Glycemic effects of simvastatin: Where do we stand?

ABSTRACT In clinical practice, simvastatin is usually used in the treatment of dyslipidemia patients and those at risk of or with established cardiovascular disease. However, previous studies have shown that simvastatin has the potential to affect glycemic parameters as it reportedly reduced insulin secretion and sensitivity. The exact mechanism by which simvastatin affects glycemia is still unknown, but previous studies have postulated the involvement of the glucose-insulin secretion mechanism. This review focuses on the effects of simvastatin, either alone or in combination with other lipid lowering agents, antidiabetics and antihypertensives, on glucose homeostasis. Some studies have reported that simvastatin might impair the levels of glucose metabolism markers in the blood while others have reported no effect or improvement in glycemia.

Association of glycemic control with progression of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia

Abstract The risk of having microvascular complication is high among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, factors associated with the glycemic control and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in T2DM patients is limited. This study aims to determine association between anti-diabetic agents, glycemic control and progression of diabetic retinopathy in a Malaysian population. A retrospective study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia, from January 2009 until March 2014. This study enrolled 104 patients aged 40-84 years, with a mean age 63.12 ± 9.18 years. patients had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, 77%) and 35% had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Diabetic macula edema (DME) was present in 20% of NPDR patients, compared with 7% in PDR. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (p=0.012), age (p=0.014) and number of antidiabetic agents used (p=0.015) were significantly associated with stages of diabetic retinopathy. Family history of T2DM (p=0.039) was associated with DME. Identifying factors influencing the progression of diabetic retinopathy may aid in optimizing the therapeutic effects of anti-diabetic agents in T2DM patients.

Demographic, clinical and lifestyle predictors for severity of erectile dysfunction and biomarkers level in Malaysian patients

The incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) is rising worldwide and its prevalence is one of the main health concerns that affect overall men well-being in Malaysia. The cluster of demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors may have contributed to the severity of ED and changes in biomarkers level; nevertheless these have not been studied extensively. This cross sectional study involved a total of 276 patients with 138 was diagnosed with ED. The demographic, clinical, lifestyle factors and severity of ED were assessed using a set of questionnaire and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Meanwhile, Total Testosterone (TT) and Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Binary logistic regression test was used to demonstrate the predictors of severity of ED, TT and ADMA levels. Significant predictors for worsening of severity of ED are self-employed [10.55 (0.43 - 257.06), p=0.004], pensioner [8.07 (0.19 - 352.45), p=0.026], non-government employee [1.16 (0.05 - 26.26), p=0.04] and TT [0.41 (0.25 - 0.69), p=0.001]. Nevertheless, pensioner [0.08 (0.01 - 0.87), p=0.038] and unemployed [0.04 (0.01 - 0.42), p=0.007], were the predictors that may influence the changes of TT levels. On the other hand, academic qualification (secondary) [4.51 (0.48 - 42.83), p=0.014] and intensity of physical activities (< 1 hour/day) [2.61 (0.65 - 10.48), p=0.008] were the predictors which were more likely to influence the changes of ADMA levels in ED patients. TT and ADMA levels were influenced by demographic and lifestyle factors whilst severity of ED was predicted by demographic and clinical factors in Malaysian ED population. These predictors may provide new knowledge on risk factors of severity of ED and help in management of ED. Thus, the predictive models could serve as a primary guidance to physicians to ensure ED being managed and treated more effectively.