Common and contrast determinants of peripheral artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are two of the leading causes of non-traumatic amputation worldwide with tremendous negative effects on the quality of life, psychosocial well-being of persons with diabetes mellitus; and a great burden on health care expenditure. It is therefore imperative, to identify the common and contrast determinants of PAD and DPN in order to ease adoption of common and specific strategies for their early prevention. METHODS: This was a multi-center cross-sectional study which involved the consecutive enrolment of one thousand and forty (1040) participants following consent and waiver of ethical approval. Relevant medical history, anthropometric measurements, other clinical examinations including measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and neurological examinations were undertaken. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis and logistic regression was used to assess for the common and contrast determinants of PAD and DPN. Significance level used was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Multiple stepwise logistic regression showed that common predictors of PAD vs DPN respectively include age, odds ratio (OR) 1.51 vs 1.99, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.18-2.34 vs 1.35-2.54, p = 0.033 vs 0.003; duration of DM (OR 1.51 vs 2.01, CI 1.23-1.85 vs 1.00-3.02, p = <.001 vs 0.032); central obesity (OR 9.77 vs 1.12, CI 5.07-18.82 vs 1.08-3.25, p = <.001 vs 0.047); poor SBP control (OR 2.47 vs 1.78, CI 1.26-4.87 vs 1.18-3.31, p = .016 vs 0.001); poor DBP control (OR 2.45 vs 1.45, CI 1.24-4.84 vs 1.13-2.59, p = .010 vs 0.006); poor 2HrPP control (OR 3.43 vs 2.83, CI 1.79-6.56 vs 1.31-4.17, p = <.001 vs 0.001); poor HbA1c control (OR 2.59 vs 2.31, CI 1.50-5.71 vs 1.47-3.69, p = <.001 vs 0.004). Common negative predictors or probable protective factors of PAD and DPN respectively include statins (OR 3.01 vs 2.21, CI 1.99-9.19 vs 1.45-3.26, p = .023 vs 0.004); and antiplatelets (OR 7.14 vs 2.46, CI 3.03-15.61 vs 1.09-5.53, p = .008 vs 0.030). However, only DPN was significantly predicted by female gender (OR 1.94, CI 1.39-2.25, p = 0.023), height (OR 2.02, CI 1.85-2.20, p = 0.001), generalized obesity (OR 2.02, CI 1.58-2.79, p = 0.002), and poor FPG control (OR 2.43, CI 1.50-4.10, p = 0.004) CONCLUSION: Common determinants of PAD and DPN included age, duration of DM, central obesity, and poor control of SBP, DBP, and 2HrPP control. Additionally, the use of antiplatelets and statins use were common inverse determinants of PAD and DPN which means they may help protect against PAD and DPN. However, only DPN was significantly predicted by female gender, height, generalized obesity, and poor control of FPG.

Comparison of waist-height ratio and other obesity indices in the prediction of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Waist-height ratio (WHtR) is increasingly being studied as a simple and effective measure of central obesity. Reports have shown that WHtR is a better predictor of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases when compared to traditional obesity indices like body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). This study is therefore aimed at comparing WHtR with other obesity indices in the prediction of peripheral neuropathy in persons with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methodology: One thousand and forty persons with DM were enrolled following consent. Relevant details of history were obtained, followed by physical examinations. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was used to compare the odds ratio of obesity indices in the prediction of peripheral neuropathy. The level of significance used was p = 0.05. Results: Logistic regression showed that WHtR had the highest odds ratio (OR) for the prediction of "probable" diabetic peripheral neuropathy (OR 9.11, 95% CI 3.07-47.97, p = 0.002), followed by WC (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.09-4.05, p = 0.004), and BMI (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.00-3.99, p = 0.019) after correction for age; systemic hypertension; duration of DM; control of SBP, DBP, HbA1c, FPG, and 2HrPP. Conclusion: WHtR has the highest odds ratio in the prediction of "probable" diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both genders, followed by WC in the males and BMI in the females.

Africa's low COVID-19 mortality rate: A paradox?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 continues to spread worldwide, with high numbers of fatalities reported first in China, followed by even higher numbers in Italy, Spain, the UK, the USA, and other advanced countries. Most African countries, even with their less advanced healthcare systems, continue to experience lower COVID-19 mortality rates. This was the case as the pandemic reached its first peak, plateaued, and declined. It is currently rising again in some countries, though not as rapidly as before. This study aimed to determine the predictors of COVID-19 mortality rate. This may help explain why Africa's COVID-19 mortality rate is, ironically, lower than that of more advanced countries with better health systems. This will also assist various governments in balancing their COVID-19 restrictive and socioeconomic measures. METHODOLOGY: This was an analytical review, which used pre-COVID-19 era population data and current COVID-19 mortality figures to determine predictors of COVID-19 mortality rates. Pearson's correlation was used to test the association between some population variables and COVID-19 mortality rates. Next, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of COVID-19 mortality rates. RESULTS: Significant positive predictors of COVID-19 mortality rate included pre-COVID-19 era '65-yr+ mortality %' (R2 = 0.574, B = 2.86, p < 0.001), population mean age (R2 = 0.570, B = 4.77, p = 0.001), and life expectancy (R2 = 0.524, B = 1.67, p = 0.008). Pre-COVID-19 era CVD death rate was a negative predictor of COVID-19 mortality rate (R2 = 0.524, B = -0.584, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Africa's lower COVID-19 mortality rate is due to the lower population mean age, lower life expectancy, lower pre-COVID-19 era '65yr+ mortality rate', and smaller pool of people surviving and living with cardiovascular diseases.

Prediabetes Deserves More Attention: A Review.

Evidence increasingly demonstrates that prediabetes is a toxic state, as well as a risk factor for diabetes, and is associated with pathophysiological changes in several tissues and organs. Unfortunately, use of available evidence-based treatments for prediabetes is low. This review seeks to explain why prediabetes must be viewed and treated as a serious pathological entity in its own right. It offers an overview of the pathophysiology and complications of prediabetes and describes how this condition can be reversed if all treatment avenues are deployed early in its course.

Waist-height ratio: How well does it predict glucose intolerance and systemic hypertension?

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess whether WHtR is a better predictor of glucose intolerance and systemic hypertension than some other obesity indices. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study among four hundred (4 0 0) participants in a Northern Nigerian population. Four (4) participants were eventually excluded due to incomplete data, therefore data from three hundred and ninety six (3 9 6) participants were used in the final analysis. The study assessed whether WHtR is a better predictor of glucose intolerance and systemic hypertension compared to some other obesity indices. Participants were recruited after due consent, then bio-data, blood pressure levels, and some anthropometric measurements were obtained. Subsequently, plasma glucose levels (fasting [FPG] and 2-hour post 75 g glucose load [2HrPPG]) were measured. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel, then analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Data from three hundred and ninety six (3 9 6) participants (4 excluded due to incomplete details) were analyzed. Logistic regression of obesity indices showed that WHtR was the best predictor of glucose intolerance with odds ratio (OD) of 20.74 (CI 2.80-155, p < 0.001), followed by WC with OD of 1.89 (CI 1.83-3.94, p < 0.001), then WHR with OD of 1.69 (CI 1.06-8.22, p = 0.009). The least but significant predictor of glucose intolerance was BMI with odds ratio of 1.12 (CI 1.06-3.18, p < 0.001). Furthermore, logistic regression of obesity indices showed that WHtR was the strongest predictor of systemic hypertension with OD of 2.32 (CI 4.85-14.96, p < 0.001), followed by BMI (OD 1.99, CI 1.96-2.05, p = 0.031), then WC (OD 1.95, CI 1.90-1.99, p = 0.020). The weakest predictor of systemic hypertension was WHR (OD 1.26, CI 0.04-1.88, p = 0.181). CONCLUSION: WHtR had the highest predictive power for both glucose intolerance and systemic hypertension compared to BMI, WC, and WHR.

2 Cases of Bullosis Diabeticorum following Long-Distance Journeys by Road: A Report of 2 Cases.

Background. Bullosis diabeticorum is a distinct, spontaneous, noninflammatory, and blistering condition of acral skin that is unique to diabetics. It is rare. Exact aetiopathogenesis is not known, but many attributed peripheral neuropathy as a potent risk factor, others hypothesized the role of trauma, UV light, and nephropathy. Aim. To present cases of bullosis diabeticorum following long-distance journeys by road. Methods. History and physical examinations were done on 2 diabetics who presented with bilateral feet bullae following a long journey. Biopsy of a circumferential area of the bullae including adjoining apparently normal skin was done. Results. Features of peripheral neuropathy were noted. One developed digital gangrene without features of peripheral vascular disease. Culture of aspirate from a bullae yielded Staphylococcus aureus. Tissue biopsy showed hyperkeratotic focally acanthotic pigmented epidermis with subcorneal separation of the granular layer of the epidermis by aggregates of viable and nonviable polymorphs and lymphocytes. There is mild acantholysis of the epidermis, and a fibrocollagenous dermis which is moderately infiltrated by lymphocytes. Conclusion. Long journeys by road is a strong factor in the aetiopathogenesis of bullosis diabeticorum on a background of peripheral neuropathy. Diabetics especially those with peripheral neuropathy should be cautious while traveling long journeys by road.