Management of newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the primary care setting: effects of 2 years of gliclazide treatment--the Diadem Study.

Five thousand five hundred seventy-two newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients (3,225 men and 2,347 women; mean age, 58.5 years) were recruited through the General Practitioners (GPs) network in France. All had persistent hyperglycemia after a preliminary 3-month period with dietary and life-style modification. Gliclazide (80 to 320 mg/d) was then prescribed as diabetic pharmacotherapy for 2 years. Additional therapy for hypertension and dyslipidemia was started if necessary. The aim of the study was mainly to determine the feasibility of a GP-directed protocol for the monitoring and treatment of newly diagnosed NIDDM patients, and to assess the effectiveness of diabetic therapy in this cohort. Diabetes was diagnosed in 78% of the cohort during routine screening. Among the women, 6.5% had a history of gestational diabetes. Eighteen percent of the patients had a parental history of diabetes, and the dominant maternal role in the genesis of NIDDM was confirmed. High blood pressure (Joint National Committee V criteria) was found at inclusion in 38.8% of the whole cohort. Hyperlipidemia was known in 44.6%. A history of stroke was present in 1.6% of the patients, and coronary heart disease (CHD) in 6.3%. These data support the relationship between the atherogenic state and development of NIDDM. Microalbuminuria defined as urinary albumin excretion (UAE) of at least 20 mg/L was found in 29.6% of the patients, and retinopathy in 9.8%. Among the included patients, 23% did not complete the study and were excluded from the efficacy analysis. Of these, 14% (808 patients) had only baseline evaluation data and 9% (499 patients) withdrew later. Comparison of mean baseline and final results in study completers uncovered a significant improvement in fasting blood glucose ([FBG] 182 +/- 48 v 137 +/- 40 mg/dL), post prandial blood glucose ([PPBG] 209 +/- 68 v 162 +/- 52 mg/dL), and hemoglobin A1c ([HbA1c] 8.7% +/- 2.5% v 7.3% +/- 2.0%). A slight improvement in total cholesterol (228 +/- 44 v 222 +/- 41 mg/dL), body mass index ([BMI] 28.5 +/- 4.7 v 27.9 +/- 4.5 kg/m2), and waist to hip ratio (0.99 +/- 0.1 v 0.98 +/- 0.1) was observed. There was a decrease in the percentage of patients with high blood pressure (38.5% v 30.7%). A mild increase in the prevalence of retinopathy (10.2% v 11.8%) was noted during the study, while the incidence of microalbuminuria remained unchanged (30.2% v 29.5%). In conclusion, the data indicate that the GPs involved in this study were able to successfully monitor and manage NIDDM patients in accordance with a standardized protocol. Gliclazide appeared to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment. The high prevalence of chronic diabetic complications at diagnosis emphasizes the delay encountered in reaching the diagnosis of NIDDM and the problems associated with this delay. In addition to the classic risk factors for NIDDM exhibited in this patient cohort, we have identified CHD and a maternal genetic component as further potential predicting factors.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes]. / Les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire dans le diabète de type 2.

Morbidity and mortality through coronary atherosclerosis are higher in Type 2 diabetic patients than in nondiabetic subjects, roughly by a factor of 2 in males and 3 in females. Methodological problems in attempting to weigh the relative effects of each factor make it difficult to accurately interpret the numerous epidemiological data already available. Three issues are discussed here:--Do diabetics have more "classic" risk factors than nondiabetics? The incidence of hypertension, lipid disorders, and even smoking is practically consistently higher in diabetics, with "diabetic" lipid disorders (decreased HDL cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia) topping the list.--Do diabetics have specific risk factors which could explain the observed increase in coronary morbidity and mortality? The answer would appear to be yes, as patent microalbuminuria--between 30 and 300 mg/24 hours--is found, as well as retinopathy and an increase in fibrinogen and PAI1 plasminogen activator inhibitor. Recent genetic studies have highlighted the role of Lp (a), and particularly that of angiotensin converting-enzyme gene polymorphism (DD allele).--What are the respective roles of hyperglycalmia and elevated levels of circulating insulin? In contrast to the importance of insulin in nondiabetics as demonstrated in longitudinal studies, insulin appears to play a marginal or even nil role in diabetics once the disease is established. It is probably glycaemia itself which remains the fundamental factor, even though the mechanisms leading from hyperglycemia to macrovascular complications remain unknown.

[Therapeutic and economic aspects of dracunculosis in a Parisian hospital]. / Aspects thérapeutique et économique de la dracunculose dans un hôpital parisien.

We studied 18 cases of dracunculosis treated in our department of Internal Medicine in Paris. The mean duration of the hospital stay is 38 days (15 to 90). The cost of this stay, calculated on the basis of the daily charge, accounts for 93.3 % of the total cost. The longest stays are due to serious subcutaneous infections at the site of the worm and to multiple or complex associated diseases. Average charge for laboratory test, roentgenograms or other investigations amounts to 4.4 % of the cost of the hospital stay. A significant part of these investigations is warranted by cellulitis and the diagnosis of associated conditions. Antibodies prescribed for subcutaneous infections account for almost all of the drug expense (2.3 % of the total cost). Thus, investigations and treatment together amount to only 6.7 % of the daily charge. Traditional treatment of dracunculosis is based on manual extraction of the worm. Thiabendazole was added in 12 of the 18 patients. The average duration of hospitalization (34 days) and average charge for investigations and drug treatment (FF 611) were less in these 12 patients than in the 6 others (47 days, FF 1286). However, this result is to be considered with caution as the number of patients in each group is small, treatments were assigned without any statistical rule, subcutaneous infections were more or less serious and associated diseases may have had a bearing on results.

[Hypoglycemic and microvascular properties of gliclazide: a review of the latest international studies]. / Propriétés hypoglycémiantes et microvasculaires du gliclazide: une synthèse des dernières études internationales.

The effects of gliclazide on blood sugar levels and the micro-vascular system have been specified by the latest international studies of this antidiabetic agent presented at the 11th World Congress on Diabetes Mellitus. The potency of gliclazide is similar to that of the most effective reference agents. However, the mode of action of gliclazide, which induces an insulin release resembling physiologic conditions, explains why hypoglycemia is uncommon. Pharmacokinetic studies in the elderly have shown that gliclazide can be given to these more susceptible patients. Lastly, a number of trials, each of which was carried out against reference agents, have shown that gliclazide is valuable in delaying the course of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

[Two cases of pentastomiasis observed in Paris (author's transl)]. / Deux cas de pentastomose observés à Paris.

The observations of two black African patients seen among 940 hospitalized patients are reported. Intraabdominal calcified larvas, probably of Porocephalus (Armillifer) armillatus were found in both patients. The cycle of this Pentostomida is recalled. Attention is drawn to the role of snake slime in accidental contamination of human beings. In man, this parasitic infection is almost always asymptomatic and detected fortuitously on roentgenograms, or during surgery or necropsy.

[One hundred and twenty-three cases of sickle-cell trait (author's transl)]. / La drépanocytose hétérozygote dans un service de médecine interne à Paris (1972-1978 : cent vingt trois cas).

One hundred and twenty-three cases of sickle-cell trait (122 negro immigrants) are studied in a department of internal medicine. The frequencies of G6PD deficiency, anemia, splenomegaly and tuberculosis are neighbouring at the negro without hemoglobinopathy. The relationship between the sickle-cell trait and the reason of admission of the final diagnosis il likely in 2,4 % of the cases, doubtfully in 15,4 %, null in the other cases. The occasional (hemolytic, thrombotic, painful, visceral, osseous) manifestations of the sickle-cell trait (apart from the constant hyposthenuria) and their mechanism are summarized and discussed.