Clinical and Cost Implications of Insulin Degludec in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Problematic Hypoglycemia:A Quality Improvement Project

Introduction To assess the real-life clinical benefits and cost implications of switching from another basal insulin to insulin degludec (degludec) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on basal–bolus regimens with recurrent hypoglycemia and/or hypoglycemia unawareness. Methods Patients with T1D who were aged ≥ 18 years, were on a basal–bolus regimen, and had switched to degludec plus bolus insulin for at least 6 months were included. Patients had to have switched to degludec as a result of recurrent hypoglycemia and/or hypoglycemia unawareness. Results Six months of follow-up data were available for 42 patients. At 6 months, there was a significant reduction in median (interquartile range) HbA1c, from 8.6 (8.0–9.3)% [70 (64–78) mmol/mol] to 8.4 (7.9–8.9)% [68 (63–74) mmol/mol]; p < 0.05. Median daily basal insulin dose reduced significantly from 30.0 (14.7–45.0) to 25.5 (14.0–30.2) units; p < 0.0001. Data from hospital records showed reductions in the frequency of episodes of severe hypoglycemia from eight in the 6 months preceding degludec initiation to two in the 6 months following initiation. In the same period, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) episodes reduced from two before degludec initiation to no episodes after initiation. No patients reported worsening treatment satisfaction after switching to degludec. Considering the reductions in the basal dose required and the frequency of hypoglycemia episodes, we estimate that switching such patients to degludec from other basal insulins could provide significant savings in direct healthcare costs. Conclusion In patients with T1D, switching to degludec was associated with an improvement in HbA1c and reductions in basal insulin dose, severe hypoglycemia, and DKA. When used in appropriate patients, degludec could lead to significant cost savings

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor (TSHR) Intron 1 Variants Are Major Risk Factors for Graves' Disease in Three European Caucasian Cohorts

BACKGROUND: The thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) gene is an established susceptibility locus for Graves' disease (GD), with recent studies refining association to two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs179247 and rs12101255, within TSHR intron 1. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We aimed to validate association of rs179247 and rs12101255 in Polish and UK Caucasian GD case-control subjects, determine the mode of inheritance and to see if association correlates with specific GD clinical manifestations. We investigated three case-control populations; 558 GD patients and 520 controls from Warsaw, Poland, 196 GD patients and 198 controls from Gliwice, Poland and 2504 GD patients from the UK National collection and 2784 controls from the 1958 British Birth cohort. Both rs179247 (P = 1.2×10(-2)-6.2×10(-15), OR = 1.38-1.45) and rs12101255 (P = 1.0×10(-4)-3.68×10(-21), OR = 1.47-1.87) exhibited strong association with GD in all three cohorts. Logistic regression suggested association of rs179247 is secondary to rs12101255 in all cohorts. Inheritance modeling suggested a co-dominant mode of inheritance in all cohorts. Genotype-phenotype correlations provided no clear evidence of association with any specific clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: We have validated association of TSHR intron 1 SNPs with GD in three independent European cohorts and have demonstrated that the aetiological variant within the TSHR is likely to be in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs12101255. Fine mapping is now required to determine the exact location of the aetiological DNA variants within the TSHR

Diabetic myonecrosis: an uncommon diabetic complication.

Summary Diabetic myonecrosis, also known as diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus usually associated with longstanding suboptimal glycaemic control. Although theories of atherosclerosis, diabetic microangiopathy, vasculitis, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and hypercoagulable state have been proposed to explain the pathophysiology, none of these have been able to individually explain the pathophysiology in entirety. Diabetic renal disease is the most common risk factor for developing DMN and its recurrence. The diagnosis is often missed due to lack of awareness and the presentation mimicking other conditions associated with DM. The routine laboratory investigations are often non-specific and do not provide much value in the diagnosis as well. Muscle biopsy can provide a definite diagnosis but is not currently recommended due to its invasiveness and association with prolonged time to symptoms resolution. Magnetic resonance imaging, in combination with classic history and risk factors can clinch the diagnosis. Treatment is generally analgesia and rest, although the former's use may be limited in the presence of renal disease. Learning Points Diabetic myonecrosis is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus associated with longstanding suboptimal glycaemic control. Diabetic renal disease is a known risk factor, although the evidence is merely observational. Although muscle biopsy could provide a definite diagnosis, it is not recommended as it can prolong the disease process and should be reserved only for cases not responding to conventional treatment. Typical MRI findings in combination with classic symptoms and risk factors can clinch the diagnosis Current treatment recommendations include NSAIDs and/or aspirin (if not contraindicated) alongside bed rest. Physiotherapy is not recommended in the acute phase but should be started as soon as patient is discharged from hospital. Optimal glycaemic control is key to prevent recurrence

Prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome: the utility of easily reproducible screening methods.

BACKGROUND Despite the recognition of the importance of diagnosing dysglycaemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) there remains a lack of consensus on the best screening modality. Our primary aims were to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed dysglycaemia and to compare the OGTT and HbA1c criteria for diagnosis of T2DM in patients admitted to hospital with ACS at baseline and at 3-months. We also aimed to investigate the role of a screening algorithm and a predictor score to define glucose tolerance in this population. METHODS A prospective study in which patients admitted with ACS to two UK teaching hospitals were assessed at baseline and 3 months follow-up. RESULTS The prevalence of diabetes at baseline was 20% and 16% based on OGTT and HbA1c criteria respectively. Forty three (43) % of the patients with T2DM based on OGTT would have been missed by the HbA1c criteria at baseline. Our screening algorithm identified 87% of patients with T2DM diagnosed with OGTT. Diabetes Predictor score had better sensitivity (>80%) and negative predictive value (>90%) compared to HbA1c criteria. Two thirds of participants with IGS and a third with T2DM changed their glycaemic status at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS Only 48% of the patients admitted with ACS had normo-glycaemia based on OGTT. OGTT and HbA1c identified two different populations of patients with dysglycaemia with the HbA1c criteria missing almost half the patients with T2DM based on OGTT. Compared to HbA1c criteria our diabetes algorithm and diabetes predictor score had a better correlation with OGTT criteria

Improving diabetes and endocrinology specialty training with modest resources: the Health Education West Midlands model.

Introduction In the current pandemic, there is a significant disruption for medical training. It is essential that clinicians can access high-quality, targeted educational content to support their clinical working and training development. This content must be delivered on a background of increasing clinical pressures and budgetary restrictions. Methods Educational innovations and supplementary educational content (such as digitisation, simulation, curriculum mapping, trainee representative role definition, research and innovation training) were implemented. We measured the impact of these interventions on cost reductions and changes in trainees' self-reported confidence levels to manage various clinical scenarios post-interventions. Results Using digital technologies reduced both costs and administrative burdens. Simulation-based learning helped improve trainees' self-reported confidence levels. Conclusion Collaborative working across training programme directors, specialist training committee members, educational supervisors, trainee representatives and trainees themselves can develop high-quality educational programmes that support clinical exposure. We propose that elements of the model described here can be replicated across regions and different specialties to support the highest quality of education for UK trainees

EVALUATION OF MEASURED IRRIGATION DEPTH VS ACTUAL DEPTH UNDER FARMERS EXISTING PRACTICE IN CHAJ DOAB

Five different sites were bench-marked in Chaj Doab to analyze the actual depth of irrigation under Zamindara conditions vs standard irrigation. The discharge Q was measured by using a cut-throat flume and from which the actual depth of irrigation was calculated. Irrigation application efficiency was computed by determining the ratio of irrigation depth required to depth applied. Only at one site almost an exact amount of irrigation 78.59 ± 2.10 mm was applied by the farmers with maximum application efficiency of 96.89 ± 2.42 percent corresponding to wheat yield of 3.23 ton ha-1. It was observed that the farmers have a general trend to wet the highest spot in the field which led them to over irrigation. It was concluded that additional water application than the required depth was of no value to crops as greater yields were obtained with standard irrigations of 76.2 mm

The effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular events and risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review.

Ramadan is the fasting month in Islam. Muslims around the world observe Ramadan every year, including people with diabetes. Data on the association of fasting in people with diabetes are sparse. The purpose of this study is to assess the association of fasting on cardiovascular risk factors and events in people with diabetes. A comprehensive search was conducted in the following database: Embase, Medline, Cochrane library and CINAHL. The following key terms were used: Ramadan, Ramazan, Ramadhan, Muslim, Islam and fasting. Studies were eligible if they included people with Type 2 diabetes who fasted during Ramadan and reporting results on cardiovascular risk factors or events. Overall 22 studies met inclusion criteria for the review; five studies reported cardiovascular outcomes and 17 reported changes in risk factors. There is insufficient evidence to link Ramadan fasting with increased or reduced incidence of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes, though there were some indication stroke risk may be increased. Findings were inconsistent in term of risk factors as some favoured Ramadan and others did not.‬‬‬‬

Risk of incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea. However, it is not known whether people with type 1 diabetes are also at an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. This study aimed to examine whether people with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of incident obstructive sleep apnoea compared with a matched cohort without type 1 diabetes. METHODS We used a UK primary care database, The Health Improvement Network (THIN), to perform a retrospective cohort study between January 1995 and January 2018 comparing sleep apnoea incidence between patients with type 1 diabetes (exposed) and without type 1 diabetes (unexposed) (matched for age, sex, BMI and general practice). The outcome was incidence of obstructive sleep apnoea. Baseline covariates and characteristics were assessed at the start of the study based on the most recent value recorded prior to the index date. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios, based on a complete-case analysis. RESULTS In total, 34,147 exposed and 129,500 matched unexposed patients were included. The median follow-up time was 5.43 years ((IQR 2.19-10.11), and the mean BMI was 25.82 kg/m (SD 4.33). The adjusted HR for incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes vs those without type 1 diabetes was 1.53 (95% CI 1.25, 1.86; p<0.001). Predictors of incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes were older age, male sex, obesity, being prescribed antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs, atrial fibrillation and depression. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Individuals with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea compared with people without diabetes. Clinicians should suspect obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes if they are old, have obesity, are male, have atrial fibrillation or depression, or if they are taking lipid-lowering or antihypertensive drugs