as parvovirus B19, human bocavirus (HBoV), human parvovirus 4 (PARV4), hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) pose a particular threat to blood products. Virus transmission to patients treated with blood products presents an additional burden to disease. We determined the frequency and the amount of nucleic acid specific for nonenveloped viruses in recently manufactured preparations of commercial coagulation factor concentrates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

At least three different batches of each of 13 different plasma-derived and recombinant coagulation factor products were tested for the presence and the amount of nucleic acid for parvovirus B19, HBoV, human parvovirus 4, hepatitis A virus and HEV by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Whereas none of the recombinant products tested positive for any of these viruses, parvovirus B19 DNA with amounts ranging between 2×10(1) and 1.3×10(3) genome equivalents/ml was detected in five plasma-derived products. In addition to parvovirus B19 genotype 1, genotypes 2 and 3 were observed in two batches of a factor VIII/von-Willebrand factor product. In two products (one factor VIII concentrate and one activated prothrombin complex concentrate), a combination of both genotypes 1 and 2 of parvovirus B19 was detected.

CONCLUSION

The data show that nucleic acids from several relevant nonenveloped viruses are not found at detectable levels in coagulation factor concentrates. In some cases, parvovirus B19 DNA was detectable at low levels. Testing of the plasma pools for the full range of parvovirus genotypes is advocated for ensuring product safety.

Incidence of childhood diabetes in children aged less than 15 years and its clinical and metabolic characteristics at the time of diagnosis: data from the Childhood Diabetes Registry of Saxony, Germany

AIMS

The Childhood Diabetes Registry in Saxony, Germany, examined the incidence and metabolic characteristics of childhood diabetes.

METHODS

In the federal state of Saxony, newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and adolescents aged less than 15 years were registered continuously from 1999 until 2008. Family history, date of diagnosis, clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained. Reported cases were ascertained by public health departments as an independent data source and verified using the capture- recapture method.

RESULTS

A total of 865 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed diabetes were registered in Saxony. About 96% of them were classified as having type 1 diabetes, 0.6% had type 2 diabetes, 2.4% had maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), and 1.4% had other types of diabetes. The age-standardized incidence rate of type 1 diabetes was estimated at 17.5 per 100,000 children per year. Completeness of ascertainment as calculated by the capture-recapture method amounted to 93.6%. At the time of diagnosis, 27.1% of children with type 1 diabetes had ketoacidosis, 1.5% had a blood pH <7.0, and 1.1% were unconscious.

CONCLUSION

The registry provided data about the incidence rates and clinical presentation of childhood diabetes in a defined German population. We observed higher incidence rates compared to previous surveys.

Quality indicators for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe--IMAGE

BACKGROUND

The marked increase of type 2 diabetes necessitates active development and implementation of efficient prevention programs. A European level action has been taken by launching the IMAGE project to unify and improve the various prevention management concepts, which currently exist within the EU. This report describes the background and the methods used in the development of the IMAGE project quality indicators for diabetes primary prevention programs. It is targeted to the persons responsible for diabetes prevention at different levels of the health care systems.

METHODS

Development of the quality indicators was conducted by a group of specialists representing different professional groups from several European countries. Indicators and measurement recommendations were produced by the expert group in consensus meetings and further developed by combining evidence and expert opinion.

RESULTS

The quality indicators were developed for different prevention strategies: population level prevention strategy, screening for high risk, and high risk prevention strategy. Totally, 22 quality indicators were generated. They constitute the minimum level of quality assurance recommended for diabetes prevention programs. In addition, 20 scientific evaluation indicators with measurement standards were produced. These micro level indicators describe measurements, which should be used if evaluation, reporting, and scientific analysis are planned.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that these quality tools together with the IMAGE guidelines will provide a useful tool for improving the quality of diabetes prevention in Europe and make different prevention approaches comparable.

Take action to prevent diabetes--the IMAGE toolkit for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe

When we ask people what they value most, health is usually top of the list. While effective care is available for many chronic diseases, the fact remains that for the patient, the tax payer and the whole of society: prevention is better than cure. Diabetes and its complications are a serious threat to the survival and well-being of an increasing number of people. It is predicted that one in ten Europeans aged 20-79 will have developed diabetes by 2030. Once a disease of old age, diabetes is now common among adults of all ages and is beginning to affect adolescents and even children. Diabetes accounts for up to 18 % of total healthcare expenditure in Europe. The good news is that diabetes is preventable. Compelling evidence shows that the onset of diabetes can be prevented or delayed greatly in individuals at high risk (people with impaired glucose regulation). Clinical research has shown a reduction in risk of developing diabetes of over 50 % following relatively modest changes in lifestyle that include adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. These results have since been reproduced in real-world prevention programmes. Even a delay of a few years in the progression to diabetes is expected to reduce diabetes-related complications, such as heart, kidney and eye disease and, consequently, to reduce the cost to society. A comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention should combine population based primary prevention with programmes targeted at those who are at high risk. This approach should take account of the local circumstances and diversity within modern society (e.g. social inequalities). The challenge goes beyond the healthcare system. We need to encourage collaboration across many different sectors: education providers, non-governmental organisations, the food industry, the media, urban planners and politicians all have a very important role to play. Small changes in lifestyle will bring big changes in health. Through joint efforts, more people will be reached. The time to act is now.

A European evidence-based guideline for the prevention of type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and associated co-morbidities are rising worldwide.

AIMS

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing T2DM.

METHODS

A European multidisciplinary consortium systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening and interventions for T2DM prevention using SIGN criteria.

RESULTS

Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the main modifiable risk factors. Age and ethnicity are non-modifiable risk factors. Case-finding should follow a step-wise procedure using risk questionnaires and oral glucose tolerance testing. Persons with impaired glucose tolerance and/or fasting glucose are at high-risk and should be prioritized for intensive intervention. Interventions supporting lifestyle changes delay the onset of T2DM in high-risk adults (number-needed-to-treat: 6.4 over 1.8-4.6 years). These should be supported by inter-sectoral strategies that create health promoting environments. Sustained body weight reduction by >or= 5 % lowers risk. Currently metformin, acarbose and orlistat can be considered as second-line prevention options. The population approach should use organized measures to raise awareness and change lifestyle with specific approaches for adolescents, minorities and disadvantaged people. Interventions promoting lifestyle changes are more effective if they target both diet and physical activity, mobilize social support, involve the planned use of established behaviour change techniques, and provide frequent contacts. Cost-effectiveness analysis should take a societal perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention using lifestyle modifications in high-risk individuals is cost-effective and should be embedded in evaluated models of care. Effective prevention plans are predicated upon sustained government initiatives comprising advocacy, community support, fiscal and legislative changes, private sector engagement and continuous media communication.

Evaluation of a diabetes management system based on practice guidelines, integrated care, and continuous quality management in a Federal State of Germany: a population-based approach to health care research

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Saxon Diabetes Management Program (SDMP), which is based on integrated practice guidelines, shared care, and integrated quality management. The SDMP was implemented into diabetes contracts between health insurance providers, general practitioners (GPs), and diabetes specialized practitioners (DSPs) unified in the Saxon association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The evaluation of the SDMP in Germany represents a real-world study by using clinical data collected from participating physicians. Between 2000 and 2002 all DSPs and about 75% of the GPs in Saxony participated. Finally, 291,771 patients were included in the SDMP. Cross-sectional data were evaluated at the beginning of 2000 (group A1) and at the end of 2002 (group A2). A subcohort of 105,204 patients was followed over a period of 3 years (group B).

RESULTS

The statewide implementation of the SDMP resulted in a change in therapeutic practice and in better cooperation. The median A1C at the time of referral to DSPs decreased from 8.5 to 7.5%, and so did the overall mean. At the end, 78 and 61% of group B achieved the targets for A1C and blood pressure, respectively, recommended by the guidelines compared with 69 and 50% at baseline. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes benefited the most. Preexisting regional differences were aligned.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated care disease management with practicable integrated quality management including collaboration between GPs and specialist services is a significant innovation in chronic care management and an efficient way to improve diabetes care continuously.

[Rigid RSA DMP for Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: results of a three-state survey]

Diabetes contracts, such as those used in Saxony, were already excellent, effective diabetes programs in line with the concept of disease management. This was due to well-accepted practical guidelines and to an integrated care concept that was implemented with little bureaucratic effort through an internal quality-control management; this was based in turn on rapid, practicable documentation in the framework of interdisciplinary quality round tables. The present RSA DMP, in contrast, are to be fundamentally improved and simplified. This must occur also in view of the handling of guidelines, so that these do not jeopardize well-established and positively-evaluated healthcare programs (and along with that the quality of patient care) in the regions with well-functioning systems. In view of the persistent critiques on form and content of the state-regulated chronic-disease programs, the group "DMP in Central Germany", representing the German federal states of Saxony, SaxonyAnhalt, and Thuringia, initiated at the end of 2003 a structured survey for the evaluation of the RSA DMP Type 2 Diabetes among general practitioners and diabetes specialists. Particularly critical evaluations of the RSA DMP originate from the federal states with well-developed guideline-based diabetes care programs, for example in the new Eastern federal states, Nord Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. With its minimal standards, the RSA DMP does not represent any progress in these regions and does not contribute to cost reduction. Detailed medical contents and professional guidelines do not belong to a law ordinance but to the already existing medical guidelines.