The significance of a positive family history in South African Indians with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM).

A group of South African Indians with NIDDM participated in a study to evaluate the frequency of positive family histories of the disease and to determine the relative contribution of maternal or paternal genetic determinants. Information was elicited by means of an interview and recorded. Of the 1098 diabetic subjects studied 70% gave a positive family history of a first degree relative suffering from NIDDM. Three-generation transmission was recorded in 5.3% of the subjects. A significantly greater proportion of probands (40%) had a mother with NIDDM than those with a father (26%). A positive family history in an offspring was more common in female probands (10.6%) than males (5.5%). Twice as many probands with 3 generation transmission had a maternal grandmother suffering from NIDDM (2.5%) compared with those who had a paternal grandmother afflicted (1.2%) (P < 0.05), whereas the frequencies in the maternal (0.9%) and paternal (0.8%) grandfathers were similar. This study has highlighted, not only the high prevalence of a positive family history in South African Indians with NIDDM, but also a stronger maternal contribution to the putative gene responsible for the disease.

South African Indians show a high prevalence of NIDDM and bimodality in plasma glucose distribution patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and to test for bimodality in the plasma glucose distribution in South African Indians. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects were selected by systematic cluster sampling in various areas of Durban. They underwent a modified glucose tolerance test whereby fasting and 2-h postglucose (75 g) plasma glucose levels were measured. The program MIX was used to test for bimodality in the plasma glucose distribution. RESULTS: We tested 2,479 subjects (1,441 women and 1,038 men). Based on the revised World Health Organization criteria, the crude prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 9.8%, and the crude prevalence of IGT was 5.8%; the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence was 13.0 and 6.9%, respectively. IGT was significantly more common in men (7.6%) than in women (4.4%). Obesity was a feature of both diabetes mellitus and IGT, particularly in women. Both fasting and 2-h plasma glucose values did not conform to a single normal distribution pattern in any age-group, whereas unequivocal evidence of bimodality was seen in the 55- to 74-year age-group of both sexes for fasting and 2-h glucose and also in the 2-h levels of men in the 25- to 34-year age-group. CONCLUSIONS: This study has highlighted a high prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in South African Indians and bimodality in the plasma glucose distribution.

A study of acute community-acquired pneumonia, including details of cardiac changes.

We prospectively studied 102 patients, aged 15-50 years, with acute community-acquired lobar pneumonia without underlying cardiorespiratory illness, admitted to Baragwanath Hospital May 1990-April 1991. Demographic, clinical, microbiological and laboratory data and negative prognostic features of these patients are described. In particular, we documented electrocardiographic changes and studied their possible relevance in patients with pneumonia. Electrocardiographic changes occurred in 32 patients (31%). The commonest changes were clockwise rotation (16%), followed by P. pulmonale (9.8%) and S1 Q3 T3 pattern (7.8%) Other changes included right axis deviation (n = 6), right bundle branch block (n = 3), ventricular extrasystoles (n = 2), atrial fibrillation (n = 1) and nodal rhythm (n = 1). These changes returned to normal in survivors after a mean of 2 days. The S1 Q3 T3 pattern was associated with cardiac enzyme leak (CK-MB fraction), hypoxia and a high Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS). In addition, P. pulmonale, right axis deviation and clockwise rotation correlated with hypoxia and a high SAPS score. Clockwise rotation also correlated with serum (including cardiac fraction) enzymes leak (LDH and CK-MB fraction), and pulmonary artery pressure. The overall mortality rate was 10.8%, with no association between electrocardiographic changes and mortality. The negative prognostic factors documented were hypoxia (p < 0.0001), multilobar pulmonary consolidation (p < 0.0001), tachycardia (p = 0.0001), tachypnoea (p = 0.0002), renal dysfunction function (p = 0.0009), hypotension (systolic p < 0.02, diastolic p < 0.003), bacteraemia (p = 0.003), and serum (including cardiac fraction) enzymes leak: LDH (p < 0.02), CK (p < 0.002) and CK-MB fraction (p = 0.0002). These factors, with the exception of renal dysfunction, also correlated with the need for intensive care unit admission. Acute and reversible electrocardiographic changes are common in acute community-acquired lobar pneumonia. Electrocardiographic changes, especially those compatible with acute cor pulmonale and accompanied by cardiac enzyme (CK-MB fraction) leak, correlated with severity of illness but not with mortality.

Vaginal yeast infections in diabetic women.

Two hundred and three diabetic women (89 with and 114 without genital symptoms) were examined for the presence of yeasts and Trichomonas vaginalis. Yeasts were isolated from the vaginas of 35.5% of patients and were more common in the symptomatic group (48.0%) than the asymptomatic group (25.4%; P < 0.05). Candida albicans was isolated from 12.8% of all patients and showed a significant association with pruritus vulvae (P < 0.05). A significant association was also shown between the presence of yeasts in the rectum and in the vagina. C. glabrata (Torulopsis glabrata) was the commonest yeast species isolated (50.0%), with C. albicans the next most frequent (36.1%). T. vaginalis infection was present in 14.3% of all subjects.

Vaginal infections in diabetic women: is empiric antifungal therapy appropriate?

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is reported to predispose women to vaginal candidiasis and hence patients attending busy diabetic clinics are often treated empirically with antifungal agents for genital symptoms. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To investigate the etiology of vaginal infections in diabetic women and to determine appropriateness of empiric antifungal therapy for symptomatic women. DESIGN: Prospective study performed on consecutive patients attending two diabetic clinics. SETTING: Diabetic clinics serving developing communities belonging to two ethnic groups. STUDY POPULATION: Two hundred and one women (101 African and 100 Indian) comprising 90 women with symptoms of pruritus vulvae and/or vaginal discharge and 111 asymptomatic women. RESULTS: Candidiasis (50% vs. 24%; P = 0.012) and bacterial vaginosis (28% vs. 8%; P = 0.017) occurred significantly more frequently in symptomatic African women compared to asymptomatic African women. Among Indian women bacterial vaginosis (28% vs. 5%; P = 0.026) occurred more frequently in symptomatic women. The prevalence of trichomoniasis was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic women of both ethnic groups. Mixed vaginal infections were detected significantly more often in African compared to Indian women (24% vs. 5%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In diabetic women with genital symptoms, an attempt at diagnosis should be made prior to commencement of therapy. However, in busy clinics with overstressed facilities where investigations cannot be performed, the use of empiric antifungal therapy alone is not appropriate and consideration should be given to the use of an antifungal plus a nitroimidazole agent which would be effective for both trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in a group of urban South African blacks.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was determined in 479 urbanised South African blacks (141 men and 338 women) of Zulu descent selected by cluster sampling in a suburb of Durban. All subjects underwent a modified glucose tolerance test whereby fasting and 2-hour post-glucose (75 g) plasma glucose levels were measured. On the basis of the revised World Health Organisation criteria, the overall prevalence of diabetes was 4.2% and of IGT 6.9%; the age- and sex-adjusted prevalences were 5.3% and 7.7% respectively. Diabetes mellitus was more common in women (5.2% v. 2.3%), while the reverse was true of IGT (5.5% v. 11.5%). The mean age-adjusted body mass indices (BMIs) of diabetic (31.3 +/- 1.9) and IGT (29.7 +/- 1.9) subjects were significantly higher than those of the group with normal glucose tolerance (28 +/- 0.5). Female subjects with all types of glucose tolerance had significantly higher mean BMIs than men. There was a significant correlation between BMI and both fasting glucose (r = 0.16; P = 0.0039) and 2-hour plasma levels (r = 0.15; P = 0.0065) in the women, while in men only the fasting levels showed such a relationship (r = 0.21; P = 0.01719).

Effect of insulin therapy on blood pressure in NIDDM patients with secondary failure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of insulin therapy on blood pressure in NIDDM patients with secondary failure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The influence of insulin treatment on blood pressure was assessed retrospectively in a group of 80 NIDDM patients with secondary failure to diet and maximum doses of oral hypoglycemic agents. Weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure were recorded over a 3-mo period before and after the initiation of insulin therapy. RESULTS: There was a significant rise in systolic (131.8 +/- 1.7 to 148 +/- 1.9 mmHg, P less than 0.05) and diastolic (80.9 +/- 0.9 to 89.2 +/- 1.0 mmHg, P less than 0.02) blood pressures with insulin treatment. Insulin treatment was associated with a significant decrease in blood glucose (18.36 +/- 0.28 to 10.4 +/- 0.34 mM, P less than 0.01) and an increase in weight (72.1 +/- 1.6 to 78 +/- 1.7 kg, P = 0.01). A control group of 80 NIDDM patients matched for age, weight, BMI, and duration of diabetes demonstrated no significant change in blood pressure over a matched period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that insulin therapy is associated with significant elevation of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

HLA class I and II antigens in South African blacks with Graves' disease.

A study was done to evaluate the relationship between Graves' disease and the HLA system in South African Blacks of Zulu descent. One hundred and three patients with Graves' disease and 1416 control subjects were typed for HLA A, B, and C antigens while HLA DR antigens were done on 63 of the former and 330 of the latter. There was a significant increase in the frequency of HLA DR3 in patients compared to control subjects (57.1% vs 36.1%; P corrected = 0.014). A relationship was also seen at the DR1 locus (14.3% vs 4.6%; P corrected = 0.023).

Isolated endocarditis of the pulmonary valve with fragmentation haemolysis.

An unusual case of isolated endocarditis of the pulmonary valve complicated by fragmentation haemolysis resolved on antibiotic treatment.

HLA class I and II antigens in South African Indians with NIDDM.

The relationship between the HLA system and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in South African Indians, a migrant Indian group, was evaluated by testing HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens in 184 patients and 1444 control subjects and HLA-DR antigens in 104 patients and 330 control subjects. There was a significant increase in the frequency of HLA-Bw61 in patients compared with control subjects (27.7 vs. 18%, P = .00155), although the degree of association was not very strong (relative risk 1.7). A similar association has been noted in Fiji Indians, another migrant Indian group. However, no relationship could be established at the DR locus. It is suggested that the relatively high frequency of the Bw61 allele in South African Indians could, in the presence of some environmental factor like obesity, confer increased susceptibility to NIDDM.

Diabetes and hypertension in South African Indians. A community study.

A community survey was done to assess the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Indians living in Durban. Each subject, selected by systematic cluster sampling, had blood pressure measured and a glucose tolerance test. Diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and of hypertension were based on World Health Organization criteria. Of the 1,064 subjects studied 9% had diabetes and 14.2% hypertension; diabetes mellitus was more common in women (10.5%) than men (7%), whereas the prevalence of hypertension was similar in both sexes (women 13.5%, men 14.7%). Hypertension was found in 45.8% of the diabetic subjects, 31.4% of those with impaired glucose tolerance and 9.9% of those with normal glucose tolerance. Although hypertension was more common in women (63.3%) than men (37.9%) in the diabetic group, there was no significant difference in the sex distribution in the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and those with normal glucose tolerance. Of the subjects with hypertension, 29.1% had diabetes; there was no significant difference in the sex distribution. The mean age-adjusted body mass indices were significantly higher in the hypertensive subjects with all degrees of glucose tolerance than in normotensive subjects. There was a trend towards elevation of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with increasing degrees of glucose intolerance and increasing age.

Management of diabetes mellitus.

The management of diabetes mellitus involves patient education and dietary modifications, both of which play a key role in determining the success of therapy. Other therapeutic measures include oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin. In type II diabetic patients not responding to diet alone the second-generation sulphonylureas are preferred. Biguanides are indicated in the very obese type II diabetic, provided there are no contraindications. Where insulin therapy is indicated (e.g. type 1 diabetes mellitus), the trend is to use a human preparation because it evokes a very weak antibody response. Optimal diabetes control, as gauged by home blood glucose monitoring and glycosylated haemoglobin levels or, in the case of type II diabetics, fasting blood glucose levels, prevents the acute symptoms of diabetes mellitus as well as coma and in addition appears to minimise the risk of vascular complications.

The clinical efficacy of a second-generation alpha-glucosidase inhibitor in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

In a placebo-controlled double-blind randomised group comparison, the tolerability and metabolic effect of emiglitate, a new second-generation alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, was evaluated in 10 Indians with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus being treated with sulphonylureas. Patients on emiglitate showed a decrease in postprandial plasma glucose levels (means 10 +/- 0.94; 10.1 +/- 0.97 mmol/l) compared with the levels in the run-in period (mean 11.4 +/- 1 mmol/l) but the difference was not significant. However, the emiglitate group showed a significantly greater decrease while on the drug compared with the placebo group at the end of the 1st week (P less than 0.01). The Hb A1 levels in those on emiglitate decreased significantly a week after cessation of therapy (mean 7 +/- 0.81%) compared with the run-in levels (mean 9.4 +/- 1.79%; P less than 0.02). The drug was well tolerated and caused no haematological or biochemical abnormalities.

Microvascular complications and non-insulin-dependent diabetes of the young in South African Indians.

103 Indians (74 females, 29 males) with NIDDM diagnosed before age 30 yr on the basis of the revised WHO diagnostic criteria were studied in order to assess the prevalence of microvascular complications. The mean duration of NIDDM in the subjects was 11 yr (range 2-38 yr). 24 patients (23%) eventually required insulin therapy for control after a mean interval of 11.8 yr (range 5-38 yr). Diabetic retinopathy was present in 37 patients (35.9%), of whom 6 had proliferative retinopathy. Nephropathy was found in 16 patients (15.5%). The mean GFR of these patients was 46.8 ml/min, compared to a mean of 97.1 ml/min in 12 of the patients without nephropathy who had a similar mean duration of disease. The mean duration of disease in patients with retinopathy and nephropathy was 14.9 yr and 14.8 yr respectively. In the patients who eventually required insulin therapy both retinopathy (75%) and nephropathy (41%) were more common but the mean duration of disease in these patients was longer (16 yr vs 9 yr). This study has underlined the heterogeneity of NIDDM in the young, as microvascular complications are by no means uncommon in South African Indians with the disease.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a large group of South African Indians.

The prevalences of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among 866 Indians living in the Chatsworth area of Durban were determined. The study group was selected by cluster sampling and the participants underwent a modified glucose tolerance test (GTT) (determination of fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose levels after a 75 g glucose load). On the basis of the revised World Health Organization criteria the overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11% and of IGT 5,8%. Of the 368 men, 7,6% were found to have diabetes mellitus and 7,1% IGT; the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was much greater among women (13,5%), while there was less IGT (4,8%). Subjects with diabetes mellitus were significantly older (mean 50,7 years) than those with a normal GTT (mean 30,9 years), but of similar age distribution compared with the IGT group (mean 46 years). Subjects with a normal GTT had a significantly lower mean body mass index (22,1 +/- 2,8) compared with diabetic subjects (26,1 +/- 5,2) or the IGT group (25,8 +/- 6,6). Obesity was commonly associated with both diabetes mellitus and IGT, particularly among women.

HLA antigens and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in young South African Indians.

HLA, A, B and C antigens were determined in 84 South African Indian patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in whom age of onset was under 35 years and in 760 healthy Indian controls. Increased frequencies of Aw24, B15 and Bw61 were seen in the patients, but the corrected P value was not significant. Among Indians of North Indian origin, however, there was a significant association between B15 and NIDDM (corrected P less than 0,012; relative risk 4,8). In Indians of South Indian origin no clear association with any specific HLA antigens was seen, although there was a slight increase in the frequency of Aw24 (uncorrected P less than 0,007; corrected P greater than 0,05). The findings in this study serve to emphasize the heterogeneity of diabetes mellitus, since no association between NIDDM and HLA antigens has been noted in whites.