Evaluation of one touch horizon - a highly affordable glucose monitor

Background and Objective: Despite the growing evidence on the benefits of self-monitoring in diabetes, the use of these meters has been low in developing countries, particularly India. Cost seems to be the major constraint. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of One Touch HORIZON an affordable glucose meter with laboratory assessment of blood glucose. Methods: 100 subjects with diabetes over the age of 18 years were recruited from the MV Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai. All the study subjects had their fasting blood tested for glucose in One Touch HORIZON by finger prick. Fasting blood glucose was also assessed in YSI 2300 STATPLUS (Yellow Springs Instruments, Ohio, USA) glucose analyzer. The Parke's Error Grid model was used to assess the accuracy of the meter against YSI plasma glucose values. Results: Of the total 100 study subjects, 97 were Type 2 diabetic subjects and three were Type 1 diabetic subjects. 62% of the study subjects were males. 89% did not perform SMBG and only 2% of the diabetic subjects performed SMBG daily. The Parke's Error Grid analysis revealed 97% of results to be in Zone A when patient performed the test, 99 - 100% in Zone A when clinical staff performed the test indicating excellent accuracy and precision. Conclusion: One Touch HORIZON meter is an affordable meter with good accuracy and precision, specifically designed to cater to the needs of diabetic patients in developing countries

Effect of essentiale in diabetic subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) has been reported to be common among subjects with diabetes. However, there are not much therapeutic options for NAFL. In this open labeled clinical trial we studied the effect of Essentiale in diabetic subjects with NAFL. Twenty-eight type 2 diabetic patients attending the out-patient division of M.V. Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai and satisfying the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. High resolution B mode ultrasonography was carried out for diagnosis of NAFL. Liver function markers [Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Gamma Glutamyl transferase (GGT)] were measured. 22 out of the 28 patients (78.5%) were available for follow up. The mean age of the study subjects was 41±8 years and 50% were males. A significant reduction in all the liver enzymes were observed after Essentiale treatment (baseline vs. six months after treatment: ALT: 54.5± 29.6 IU/L vs. 37.1±18.7 IU/L, p< 0.05, AST: 38.0±18.0 IU/L vs. 27.6±12.4 IU/L, p< 0.05, GGT: 38.7±27.5 IU/L vs. 29.6±13.8 IU/L, p< 0.05). Ultrasound studies revealed that the hepatic echotexture improved after Essentiale treatment in 12/22 (54.5%) of the study subjects, while there was no change in 9/22 (40.9%), and it worsened in only one patient (4.5%). The study results suggest that Essentiale protects and improves liver function in diabetic subjects with NAFL. Prospective, blinded clinical trials are required to confirm these findings

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and intimal medial thickness in subjects with glucose intolerance—The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study-25

The aim of the present study was to assess the association of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL) with carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) in different grades of glucose intolerance in Asian Indians. Three groups were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, a population-based study: group 1, normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 175); group 2, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 175); and group 3, type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 175). Oxidized LDL (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and carotid IMT (high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography) were assessed. Subjects with diabetes had higher IMT values (0.85F0.30 mm) compared with those who have IGT (0.79 F 0.16 mm, P b .05) and NGT (0.71 F 0.12 mm, P b .001). Subjects with diabetes (40.1 F 13.1 U/L) and IGT (34.3 F 12.8 U/L) had significantly higher mean OX-LDL values compared with the NGT group (26.2 F 16.6 U/L, P b .001). Oxidized LDL showed a correlation with IMT (total population: r = 0.294, P b .001; subjects with NGT: r = 0.444, P b .001; and subjects with IGT: r = 0.481, P b .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, OX-LDL showed a strong association with IMT (b = .005, P b .001), even after adjusting for age, sex (b = .003, P b .001), and glucose intolerance (b = .002, P b .001). In conclusion, OX-LDL levels increase with increasing glucose intolerance. Oxidized LDL is associated with carotid IMT and this is independent of age, sex, and glucose intolerance statu

Effect of rosiglitazone on the frequency of diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose: a randomised controlled trial

Background Rosiglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that reduces insulin resistance and might preserve insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the drugs ability to prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the condition