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PURPOSE: This study examined the association of microalbuminuria (MAU), as determined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), with hypertension (HTN) among Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in deprived neighborhoods of The Hague, Netherlands. METHODS: A total of 110 participants, physician-diagnosed with T2D, aged ≥ 30 years were recruited from multiple sources from The Hague, Netherlands in a cross-sectional design. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using automated office blood pressure equipment. Urine albumin was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. Urine creatinine was determined using the Jaffe method. MAU was defined as ACR ≥ 3.5 mg/mmol for females and/or ACR ≥ 2.5 mg/mmol for males. RESULTS: MAU was present in 21% of Turkish immigrants with T2D. Adjusted logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of having MAU were 6.6 times higher in hypertensive than those that were normotensive (p = 0.007; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19, 36.4). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that HTN and MAU may be assessed as a standard of care for T2D management for this population. Prospective studies of diabetes outcomes are recommended to further verify these findings.
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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM/QUESTION: Will a telehealth initiative improve poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and unmet social determinants of health (SDOH) needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic? DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: Due to COVID-19, many patients with DM faced challenges accessing healthcare, as well as exacerbations of socioeconomic disparities regarding access to food, affordable housing, and safe places to exercise. To address these challenges, we adapted an existing student-faculty collaborative practice at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, to a telehealth platform to provide targeted DM management, and referrals to dietitians and community resource specialists. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: We assessed clinical outcomes, such as changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), LDL, and number of medication adjustments. Measured quality indicators included frequency of HbA1c, LDL, and microalbuminuria measurements, as well as prescription of cardiovascular/diabetic medications such as ACE inhibitors, statins, and aspirin within the year prior to enrollment and within 6 months after the final visit. To measure the role and intervenability of SDOH needs, we tracked the results of SDOH screens to identify key needs, as well as the number of dietitian and community resource specialist (CRS) referrals placed. FINDINGS TO DATE: Of 998 patients with non-insulin-dependent type 2 DM, 60 were enrolled in the program, of whom 42% were white and had a median BMI of 32.0 kg/m2 (IQR 28.3-36.1). Patients endorsed high motivation (8/10) and confidence (7/10) in managing their diabetes, but reported inadequate nutrition education (56.7% of cohort), as well as difficulty maintaining a healthy diet (76.7%) and exercising (78.3%). Analysis of baseline data and for those who completed the program thus far (n = 22, >6 months since last clinic visit), showed a significant decrease in mean HbA1c (mean ±SEM) from 8.72±0.15 to 8.09±0.22 (p = 0.03). LDL levels were not significantly different before and after the program, 90.3±5.4 vs 100.9±10.6 (p = 0.42). Lab draw frequency (HbA1c, LDL) and medication prescription (ACE inhibitors, statin, aspirin) and were not significantly different. Of patients who completed the program, 8 (36.4%) had their diabetes medications adjusted. 2 (9.1%) were referred to a CRS, and 2 (9.1%) were referred to a dietitian. KEY LESSONS FOR DISSEMINATION: Our ongoing study showed that the implementation of a telehealth diabetes program with SDOH screening can be an effective way to assist patients with uncontrolled diabetes. We identified significant patient needs for additional support and clinical care. Assessing socioeconomic burdens faced by patients and understanding the impact and key features of such a collaborative telehealth program can pave the way for the implementation of a similar model of care for other chronic conditions.
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Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical particularities and the lab tests in patients hospitalized for SARS-COV2 infection, with new onset of hypertension on admission. Design and method: We performed a retrospective study on 217 patients admitted to a Clinical Emergency Hospital between January 2021 and October 2021. Results: We had 217 patients admitted in internal medicine clinic for infection with SARS-COV2 virus, most of them with moderate and severe form of disease. From them, 148 patients had hypertension, 83.78% with medical history of hypertension and 16.22% with new onset of high blood pressure on admission. Patients were aged between 23 and 99 years, with an average age of 65 years. In comparison, the patients with new onset of hypertension (subgroup 1) were aged between 37 and 90 years, with an average age of 66 years. The most affected group of age was 60-69 years. In subgroup 1, the gender distribution was: 58.33% male, 41.66% female. At admission, the stages of SARS-COV2 infection in subgroup 1, according to CT examination, were severe in 52.38%, moderate 19.04%, and mild 28.57% of patients. As comorbidities in subgroup 1: cancer in 8.33%, metabolic syndrome 54.16%, dyslipidemia 4.16%, obesity 50%, type II diabetes mellitus 45.83%, chronic heart failure in 12.5% of cases (37.5% NYHA I class, 54.16% NYHA II class and 8.3% NYHA III class), atrial fibrillation in 12.5%, atherosclerosis in 16.66%, anxiety disorders in 4.16% and dementia in 8.33% of cases. High levels of inflammatory markers in Subgroup 1: CRP in 95.83%, procalcitonin in 87.5%, ferritin 79.16%, D-dimers in 83.33%, troponin 4.16%, NT-proBNP in 50% of cases. Decreased GFR was found in 65.21% of patients. Microalbuminuria was present in 29.16% of patients. The antihypertensive medication during hospitalization was: diuretics in 45.83%% of cases, betablockers in 33.34%, calcium blockers in 8.33%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in 16.67%. Conclusions: Hypertension with new onset during SARS-COV2 infection and its persistence in post-covid syndrome may have complex pathogenic mechanisms and require personalized therapeutic decision.
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Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate how the proinflammatory and prothrombotic imbalances correlates with cardiovascular and renal events at hypertensive patients (pts) after Covid-19. Design and method: 40 hypertensive pts, (mean age 58.5 ± 9.6 years, 52.5% males)=group 1 and 40 hypertensive pts recovered after Covid-19, matched for age and sex (mean age 60.4 ± 10.8 years, 55% males)=group 2. Inflammation profile was estimated by serum measurement of C reactive protein (CRP), ferritin (F), interleukin 6 (IL6) and fibrinogen (Fb). Prothrombotic profile was determined by serum measurement of D-Dimer (DD). All pts were evaluated during one year, in order to detect the following complications: unstable angina (UA), non-STsegment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ischemic stroke (IS), renal dysfunction (RD): microalbuminuria, proteinuria, chronic kidney disease. Results: In group 1, UA was significantly associated with higher level of CRP (2.25 ± 0.65 mg/L vs 7.32 ± 1.18 mg/L, p = 0.04). In the same group, RD was found in a higher proportion at pts with increased CRP (2.10 ± 0.56 mg/L vs 8.11 ± 1.21 mg/L, p = 0.02). In group 2, UA was also significantly associated with higher level of CRP (3.44 ± 0.62 mg/L vs 9.68 ± 1.15 mg/L, p = 0.03) and with greater proportion of DD (0.35 ± 0.08 mcg/ml vs 1.53 ± 0.12 mcg/ml, p = 0.01). NSTEMI was found in a higher proportion at pts with increased DD (0.42 ± 0.07 mcg/ml vs 1.87 ± 0.15 mcg/ml, p = 0.01). In the same group, RD was significantly more frequent at pts with higher level of IL6 (4.55 ± 0.92 pg/ml vs 8.32 ± 0.85 pg/ml, p = 0.04) and with greater level of F (76 ± 15 ng/ml vs 635 ± 26 ng/ml, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Proinflammatory status seems to predict a worse midterm outcome (one year) concerning cardiovascular and renal events at hypertensive pts, especially after Covid-19. Moreover, proinflammatory and prothrombotic imbalances appears to have more powerful midterm prognostic value for incidence of acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation and for incidence of RD at hypertensive pts recovered after Covid-19.