MENSTRUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES.

OBJECTIVE: Menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess are reported to be more prevalent in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of menstrual irregularities, reproductive abnormalities, and androgen excess among women with T1D and their age-matched controls. METHODS: A survey requesting information regarding menstrual and reproductive histories was administered to all participants. Results were stratified according to age (18 to 40, 40 to 50, and >50 years). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between women with and without diabetes in age at menarche, cycle length, or androgen excess in any group. Women who self-reported difficulty with glycemic control were more likely to report irregular menses than controls (P = .04). Among women who reported ever being pregnant, there were fewer pregnancies (P = .02) and live births (P = .002) in women with T1D. Women with T1D reported a lower frequency of oral contraceptive use (P = .003), despite being less likely to smoke (P = .016). CONCLUSION: Menstrual and reproductive abnormalities were not observed more frequently in women with T1D in this study. Subtle but measurable differences in menstrual and reproductive function were confined to the subgroup of women who perceived poor control of their diabetes. Additional prospective studies of T1D and menstrual and reproductive function would be useful.

Pilot trial of diabetes self-management education in the hospital setting.

AIMS: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is recommended for all patients with diabetes. Current estimates indicate that <50% of patients receive DSME, increasing risk for hospitalization which occurs more frequently with diabetes. Hospitalization presents opportunities to provide DSME, potentially decreasing readmissions. To address this, we investigated the feasibility of providing DSME to inpatients with diabetes. METHODS: Patients hospitalized on four medicine units were randomized to receive DSME (Education Group) (n=9) prescribed by a certified diabetes educator and delivered by a registered nurse, or Usual Care (n=12). Participants completed Diabetes Knowledge Tests (DKT), Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36), Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ), and the DTSQ-inpatient (DTSQ-IP). Bedside capillary blood glucoses (CBG) on day of admission, randomization and discharge were compared. RESULTS: There were no group differences in demographics, diabetes treatment, admission CBG (186±93 mg/dL vs. 219±84 mg/dL, p=0.40), DKT scores (Education vs. Usual Care 48±25 vs. 68±19, p=0.09), SF-36, and DTSQ scores (28±6 vs. 25±7, p=0.41). Patients receiving education reported more satisfaction with inpatient treatment (83±13 vs. 65±19, p=0.03), less hyperglycemia prior to (2.7±4.5 vs. 4.5±1.4, p=0.03) and during hospitalization (3.9±1.9 vs. 5.5±1.2, p=0.04); and had lower mean discharge CBG (159±38 mg/dL vs. 211±67 mg/dL, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient diabetes education has potential to improve treatment satisfaction, and reduce CBG.

Effect of a targeted glycemic management program on provider response to inpatient hyperglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of implementation of a Targeted Glycemic Management (TGM) Service pilot, with the goals of improving clinician awareness of available inpatient glycemic management protocols and improving responsiveness to and frequency of severe hyperglycemia. METHODS: Patients with a blood glucose (BG) level ≥300 mg/dL who were hospitalized on a general medicine unit during three 12-week periods before, during, and after the TGM pilot were compared for responsiveness by the primary team, percentage of subsequent BG measurements between 80 and 180 mg/dL, and frequency of subsequent severe hyperglycemia (BG levels ≥300 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia (BG values <70 mg/dL). RESULTS: In comparison with pre-TGM and post-TGM periods, more patients during the TGM pilot had a modification of their glycemic regimen in response to severe hyperglycemia (49% versus 73% versus 50%, before, during, and after TGM, respectively; P = .044), and the percentage of patients with ≥50% of subsequent BG measurements in the desired range (27% versus 53% versus 32%; P = .035) was greatest during the TGM period. The incidence of subsequent severe hyperglycemia (20% versus 9% versus 16%; P = .0004) was lowest during the TGM period; however, the incidence of hypoglycemia was similar in all 3 periods (3.9% versus 3.7% versus 3.7%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a TGM Service can favorably influence glycemic management practices and improve glycemic control, but ongoing intervention is necessary for maintenance of these results.

Patient outcomes after implementation of a protocol for inpatient insulin pump therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and the results of use of an inpatient insulin pump protocol (IIPP). METHODS: In this quality improvement initiative, review of medical records of bedside capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels and pump-related adverse events was performed on 50 consecutive inpatients admitted to the hospital with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) after implementation of our IIPP. Patients were categorized in 3 groups on the basis of evidence in the medical records for IIPP in combination with inpatient diabetes service consultation (group 1; n = 34), for IIPP alone (group 2; n = 12), or for usual care (group 3; n = 4). Patients identified during hospital admission as using CSII therapy were invited to complete a satisfaction questionnaire for inpatient CSII use. RESULTS: Mean CBG levels were similar among the 3 groups (groups 1, 2, and 3: 173 +/- 43 mg/dL versus 187 +/- 62 mg/dL versus 218 +/- 46 mg/dL, respectively). Although there were more patient-days with blood glucose >300 mg/dL in group 3 (P = .02), there were no significant group differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia (CBG <70 mg/dL). Only 1 pump malfunction and 1 infusion site problem were reported among all study patients. No serious adverse events related to CSII therapy occurred. The majority of patients (86%) reported satisfaction with their ability to continue CSII use in the hospital. CONCLUSION: Patients using CSII as outpatients are candidates for inpatient diabetes self-management. Inexperience with these devices on the part of hospital personnel together with the limited studies of patient experience with CSII in the hospital contributes to inconsistencies in management of these patients. An IIPP provides a standardized and safe approach to the use of CSII in the hospital.

Insulin therapy and glycemic control in hospitalized patients with diabetes during enteral nutrition therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two subcutaneous insulin strategies for glycemic management of hyperglycemia in non-critically ill hospitalized patients with diabetes during enteral nutrition therapy (ENT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty inpatients were prospectively randomized to receive sliding-scale regular insulin (SSRI) alone (n = 25) or in combination with insulin glargine (n = 25). NPH insulin was added for persistent hyperglycemia in the SSRI group (glucose >10 mmol/l). RESULTS: Glycemic control was similar in the SSRI and glargine groups (mean +/- SD study glucose 8.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 9.2 +/- 1.6 mmol/l, respectively; P = 0.71). NPH insulin was added in 48% of the SSRI group subjects. There were no group differences in frequency of hypoglycemia (1.3 +/- 4.1 vs. 1.1 +/- 1.8%; P = 0.35), total adverse events, or length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Both insulin strategies (SSRI with the addition of NPH for persistent hyperglycemia and glargine) demonstrated similar efficacy and safety in non-critically ill hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes during ENT.