Prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and response to glucose-lowering treatments. A multicenter retrospective study in Italian specialist care

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is becoming the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. We estimated MAFLD prevalence among patients with T2D using the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and validated it against liver ultrasound. We also examined whether glucose-lowering medications (GLM) beneficially affected HSI

Similar effectiveness of dapagliflozin and GLP-1 receptor agonists concerning combined endpoints in routine clinical practice: A multicentre retrospective study

Aims According to cardiovascular outcome trials, some sodium-glucose contransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are recommended for secondary cardiovascular prevention in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this real-world study, we compared the simultaneous reductions in HbA1c, body weight and systolic blood pressure after initiation of dapagliflozin or GLP-1RA as second or a more advanced line of therapy. Materials and methods DARWIN-T2D was a retrospective multi-centre study conducted at diabetes specialist clinics in Italy that compared T2D patients who initiated dapagliflozin or GLP-1RA (exenatide once weekly or liraglutide). Data were collected at baseline and at the first follow-up visit after 3 to 12 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a simultaneous reduction in HbA1c, body weight and systolic blood pressure. To reduce confounding, we used multivariable adjustment (MVA) or propensity score matching (PSM). Results Totals of 473 patients initiating dapagliflozin and 336 patients initiating GLP-1RA were included. The two groups differed in age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, weight and concomitant medications. The median follow-up was 6 months in both groups. Using MVA or PSM, the primary endpoint was observed in 30% to 32% of patients, with no difference between groups. Simultaneous reduction of HbA1c, BP and SBP by specific threshold, as well as achievement of final goals, did not differ between groups. GLP-1RA reduced HbA1c by 0.3% more than the reduction achieved with dapagliflozin. Conclusion In routine specialist care, initiation of dapagliflozin can be as effective as initiation of a GLP-1RA for attainment of combined risk factor goals

Inpatient hyperglycemia management: the opportunities of a new basal insulin

The management of hospitalized diabetic patients for any cause is often difficult and affected not only by the comorbidities of the patient but also by the hospital setting. It is well known that at the admission the antidiabetic drugs should be discontinued on behalf of insulin therapy with insulin analogues, as a function of a basal-bolus insulin approach according to the phenotype of the patient, type of nutrition (enteral or parenteral rather than oral), or concomitant hyperglycemic therapy (e.g., steroid). The average stay of diabetic patients hospitalized for any cause is significantly correlated with both the number of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Compared to patients treated with sliding scale patients using a custom algorithm show a significant reduction in the number of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia episodes and in the length of stay. We analyze the clinical profile of a novel basal insulin, degludec, and explore the potential clinical benefit for diabetic inpatient. The continuation of insulin therapy at home in the immediate post-hospitalization (if necessary), also correlates with a reduction in the rate of re-hospitalization, which combined with close follow-up diabetes can result in a reduction of chronic complications

A dangerous mixture

A 59-year old woman was admitted for fatigue and arm paresthesias with Trousseau sign. Her medical history included thyroidectomy and hypercholesterolemia recently treated with simvastatin. Laboratory tests showed severe hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, severe increase in muscle enzymes, metabolic alkalosis; low plasma renin activity, increased thyroid-stimulating hormone, normal free thyroxine, increased parathyroid hormone, decreased vitamin D3; alterations in electrolyte urinary excretion, cortisol and aldosterone were excluded. Hypothesizing a statin-related myopathy, simvastatin was suspended; the patient reported use of laxatives containing licorice. Electrolytes normalized with intravenous supplementation. Among many biochemical alterations, none stands out as a major cause for muscular and electrolyte disorders. All co-factors are inter-connected, starting with statin-induced myopathy, worsened by hypothyroidism, secondary hyperaldosteronism and vitamin D deficiency, leading to hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, perpetrating muscular and electrolyte disorders. The importance of considering clinical conditions as a whole emerges with multiple co-factors involved. Another issue concerns herbal products and their potential dangerous effects

Hypertension and diabetic retinopathy: a simple association?

BACKGROUND Diabetes is known to be a major contributor to blindness in industrialized countries in adults. In addition to glycemic control, arterial hypertension is emerging as important factor in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. AIM OF THE STUDY This review describes the epidemiologic studies that explored the relationships between hypertension and diabetic retinopathy and the potential pathogenetic mechanisms underlying this association. Finally the effects of antihypertensive treatment in primary and secondary prevention of diabetic retinopathy are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors is crucial to establish effective preventive and treatment strategies

Comparative effectiveness of exenatide once-weekly versus liraglutide in routine clinical practice: A retrospective multicentre study and meta-analysis of observational studies

In this study, we retrospectively compared the effectiveness of exenatide once-weekly (ExeOW) versus liraglutide in non-insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes followed under routine care. We also present a meta-analysis of similar observational studies available in the literature. In our multicentre retrospective study, patients initiating ExeOW (n = 204) or liraglutide (n = 410) had similar baseline clinical characteristics. Change in HbA1c at 6 months was superimposable in the two groups ( 120.7% \ub1 1.0%), and changes in body weight were also similar (ExeOW -2.2 \ub1 3.7 kg; liraglutide 122.5 \ub1 4.3 kg; p = 0.457). Discontinuation rates were numerically but not significantly lower for ExeOW versus liraglutide. Pooling these data with those of observational studies available in the literature yielded superimposable effects between the two groups for the change in HbA1c and body weight, with a higher risk of discontinuation (mainly based on pharmacy refill rates) for ExeOW. We conclude that, in patients under routine care, initiation of ExeOW provides similar benefits on HbA1c and body weight as initiation of liraglutide. These data help view the results of randomized controlled trials from the perspective of their application in routine clinical practice

Efficacy and Safety of Insulin Degludec for Hyperglycemia Management in Noncritical Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes: An Observational Study

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Changes in markers of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes during treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. A multicenter retrospective longitudinal study

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and can progress to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this retrospective study, we explored the longitudinal changes in markers of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis during T2D treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs)