Effect of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Events in Type-2 Diabetes Patients with Renal Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggested that the increased risk of heart failure by DPP-4 inhibitors may have an interconnection with patients' baseline eGFR. We decided to investigate the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors and the degree of renal function on cardiovascular (CV) safety in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systemic search of literature that examined the DPP-4 inhibitors and reported cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes patients with renal impairment were performed. Studies were examined for inclusion criteria: Randomized controlled trials with reduced renal function taking DPP-4 inhibitors alone or in combination with other anti-diabetes agents reporting evaluable CV events for at least 24 weeks. RESULT: Analysis of four CV outcome studies (11,789 patients with eGFR ≤60 ml/min/1.73m2) did not find any increase in primary composite endpoints with DPP-4 inhibitors in patients stratified by baseline renal function. Rate of hospitalization due to heart failure (hHF) is found to be non-inferior to placebo group in patients with renal insufficiency (RR 1.07; 95% CI, 0.96-1.20 P = 0.26). In moderate renal dysfunction, there is a significant increase in heart failure risk compared to placebo. (RR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.033 -1.5 8; P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors did not affect the risk of cardiovascular events regardless of baseline renal function, however, an increase in the risk of hHF in moderate renal function in T2D patients with high CV risk merits careful consideration. Further research would be necessitated to reach definitive conclusion to understand the effect of declining renal function on CV safety of DPP-4 inhibitors.

Why is premixed insulin the preferred insulin? Novel answers to a decade-old question.

A wide range of sources have been used to create an equally wide range of types of insulin (rapid acting, fast acting, premixed, intermediate acting and long acting). While some of these insulins are no longer in clinical use, others are being used extensively across the world. Premixed insulin is the most frequently prescribed and used insulin in Asia; basal insulin is more extensively used in USA. As compared with basal insulin alone, premixed regimens tend to lower HbA1c to a larger degree while providing enhanced convenience. It is a challenge for diabetologists to assess the conflicting guidelines and decide which one to follow. This is especially true with regard to choosing appropriate insulin for initiation of therapy. Besides, ethnicity may play a key role in determining choice of insulin therapy among different populations. Here, the authors discuss the various factors, pharmacological as well as psychological, that have made premixed insulins the preferred insulin for type 2 diabetes in India and the many parts of Asia. The authors utilize well known theories of psychology, namely generalization, cognitive dissonance and concordance to provide a rational explanation for the preference for premixed insulin that Indian people with diabetes, and their physicians, have.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of gabapentin, duloxetine, and pregabalin in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of gabapentin (GBP), duloxetine (DLX), and pregabalin (PGB) in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPNP). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, open label, 12-week study was conducted. A total of 152 patients with history of pain attributed to DPNP with a minimum 40-mm score on visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomized to receive GBP, DLX, or PGB. The primary efficacy measure was pain severity as measured on 11 point VAS. Secondary efficacy measures included sleep interference score, Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), and Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC). Assessment of safety was done by recording the occurrence of adverse drug reactions. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Of total 152 patients, 50 patients received GBP, DLX each while 52 received PGB. A significant reduction in pain score (VAS), sleep interference score, PGIC, and CGIC was seen in all the three treatment groups across time (P<0.05) with no statistically significant difference between the groups. There was a significant interaction between the time and treatment groups (P<0.001) for pain score (VAS), sleep interference score, and PGIC. The improvement in pain scores (VAS) and sleep interference score was higher with PGB compared to DLX and GBP. Adverse drug reactions were mild and occurred in 9.2% of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Monotherapy with GBP, DLX, or PGB Produced a clinically and subjectively meaningful pain relief in patients with DPNP with onset of pain relief being faster and superior with PGB.

Feasibility of an alcohol intervention programme for TB patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD)--a qualitative study from Chennai, South India.

BACKGROUND: The negative influences of alcohol on TB management with regard to delays in seeking care as well as non compliance for treatment has been well documented. This study is part of a larger study on the prevalence of AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder) among TB patients which revealed that almost a quarter of TB patients who consumed alcohol could be classified as those who had AUD. However there is dearth of any effective alcohol intervention programme for TB patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). METHODOLOGY: This qualitative study using the ecological system model was done to gain insights into the perceived effect of alcohol use on TB treatment and perceived necessity of an intervention programme for TB patients with AUD. We used purposive sampling to select 44 men from 73 TB patients with an AUDIT score >8. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews were conducted with TB patients with AUD, their family members and health providers. RESULTS: TB patients with AUD report excessive alcohol intake as one of the reasons for their vulnerability for TB. Peer pressure has been reported by many as the main reason for alcohol consumption. The influences of alcohol use on TB treatment has been elaborated especially with regard to the fears around the adverse effects of alcohol on TB drugs and the fear of being reprimanded by health providers. The need for alcohol intervention programs was expressed by the TB patients, their families and health providers. Suggestions for the intervention programmes included individual and group sessions, involvement of family members, audiovisual aids and the importance of sensitization by health staff. CONCLUSIONS: The findings call for urgent need based interventions which need to be pilot tested with a randomized control trial to bring out a model intervention programme for TB patients with AUD.

Recommendations for insulin initiation based on ethnicity.

Even in a developed country like USA, substantial number of subjects with type 2 diabetes fail to achieve adequate glycemic control despite the availability of several groups of anti-diabetic medications targeting multiple pathophysiological features of type 2 diabetes. Are we treating our type 2 diabetes subjects appropriately? To aid practicing clinicians various professional bodies like American Diabetes Association (ADA), European Association for Study of Diabetes (EASD), Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), etc. regularly publish clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements. Since racial and ethnic differences in insulin resistance, dietary pattern, glucose metabolism, genetic variation are known phenomena, it would be interesting to evaluate the aptness of these guidelines from ethnopharmacy perspective. We postulate that certain ethnic characteristics of populations will decide the best form of insulin therapy rather than blanket recommendations on starting every patient on basal insulin.

A case of spindle cell haemangioendothelioma.

Spindle cell haemangioendothelioma (SCH) is a low grade, slowly progressive angiosarcoma of multifocal nature with local recurrences being common. It is histologically marked by cavernous blood spaces and a spindle cell stroma. Its importance lies in recognising its relatively benign nature and differentiating it from the ominous Kaposi's sarcoma. Our case reiterates the characteristics of this recently described disease, probably the first reported from India.