Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glucose control of elderly people with type 2 diabetes in Italy.

AIMS: to evaluate the effect of home confinement related to COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic control in subjects with T2DM in Italy. METHODS: we evaluated the metabolic profile of 304 individuals with T2DM (65% males; age 69 ± 9 years; diabetes duration 16 ± 10 years) attending our Diabetes Unit early at the end of lockdown period (June 8 to July 7, 2020) and compared it with the latest one recorded before lockdown. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in fasting plasma glucose (8.6 ± 2.1 vs 8.8 ± 2.5 mmol/L; P = 0.353) and HbA1c (7.1 ± 0.9 vs 7.1 ± 0.9%; P = 0.600) before and after lockdown. Worsening of glycaemic control (i.e., ΔHbA1c ≥ 0.5%) occurred more frequently in older patients (32.2% in > 80 years vs 21.3% in 61-80 years vs 9.3% in < 60 years; P = 0.05) and in insulin users (28.8 vs 16.5%; P = 0.012). On multivariable analysis, age > 80 years (OR 4.62; 95%CI: 1.22-16.07) and insulin therapy (OR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.10-3.50) remained independently associated to worsening in glycaemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Home confinement related to COVID-19 lockdown did not exert a negative effect on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. However, age and insulin therapy can identify patients at greatest risk of deterioration of glycaemic control.

Effect of Direct Endovascular Revascularization Based on the Angiosome Model on Risk of Major Amputations and Life Expectancy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia and Foot Ulceration.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether direct or indirect endovascular revascularization based on the angiosome model affects outcomes in type 2 diabetes and critical limb ischemia. METHODS: From 2010 to 2015, 603 patients with type 2 diabetes were admitted for critical limb ischemia and submitted to endovascular revascularization. Among these patients, 314 (52%) underwent direct and 123 (20%) indirect revascularization, depending on whether the flow to the artery directly feeding the site of ulceration, according to the angiosome model, was successfully acquired; 166 patients (28%) were judged unable to be revascularized. Outcomes were healing, major amputation, and mortality rates. RESULTS: An overall healing rate of 62.5% was observed: patients who did not receive percutaneous transluminal angioplasty presented a healing rate of 58.4% (P < .02 versus revascularized patients). A higher healing rate was observed in the direct versus the indirect group (82.4% versus 50.4%; P < .001). The major amputation rate was significantly higher in the indirect versus the direct group (9.2% versus 3.2%; P < .05). The overall mortality rate was 21.6%, and it was higher in the indirect versus the direct group (24% versus 14%; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that direct revascularization of arteries supplying the diabetic foot ulcer site by means of the angiosome model is associated with a higher healing rate and lower risk of amputation and death compared with the indirect procedure. These results support use of the angiosome model in type 2 diabetes with critical limb ischemia.

Type 1 diabetes and COVID-19: The "lockdown effect".

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect the lockdown imposed during COVID-19 outbreak on the glycemic control of people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) using Continuous (CGM) or Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed glucose reading obtained by FGM or CGM in T1D subjects. Sensor data from 2 weeks before the lockdown (Period 0, P0), 2 weeks immediately after the lockdown (period 1, P1), in mid-lockdown (Period 2, P2) and immediately after end of lockdown (Period 3, P3) were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 63 T1D patients, (FGM: 52, 82%; CGM:11, 18%). Sensor use (91%) were slightly reduced. Despite this reduction, Time in Range increased in P1 (62%), P2 (61%) and P3 (62%) as compared to P0 (58%, all p < 0.05 or less) with concomitant reduction in the Time Above Range (P0: 38%; P1: 34%, P2: 34%, P3: 32%, all p < 0.05 or less vs. P0). Average glucose and GMI improved achieving statistical difference in P3 (165 vs. 158 mg/dl, p = 0.040 and 7.2% (55 mmol/mol) vs. 7.0% (53 mmol/mol), p = 0.016) compared to P0. Time Below Range (TBR) and overall glucose variability remained unchanged. Bi-hourly analysis of glucose profile showed an improvement particularly in the early morning hours. CONCLUSIONS: In T1D subjects with good glycemic control on CGM or FGM, the lockdown had no negative impact. Rather a modest but significant improvement in glycemic control has been recorded, most likely reflecting more regular daily life activities and reduces work-related distress.

Hyperglycemia at Hospital Admission Is Associated With Severity of the Prognosis in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: The Pisa COVID-19 Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether at-admission hyperglycemia is associated with worse outcomes in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients (N = 271) were subdivided based on at-admission glycemic status: 1) glucose levels <7.78 mmol/L (NG) (N = 149 [55.0%]; median glucose 5.99 mmol/L [range 5.38-6.72]), 2) known diabetes mellitus (DM) (N = 56 [20.7%]; 9.18 mmol/L [7.67-12.71]), and 3) no diabetes and glucose levels ≥7.78 mmol/L (HG) (N = 66 [24.3%]; 8.57 mmol/L [8.18-10.47]). RESULTS: Neutrophils were higher and lymphocytes and PaO2/FiO2 lower in HG than in DM and NG patients. DM and HG patients had higher D-dimer and worse inflammatory profile. Mortality was greater in HG (39.4% vs. 16.8%; unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.20, 95% CI 1.27-3.81, P = 0.005) than in NG (16.8%) and marginally so in DM (28.6%; 1.73, 0.92-3.25, P = 0.086) patients. Upon multiple adjustments, only HG remained an independent predictor (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.03-3.15, P = 0.04). After stratification by quintile of glucose levels, mortality was higher in quintile 4 (Q4) (3.57, 1.46-8.76, P = 0.005) and marginally in Q5 (29.6%) (2.32, 0.91-5.96, P = 0.079) vs. Q1. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia is an independent factor associated with severe prognosis in people hospitalized for COVID-19.

Diabetic foot surgery "Made in Italy". Results of 15 years of activity of a third-level centre managed by diabetologists.

AIM: To evaluate clinical outcomes in patients who underwent diabetic foot surgery (DFS) managed directly by diabetologists in a third-level Centre over 15-year. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 1.857 patients affected by diabetic foot (Age 67.1 ± 12.3 yrs, diabetes duration 19.2 ± 9.8 yrs, HbA1c 8.1 ± 2.0%) treated in our Department between 2001 and 2015 and divided them into 3 groups: Group 1, treated between 2001 and 2005 (448 pts), group 2, between 2006 and 2010 (540 pts) and Group 3, between 2011 and 2015 (869 pts). Main clinical outcomes [peripheral revascularization rate (PR), healing rate (HR), healing time (HT), recurrences after healing (R), major amputation (MA) and death (D) rates] were compared between groups. RESULTS: The overall outcomes of our cohort were: HR 81.6% (HT 143 ± 54 days), PR 84.8%, MA 4.9% and D 27.9%. There were no differences in clinical characteristics, except for age, higher (p < 0.05) in Group 3 (70.6 ± 14.7 yrs) than in Groups 1 (64.4 ± 11.6 yrs) and 2 (65.1 ± 11.2 yrs). No differences emerged when comparing HR and MA; HT was shorter (p < 0.05) in group 3 (104 ± 44 days) than in Group 2 (169 ± 72 days) and 1 (235 ± 67 days). D was higher (p < 0.05) in Group 3 (43.8%) than in Group 1 (23.1%) and 2 (28.1%). PR was 19.4% in Group 1, 28.1% in Group 2 and 53.8% in Group 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increasing age and complexity of patients our data show improvement of outcomes throughout 15 years, probably due to better surgical techniques, more aggressive medical therapy and more effective treatment of critical limb ischemia.

COVID-19 in people with diabetes: understanding the reasons for worse outcomes.

Since the initial COVID-19 outbreak in China, much attention has focused on people with diabetes because of poor prognosis in those with the infection. Initial reports were mainly on people with type 2 diabetes, although recent surveys have shown that individuals with type 1 diabetes are also at risk of severe COVID-19. The reason for worse prognosis in people with diabetes is likely to be multifactorial, thus reflecting the syndromic nature of diabetes. Age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, obesity, and a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulative state all probably contribute to the risk of worse outcomes. Glucose-lowering agents and anti-viral treatments can modulate the risk, but limitations to their use and potential interactions with COVID-19 treatments should be carefully assessed. Finally, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection itself might represent a worsening factor for people with diabetes, as it can precipitate acute metabolic complications through direct negative effects on ß-cell function. These effects on ß-cell function might also cause diabetic ketoacidosis in individuals with diabetes, hyperglycaemia at hospital admission in individuals with unknown history of diabetes, and potentially new-onset diabetes.

Adherence to guideline recommended medical therapies in type 2 diabetic patients with chronic critical limb ischemia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to guideline recommended medical therapies in type 2 diabetic patients with chronic critical limb ischemia (CCLI). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 1315 admissions performed in our Department, focusing on diabetic foot patients (842-64%) of which 603 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with CCLI (M/F(%): 73/27; age: 70.3 ±â€¯10.4 yrs; diabetes duration: 17.3 ±â€¯13.7 yrs; BMI: 27.7 ±â€¯5.3 Kg/m2; HbA1c 7.8 ±â€¯1.8%) referred to a third-level Center from 2011 to 2015. We focused on medical therapy of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and smoke habits. RESULTS: In total, at admission, 66.6% of patients had HbA1c levels higher than recommended; 65.9% of patients were on statins; 81.4% on anti-hypertensive treatment and 72.4% on antiplatelet drugs. Concerning smoke habits, 27% of patients were no-smokers; 41% former smokers and 32% active smokers. Among all patients, only 24% were prescribed all five guideline recommended therapies while 32% reached four out of five of these. As for patients treated with anti-hypertensive drugs, we observed higher levels of systolic pressure (138.0 ±â€¯29.5 vs 107.7 ±â€¯36.6 p < 0.02) while no differences were observed in diastolic pressure levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, when it comes to diabetic patients with a severe limb and life threatening clinical condition, we noticed a lower-than-expected application of international guideline-recommended medical therapies. In fact, only one out of four patients was following all the recommended therapies. Nevertheless, these patients did not reach the standard targets requested to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Immune Checkpoint Blockade Anti-PD-L1 as a Trigger for Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome.

CONTEXT: The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is a key regulator in T-cell activation and tolerance, limiting effector T-cell function in peripheral tissues. Atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, is approved for treatment of some types of advanced cancer. Its main treatment-related adverse events are immune related, such as thyroid dysfunction and hypophysitis. Autoimmune endocrinopathy can occur as isolated manifestations; only a few cases of autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes have been reported thus far. CASE: We report a case of polyendocrine syndrome type 2, characterized by Addison disease (AD), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), accompanied by hypophysitis, in a patient treated with atezolizumab. Testing was positive for 21-hydroxylase and pituitary antibodies and negative for islet cells antibodies. HLA typing revealed DRB1*04 and DQB1*03 haplotypes, which are associated with increased susceptibility to T1DM and AD. CONCLUSION: The type and severity of immune-related adverse events in polyendocrine syndrome type 2 are different and depend on the monoclonal antibody used. Although the numerous molecular mechanisms inducing autoimmune endocrine diseases are still unclear, a link exists between HLA haplotypes, gene variants involved in immune checkpoint molecule expression, and increased susceptibility to autoimmune endocrinopathies. Additional studies are needed to identify susceptible patients and adapt therapy to each patient.

Type 2 diabetic patient with a foot ulcer as initial manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report.

Diabetic foot ulcerations (DFU) represent a major cause of hospitalization and amputation. In people with diabetes it's not uncommon to find chronic wounds due to pathogenic mechanisms different from diabetes. Here we report the case of a foot lesion misdiagnosed as DFU but actually caused by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Quantitative assessment of early biomechanical modifications in diabetic foot patients: the role of foot kinematics and step width.

BACKGROUND: Forefoot ulcers (FU) are one of the most disabling and relevant chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). In recent years there is emerging awareness that a better understanding of the biomechanical factors underlying the diabetic ulcer could lead to improve the management of the disease, with significant socio-economic impacts. Our purpose was to try to detect early biomechanical factors associated with disease progression. METHODS: Thirty subjects (M/F: 22/8; mean age ± SD: 61,84 ± 10 years) with diagnosis of type II DM were included. The participants were divided into 3 groups (10 subjects per group) according to the stage of evolution of the disease: Group 1, subjects with newly diagnosed type II DM, without clinical or instrumental diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) nor FU (group called "DM"); Group 2, with DPN but without FU (group called "DPN"); Group 3, with DPN and FU (group called "DNU"). All subjects underwent 3-D Gait Analysis during walking at self-selected speed, measuring spatio-temporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters and focusing on ankle and foot joints. The comparative analysis of values between groups was performed using 1-way ANOVA. We also investigated group to group differences with Tukey HSD test. The results taken into consideration were those with a significance of P < 0,05. 95 % confidence interval was also calculated. RESULTS: A progressive and significant trend of reduction of ROM in flexion-extension of the metatarso-phalangeal joint (P = 0.0038) and increasing of step width (P = 0.0265) with the advance of the disease was evident, with a statistically significant difference comparing subjects with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus and subjects with diabetic neuropathy and foot ulcer (P = 0.0048 for ROM and P = 0.0248 for step width at Tukey's test). CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence that foot segmental kinematics, along with step width, can be proposed as simple and clear indicators of disease progression. This can be the starting point for planning more targeted strategies to prevent the occurrence and the recurrence of a FU in diabetic subjects.

Necrotizing Fasciitis and The Diabetic Foot.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) represents a rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection involving skin, soft tissue, and deep fascia. An early diagnosis is crucial to treat NF effectively. The disease is generally due to an external trauma that occurs in predisposed patients: the most important risk factor is represented by diabetes mellitus. NF is classified into 3 different subtypes according to bacterial strains responsible: type 1 associated to polymicrobial infection, type 2 NF, generally associated to Streptococcus species, often associated to Staphylococcus aureus and, eventually, Type 3, due to Gram-negative strains, such as Clostridium difficile or Vibrio. NF is usually characterized by the presence of the classic triad of symptoms: local pain, swelling, and erythema. In daily clinical practice immune-compromised or neuropathic diabetic patients present with atypical symptomatology. This explains the high percentage of misdiagnosed cases in the emergency department and, consequently, the worse outcome presented by these patients. Prompt aggressive surgical debridement and antibiotic systemic therapy are the cornerstone of its treatment. These must be associated with an accurate systemic management, consisting in nutritional support, glycemic compensation, and hemodynamic stabilization. Innovative methods, such as negative pressure therapy, once the acute conditions have resolved, can help fasten the surgical wound closure. Prompt management can improve prognosis of patients affected from NF reducing limb loss and saving lives.

Safety and effectiveness of therapeutic magnetic resonance in the management of postsurgical lesion of the diabetic foot.

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic magnetic resonance (TMR) in the management of the diabetic foot (DF), we treated a group of consecutive type 2 diabetic inpatients with wide postsurgical lesions (Group A: N = 10; age 67.7 ± 18.9 years, duration of diabetes 22.3 ± 6.6 years, 8.1 ± 1.1%, body mass index 29.4 ± 2.1 kg/m(2)), for 2 consecutive weeks, while admitted, with a low-intensity magnetic resonance equipment, in addition to standard treatment. Patients, compared with a matched control group with the same clinical characteristics (Group B), were then followed monthly for 6 months to evaluate healing rate (HR), healing time (HT), rate of granulation tissue (GT) at 3 months, and adverse events. HR was of 90% in Group A and 30% in Group B (P < .05); GT was 73.7 ± 13.2% in Group A versus 51.84 ± 18.77% in Group B (P < .05). HT in Group A was 84.46 ± 54.38 days versus 148.54 ± 78.96 days in Group B (P < .01). No difference in adverse events (5 in Group A and 6 in Group B) was observed throughout the study period. In this pilot study, the use of TMR at this dose and duration was safe. The results also permit the observation that TMR plus standard care offered a faster healing rate compared with standard care alone.

Do you want to organize a multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic? We can help.

The diabetic foot (DF) is a complex pathology involving the lower limb of 8 to 10 million people around the world, and its prevalence is rising, creating a dramatic need for effective therapeutic answers. The multidisciplinary DF clinic has been proposed as a model to fight this complication from the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) inside a more articulated 3-level organization strategy. The organization and technical aspects of this strategy, together with the characteristics of each of the 3 levels have been analyzed and described in the article, together with the aims and limitations of each of the levels to cope with a 3-dimensional pathology involving systemic, local, and logistic aspects. The implementation of this model in Europe produced positive results measured so far in at least 2 nationwide experiences, in Germany and in Italy, and it should be taken in account whenever health policies apply to the DF issue.

Sulodexide as Adjunctive Therapy in Diabetic Foot Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia Treated With Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of sulodexide, a biocompound of glycosamin-glicans, as adjunct medical therapy to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). We studied 27 consecutive DM patients with CLI successfully subjected to PTA who, on top of standard antiplatelet therapy, received sulodexide 25 mg bid, and were followed-up for 24 weeks, monitoring adverse events, transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), ankle-brachial pressure index, pain, and ulcer dimension. At the end of follow-up, ulcer healing, amputation rates, and cardiovascular risk profile of patients were evaluated. Patients were compared with a historical superimposable control group that was treated for the same indications in the same way as the study group, except for sulodexide inception. No differences in ulcer healing and amputation rates were found at the end of follow-up between the groups. In the study group, TcPO2 was significantly (P < .05) higher at the end of follow-up, and pain intensity was reduced more rapidly. Plasma fibrinogen and plasma creatinine concentration were significantly (P < .05) reduced in study group at the end of follow-up. No differences in adverse events were observed between the groups during follow-up. Our data suggest that sulodexide administration after PTA, on top of antiplatelet therapy, may improve the outcome of PTA in DM patients with CLI by improving microcirculatory function.

Custom-made orthesis and shoes in a structured follow-up program reduces the incidence of neuropathic ulcers in high-risk diabetic foot patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a structured follow-up program on the incidence of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in high-risk diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 1874 diabetic patients referred to the Diabetic Foot Unit of the University of Pisa were ranked based on the ulcerative risk score proposed by the International Consensus on Diabetic Foot. Out of 334 patients (17.8%) with a score ≥2, 298 accepted to participate in this prospective trial and were randomized into 2 groups: group A, which received standard treatment, and group B, in which the patients received, as a part of a structured prevention program, custom-made orthesis and shoes. Incidence of new DFUs was observed for no less than 1 year and in a subset of patients after 3 and 5 years, respectively. Incidence of new DFUs and recurrences were considered as primary endpoints to establish the effectiveness of the program; costs were also compared. RESULTS: Among the patients enrolled in this follow-up analysis, 46% had neuropathy and deformities, 20% had previous ulceration, 25% had previous minor amputation, and 9% had neuro-osteoarthropathy. During the first 12-month follow-up, 11.5% of patients in group B developed a DFU compared with 38.6% in group A (P < .0001). In the extended follow-up, the cumulative incidence of ulcer in group B compared with group A was 17.6% versus 61% (P < .0001) after 3 years and 23.5% versus 72% (P < .0001) after 5 years, respectively. The net balance at the end of the follow-up was highly in favor of the prevention program, with a saving of more than €100 000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a structured follow-up with the use of orthesis and shoes can reduce the incidence of DFU in diabetic patients who are at high ulcerative risk and its related costs.

Long-term (5 years) efficacy and safety of pancreas transplantation alone in type 1 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although combined pancreas and kidney transplantation is an established procedure for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in patients with end-stage renal disease, the role of pancreas transplant alone (PTA) in the therapy of T1D subjects with preserved kidney function is still matter of debate. METHODS: We report our single-center experience of PTA in 71 consecutive T1D patients all with a posttransplant follow-up of 5 years. Patient and pancreas (normoglycemia in the absence of any antidiabetic therapy) survivals were determined, and several clinical parameters (including risk factors for cardiovascular diseases) were assessed. Cardiac evaluation and Doppler echocardiographic examination were also performed, and renal function and proteinuria were evaluated. RESULTS: Actual patient and pancreas survivals at 5 years were 98.6% and 73.2%, respectively. Relaparotomy was needed in 18.3% of cases. Restoration of endogenous insulin secretion was accompanied by sustained normalization of fasting plasma glucose concentrations and HbA1c levels as well as significant improvement of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and blood pressure. An improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction was also observed. Proteinuria (24 hours) decreased significantly after transplantation. One patient developed end-stage renal disease. In the 51 patients with sustained pancreas graft function, kidney function (serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate) decreased over time with a slower decline in recipients with pretransplant glomerular filtration rate less than 90 mL/min. CONCLUSIONS: PTA was an effective and reasonably safe procedure in this single-center cohort of T1D patients.

Results of pancreas transplantation alone with special attention to native kidney function and proteinuria in type 1 diabetes patients.

We report on our single-center experience with pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) in 71 patients with type 1 diabetes, and a 4-year follow-up. Portal insulin delivery was used in 73.2% of cases and enteric drainage of exocrine secretion in 100%. Immunosuppression consisted of basiliximab (76%), or thymoglobulin (24%), followed by mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and low-dose steroids. Actuarial patient and pancreas survival at 4 years were 98.4% and 76.7%, respectively. Relaparatomy was needed in 18.3% of patients. Restored endogenous insulin secretion resulted in sustained normalization of fasting plasma glucose levels and HbA1c concentration in all technically successful transplantations. Protenuria (24-hour) improved significantly after PTA. Renal function declined only in recipients with pretransplant glomerular filtration rate (GFR) greater than 90 ml/min, possibly as a result of correction of hyperfiltration following normalization of glucose metabolism. Further improvements were recorded in several cardiovascular risk factors, retinopathy, and neuropathy. We conclude that PTA was an effective and reasonably safe procedure in this single-center experience.

A technique for retroperitoneal pancreas transplantation with portal-enteric drainage.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas transplantation (PTx) with portal-enteric drainage (PED) has been associated with difficulties in respect to arterial anastomosis and graft accessibility for percutaneous biopsy. We describe a new technique that circumvents these difficulties. METHODS: Between April 2001 and April 2004, a total of 113 recipients were scheduled for PTx with PED. The superior mesenteric vein was approached from the right retroperitoneal aspect instead of from the anterior transmesenteric route. The pancreas graft was eventually placed in the right retroperitoneal space, being covered by the ascending colon and its mesentery. RESULTS: One hundred ten (97.3%) PTx were performed as planned. Systemic venous effluent was preferred in three patients because of incidental diagnosis of liver cirrhosis during surgery (n=1) and severe obesity (body mass index>35 kg/m2) (n=2). The Y iliac artery graft was kept as short as possible, and arterial anastomosis was always performed with ease. After a mean follow-up period of 21.2+/-19.9 months, the relaparotomy rate was 13.6%. No patient died after repeat surgery, and none required multiple relaparotomies. Overall, 10 grafts were lost because of acute rejection (n=3), chronic rejection (n=2), venous thrombosis (n=2), recipient death (n=2), and late (6-month) arterial thrombosis (n=1). One-year patient and graft survival were 98.1% and 90.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that PTx with PED is not associated with an increased risk. The technique described has distinctive technical advantages and should be included in the repertoire of PTx.

The beneficial effects of pancreas transplant alone on diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Pancreas transplant alone can be effective in significantly improving the quality of life of type 1 diabetic patients, and it can also eliminate acute diabetes complications, such as hypoglycemic and/or hyperglycemic episodes. The effects of pancreas transplant alone on long-term complications of diabetes, including nephropathy, are still not settled. We evaluated whether restoration of long-lasting normoglycemia by pancreas transplant alone might have beneficial action on diabetic nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 32 type 1 diabetic patients were evaluated before and 1 year after successful pancreas transplant alone, together with 30 matched nontransplanted type 1 diabetic subjects. Several metabolic and kidney function parameters were measured, including plasma glucose, glycohemoglobin (A1C), C-peptide, plasma lipids, blood pressure, creatinine, creatinine clearance, and urinary protein excretion. RESULTS: Pancreas transplant alone restored sustained normoglycemia, without exogenous insulin administration, and improved plasma lipid levels. Blood pressure decreased significantly. Creatinine concentrations and clearances did not differ before and after transplantation. Urinary protein excretion decreased significantly after pancreas transplant alone, with four microalbuminuric and three macroalbuminuric patients who became normoalbuminuric. None of these changes occurred in the nontransplanted group. CONCLUSIONS: Successful pancreas transplant alone, through restoration of sustained normoglycemia, improves diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients.