ABSTRACT
Objectives: Autoimmune diseases are known to occur in people with Down's syndrome [DS], especially celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus [DM], and hypothyroidism. Since there are common genetic risk factors involved in the occurrence of these autoimmune disorders, the risks would differ in different populations. We sought to determine the prevalence of type 1 DM, celiac disease, and hypothyroidism in Emirati patients with DS in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Methods: Ninety-two patients with DS were investigated for the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, antithyroglobulin, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies for hypothyroidism, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies for type 1 DM, and anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A antibodies for celiac disease
Results: Karyotyping was performed on 89 patients. Eighty-seven had non-disjunction of chromosome 21 [97.8%], one was a mosaic, and one had translocation. Of the patients studied, 19.6% had hypothyroidism, 4.3% had type 1 DM, and 1.1% had celiac disease. Out of the 92 patients studied, 66 [71.7%] did not have any autoimmune disease, 25 [27.2%] had one autoimmune disease, and one [1.1%] had two autoimmune diseases
Conclusions: Celiac disease was the least prevalent autoimmune disease in patients with DS patients, while type 1 DM and hypothyroidism were both significantly associated with DS
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Insulin pumps are widely used in diabetes. They are equipped with safety alarms to alert users. Pump manuals contain alarm codes and how to troubleshoot them. However, these manuals are lengthy and difficult to use, particularly in emergencies. We aim to assess the impact of targeted education on warnings and errors in improving competency to troubleshoot the alarms. METHODS: Twenty-one patients, with a median age of 13, were recruited over a 5-month period. Each patient had 2 study visits. The frequencies and types of alarms were recorded, and patients were given a summary sheet that outlined common alarms encountered and troubleshooting tips. In visit 2, the frequencies and types of alarms were compared to those of visit 1. The patients were asked to fill a questionnaire and to rate the education session given in visit 1, their level of competency in decrypting alarm codes, and their promptness in responding to alarms. RESULTS: Low cartridge (W1), low battery (W2), and bolus cancelled (W8) were the commonest warnings. The most noted errors were occlusion (E4), power interruption (E8), empty battery (E2), set not primed (E11), and cartridge empty (E1). The numbers of warning and error signals markedly decreased after targeted education (P < 0.05). The ability in decrypting warning signals significantly improved (P=0.02), and the frequency of response to pump alarms significantly increased (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Certain warnings and errors are more common than others in insulin pumps. Targeted education is useful in improving competency and response of patients in managing pump alarms.