Diabetes and Periodontal Disease / 임상당뇨병

Diabetes and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases and have a bidirectional relationship. Periodontitis is more prevalent and more severe in diabetic persons than in nondiabetic persons, and diabetes plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Also, periodontitis has shown elevated risk for hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Thus, mutual management of the two conditions might be necessary. Periodontal therapy is effective in persons with diabetes and is associated with reduction of HbA1c. The present study reviews the mechanistic link between diabetes and periodontitis and the effects of periodontal treatment and can aid in educational planning to prevent periodontitis of diabetic persons.

Association of serum free thyroxine and glucose homeostasis: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background/Aims@#Thyroid hormones are involved in wide range of glucose metabolism functions. Overt thyroid dysfunctions are related to altered glucose homeostasis. However, it is not conclusive as to whether subtle changes in thyroid hormones within normal ranges can induce alterations in glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between thyroid hormone and glucose homeostasis parameters in subjects without overt thyroid dysfunction based on nationwide population data. @*Methods@#In the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 (n = 7,380), data were collected from subjects with insulin and thyroid function measurements who were older than 19-years-old. After the exclusion of 5,837 subjects, a total of 1,543 patients were included in the analysis. Subjects were categorized into the quartiles of the free thyroxine (FT4). Fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were considered to be glucose homeostasis parameters. @*Results@#Subjects with the highest FT4 quartile showed significantly lower fasting insulin and HbA1c levels. A significant inverse correlation FT4 and HbA1c levels was observed (β = –0.261, p = 0.025). In the logistic regression analysis, the highest quartile of FT4 was demonstrated to lower the risk of HbA1c to a greater degree than the median by approximately 40%, after adjusting for confounders, compared to the lowest quartile (p = 0.028). @*Conclusions@#We demonstrated subjects with a lower FT4 quartile exhibited high risk of HbA1c levels above the median value in a representative Korean population. Subjects with the lowest FT4 quartile should be cautiously managed in terms of altered glucose homeostasis.

Long-Term Glycaemic Durability of Early Combination Therapy Strategy versus Metformin Monotherapy in Korean Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We assessed the glycaemic durability with early combination (EC; vildagliptin+metformin [MET], n=22) versus MET monotherapy (n=17), among newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) enrolled (between 2012 and 2014) in the VERIFY study from Korea (n=39). Primary endpoint was time to initial treatment failure (TF) (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥7.0% at two consecutive scheduled visits after randomization [end of period 1]). Time to second TF was assessed when both groups were receiving and failing on the combination (end of period 2). With EC the risk of initial TF significantly reduced by 78% compared to MET (n=3 [15%] vs. n=10 [58.7%], P=0.0228). No secondary TF occurred in EC group versus five patients (29.4%) in MET. Patients receiving EC treatment achieved consistently lower HbA1c levels. Both treatment approaches were well tolerated with no hypoglycaemic events. In Korean patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, EC treatment significantly and consistently improved the long-term glycaemic durability as compared with MET.

Addison Disease Due to Adrenal Tuberculosis Presenting as an Abscess in a Nearby Psoas Muscle with a Duodenal Fistula / 대한내과학회지

An 80-year-old male with nausea and poor oral intake was referred for evaluation of hyponatremia. Primary adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed by a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. The cause of the adrenal insufficiency was revealed to be adrenal tuberculosis presenting as a bilateral adrenal mass on computed tomography imaging. During the first few months of treatment, the size of the tuberculous mass increased and spread to an adjacent area, and further adrenal hormone replacement was needed. In addition, there was a newly developed tuberculous abscess in a nearby psoas muscle with a duodenal fistula. Thus, we report a case of a long-term clinical course of Addison's disease with changes in hormone replacement as a result of active adrenal tuberculosis, together with a review of the literature.

Primary Granulomatous Hypophysitis Presenting with Panhypopituitarism and Central Diabetes Insipidus / 대한내과학회지

Primary granulomatous hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland and patients commonly present with symptoms of sellar compression and hypopituitarism. A 48-year-old woman was admitted due to headache and fatigue. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 21 x 18 x 13-mm round sellar mass with a thickened pituitary stalk. The endocrinological examination revealed panhypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus. Suspecting hypophysitis, the patient was given steroid and hormone replacement therapy. Six months later, she continued to complain of severe headaches and nausea. Computed tomography showed no significant change in the sellar mass. Subsequently, transsphenoidal surgery was performed. The pathological examination revealed granulomatous changes with multinucleated giant cells and primary granulomatous hypophysitis was diagnosed. Her headache resolved, but the pituitary functions did not improve. This is the first reported case in Korea of primary granulomatous hypophysitis with dysfunction of anterior and posterior pituitary gland, including the stalk, without optic chiasm compression.

Case of Multiple Cranial Diabetic Neuropathies Involving the Third, Fourth and Sixth Cranial Nerves / 대한내과학회지

Multiple simultaneous cranial neuropathies occur rarely in diabetes patients. In general, diabetic cranial neuropathy presents in an isolated form and frequently involves oculomotor or facial nerves. We report a 73-year-old man with known type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with severe dizziness, diplopia and third, fourth and sixth nerve ophthalmoplegia of both eyes. Radiological, laboratory and ophthalmic work-up including magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI and MRA) revealed no specific tumor, aneurysm, or inflammation findings, except for a previous cerebral infarction and atherosclerotic changes in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. After strict blood glucose control, the multiple cranial nerve palsies spontaneously resolved in 12 weeks. We report the case with a review of the literature.

Safety and Efficacy of Modern Insulin Analogues

BACKGROUND: A1chieve(R) was a noninterventional study evaluating the clinical safety and efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart 30, insulin detemir, and insulin aspart. METHODS: Korean type 2 diabetes patients who have not been treated with the study insulin or have started it within 4 weeks before enrollment were eligible for the study. The patient selection and the choice of regimen were at the discretion of the physician. The safety and efficacy information was collected from the subjects at baseline, week 12, and week 24. The number of serious adverse drug reactions (SADRs) was the primary endpoint. The changes of clinical diabetic markers at week 12 and/or at week 24 compared to baseline were the secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Out of 4,058 exposed patients, 3,003 completed the study. During the study period, three SADRs were reported in three patients (0.1%). No major hypoglycemic episodes were observed and the rate of minor hypoglycemic episodes marginally decreased during 24 weeks (from 2.77 to 2.42 events per patient-year). The overall quality of life score improved (from 66.7+/-15.9 to 72.5+/-13.5) while the mean body weight was slightly increased (0.6+/-3.0 kg). The 24-week reductions in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and postprandial plasma glucose were 1.6%+/-2.2%, 2.5+/-4.7 mmol/L, and 4.0+/-6.4 mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: The studied regimens showed improvements in glycemic control with low incidence of SADRs, including no incidence of major hypoglycemic episodes in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

Smoking and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor in many diseases, including various kinds of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Many studies have also reported the unfavorable effects of smoking for diabetes mellitus. Smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes, and aggravates the micro- and macro-vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Smoking is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation and dyslipidemia, but the exact mechanisms through which smoking influences diabetes mellitus are not clear. However, smoking cessation is one of the important targets for diabetes control and the prevention diabetic complications.

A Case of Spontaneous Bladder Rupture Mimicking Diabetic Nephropathy in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is a rare clinical entity, with the incidence reported as 1 in 126,000 hospital admissions. It is often associated with malignancy, inflammatory lesions, irradiation, calculus, diverticulum, binge alcohol drinking, continuous bladder irrigation, and neurogenic bladder. In rare instances, bladder rupture occurs without obvious causes. This rare clinical condition is difficult to diagnose because of vague symptoms. High index of suspicion is needed as the mortality rate is high if untreated. A 37-year-old woman with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, was admitted to the emergency room complaining of progressive abdominal distension and discomfort. She had a past history of tubo-ovarian and bladder abscess, and had undergone multiple surgical operations. From ascites fluid study, she was diagnosed as spontaneous bladder rupture. A transurethral catheter was inserted and the symptoms and signs resolved. Bladder rupture, mimicking acute kidney injury of diabetic nephropathy was disclosed without surgery.

Severe Hypoglycemia Is a Serious Complication and Becoming an Economic Burden in Diabetes

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypoglycemia is increasing due to the growing incidence of diabetes and the latest strict guidelines for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels under 7%. This study examined the clinical characteristics, causal factors, and medical costs of severely hypoglycemic patients in an emergency room (ER) of Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital. METHODS: The study consisted of a retrospective analysis of the characteristics, risk factors, and medical costs of 320 severely hypoglycemic patients with diabetes who presented to an ER of Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009. RESULTS: Most hypoglycemic patients (87.5%, 280/320) were over 60 years old with a mean age of 69.5+/-10.9 years and a mean HbA1c level of 6.95+/-1.46%. Mean serum glucose as noted in the ER was 37.9+/-34.5 mg/dL. Renal function was decreased, serum creatinine was 2.0+/-2.1 mg/dL and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 48.0+/-33.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. In addition, hypoglycemic patients typically were taking sulfonylureas or insulin and a variety of other medications, and had a long history of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Severe hypoglycemia is frequent in older diabetic patients, subjects with low HbA1c levels, and nephropathic patients. Therefore, personalized attention is warranted, especially in long-term diabetics with multiple comorbidities who may not have been properly educated or may need re-education for hypoglycemia.

Letter: The Effects of Combined Treatment of Alendronate Plus Active or Plain Vitamin D on the Vitamin D Metabolism and Bone Turnover Marker in Patients with Osteoporosis (Endocrinol Metab 25:305-309, 2010, Jee-Hoon Koo et al.)

No abstract available.

Response: The Effect of an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker on Arterial Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Hypertension (Diabetes Metab J 2011;35:236-42)

No abstract available.

The Effect of an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker on Arterial Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study analyzed the changes in central aortic waveforms and pulse wave velocity as well as related parameters after treatment with valsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. METHODS: We used pulse wave analysis to measure central aortic waveform in a total of 98 subjects. In 47 of these patients, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained before and after 12 weeks of treatment with valsartan. RESULTS: In the central aortic waveform analysis, the aortic pulse pressure and augmentation index were significantly decreased after valsartan treatment, as was the aortic pulse wave velocity. Factors contributing to the improvement in pulse wave velocity were the fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c levels. CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with valsartan improves arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and the glucose status at baseline was associated with this effect.

Angiotensin II Inhibits Insulin Binding to Endothelial Cells

BACKGROUND: Insulin-mediated glucose uptake in insulin target tissues is correlated with interstitial insulin concentration, rather than plasma insulin concentration. Therefore, insulin delivery to the interstitium of target tissues is very important, and the endothelium may also play an important role in the development of insulin resistance. METHODS: After treating bovine aortic endothelial cells with angiotensin II (ATII), we observed the changes in insulin binding capacity and the amounts of insulin receptor (IR) on the cell membranes and in the cytosol. RESULTS: After treatment of 10(-7)M ATII, insulin binding was decreased progressively, up to 60% at 60 minutes (P<0.05). ATII receptor blocker (eprosartan) dose dependently improved the insulin binding capacity which was reduced by ATII (P<0.05). At 200 microM, eprosartan fully restored insulin binding capacity, althogh it resulted in only a 20% to 30% restoration at the therapeutic concentration. ATII did not affect the total amount of IR, but it did reduce the amount of IR on the plasma membrane and increased that in the cytosol. CONCLUSION: ATII decreased the insulin binding capacity of the tested cells. ATII did not affect the total amount of IR but did decrease the amount of IR on the plasma membrane. Our data indicate that ATII decreases insulin binding by translocating IR from the plasma membrane to the cytosol. The binding of insulin to IR is important for insulin-induced vasodilation and transendothelial insulin transport. Therefore, ATII may cause insulin resistance through this endothelium-based mechanism.

Effect of Diabetes Education Program on Glycemic Control and Self Management for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease requiring continuous treatment and vigorous self-management. Reinforcement of effective self management and diabetes education are important factors in successful treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the current diabetes education program on blood glucose control, self-management, and self-efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 592 patients with newly diagnosed or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited to the diabetes education program from January to December 2007. We surveyed 338 patients from April to July 2008. A total of 117 patients had biochemical examinations and completed a questionnaire about knowledge, self-management and self-efficacy of diabetes treatment (no education group (n = 23), education group (n = 94)). RESULTS: The total scores from the questionnaires and the results of laboratory data showed no differences between the two groups. However, there were significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c level in the education group, as compared with the no education group (P = 0.039). Although the score for knowledge about diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the education group (P = 0.005), greater knowledge was not reflected in the self-management or self-efficacy of the patients. CONCLUSION: The current diabetes education program had no effect on the self-management or self-efficacy of patients with diabetes, although did show some degree of association with blood glucose control and diabetes knowledge level. We conclude that a more effective diabetes education program needs to be developed and applied to daily practice for the improvement ofself-efficacy in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Association of Spot Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio and 24 Hour-Collected Urine Albumin Excretion Rate in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Measuring urine albumin in diabetic patients is an important screening test to identify those individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease and the progression of kidney disease. Recently, spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) has replaced 24 hour-collected urine albumin excretion rate (AER) as a screening test for microalbuminuria given its comparative simplicity. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the degree of correlation between AER and ACR in the normal, microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric ranges, and to identify the lower limits of ACR for both genders. METHODS: A total of 310 type 2 diabetics admitted to one center were enrolled in the present study. Following the collection of a spot urine sample, urine was collected for 24 hours and albumin content was measured in both specimens. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 60.2 years. A total of 25.4% had microalbuminuria and 15.8% had macroalbuminuria. The data revealed a strongly positive correlation between AER and ACR across all ranges of albuminuria (R = 0.8). The cut-off value of ACR for 30 mg/day of AER by the regression equation was 24 microgram/mg for men, 42 microgram/mg for women and 31.2 microgram/mg for all patients. The diagnostic performance expressed as the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.938 (95% CI, 0.911-0.965) for ACR. ACR revealed a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 84%, when a cut-off value of 31.2 microgram/mg was employed. CONCLUSION: ACR was highly correlated with AER, particularly in the range of microalbuminuria. The gender combined cut-off value of ACR in type 2 diabetic patients was determined to be 31.2 microg/mg However, additional studies of large outpatient populations, as opposed to the inpatient population used in the present study, are required to confirm the utility of this value.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis at a Single Institution / 당뇨병

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Hospital for past 6 years. METHODS: We reviewed the retrospective medical records of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of DKA from 2000 to 2005 in Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital. Clinical characteristics including precipitating factors and hospital mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients (78 episodes) fulfilled criteria for inclusion in this study. Their mean age was 41.89 years. 66 episodes had a prior history of diabetes but DKA was the initial presentation in 12 episodes. 24.4% were on no treatment, 14.1% were using oral hypoglycemic agents and 53.8% were on insulin. Poor glycemic control were the most common precipitating factor (56.4%). There were 3 deaths. CONCLUSION: Our report is similar with past reports of DKA in Korea. but it is different that poor glycemic control is most common precipitating factor and mortality rate are lower than past reports. This observation suggests that many cases of DKA can be prevented by better access to medical care, proper education, and effective communication with a health care provider.

The Changes of Central Aortic Pulse Wave Analysis in Metabolic Syndrome / 당뇨병

The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been characterized as a cluster of risk factors that includes dyslipidemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance and central obesity. This syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Augmentation index (AIx), a composite of wave reflection form medium-sized muscular arteries is related to the development of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to examine the change on central aortic waveforms in subjects between patients with metabolic syndrome and normal subjects. Using the non-invasive technique of pulse wave analysis by applantation tonometry, we investigated central aortic waveforms in 45 patients with MS and 45 matched controls. The MS was defined by NCEP-ATP III criteria. Age did not differ between the two groups. AIx was significantly elevated in patinets with MS compared with controls (21.91 +/- 11.41% vs 18.14 +/- 11.07%; P < 0.01). Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) (158.09 +/- 28.69 vs 167.09 +/- 30.06; P < 0.01) was significantly decreased in patients with MS compared with controls. Only the fasting glucose (r = 0.317, P = 0.03) among the components of MS and age (r = 0.424, P = 0.004) had a positive correlation with AIx. AIx increased as the number of MS components increased. These results show that the MS increased systemic arterial stiffness. Age and fasting blood glucose are independent risk factors of arterial stiffness in MS. The individual MS components, except for fasting blood glucose, do not affect arterial stiffness independently. But the clustering of MS components might interact to synergistically affect arterial stiffness.

A case of mixed prolactin and growth hormone-secreting pituitary microadenoma presenting galactorrhea / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of galactorrhea with acromegaly from the mixed prolactin and GH secreting pituitary microadenoma managed with a successful surgical complete removal. A 31-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining galactorrhea for more than 6 months after delivery. The physical findings of the patient were a prominent galactorrhea and mild acromegalic features of face and extremities. The laboratory findings of hematology and blood chemistry were normal. In addition, the basal levels of prolactin and GH were slightly elevated. The thyroid is in euthyroid state. The results of the combined anterior pituitary hormone-stimulation tests were that the prolactin and GH responses were stimulated exaggeratedly and the other hormonal ones were normal responses. The oral glucose loading test for acromegaly revealed non-responder results. The sellar MRI showed the 6 X 5 mm-sized pituitary microadenoma. She was operated for surgical removal of the lesions of which the immunohistochemistry findings were consistent with the positive findings for both prolactin and GH. She discharged without post-operative complication and has done well with normalized hormonal levels at outpatient department.

Hypodipsic hypernatremia with intact AVP response to non-osmotic stimuli induced by hypothalamic tumor: A case report

Anatomical lesions of hypothalamic area associated with hypodipsic hypernatremia have been reported only rarely. We report here a case of hypodipsic hypernatremia induced by a hypothalamic lesion. A 25-yr-old man, who had been treated with radiation for hypothalamic tumor 5-yr before, was admitted for evaluation of hypernatremia and hypokalemia. He never felt thirst despite the elevated plasma osmolality and usually refused to drink intentionally. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) level was normal despite the severe hypernatremic hyperosmolar state and urine was not properly concentrated, while AVP secretion was rapidly induced by water deprivation and urine osmolality also progressively increased to the near maximum concentration range. All of these findings were consistent with an isolated defect in osmoregulation of thirst, which was considered as the cause of chronic hypernatremia in the patient without an absolute deficiency in AVP secretion. Hypokalemia could be induced by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as a result of volume depletion. However, inappropriately low values of plasma aldosterone levels despite high plasma renin activity could not induce symptomatic hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. The relatively low serum aldosterone levels compared with high plasma renin activity might result from hypernatremia. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia were gradually corrected by intentional water intake only.