Metabolic Mentorship

In this editorial, we propose metabolic mentorship as an umbrella term, which includes all activities that are undertaken inorder to achieve and maintain metabolic health. Metabolic mentorship includes not only conventional medical prescription,but also education, counseling and support for effective self-management. Metabolic mentorship facilitates value-addedtherapy (VAT), i.e, the nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions that help ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.From a pedagogic perspective, metabolic mentorship implies the learning that health care professionals can gain by interactingand sharing experiences with each other. We suggest that endocrinologists take the responsibility of spearheading metabolicmentorship within, and beyond, the health care science

A Practitioner’s Toolkit for Insulin Motivation in Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence-Based Recommendations from an International Expert Panel

Aim To develop an evidence-based expert group opinion on the role of insulin motivation to overcome insulin distress during different stages of insulin therapy and to propose a practitioner’s toolkit for insulin motivation in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). Background Insulin distress, an emotional response of the patient to the suggested use of insulin, acts as a major barrier to insulin therapy in the management of DM. Addressing patient-, physician- and drug-related factors is important to overcome insulin distress. Strengthening of communication between physicians and patients with diabetes and enhancing the patients' coping skills are prerequisites to create a sense of comfort with the use of insulin. Insulin motivation is key to achieving targeted goals in diabetes care. A group of endocrinologists came together at an international meeting held in India to develop tool kits that would aid a practitioner in implementing insulin motivation strategies at different stages of the journey through insulin therapy, including pre-initiation, initiation, titration and intensification. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the challenges and limitations faced by both physicians and patients with diabetes during each stage of the journey through insulinization. Review Results After review of evidence and discussions, the expert group provided recommendations on strategies for improved insulin acceptance, empowering behavior change in patients with DM, approaches for motivating patients to initiate and maintain insulin therapy and best practices for insulin motivation at the pre-initiation, initiation, titration and intensification stages of insulin therapy. Conclusions In the management of DM, bringing in positive behavioral change by motivating the patient to improve treatment adherence helps overcome insulin distress and achieve treatment goals

A prophylactic amputation

A case of amputation of the fourth toe is described in a diabetic patient. The patient had overlapping of third and fourth toes since her childhood and later she developed soft lipomas over the fourth toe and lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot. The lipomas were excised without relief of pain. Subsequently, the fourth toe was disarticulated with relief of pain and healing of ulcers. The role of prophylactic amputations in such cases is described. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 87-8

Parameters of metabolic syndrome are markers of coronary heart disease – An observational study

AbstractAimsThis study was undertaken to identify the parameters of metabolic syndrome which can predict cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease.SubjectA total of 260 subjects were selected from Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute (ICHRI), who reported for coronary angiogram as per advice of a cardiologist.MethodEach subject undergoing angiogram was interviewed with a preset structured questionnaire. The study subjects were screened for PVD (peripheral vascular disease) by examining peripheral pulses and ankle brachial index measured. Subjects with absent pulse or non-recordable ankle brachial index was considered as ankle brachial index <0.9. Positive angiographic finding was defined by presence of mild to severe degree of coronary vascular narrowing of one or multiple of three coronary arteries.ResultAmong the study subjects 64.6% had metabolic syndrome, 79.2% had positive and 20.8% had normal angiographic finding. Among the CAG positive subjects 38.8% had single vessel disease, 30.0% had double vessel disease and 31.08% had triple vessel disease. CAG positive subjects are mostly 40–60years of age, 78.6% male, 54.8% smoker, 62.1% had waist circumference above normal, and about 90% have dyslipidemia and dysglycemia (DM/IGT/IFG). In this study subjects 83.9% of diabetic and 69.7% of non-diabetic had positive angiographic finding. Among the CAG positive subjects 16.6% had low ABI (<0.9).ConclusionsThis study reveals that hypertriglyceridemia, waist circumference and hypertension are significantly related with angiographic positivity. Peripheral vascular disease was not significantly higher among CAG positive subjects and no association was observed between metabolic syndrome and PVD

Subclinical Hypothyroidism & Infertility: A Review

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) may be of greater clinical importance in women with “unexplained” infertility, especially when the luteal phase is inadequate, and such patients should be investigated for thyroid dysfunction in detail. To date, studies investigating the association between SCH and infertility are still based on the high serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels while some older studies are based on the presence of an abnormal serum TSH after a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. The recommendation in the current guidelines to treat subclinical hypothyroidism is based on minimal evidence and it is thought that with treatment the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Thyroxine-replacement therapy should be started in patients with SCH caused by conditions which are at high risk of progression to overt hypothyroidism. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(1): 17-2

Increasing Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in a Rural Bangladeshi Population: A Population Based Study for 10 Years

BackgroundTo observe changes in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and its associated risk factors in a rural Bangladeshi population over a 10-year period.MethodsThree cross-sectional studies were undertaken in a rural community (aged ≥20 years) in 1999, 2004, and 2009. Structured questionnaires including sociodemographic parameters, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and blood glucose values were recorded. DM and IFG were diagnosed using 1999 World Health Organization criteria.ResultsAge standardized prevalence of DM increased significantly (P<0.001) from 1999 to 2009 (2.3%, 6.8%, and 7.9% in 1999, 2004, and 2009, respectively). The prevalence of IFG increased significantly (P=0.011) from 4.6% to 5.8% between 1999 and 2004 but then decreased from 5.8% to 5.3% during 2004 to 2009. Significant linear trends were shown in both sexes for general and central obesity as indicated by body mass index, waist circumference, and waist hip ratio (WHR). Increasing age and systolic blood pressure were significant risk factors for DM in all three studies. WHR for males was also significantly associated with the risk of DM in all three studies. WHR for females was only significantly associated with DM in 2009.ConclusionA significant rise in the prevalence of DM was observed in this population over 10 years. This increase was seen in both sexes, and in all age groups. A significant increase in the prevalence of the associated risk factors of general and central obesity was observed in both sexes

Serum Lipid Profile and Its Association with Diabetes and Prediabetes in a Rural Bangladeshi Population

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