Cost-effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring with FreeStyle Libre® in Brazilian insulin-treated patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is a barrier to optimal glucose control in the treatment of both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Blood glucose monitoring is essential in diabetes management. Inappropriate glucose management is associated with high mortality and morbidity. FreeStyle Libre® (FSL) is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system that provides effective, safe, and convenient glucose monitoring, without routine finger pricking. This study aims to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the FSL system in comparison to conventional Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in T1DM and T2DM patients that require intensive insulin therapy. METHODS: A decision-tree model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness ratio between FSL and conventional SMBG from the perspective of the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (SUS). The model captures the cumulative rates of acute complications such as severe hypoglicemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, per-event costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained over a 1-year time horizon in adult and pediatric patients (≥ 4 years old) with T1DM or T2DM. Inputs from the Brazilian health databases, clinical trials, and real-world data were used in the study. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that, regarding solely severe hypoglicemia and diabetic ketoacidosis events, T1DM have a QALY difference of 0.276, a cost difference of R$ 7.255, and an ICER of R$ 26,267.69 per QALY gained for CGM with FSL, when compared to conventional SMBG. T2DM results demonstrated equally a QALY difference of 0.184, a cost difference of R$ 7290, and an ICER of R$ 39,692.67 per QALY gained, in favour of CGM with FSL. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that FSL is cost-effective in T1DM and T2DM for acute diabetic complications, from a SUS perspective. CGM with FSL can promote safe, convenient, and cost-effective glucose monitoring, therefore contributing to the improvement of the incidence of complications and quality of life.

Perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19: resultados da DIABETES / Profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic: results from DIABETES / Perfil de personas con diabetes que usaron telefarmacia durante la pandemia de covid-19: resultados de DIABETES

O objetivo foi analisar o perfil das pessoas com diabetes que utilizaram a telefarmácia na pandemia de covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados oriundos da websurvey DIABETESvid que ocorreu nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2020. Verificou-se que 45 participantes recorreram à telefarmácia, sendo que 55,6% eram do sexo masculino, 42,2% tinham idade compreendida entre 18 e 34 anos e 46,7% estudaram 12 ou mais anos. Além disso, 48,9% autorreferiram diabetes mellitus tipo 1. A maioria usava insulina (55,6%) e obteve os medicamentos para o diabetes em farmácias do sistema público de saúde (60%). Ademais, as pessoas que tiveram o diagnóstico de covid-19 buscaram mais pela telefarmácia (RP=2,20; IC95% 1,23­3,94). Sabe-se que os medicamentos são essenciais para o tratamento do diabetes. Logo, no período estudado em que se preconizava o distanciamento físico, os participantes apropriaram-se da telefarmácia a fim de obter a integralidade do cuidado

The objective was to analyze the profile of people with diabetes who used telepharmacy during the covid-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the DIABETESvid websurvey that took place in September and October 2020. It was found that 45 participants used telepharmacy, 55.6% of whom were male, 42.2% were between 18 and 34 years-old and 46.7% studied 12 or more years. In addition, 48.9% self-reported type 1 diabetes mellitus. Most used insulin (55.6%) and obtained their diabetes medication from pharmacies in the public health system (60%). Also, people diagnosed with covid-19 used telephar-macy more often (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.23­3.94). It is known that drugs are essential for the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, in the period studied in which physical distancing was advocated, the participants used telepharmacy to obtain comprehensive care

El objetivo fue analizar el perfil de las personas con diabetes que utilizaron la telefarmacia durante la pandemia del covid-19. Estudio transversal con datos de la encuesta por internet DIABETESvid realizada en septiembre y octubre de 2020. Se encontró que 45 participantes recurrieron a la telefarmacia, de los cuales el 55,6% eran hombres, el 42,2% tenían entre 18 y 34 años y el 46,7% estudiaban 12 o más años. Además, el 48,9% se autorrefirió diabetes mellitus tipo 1. La mayoría utilizaba insulina (55,6%) y recibía su medicación antidiabética en farmacias del sistema público (60%). Además, las personas diagnosticadas con covid-19 buscaron telefarmacia con más frecuencia (RP = 2,20; IC 95% 1,23­3,94). Los medicamentos son esenciales para el tratamiento de la diabetes. Por lo tanto, en el período estudiado en el que se propugnaba el distanciamiento físico, los participantes se apropiaron de la telefarmacia para la atención integral

2023 UPDATE: Luso-Brazilian evidence-based guideline for the management of antidiabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The management of antidiabetic therapy in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has evolved beyond glycemic control. In this context, Brazil and Portugal defined a joint panel of four leading diabetes societies to update the guideline published in 2020. METHODS: The panelists searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) for the best evidence from clinical studies on treating T2D and its cardiorenal complications. The panel searched for evidence on antidiabetic therapy in people with T2D without cardiorenal disease and in patients with T2D and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure (HF), or diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The degree of recommendation and the level of evidence were determined using predefined criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All people with T2D need to have their cardiovascular (CV) risk status stratified and HbA1c, BMI, and eGFR assessed before defining therapy. An HbA1c target of less than 7% is adequate for most adults, and a more flexible target (up to 8%) should be considered in frail older people. Non-pharmacological approaches are recommended during all phases of treatment. In treatment naïve T2D individuals without cardiorenal complications, metformin is the agent of choice when HbA1c is 7.5% or below. When HbA1c is above 7.5% to 9%, starting with dual therapy is recommended, and triple therapy may be considered. When HbA1c is above 9%, starting with dual therapyt is recommended, and triple therapy should be considered. Antidiabetic drugs with proven CV benefit (AD1) are recommended to reduce CV events if the patient is at high or very high CV risk, and antidiabetic agents with proven efficacy in weight reduction should be considered when obesity is present. If HbA1c remains above target, intensification is recommended with triple, quadruple therapy, or even insulin-based therapy. In people with T2D and established ASCVD, AD1 agents (SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 RA with proven CV benefit) are initially recommended to reduce CV outcomes, and metformin or a second AD1 may be necessary to improve glycemic control if HbA1c is above the target. In T2D with HF, SGLT2 inhibitors are recommended to reduce HF hospitalizations and mortality and to improve HbA1c. In patients with DKD, SGLT2 inhibitors in combination with metformin are recommended when eGFR is above 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. SGLT2 inhibitors can be continued until end-stage kidney disease.

Ultrasound classification of thyroid nodules: does size matter?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the size of thyroid nodules in ACR-TIRADS ultrasound categories 3 and 4 is correlated with the Bethesda cytopathology classification. METHODS: Thyroid nodules (566) subclassified as ACR-TIRADS 3 or 4 were divided into three size categories according to American Thyroid Association guidelines. The frequency of different Bethesda categories in each size range within ACR-TIRADS 3 and 4 classifications was analyzed. RESULTS: Most nodules in both ACR-TIRADS classifications fell in the Bethesda 2 category, regardless of size (90.8% and 68.6%, ACR-TIRADS 3 and 4 respectively). The prevalence of Bethesda 6 nodules in the ACR-TIRADS 4 group was 14 times higher than in the ACR-TIRADS 3 group. There were no significant differences between nodule size and fine needle aspiration biopsy classification in any of the ACR-TIRADS categories. CONCLUSION: Size does not appear to be an important criterion for indication of fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules with a high suspicion of malignancy on ultrasound examination.

Ultrasound classification of thyroid nodules: does size matter?

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether the size of thyroid nodules in ACR-TIRADS ultrasound categories 3 and 4 is correlated with the Bethesda cytopathology classification. Methods Thyroid nodules (566) subclassified as ACR-TIRADS 3 or 4 were divided into three size categories according to American Thyroid Association guidelines. The frequency of different Bethesda categories in each size range within ACR-TIRADS 3 and 4 classifications was analyzed. Results Most nodules in both ACR-TIRADS classifications fell in the Bethesda 2 category, regardless of size (90.8% and 68.6%, ACR-TIRADS 3 and 4 respectively). The prevalence of Bethesda 6 nodules in the ACR-TIRADS 4 group was 14 times higher than in the ACR-TIRADS 3 group. There were no significant differences between nodule size and fine needle aspiration biopsy classification in any of the ACR-TIRADS categories. Conclusion Size does not appear to be an important criterion for indication of fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules with a high suspicion of malignancy on ultrasound examination.

Diabetes self-care practices and resilience in the Brazilian COVID-19 pandemic: results of a web survey: DIABETESvid.

BACKGROUND: The world guidance on the measures of social distancing for prevention of COVID-19 has changed the daily habits of great part of the population, and this could influence the care and resilience with diabetes during situations of adversity. This study aimed at assessing the characteristics of diabetic individuals and self-care practices and resilience with diabetes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional web survey study carried out among adults with diabetes, in which a structured 43-item questionnaire was conducted on the REDCap plataform, including the Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, to measure socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. The web survey was disseminated through the main social media and data were collected from September 1st to October 19th, 2020. Data analysis was performed according to type of diabetes mellitus (DM) and at a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Of the 1633 participants, 67.5% were women, 43.2% aged between 35 and 59 years old, 68.0% lived in the south-eastern region of Brazil, 57.1% had a high education level, 49% reported to have DM1 and 140 participants reported to have had COVID-19. Diabetes care mostly involved the use of medications (93%), whereas the least used ones were physical activity (24.6%) and examination of the shoes (35.7%). About 40% of the participants reported to be followed up by telemedicine, 61.5% monitored the glycaemic levels, 61.2% followed a healthy diet and 43.4% left home only to go to the supermarket and drugstore. The mean resilience was 25.4 (SD = 7.7). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, individuals with diabetes followed social distancing and maintained their medication treatment for DM. However, practice of physical activity and foot examination was little followed by the participants, who also had a low level of resilience. These findings showed the importance of patient follow-up in the healthcare services, meaning that telemedicine should be improved and support provided for adaptation in view of the therapeutic setbacks.

Resultados do estudo ORIGIN: implicações práticas para cardiologistas / Results of the study ORIGIN: pratical approach for cardiologists

Há grande debate em relação aos potenciais efeitos cardiovasculares da insulinoterapia concentrado em duas hipóteses conflitantes: seriam eles resultantes da administração exógena da insulina ou da própria condição de insulinorresistência que justificou o tratamento insulínico? O estudo ORIGIN testou a hipótese de que a normalização da glicemia, utilizando insulina exógena suficiente, reduziria eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com pré-diabetes ou com diabetes tipo 2 recém-diagnosticado e, também, portadores de outro fator de risco cardiovascular. Este estudo incluiu 12.537 participantes com pré-diabetes ou DM2 de início recente, com idade média de 63,5 anos, portadores de fatores de risco cardiovascular, seguidos por sete anos. Os pacientes do grupo tratado receberam insulina glargina titulada para uma meta glicêmica de <95 mmg/dL, enquanto o grupo-controle recebeu tratamento convencional. Os resultados do estudo mostraram redução significativa da glicemia de jejum e, também, da hemoglobina glicada. A incidência de efeitos cardiovasculares foi semelhante entre os dois grupos. Houve redução significativa da conversão para o diabetes no grupo pré-diabético tratado com glargina. Um aumento da frequência de hipoglicemia foi detectado no grupo da insulina glargina, embora tenha atingido apenas 1,0 episódio/100 pacientes/ano. Não houve qualquer diferença estatística entre os dois grupos em relação à incidência de câncer. No subestudo ORIGIN-GRACE se observou que o tratamento insulínico promoveu modesta redução na velocidade de progressão do espessamento da camada média íntima dos segmentos proximais da carótida.

Vitamin D intoxication: case report.

Hypervitaminosis D is a rarely reported condition. In general it is only perceived when hypercalcemia is not resolved. The use of vitamin D has increased in recent years because of its benefits, but as a result, intoxication cases have occurred more frequently. This report describes a patient who presented worsening of renal function and hypercalcemia. After investigation, vitamin D intoxication was confirmed and it was due to an error in compounding.

Influence of gastric emptying on the control of postprandial glycemia: physiology and therapeutic implications.

The maintenance of glucose homeostasis is complex and involves, besides the secretion and action of insulin and glucagon, a hormonal and neural mechanism, regulating the rate of gastric emptying. This mechanism depends on extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion regulates the speed of gastric emptying, contributing to the control of postprandial glycemia. The pharmacodynamic characteristics of various agents of this class can explain the effects more relevant in fasting or postprandial glucose, and can thus guide the individualized treatment, according to the clinical and pathophysiological features of each patient.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: from evidence to clinical practice - position statement 2014 of Brazilian Diabetes Society.

There is a very well known correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular disease but many health care professionals are just concerned with glycemic control, ignoring the paramount importance of controlling other risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of serious cardiovascular diseases. This Position Statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society was developed to promote increased awareness in relation to six crucial topics dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Glicemic Control, Cardiovascular Risk Stratification and Screening Coronary Artery Disease, Treatment of Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Antiplatelet Therapy and Myocardial Revascularization. The issue of what would be the best algorithm for the use of statins in diabetic patients received a special attention and a new Brazilian algorithm was developed by our editorial committee. This document contains 38 recommendations which were classified by their levels of evidence (A, B, C and D). The Editorial Committee included 22 specialists with recognized expertise in diabetes and cardiology.

Influence of gastric emptying on the control of postprandial glycemia: physiology and therapeutic implications / Influência do esvaziamento gástrico sobre o controle da glicemia pós-prandial: fisiologia e implicações terapêuticas

The maintenance of glucose homeostasis is complex and involves, besides the secretion and action of insulin and glucagon, a hormonal and neural mechanism, regulating the rate of gastric emptying. This mechanism depends on extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion regulates the speed of gastric emptying, contributing to the control of postprandial glycemia. The pharmacodynamic characteristics of various agents of this class can explain the effects more relevant in fasting or postprandial glucose, and can thus guide the individualized treatment, according to the clinical and pathophysiological features of each patient.

A manutenção da homeostase glicêmica é complexa e envolve, além da secreção e da ação da insulina e do glucagon, mecanismos hormonais e neurais, que regulam a taxa de esvaziamento gástrico. Esse mecanismo depende de fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos. A secreção do peptídeo 1 semelhante ao glucagon regula a velocidade de esvaziamento gástrico, de modo a contribuir para o controle da glicemia pós-prandial. As características farmacodinâmicas dos diversos agentes dessa classe podem explicar os efeitos mais relevantes na glicemia de jejum ou pós-prandial e, portanto, podem orientar o tratamento individualizado, de acordo com as características clínicas e fisiopatológicas de cada paciente.

Vitamin D intoxication: case report / Intoxicação por vitamina D: relato de caso

Hypervitaminosis D is a rarely reported condition. In general it is only perceived when hypercalcemia is not resolved. The use of vitamin D has increased in recent years because of its benefits, but as a result, intoxication cases have occurred more frequently. This report describes a patient who presented worsening of renal function and hypercalcemia. After investigation, vitamin D intoxication was confirmed and it was due to an error in compounding.

A hipervitaminose D é pouco relatada. Geralmente, só é percebida quando o quadro de hipercalcemia não se resolve. Em razão de seus benefícios, o uso de vitamina D aumentou nos últimos anos; consequentemente, os casos de intoxicação também tiveram aumento. Este relato destacou um caso em que o paciente apresentava piora da função renal e hipercalcemia. Após investigação, ficou confirmada a intoxicação por vitamina D devido a um erro de manipulação da droga.

Algorithm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a position statement of Brazilian Diabetes Society.

The Brazilian Diabetes Society is starting an innovative project of quantitative assessment of medical arguments of and implementing a new way of elaborating SBD Position Statements. The final aim of this particular project is to propose a new Brazilian algorithm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, based on the opinions of endocrinologists surveyed from a poll conducted on the Brazilian Diabetes Society website regarding the latest algorithm proposed by American Diabetes Association /European Association for the Study of Diabetes, published in January 2009.An additional source used, as a basis for the new algorithm, was to assess the acceptability of controversial arguments published in international literature, through a panel of renowned Brazilian specialists. Thirty controversial arguments in diabetes have been selected with their respective references, where each argument was assessed and scored according to its acceptability level and personal conviction of each member of the evaluation panel.This methodology was adapted using a similar approach to the one adopted in the recent position statement by the American College of Cardiology on coronary revascularization, of which not only cardiologists took part, but also specialists of other related areas.

[In hospital care for diabetic foot: a comparison between the estimated cost and the SUS reimbursement]. / Internações por pé diabético: comparação entre o custo direto estimado e o desembolso do SUS.

This study aimed to analyze costs for treating patients with diabetic foot cared by the public Brazilian Health System (SUS), comparing the estimated cost with the amount of SUS reimbursement. A cohort prospective study carried out in hospitals that provide services for the Unified Health System in Sergipe, involving 109 hospitalization episodes of patients with diabetes and foot ulcers. We follow these patients day by day and estimated the hospital direct cost and the SUS reimbursement. All patients had type 2 diabetes and the majority of ulcers (64.2%) were classified as Wagner 4 or 5. Forty-three (39.4%) healed without amputation and fifty-two (47.7%) healed with amputation. Fourteen (12.8%) patients died. Hospital direct cost ranged from R$ 943.72 to R$ 16,378.85; with an average of R$ 4,461.04. The SUS reimbursement varied from R$ 96.95 to R$ 2,410.18, with an average of R$ 633.97, usually seven times low. Smaller difference between costs occurred in patients from the Beneficent hospital and higher rates occurred in those treated with minor amputation.

Internações por pé diabético: comparação entre o custo direto estimado e o desembolso do SUS / In hospital care for diabetic foot: a comparison between the estimated cost and the SUS reimbursement

Foram seguidas 109 internações de pacientes com diabetes e ulcerações nos pés na rede do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em Sergipe, com o objetivo de estimar o custo direto hospitalar e comparar com os valores do desembolso do SUS. Os dados foram coletados desde a admissão até a alta ou o óbito dos casos incluídos, sendo anotadas as características clínicas dos pacientes e os desfechos das internações. Foram calculados o custo direto estimado e o desembolso do SUS. Todos eram portadores de diabetes tipo 2 e a maioria das ulcerações (64,2 por cento) foram classificadas como Wagner 4 ou 5. Evoluíram com alta sem amputação 43 pacientes (39,4 por cento) e 52 (47,7 por cento) com alta após amputação. Evoluíram para óbito 14 pacientes (12,8 por cento). O custo estimado variou de R$ 943,72 a R$ 16.378,85, com média de R$ 4.461,04. O valor do desembolso do SUS variou de R$ 96,95 a R$ 2.410,18, com média de R$ 633,97, cerca de sete vezes inferior. As menores defasagens entre os custos ocorreram nos pacientes assistidos no Hospital Beneficente e as maiores naqueles tratados com amputações menores.

This study aimed to analyze costs for treating patients with diabetic foot cared by the public Brazilian Health System (SUS), comparing the estimated cost with the amount of SUS reimbursement. A cohort prospective study carried out in hospitals that provide services for the Unified Health System in Sergipe, involving 109 hospitalization episodes of patients with diabetes and foot ulcers. We follow these patients day by day and estimated the hospital direct cost and the SUS reimbursement. All patients had type 2 diabetes and the majority of ulcers (64,2 percent) were classified as Wagner 4 or 5. Forty-three (39,4 percent) healed without amputation and fifty-two (47,7 percent) healed with amputation. Fourteen (12,8 percent) patients died. Hospital direct cost ranged from R$ 943.72 to R$ 16,378.85; with an average of R$ 4,461.04. The SUS reimbursement varied from R$ 96.95 to R$ 2,410.18, with an average of R$ 633.97, usually seven times low. Smaller difference between costs occurred in patients from the Beneficent hospital and higher rates occurred in those treated with minor amputation.

[Brazilian Diabetes Society consensus statement--intensive insulin therapy and insulin pump therapy]. / Posição de consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes--insulinoterapia intensiva e terapêutica com bombas de insulina.

This article reports the Brazilian Diabetes Society consensus statement on intensive insulin therapy and insulin pump therapy, arrived at during an update symposium held in 2003 for this specific purpose. The concepts underlying these modalities of diabetes treatment are outlined, their fundaments are given, and practical issues about their indications, feasibility, limits, techniques and cost-benefit relationships are analyzed. The techniques comprise the suggested self-monitoring schedules and the insulin doses, types, forms of administration and correction factors used in each modality of intensive treatment, for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. The roles of SBD in the implementation of these treatments and of the different professionals involved are discussed and commented. The conclusions are based on consensual answers to some orienting questions formulated during the symposium's presentation.

Posição de consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes: insulinoterapia intensiva e terapêutica com bombas de insulina / Brazilian Diabetes Society consensus statement: intensive insulin therapy and insulin pump therapy

Este artigo relata a posição de consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes sobre a insulinoterapia intensiva e a terapêutica com bombas de infusão de insulina, obtida durante simpósio de atualização realizado especificamente para esta finalidade, em 2003. Estas modalidades de tratamento do diabetes são aqui conceituadas, seus fundamentos são colocados, e os aspectos práticos de indicações, exeqüibilidade, limites, técnicas e relação custo-benefício são analisados. As técnicas envolvem os esquemas de auto-monitorização glicêmica sugeridos e as doses, tipos, formas de administração da insulina e fatores de cálculo utilizados em cada modalidade de tratamento intensivo, tanto no DM1 quanto no DM2. O papel da SBD na implementação dos tratamentos intensivos do diabetes e a atuação dos vários profissionais envolvidos são discutidos e comentados. Conclui-se com as respostas de consenso a questões orientadoras do tema, formuladas na apresentação do simpósio.

Blood glucose self-estimation in diabetic patients: the contribution of behavioral psychology

From the point of view of behavioral psychology , the treatment of diabetes mellitus is a process of self-regulation in which patients adjust their behaviors to maintain blood glucose levels within a target range. Therefore, accuracy of blood glucose estimation is a prerequisite. This article reviews the studies in which diabetic patients are taught how to pay attention and discriminate their blood glucose fluctuations. The studies are classified into three groups: feedback studies, symptom description studies, and specific training programs. The contibution of Skinner's operant psychology to the analysis of the relevant variables involved in the acquisiton and maintenance of self-descriptive repertoires is also discussed.