Glycated Hemoglobin and Blood Pressure Levels in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: How Many Patients Are on Target?

OBJECTIVES: Achieving glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and blood pressure targets is an important strategy for preventing chronic vascular complications in diabetes. Our aim in this study was to determine the proportion of type 2 diabetes patients who meet the recommended A1C and arterial blood pressure targets and to identify the determinants of failure to do so. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient endocrine clinic at a university hospital. The A1C goal was 7% in general and 8% for patients with advanced chronic complications. Regarding blood pressure, the overall expected target was 140/90 mmHg. RESULTS: A total of 602 type 2 diabetes patients were analyzed: 62% were female, 14% self-reported as black, mean age was 63±11 years, mean diabetes duration was 17±9 years and median A1C was 8.0% (interquartile range, 7.0% to 9.5%). Macrovascular disease was present in 33% of the patients, diabetic retinopathy in 47%, peripheral neuropathy in 43% and diabetic kidney disease in 56%. Regarding metabolic control, 403 (67%) patients were not at the adjusted target A1C level, and being female, black, young and an insulin user were the main determinants of poor glycemic control. Regarding blood pressure, 348 (58%) patients were not at the recommended targets, and a more advanced age was the main associated factor. CONCLUSIONS: Because more than half of type 2 diabetes outpatients do not meet the recommended A1C and blood pressure target values, there is a major call to overcome the therapeutic inertia and target treatment of patients on an individual basis.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Important Biochemical Alterations and the Main Treatment Strategies.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Among its serious multisystemic complications is diabetic retinopathy (DR), which develops slowly and often insidiously. This disorder-the most common cause of vision loss in working-age adults-is characterized by functional and morphological changes in the retina. It results from the exacerbation of ischemic and inflammatory conditions prompted by alterations in the blood vessels, such as the development of leukostasis, thickening of the basement membrane, retinal neovascularization and fibrovascular tissue formation at the vitreoretinal interface. The pathogenic alterations are usually triggered at the biochemical level, involving a greater activity in 4 pathways: the polyol pathway, the hexosamine pathway, the formation of advanced glycation end-products and the activation of protein kinase C isoforms. When acting together, these pathways give rise to increased levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased levels of endogenous antioxidant agents, thus generating oxidative stress. All current therapies are aimed at the later stages of DR, and their application implies side effects. One possible strategy for preventing the complications of DM is to counteract the elevated superoxide production stemming from a high level of blood glucose. Accordingly, some treatments are under study for their capacity to reduce vascular leakage and avoid retinal ischemia, retinal neovascularization and macular edema. The present review summarizes the biochemical aspects of DR and the main approaches for treating it.

Thirty-day experimental diabetes impairs contractility and increases fatigue resistance in rat diaphragm muscle associated with increased anti-oxidative activity.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that can generate tissue damage through several pathways. Alteration and dysfunction of skeletal muscle are reported including respiratory muscles, which may compromise respiratory parameters in diabetic patients. We have aimed to evaluate the diaphragm muscle contractility, tissue remodeling, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters from 30 day streptozotocin-treated rats. The diaphragm contractility was assessed using isolated muscle, tissue remodeling using histology and zymography techniques, and tissue oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters by enzyme activity assay. Our data revealed in the diabetes mellitus group an increase in maximum tetanic force (4.82 ± 0.13 versus 4.24 ± 0.18 N/cm2 (p = 0.015)) and fatigue resistance (139.16 ± 10.78 versus 62.25 ± 4.45 s (p < 0.001)), reduction of 35.4% in muscle trophism (p < 0.001), increase of 32.6% of collagen deposition (p = 0.007), reduction of 21.3% in N-acetylglucosaminidase activity (p < 0.001), and increase of 246.7% of catalase activity (p = 0.002) without changes in reactive oxygen species (p = 0.518) and tissue lipid peroxidation (p = 0.664). All observed changes are attributed to the poor glycemic control (471.20 ± 16.91 versus 80.00 ± 3.42 mg/dL (p < 0.001)), which caused defective tissue regeneration and increased catalase activity as a compensatory mechanism.

Perception of empowerment and therapeutic adherence in type 2 diabetes and glycemic control in patients of a primary health care unit from Tabasco, Mexico / Percepción de empoderamiento y adherencia terapéutica en DT2 y control glucémico en pacientes de una unidad de atención primaria de Tabasco, México / Perception de l'autonomisation et de l'adhérence thérapeutique dans DT2 et contrôle glycémique chez les patients d'une unité de soins primaires à Tabasco, au Mexique / Percepçâo de empoderamento e adesâo terapéutica no DT2 e controle glicêmico em pacientes de uma unidade de atençâo primária em Tabasco, México

Sumary: Objective: To analyze the perception of empowerment and therapeutic adherence in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and their glycemic control in a primary care unit in Tabasco, Mexico. Materials and methods: Observational, cross-sectional and analytical study in a sample of 100 patients with diabetes. We analyzed variables of perception of empowerment, therapeutic adherence, sociodemographic and clinical. As a dependent variable, the figure of glycosylated hemoglobin HgAlc was taken as the gold standard of metabolic control. An instrument integrated by the DES-28 scale was applied to assess perception of empowerment, a questionnaire to assess the perception of Adherence of Bayarre-Grau. For the analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson's X2) were used with the SPSS V22.0 software. Results: The patients with diabetes were women 72%, average of age 56 years, married 60%, housewives 68%, primary studies 43%, average BMI 30.8, average of years with diabetes 8.9, main complication diabetic neuropathy 61% , mean of HgA1 figure of 8.675%, with HgA1 figure altered 82%, patients perceived to be empowered were 86%, of these, 80.2% showed lack of control with an x2 of 1,300 and a value of p = .000, with adherence 84%, of these patients resulted with altered glycemic control 83.3% with an X2.632 and a value of p = .000. Conclusions: Patients who feel empowered and adherent to treatment in our study have inadequate glycemic control, which allows us to conclude that it is necessary to investigate other factors that go beyond perception and an area of opportunity would be to implement effective strategies to achieve results successful.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la percepción de empoderamiento y adherencia terapéutica en pacientes con Diabetes Tipo 2 y su control glucémico en una unidad de atención primaria de Tabasco, México. Mteriales y métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico, en una muestra de 100 pacientes con diabetes. Se analizaron variables de percepción del empoderamiento, adherencia terapéutica, sociodemográficas y clínicas. Como variable dependiente se tomó la cifra de Hemoglobina glicosilada HgAlc como estándar de oro del control metabólico. Se aplicó un instrumento integrado por la escala DES-28 para evaluar percepción del empoderamiento, cuestionario para evaluar percepción de Adherencia de Bayarre-Grau. Para el análisis se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial (X2 de Pearson) con el software SPSS V22.0. Resultados: Los pacientes con diabetes fueron mujeres 72%, media de edad 56 años, casadas 60%, amas de casa 68%, estudios de primaria 43%, IMC promedio 30.8, promedio de años con diabetes 8.9, principal complicación neuropatía diabética 61%, media de cifra de HgAl de 8.675%, con cifra de HgAl alterada 82%, pacientes que se perciben empoderados fueron 86%, de estos, presentaron descontrol el 80.2% con una x2 de 1.300 y un valor de p=.000, con adherencia 84%, de estos pacientes resultaron con un control glucémico alterado el 83.3% con una x2 .632 y un valor de p=.000. Conclusiones: Los pacientes que se perciben empoderados y adherentes al tratamiento en nuestro estudio presentan un control glucémico inadecuado, lo que permite concluir que es necesario investigar otros factores que van más allá de la percepción y un área de oportunidad sería implementar estrategias efectivas para lograr resultados exitosos.

Résumé: Objectif: Analyser la perception de l'autonomisation et de l'adhérence thérapeutique chez les patients atteints de diabète de type 2 et leur contrôle glycémique dans une unité de soins primaires à Tabasco, au Mexique. Matériaux et méthodes: Étude observationnelle, transversale et analytique sur un échantillon de 100 patients diabétiques. Nous avons analysé des variables de perception de l'autonomisation, de l'adhérence thérapeutique, sociodémographique et clinique. En tant que variable dépendante, la valeur de l'hémoglobine glycosylée HgA1c a été prise comme critère de référence du contrôle métabolique. Un instrument intégré à l'échelle DES-28 a été utilisé pour évaluer la perception de l'autonomisation, un questionnaire pour évaluer la perception de l'adhésion de Bayarre-Grau. Pour l'analyse, des statistiques descriptives et inférentielles (X2 de Pearson) ont été utilisées avec le logiciel SPSS V22.0. Résultats: Les patients diabétiques étaient des femmes 72%, âge moyen 56 ans, marié 60%, les femmes au foyer 68%, l'enseignement primaire 43%, IMC moyen de 30,8, la durée moyenne du diabète avec 8,9, complication majeure neuropathie diabétique 61% , chiffre moyen de 8,675% hgAl avec la figure altérée hgAl 82% des patients étaient perçus habilitée 86% de ceux-ci, 80,2% avaient incontrôlée avec x2 1300 et une valeur de p = 0,000, avec 84% de ces patients ont présenté un contrôle glycémique altéré de 83,3% avec une valeur de x2,632 et une valeur de p = 0,000. Conclusions: Les patients responsabilisés et adhérents sont perçus à un traitement dans notre étude ont un contrôle glycémique insuffisant, ce qui conduit à la conclusion qu'il est nécessaire d'examiner d'autres facteurs qui vont au-delà de la perception et une zone d'opportunité serait de mettre en œuvre des stratégies efficaces pour obtenir des résultats réussi.

Resumo: Objetivo: Analisar a percepçâo da capacitaçâo e da aderência em pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 e controle glicêmico em uma unidade de cuidados primários de Tabasco, no México. Materiais e métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal e analítico em uma amostra de 100 pacientes com diabetes. Foram analisadas variáveis de percepçâo de empoderamento, adesâo terapéutica, sociodemográficas e clínicas. À medida que a hemoglobina glicosilada HgA1c variável dependente foi feita como ouro controle metabólico padrâo. integrado pela escala DES-28 para avaliar a percepçâo da capacitaçâo questionário percepçâo instrumento para avaliar a adesâo Bayarre-Grau aplicada. Para a análise, estatística descritiva e inferencial (X2 de Pearson) foram utilizadas com o software SPSS V22.0. Resultados: Os pacientes com diabetes foram mulheres 72%, idade média de 56 anos, casado 60%, 68% donas de casa, primário 43%, IMC médio de 30,8, a média de anos com diabetes 8.9, principal complicaçâo neuropatía diabética 61% , valor médio de 8,675% hgA1 com figura alterada hgAl 82% dos pacientes com poderes percebidas foram de 86%, destes, 80,2% tinham descontrolada com x2 1.300 e um valor de p = 0,000, com adesâo de 84% destes pacientes foram alterados com o controlo glicémico com um x2 83,3% 0,632 e p = 0,000 Conclusses: Pacientes com poderes e adeptos sâo percebidos ao tratamento em nosso estudo têm controle inadequado da glicemia, o que leva à conclusâo de que é necessário investigar outros fatores que vâo além da percepçâo e uma área de oportunidade seria implementar estratégias eficazes para alcançar resultados sucesso.

Disease characteristics and treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus attending government health services in Indonesia, Peru, Romania and South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and management of Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS: We systematically characterised consecutive DM patients attending public health services in urban settings in Indonesia, Peru, Romania and South Africa, collecting data on DM treatment history, complications, drug treatment, obesity, HbA1c and cardiovascular risk profile; and assessing treatment gaps against relevant national guidelines. RESULTS: Patients (median 59 years, 62.9% female) mostly had type 2 diabetes (96%), half for >5 years (48.6%). Obesity (45.5%) and central obesity (females 84.8%; males 62.7%) were common. The median HbA1c was 8.7% (72 mmol/mol), ranging from 7.7% (61 mmol/mol; Peru) to 10.4% (90 mmol/mol; South Africa). Antidiabetes treatment included metformin (62.6%), insulin (37.8%), and other oral glucose-lowering drugs (34.8%). Disease complications included eyesight problems (50.4%), EGFR <60 ml/min (18.9%), heart disease (16.5%) and proteinuria (14.7%). Many had an elevated cardiovascular risk with elevated blood pressure (36%), LDL (71.0%) and smoking (13%), but few were taking antihypertensive drugs (47.1%), statins (28.5%) and aspirin (30.0%) when indicated. Few patients on insulin (8.0%), statins (8.4%) and antihypertensives (39.5%) reached treatment targets according to national guidelines. There were large differences between countries in terms of disease profile and medication use. CONCLUSION: DM patients in government clinics in four LMIC with considerable growth of DM have insufficient glycaemic control, frequent macrovascular and other complications, and insufficient preventive measures for cardiovascular disease. These findings underline the need to identify treatment barriers and secure optimal DM care in such settings.

Use of Diabetes Registry Data for Comparing Indices of Diabetes Management: A Comparison of 2 Urban Sites in Canada and Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the use of a multinational diabetes registry for comparing indices of diabetes management among countries with differing levels of income, healthcare systems and ethnic backgrounds. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1742 people with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes clinics in London, Ontario, Canada, and Bogota, Colombia. The data were extracted from the Global Registry and Surveillance System for Diabetes (GRAND). RESULTS: Canadian patients were diagnosed with diabetes at significantly younger ages than Colombian patients (49 years and 53 years, respectively) and were heavier (body mass indices of 33 and 28, respectively). The Colombian patient population had significantly higher mean glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels (9.4% vs. 8.6%) and fewer patients (22% vs. 26%) at the glycemic target (A1C <7.0%) than Canadian patients. In Colombia, 1 or more diabetes-related complications were present in 51% of the study population compared with 37% in Canada. Newly diagnosed Colombians had higher mean A1C levels (9.1% vs. 8.7%) and low-density lipoprotein-C levels (3.3 mmol/L vs. 2.5 mmol/L) than did newly diagnosed Canadians. CONCLUSIONS: A multination diabetes registry collecting standardized data facilitates transnational comparison of diabetes clinical parameters for the purpose of identifying potential gaps in care.