Diabetic emergencies presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective case analysis.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has triggered a global pandemic and is an emerging situation. Diabetes has been associated with significant mortality in SARS and MERS-COV infections. Patients with diabetes are at risk of COVID-19 triggering diabetic emergencies due to known and unknown mechanisms. There is little evidence overviewing the clinical course of COVID-19 patients who either present or have diabetic emergencies during their disease course. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case analysis of all patients admitted to our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion criteria were all patients receiving treatment for COVID-19 and either presenting with a diabetic emergency on admission or developing an emergency during their admission. Data collected for the study were all routinely collected data as part of the admission. We compared these data to nine patients with no COVID-19. RESULTS: Thirty patients received treatment for a diabetic emergency, of which 21 also received treatment for COVID-19. Significant differences were found between pH and bicarbonate on admission between RT-PCR-positive and both RT-PCR-negative and non-COVID-19 patients. Other results approaching significance include ALP and eGFR. DISCUSSION: Patients suffering from COVID-19 and diabetes concurrently can suffer from profound metabolic disturbance, with a significant difference in inpatient mortality. However further, prospective detailed investigation into biochemical processes is needed to fully elucidate underlying mechanisms that affect these patients' outcomes.

Impact of maternal education on response to lifestyle interventions to reduce gestational weight gain: individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify if maternal educational attainment is a prognostic factor for gestational weight gain (GWG), and to determine the differential effects of lifestyle interventions (diet based, physical activity based or mixed approach) on GWG, stratified by educational attainment. DESIGN: Individual participant data meta-analysis using the previously established International Weight Management in Pregnancy (i-WIP) Collaborative Group database (https://iwipgroup.wixsite.com/collaboration). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data Statement guidelines were followed. DATA SOURCES: Major electronic databases, from inception to February 2017. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials on diet and physical activity-based interventions in pregnancy. Maternal educational attainment was required for inclusion and was categorised as higher education (≥tertiary) or lower education (≤secondary). RISK OF BIAS: Cochrane risk of bias tool was used. DATA SYNTHESIS: Principle measures of effect were OR and regression coefficient. RESULTS: Of the 36 randomised controlled trials in the i-WIP database, 21 trials and 5183 pregnant women were included. Women with lower educational attainment had an increased risk of excessive (OR 1.182; 95% CI 1.008 to 1.385, p =0.039) and inadequate weight gain (OR 1.284; 95% CI 1.045 to 1.577, p =0.017). Among women with lower education, diet basedinterventions reduced risk of excessive weight gain (OR 0.515; 95% CI 0.339 to 0.785, p = 0.002) and inadequate weight gain (OR 0.504; 95% CI 0.288 to 0.884, p=0.017), and reduced kg/week gain (B -0.055; 95% CI -0.098 to -0.012, p=0.012). Mixed interventions reduced risk of excessive weight gain for women with lower education (OR 0.735; 95% CI 0.561 to 0.963, p=0.026). Among women with high education, diet based interventions reduced risk of excessive weight gain (OR 0.609; 95% CI 0.437 to 0.849, p=0.003), and mixed interventions reduced kg/week gain (B -0.053; 95% CI -0.069 to -0.037,p<0.001). Physical activity based interventions did not impact GWG when stratified by education. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with lower education are at an increased risk of excessive and inadequate GWG. Diet based interventions seem the most appropriate choice for these women, and additional support through mixed interventions may also be beneficial.

Effects of antenatal diet and physical activity on maternal and fetal outcomes: individual patient data meta-analysis and health economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Diet- and physical activity-based interventions in pregnancy have the potential to alter maternal and child outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether or not the effects of diet and lifestyle interventions vary in subgroups of women, based on maternal body mass index (BMI), age, parity, Caucasian ethnicity and underlying medical condition(s), by undertaking an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. We also evaluated the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with adverse pregnancy outcomes and assessed the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment database were searched from October 2013 to March 2015 (to update a previous search). REVIEW METHODS: Researchers from the International Weight Management in Pregnancy Collaborative Network shared the primary data. For each intervention type and outcome, we performed a two-step IPD random-effects meta-analysis, for all women (except underweight) combined and for each subgroup of interest, to obtain summary estimates of effects and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and synthesised the differences in effects between subgroups. In the first stage, we fitted a linear regression adjusted for baseline (for continuous outcomes) or a logistic regression model (for binary outcomes) in each study separately; estimates were combined across studies using random-effects meta-analysis models. We quantified the relationship between weight gain and complications, and undertook a decision-analytic model-based economic evaluation to assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. RESULTS: Diet and lifestyle interventions reduced GWG by an average of 0.70 kg (95% CI -0.92 to -0.48 kg; 33 studies, 9320 women). The effects on composite maternal outcome [summary odds ratio (OR) 0.90, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.03; 24 studies, 8852 women] and composite fetal/neonatal outcome (summary OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.08; 18 studies, 7981 women) were not significant. The effect did not vary with baseline BMI, age, ethnicity, parity or underlying medical conditions for GWG, and composite maternal and fetal outcomes. Lifestyle interventions reduce Caesarean sections (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99), but not other individual maternal outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.10), pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.16) and preterm birth (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.13). There was no significant effect on fetal outcomes. The interventions were not cost-effective. GWG, including adherence to the Institute of Medicine-recommended targets, was not associated with a reduction in complications. Predictors of GWG were maternal age (summary estimate -0.10 kg, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.06 kg) and multiparity (summary estimate -0.73 kg, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.23 kg). LIMITATIONS: The findings were limited by the lack of standardisation in the components of intervention, residual heterogeneity in effects across studies for most analyses and the unavailability of IPD in some studies. CONCLUSION: Diet and lifestyle interventions in pregnancy are clinically effective in reducing GWG irrespective of risk factors, with no effects on composite maternal and fetal outcomes. FUTURE WORK: The differential effects of lifestyle interventions on individual pregnancy outcomes need evaluation. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013003804. FUNDING: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Familial hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia.

Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation and plays an essential role in neuronal, skeletal and cardiac tissue. Hypomagnesaemia can cause hypocalcaemia by inhibiting parathyroid hormone release and inducing resistance at its receptor sites. Untreated hypomagnesaemia can lead to tetany, recurrent seizures, status epilepticus and life-threatening arrhythmias. Primary hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia (HSH) is a rare metabolic disorder of intestinal magnesium absorption. The condition typically presents in the neonatal period with neuromuscular excitability and seizures refractory to antiepileptic therapy. Early diagnosis and prompt magnesium replacement are essential to prevent death or long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. Fewer than a hundred cases are reported in the literature. Recent advances have added significantly to our understanding of the genetic basis of HSH. We report the presentation and long-term follow-up of an affected female who was found to have a mutation in the transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) gene, encoding a transient receptor potential cation channel.

Quantification of the type 2 diabetes risk in women with gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 95,750 women.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but individualised risk estimates are unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes for women with GDM. METHODS: We systematically searched the major electronic databases with no language restrictions. Two reviewers independently extracted 2 × 2 tables for dichotomous data and the means plus SEs for continuous data. Risk ratios were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: There were 39 relevant studies (including 95,750 women) BMI (RR 1.95 [95% CI 1.60, 2.31]), family history of diabetes (RR 1.70 [95% CI 1.47, 1.97]), non-white ethnicity (RR 1.49 [95% CI 1.14, 1.94]) and advanced maternal age (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.09, 1.34]) were associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes. There was an increase in risk with early diagnosis of GDM (RR 2.13 [95% CI 1.52, 3.56]), raised fasting glucose (RR 3.57 [95% CI 2.98, 4.04]), increased HbA1c (RR 2.56 [95% CI 2.00, 3.17]) and use of insulin (RR 3.66 [95% CI 2.78, 4.82]). Multiparity (RR 1.23 [95% CI 1.01, 1.50]), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (RR 1.38 [95% CI 1.32, 1.45]) and preterm delivery (RR 1.81 [95% CI 1.35, 2.43]) were associated with future diabetes. Gestational weight gain, macrosomia in the offspring or breastfeeding did not increase the risk. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Personalised risk of progression to type 2 diabetes should be communicated to mothers with GDM. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO CRD42014013597.

Dietary interventions in overweight and obese pregnant women: a systematic review of the content, delivery, and outcomes of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Interventions targeting maternal obesity are a healthcare and public health priority. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the methodological designs implemented in dietary intervention trials for obesity in pregnancy. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of the literature, consistent with PRISMA guidelines, was performed as part of the International Weight Management in Pregnancy collaboration. STUDY SELECTION: Thirteen randomized controlled trials, which aimed to modify diet and physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women, were identified. DATA SYNTHESIS: There was significant variability in the content, delivery, and dietary assessment methods of the dietary interventions examined. A number of studies demonstrated improved dietary behavior in response to diet and/or lifestyle interventions. Nine studies reduced gestational weight gain. CONCLUSION: This review reveals large methodological variability in dietary interventions to control gestational weight gain and improve clinical outcomes in overweight and obese pregnant women. This lack of consensus limits the ability to develop clinical guidelines and apply the evidence in clinical practice.

Postpartum care of women with gestational diabetes: survey of healthcare professionals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals on the postpartum care of women with gestational diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: We surveyed 106 healthcare professionals including obstetricians, diabetologists, general practitioners and midwives in East London and West Midlands in England (September 2014). The questionnaire assessed postpartum screening practices, care provision, future risk and strategies to prevent diabetes in women with gestational diabetes. RESULTS: The response rate was 87% (92/106). Nearly all respondents offered advice on diet (99%; CI 95%, 100%) and exercise (92%; CI 85%, 97%) postnatally in women with diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The preferred screening time for diabetes was 6 weeks to 3 months postpartum (76%; CI 66%, 85%). Overall, oral glucose tolerance test was the preferred test (57%; CI 46%, 67%), although general practitioners preferred fasting glucose (50%; CI 33%, 67%) and glycated hemoglobin (47%; CI 30%, 64%). Most midwives (81%, 17/21) and obstetricians (52%, 11/21) either underestimated or were unsure of the future risk of diabetes. There was lack of consensus on responsibility for immediate postpartum screening. CONCLUSION: The survey highlights the need for improved awareness of future risk of diabetes in women with gestational diabetes, consensus on optimal postpartum screening and identification of the main healthcare provider responsible for further management. This is particularly important for areas of social deprivation.

Study protocol: differential effects of diet and physical activity based interventions in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes--individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis and health economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women who gain excess weight are at risk of complications during pregnancy and in the long term. Interventions based on diet and physical activity minimise gestational weight gain with varied effect on clinical outcomes. The effect of interventions on varied groups of women based on body mass index, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parity, and underlying medical conditions is not clear. Our individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised trials will assess the differential effect of diet- and physical activity-based interventions on maternal weight gain and pregnancy outcomes in clinically relevant subgroups of women. METHODS/DESIGN: Randomised trials on diet and physical activity in pregnancy will be identified by searching the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, LILACS, Pascal, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Health Technology Assessment Database. Primary researchers of the identified trials are invited to join the International Weight Management in Pregnancy Collaborative Network and share their individual patient data. We will reanalyse each study separately and confirm the findings with the original authors. Then, for each intervention type and outcome, we will perform as appropriate either a one-step or a two-step IPD meta-analysis to obtain summary estimates of effects and 95% confidence intervals, for all women combined and for each subgroup of interest. The primary outcomes are gestational weight gain and composite adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The difference in effects between subgroups will be estimated and between-study heterogeneity suitably quantified and explored. The potential for publication bias and availability bias in the IPD obtained will be investigated. We will conduct a model-based economic evaluation to assess the cost effectiveness of the interventions to manage weight gain in pregnancy and undertake a value of information analysis to inform future research. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2013: CRD42013003804.