For the majority of patients with diabetes blood pressure and lipid management is not in line with recommendations. Results from a large population-based cohort in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of cardiovascular risk factors in a population-based cohort of adults with diabetes mellitus in Germany. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: For the 9953 participants (50-74 years of age) of the ESTHER study, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and the respective medication were documented at baseline by their primary care physician. Blood pressure was taken and lipid levels were determined from a blood sample drawn at recruitment. Lifestyle factors (smoking, BMI, physical activity) were documented by the participants. Prevalence of pharmacotherapy for and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia among diabetic patients with these diagnoses were assessed and determinants were evaluated by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was present in 1375 participants (14.2%). Almost 78% of diabetic participants had physician diagnosed hypertension, 86.0% received pharmacotherapy, but only 12.8% of those with anti-hypertensive medication achieved blood pressure levels below 130/85 mmHg. Obese participants were more likely to receive anti-hypertensive pharmacotherapy than non-obese ones: adjusted odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval (CI)): 3.58 (1.86-6.87). Gender had no influence on anti-hypertensive pharmacotherapy. Older diabetic patients with hypertension were less likely to have sufficient blood pressure control than younger ones. Dyslipidemia was documented in 50% of diabetic patients. Diabetic participants with coronary heart disease or hypertension were more likely to receive lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy than those without these conditions (adjusted OR 1.85 (95%CI 1.19-2.89) and 2.59 (95%CI 1.41-4.74), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: For most elderly with diabetes cardiovascular risk factor management continues to be not in line with recommendations.

Household contacts were key factor for children's colonization with resistant Escherichia coli in community setting.

OBJECTIVE: In young children infections with resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) can lead to life-threatening situations. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and major determinants of carriage of antibiotic resistant E. coli among children in the community setting are sparse. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In a population-based study from Germany, stool samples were obtained from children aged 6 months to 4 years attending a pediatrician for a regular health screening (N=568) or an acute infection (N=316), as well as from their parents (N=1,594) and siblings (N=624). E. coli was cultured, and minimal inhibitory concentrations to various antibiotics were tested. We determined prevalences of E. coli resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics and their association with potential risk factors. RESULTS: Prevalence of E. coli resistance was 16.6%, 8.7%, and 11.6% for ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and doxycycline, respectively. Strong associations were found with antibiotic resistance among siblings (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] for ampicillin, doxycycline, and cotrimoxazole resistance: 4.4 [1.8-10.8], 8.0 [3.0-21.2], and 10.8 [3.5-32.7], respectively). CONCLUSION: Resistance prevalences in this community-based study were much lower than those reported from the clinical sector. Household contacts seem to be the key factor for children;s colonization with resistant E. coli in the community setting.

Clustering of antibiotic resistance of E. coli in couples: suggestion for a major role of conjugal transmission.

BACKGROUND: Spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals is a well-known problem, but studies investigating the importance of factors potentially related to the spread of resistant bacteria in outpatients are sparse. METHODS: Stool samples were obtained from 206 healthy couples in a community setting in Southern Germany in 2002-2003. E. coli was cultured and minimal inhibition concentrations were tested. Prevalences of E. coli resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics according to potential risk factors were ascertained. RESULTS: Prevalences of ampicillin resistance were 15.7% and 19.4% for women and men, respectively. About ten percent and 15% of all isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole and doxycycline, respectively. A partner carrying resistance was the main risk factor for being colonized with resistant E. coli. Odds ratios (95% CI) for ampicillin and cotrimoxazole resistance given carriage of resistant isolates by the partner were 6.9 (3.1-15.5) and 3.3 (1.5-18.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that conjugal transmission may be more important for the spread of antibiotic resistance in the community setting than commonly suspected risk factors such as previous antibiotic intake or hospital contacts.