Gender: does it have a role in blood pressure in Caucasians with well-controlled type 2 diabetes?

Blood pressures are increased in type 2 diabetics presenting an enhanced risk of myocardial infarction and subsequent death. It is controversial whether males have a greater risk of myocardial infarction and resultant death in type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to review the literature regarding gender in blood pressure and to test the hypothesis that there would be gender inequality in blood pressure in well-controlled Caucasian type 2 diabetics in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia resulting in at least one gender exceeding the Canadian Diabetes Association [CDA] guidelines for systolic and/or diastolic pressures. Blood pressure were done by sphygmomanometry and using a stethoscope. This study revealed statistically identical blood pressures in males and females which were above the CDA guidelines for systolic and diastolic pressures. It is concluded that neither males nor females as a population in this study are meeting the CDA guidelines for systolic or diastolic pressures and as such may well be at greater risk of myocardial infarction than if they were meeting these CDA guidelines. Ultimately it will have to be determined what approaches are suitable in bringing blood pressures to clinical target endpoints and what role gender may play in these approaches to management of hypertension in type 2 diabetics. However, this was only a very small study and a much larger one would answer whether there is gender inequality in blood pressure among persons with well-controlled type 2 diabetes

Gender: does it have role has a role in glycaemic control in Caucasians with well-controlled type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is costly to manage and thus it is important to know if management of blood glucose and HbA[1C] are meeting clinical targets in both men and women. There is conflicting published data on the gender equality of blood glucose and HbA[1C] management in type 2 diabetics. The purpose of this work was to review the literature on gender equality in blood glucose management and to test the hypothesis that management of blood glucose and HbA[1C] would meet clinical targets in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, irrespective of gender in well controlled Caucasian type 2 diabetic patients. Fasting serum insulin and insulin sensitivity levels were determined in order to assist in the explanation of the glucose and HbA[1C] results in people with diabetes. Patients were asked to give a fasting blood sample on each of two occasions three months apart. There were no differences between males and females in each of fasting serum glucose [FSG] and HbA[1C] levels as well as fasting serum insulin concentrations and in insulin sensitivity at visit 1 or 2. However, each of FSG and HbA[1C] levels were slightly higher than clinical targets. Modestly elevated serum insulin and lower insulin sensitivity were consistent with the FSG and HbA[1C] levels. This contrasts with some of the existing literature pointing out the need for a much larger study to be done in Cape Breton. It is concluded that blood glucose management among people with well controlled type 2 diabetes in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia may be close to clinical targets irrespective of gender. A further lowering of HbA[1C] and FSG may be in order. However, this was only a very small study and a much larger one would answer whether there is gender equality in FSG and HbA[1C] among persons with well controlled type 2 diabetes on Cape Breton Island