Critical questions in diabetes management: What are the most compelling challenges and how can we handle them?

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is growing worldwide, showing almost a 10-fold increase in the last five decades. Despite advances in the understanding of the disease mechanisms, preventive measures, and treatment options, morbidity and mortality remain high. Moreover, the burden of uncontrolled glycemia and associated complications have a significant impact on healthcare costs. To be ready for the future and emerging issues in the management of diabetes and related disorders, a holistic approach is essential for the prevention of the next generations. So many challenges in the management of diabetes exist globally, which differ according to the health infrastructure, and cultural, economic, and sociodemographic status of the nations. Conclusions: In this minireview and commentary on previously unaddressed needs relating to the management of diabetes, we discuss the ubiquitous and most compelling challenges and suggest potential solutions in the care of patients with diabetes

Wpływ testosteronowej terapii zastępczej na stężenia witaminy D i FGF-23 w hipogonadyzmie wrodzonym

Introduction: Patients with hypogonadism are at increased risk of cardiac and metabolic diseases and osteoporosis. Vitamin D and Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) play role in the regulation of bone mineral metabolism and endothelial functions. Low vitamin D levels are reported in hypogonadism, while there is no data about the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). We investigated the effect of TRT on vitamin D and FGF-23 levels along with endothelial functions and insulin resistance in hypogonadal patients. Material and methods: Patients with congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (CHH) (n=32, age 20.6 ±1.58 years) were enrolled. TRT was implemented in transdermal form. The demographic parameters, FGF-23, 25(OH)D3, Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were measured both before and after TRT. Results: After a follow-up period of 3.63±1.33 months, ADMA and FGF-23 levels were significantly increased (p=0.03 and p=0.005 respectively), while the 25(OH)D3 and HOMA-IR index were not significantly changed. The body mass index and waist circumference levels of the patients were also increased (p<0.001 and p=0.02) along with a significant decrease in the HDL cholesterol levels (p=0.006). Conclusions: The results show that a short term TRT increases plasma FGF-23 and ADMA levels, in young, treatment naive patients with CHH. Whether this is an early implication of TRT related adverse effects in this very young and treatment naïve population of CHH is not clear. Future prospective studies are required to find out the long-term effects of TRT on cardio-metabolic morbidity and mortality in this specific population.  Wstęp: U chorych z hipogonadyzmem występuje zwiększone ryzyko chorób sercowych I metabolicznych oraz osteoporozy. Witamina D i czynnik wzrostu fibroblastów-23 (FGF-23) uczestniczą w regulacji metabolizmu kostnego i czynności śródbłonka. Istnieją doniesienia na temat niskiego stężenia witaminy D w hipogonadyzmie, natomiast brakuje danych dotyczących wpływu testosteronowej terapii zastępczej (TRT) na to stężenie. Autorzy zbadali wpływ TRT na stężenia witaminy D i FGF-23 oraz na czynność śródbłonka i poziom insulinooporności u chorych z hipogonadyzmem. Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono chorych z wrodzonym hipogonadyzmem hipogonadotropowym (CHH) (n = 32, wiek 20,6 ± 1,58 roku). Chorzy otrzymywali TRT w postaci przezskórnej. Przez rozpoczęciem leczenia i po jego zakończeniu u chorych zebrano dane demograficzne, zmierzono stężenia FGF-23, 25(OH)D3 i asymetryczej dimetyloargininy (ADMA) oraz określono wskaźnik insulinooporności HOMA-IR. Wyniki: Po okresie obserwacji trwającym 3,63 ± 1,33 miesiąca stwierdzono istotne zwiększenie stężeń ADMA i FGF-23 (odpowiednio p = 0,03 i p = 0,005), natomiast stężenie 25(OH)D3 i wskaźnik HOMA-IR nie zmieniły się istotnie. Ponadto zaobserwowano u chorych zwiększenie wskaźnika masy ciała i obwodu pasa (p < 0,001 I p = 0,02) oraz istotne zmniejszenie stężenia cholesterol frakcji HDL (p = 0,006). Wnioski: Wyniki badania pokazują, że krótkotrwałe stosowanie TRT u młodych chorych z CHH, uprzednio nieleczonych, powoduje zwiększenie osoczowego stężenia FGF-23 i ADMA, lecz nie wpływa na stężenie witaminy D. Nie jest jasne, czy jest to wczesny efekt działań niepożądanych TRT w tej grupie bardzo młodych pacjentów z CHH. Konieczne są dalsze prospektywne badania w celu ustalenia długookresowego wpływu TRT na chorobowość i śmiertelność w związku z chorobami sercowymi i metabolicznymi w tej szczególnej populacji

Evaluation of sexual functional status and consistency of scales in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after testosterone replacement therapy: a single-center experience

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the effect of short-term testosterone replacement therapy on sexual functions in congenital hypogonadism patients. Furthermore, we sought to reveal the consistency of the self-report scales used for the diagnosis of sexual dysfunction and the relationship between biochemical parameters. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 47 young male patients aged above 18 years who were diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Short (IIEF-5) and long (IIEF-15) forms of the International Index of Erectile Function and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were applied before treatment under the supervision of a physician. The patients’ blood pressure, height, and weight were measured, and their luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH, and total testosterone levels were recorded. Patients who started their treatments were called for a follow-up checkup after 6 months. Their blood pressure, height, and weight were measured by reapplying the ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15. In addition, their LH, FSH, and total testosterone levels in the biochemical tests were rerecorded. Results: In this study, the sexual dysfunction status of patients diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after treatment was evaluated using the ASEX, IIEF-15, and IIEF-5 scales. A decrease in sexual dysfunction was observed in all three scales after treatment compared with that before treatment. The IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scales were found to be uncorrelated in terms of the pretreatment values but were correlated in terms of the post-treatment values. Although a correlation was observed between ASEX and IIEF-5 before treatment, no correlation was detected between ASEX and IIEF-15. After the treatment, ASEX was found to be correlated with both IIEF-5 and IIEF-15. The results of the scales indicated the correlation in all categories, except the pretreatment results of the IIEF-15 scale. Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated a significant improvement in the sexual function of hypogonadism patients undergoing short-term testosterone therapy. The ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15 scales used in the diagnosis and follow-up of sexual dysfunction were useful for evaluating sexual functions in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients

Triglyceride-glucose index levels in patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and the relationship with endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance

Introduction: The risk of cardiometabolic diseases is increased in patients with hypogonadism. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel surrogate marker of insulin resistance and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the TyG index levels and the relationship with endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance in patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH). Material and methods: A total of 98 patients with CHH (mean age 21.66 ± 1.99 years) and 98 healthy control subjects (mean age 21.69 ± 1.21 years) were enrolled. The demographic parameters, TyG index, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were measured for all participants. Results: The patients had higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.001), insulin (p = 0.003), HOMA-IR (p = 0.002), ADMA (p < 0.001), and TyG index (p < 0.001) levels and lower HDL-C (p = 0.044) and total testosterone (p < 0.001) levels compared to healthy control subjects. TyG index levels significantly correlated with the ADMA (r = 0.31, p = 0.003) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) levels. TyG index was also determinant of HOMA-IR levels (ß = 0.20, p = 0.018). Conclusion: The results of the present study show that patients with CHH had increased TyG index levels. Also, the TyG index is independently associated with insulin resistance in patients with CHH. Long-term follow-up studies are warranted to find out the role of the TyG index in determining cardiometabolic risk in patients with hypogonadism.

Impact of Obesity on the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Turkish Nationwide Survey of Glycemic and Other Metabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Obesity Study)

Background: Obesity is the main obstacle for metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Turkey has the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Europe. The effect of obesity on the metabolic control, and the macro- and microvascular complications of patients are not apparent. Objectives: This nationwide survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes and to search for the impact of obesity on the metabolic control of these patients. We also investigated the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow-up for at least 1 year in 69 tertiary healthcare units in 37 cities. The demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including medications were recorded. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, younger than 18 years, had decompensated liver disease, psychiatric disorders interfering with cognition or compliance, had bariatric surgery, or were undergoing renal replacement therapy. Results: Only 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,648) had normal body mass indexes (BMI), while the others were affected by overweight (31%) or obesity (59%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (53.4 vs. 40%) and severe obesity (16.6 vs. 3.3%). Significant associations were present between high BMI levels and lower education levels, intake of insulin, antihypertensives and statins, poor metabolic control, or the presence of microvascular complications. Age, gender, level of education, smoking, and physical inactivity were the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The TEMD Obesity Study shows that obesity is a major determinant of the poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results underline the importance of prevention and management of obesity to improve health care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the results point out the independent sociodemographic and clinical associates of obesity, which should be the prior targets to overcome, in the national fight with obesity

Impact of Obesity on the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Turkish Nationwide Survey of Glycemic and Other Metabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Obesity Study)

WOS: 000468937100005PubMed: 30893706Background: Obesity is the main obstacle for metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Turkey has the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Europe. The effect of obesity on the metabolic control, and the macro-and microvascular complications of patients are not apparent. Objectives: This nationwide survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes and to search for the impact of obesity on the metabolic control of these patients. We also investigated the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow-up for at least 1 year in 69 tertiary healthcare units in 37 cities. The demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including medications were recorded. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, younger than 18 years, had decompensated liver disease, psychiatric disorders interfering with cognition or compliance, had bariatric surgery, or were undergoing renal replacement therapy. Results: Only 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,648) had normal body mass indexes (BMI), while the others were affected by overweight (31%) or obesity (59%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (53.4 vs. 40%) and severe obesity (16.6 vs. 3.3%). Significant associations were present between high BMI levels and lower education levels, intake of insulin, antihypertensives and statins, poor metabolic control, or the presence of microvascular complications. Age, gender, level of education, smoking, and physical inactivity were the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The TEMD Obesity Study shows that obesity is a major determinant of the poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results underline the importance of prevention and management of obesity to improve health care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the results point out the independent sociodemographic and clinical associates of obesity, which should be the prior targets to overcome, in the national fight with obesity. (c) 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, BaselTurkish Society of Endocrinology and MetabolismThe TEMD Obesity Study was funded by the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Automated BP monitors were provided by Sanovel A/S. The funding agencies had no role in the design and conduct of the study, the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data, or the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript