Preconception care and contraceptive use among Australian women with diabetes mellitus

Background and objective: Effective contraception is important for pregnancy planning and reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to explore preconception care practices and contraception use among women with DM. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional structured questionnaire to survey women with DM aged 16­49 years in Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD), a Western Sydney tertiary referral centre. Results: A total of 107 of 215 (49.7%) women completed the questionnaire. While 80.4% were aware of DM-related pregnancy risks, preconception advice was reported by only 46.8% of the 47 previously or currently pregnant women. Most women had used condoms (87.2%) and/or the combined oral contraceptive pill (74.4%). Many did not know if intrauterine contraception (61.7%) or contraceptive implants (43.7%) were safe in DM. Discussion: Despite being aware of the risks of DM in pregnancy, less than half of the women had sought preconception care, and many had poor knowledge of the most reliable contraceptive methods.

The Effect of Buffering High Acid Load Meal with Sodium Bicarbonate on Postprandial Glucose Metabolism in Humans-A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: High dietary acid load relates to increased risk of type 2 diabetes in epidemiological studies. We aimed to investigate whether buffering a high acid load meal with an alkalizing treatment changes glucose metabolism post meal. Methods: Non-diabetic participants (n = 32) were randomized to receive either 1680 mg NaHCO3 or placebo, followed by a high acid load meal in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover (1-4 weeks apart) study. Thirty (20 men) participants completed the study. Venous blood pH, serum bicarbonate, blood glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured at baseline (fasting) and at 15-30 min intervals for 3 h post meal. Results: The treatment was well tolerated. Venous blood pH declined in the first 15 min post meal with the placebo (p = 0.001), but not with NaHCO3 (p = 0.86) and remained decreased with the placebo for 3 h (pinteraction = 0.04). On average over the 3 h blood pH iAUC was greater with NaHCO3 compared with placebo (p = 0.02). However, postprandial glucose, insulin, C-peptide, NEFA and GLP-1 were not different between treatments (pinteraction ≥ 0.07). Conclusions: An alkalizing medication administered pre-meal has no acute effect on glycaemia and insulin response in healthy individuals. Long-term interventions in at-risk populations are necessary to investigate the effect of sustained alkalization on glucose metabolism.

The role of dietary acid load and mild metabolic acidosis in insulin resistance in humans.

Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being recognised as a global health crisis (World Health Organisation). Insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity and precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. However, there is now increasing evidence to suggest that diet itself may independently be associated with type 2 diabetes risk. A diet with a high acid load (or high potential renal net acid load, PRAL) can result in a decrease in pH towards the lower end of the normal physiological range, which may in turn lead to the development of insulin resistance. Conversely, reducing dietary acid load (the so called 'alkaline diet') may be protective and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Here, we explore the influence of dietary acid load on the development of mild metabolic acidosis and induction of insulin resistance. Whilst large prospective cohort studies link high dietary acid load or low serum bicarbonate with the development of type 2 diabetes, the effect of a diet with a low acid (or high alkaline) load remains unclear. Further interventional studies are required to investigate the influence of dietary composition on the body's acid/base balance, insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes.

A Leydig cell tumor of the ovary resulting in extreme hyperandrogenism, erythrocytosis, and recurrent pulmonary embolism.

CONTEXT: Secondary erythrocytosis due to androgens is most commonly seen in the context of T replacement therapy in men. Leydig cell ovarian tumors are a rare cause of virilization, erythrocytosis, and thromboembolism. PATIENT CASE: We describe the case of a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with a 3-year history of frontal balding and virilization and a 5-year history of obstructive sleep apnea. She had not experienced significant alteration in libido or mood. Menstruation had ceased at age 46. She had a history of recurrent pulmonary embolism and unexplained secondary erythrocytosis. Past hematological investigations had not revealed any evidence of malignancy or thrombophilia, and the JAK2 mutation was negative. The serum erythropoietin was mildly elevated at 20.3 mIU/mL (normal range, 3.6-16.6 mIU/mL). The serum T was initially reported (by immunoassays) as >1600 ng/dL (>55 nmol/L). Similarly, serum androstenedione (>1000 ng/dL; >35 nmol/L), estradiol (169 pg/mL; 621 pmol/L), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (348 µg/dL; 9.4 µmol/L) were all elevated for a postmenopausal woman. Repeat analysis of the serum T by mass spectrometry showed an extremely elevated level of 4270 ng/dL (148 nmol/L). Computed tomography scan revealed a 5.0-cm right ovarian tumor. After surgical removal of an ovarian Leydig cell tumor, her virilization, erythrocytosis, and sleep apnea resolved. CONCLUSION: Hyperandrogenism in women should be considered as a rare but important cause of erythrocytosis, recurrent thromboembolism, and sleep apnea. The diagnosis of hyperandrogenism requires a careful history and physical examination because in postmenopausal women, menstrual disturbance does not occur and cosmetic measures may mask overt clinical features.