Muscular involvement in long-term type 1 diabetes: Does it represent an underestimated complication?

OBJECTIVES: Structural, metabolic, and functional signs of skeletal muscle damage have been identified in individuals affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D), but, to our knowledge, no guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of muscle impairment exist and studies on T1D and muscle health remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in a long-term T1D population and to assess the effects of some clinical parameters on muscle mass and function. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients affected by T1D were enrolled. Body mass index (BMI), body composition (appendicular lean mass index [ALMI] and fat mass [FM]), and muscle strength were measured. Additionally, the relationship between Mediterranean diet adherence and sarcopenia was assessed. RESULTS: In the present sample (mean age 49.32 ± 13.49 y, 41.1% women, mean duration of diabetes 30.13 ± 12.28 y), the prevalence of sarcopenia was 7.7% (12.5 % in women and 4.35% in men). The prevalence of low ALMI was 23.1% (25% in women and 21.74% in men). Significant inverse correlations were found between ALMI and duration of diabetes and ALMI and FM; and significant positive correlations between ALMI and BMI, physical activity level, and muscle strength. At the same time, significant inverse correlations were observed between muscle strength and duration of diabetes and muscle strength and FM. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of low muscle mass, similar to those found in the older age groups of the general population (25 years in advance) and our findings suggest a possible pathogenetic role of T1D duration on muscle trophism and function.

Critical evaluation of the questionnaires assessing adherence to the Mediterranean diet that are based on servings.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, and moderate fish, dairy, and wine intake. A high adherence to MD has been associated with numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The clinical assessment of MD adherence is complicated by the absence of a univocally accepted tool and by the abundance of questionnaires developed to determine adherence, whose reliability and validity is uncertain. In this inter-associative document, we critically evaluated servings-based questionnaires for the assessment of MD adherence, aiming to identify the most valuable tool for the use in clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: For each questionnaire, we analyzed the structure, evidence on health-related outcomes and agreement with the recommendations of MD. We found that most questionnaires do not accurately reflect the principles of MD in terms of the food groups and their optimal consumption frequency. Additionally, the comparison of questionnaires revealed low agreement and some concerns with regard to the scoring assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: Among the available questionnaires, we suggest the use of the 15-Items Pyramid based Mediterranean Diet Score (PyrMDS), which is the one with fewer flaws and a strong supporting body of theoretical and scientific evidence. The use of the PyrMDS may facilitate the assessment of MD adherence in clinical practice, which is instrumental in reducing the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases.

Effects of semaglutide on cardiovascular risk factors and eating behaviors in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of once-weekly semaglutide on different end-points indicative of metabolic control, cardiovascular risk, dietary behavior, and treatment satisfaction in T2DM. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in a diabetes clinic. Changes in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, and number of antihypertensive drugs at 32 weeks (T1) after the first prescription of semaglutide (T0) were analyzed. Furthermore, at T1 patients were asked to fill-in the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) and the Control of Eating Questionnaire (COEQ). RESULTS: Overall, 104 patients were identified (mean age 63.6 ± 10.4 years, 58.7% men, diabetes duration 12.7 ± 8.7 years). After 32 weeks of treatment with semaglutide, HbA1c levels were reduced by 1.38%, FBG by - 56.53 mg/dl, weight by 6.03 kg. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total, HDL-, LDL-, and non -HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides significantly improved. The number of glucose-lowering and antihypertensive drugs also decreased. At T1, DTSQ score was 32.23 ± 1.44, whereas COEQ indicated low levels of hunger and good control of eating. CONCLUSIONS: The study documented benefits of semaglutide on metabolic control and multiple CV risk factors, simplification of therapeutic schemes and high satisfaction with diabetes treatment, and eating behaviors indicative of healthy diet and reduced food intake.

Mediterranean diet, walking outdoors and polypharmacy in older patients with type II diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy and its adverse health effects is an emerging public health issue, with increasing prevalence among patients with multiple chronic conditions, such as older adults with diabetes. A healthy lifestyle has been shown to improve both diabetes and polypharmacy incidence. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association of a healthy lifestyle with polypharmacy and comorbidities in older people with diabetes. METHODS: All out-patients from January 2013 to June 2015 with type II diabetes aged 65 years or more from a Lazio Region reference centre for diabetes were included in the study. Socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle data were collected from medical records and through face-to-face standardized questionnaires. The comorbidity-polypharmacy score (CPS) was used to characterize the overall patients' frailty, by assessing concurrently the presence of comorbidities and polypharmacy. The cumulative logit model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Adjusted ORs for age, sex, body mass index, physical activity and cognitive status, showed that CPS score was inversely related to weekly consumption of cruciferous vegetables (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35-0.90; P-trend = 0.015), leafy green vegetables (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33-0.87; P-trend = 0.013) and daily intake of fruits (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.97; P-trend = 0.036). Walking outdoors was found inversely related to CPS score (age- and sex-adjusted OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.86). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that eating some dietary factors present in the Mediterranean diet and walking outdoors regularly is associated with a lower intensity of medicines need to treat comorbidities among older people with diabetes.

The Impact of Vegan Diet in the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

A protective effect of vegan diets on health outcomes has been observed in previous studies, but its impact on diabetes is still debated. The aim of this review is to assess the relationship between vegan diets and the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) along with its effect on glycemic control and diabetes-related complications. In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, Pubmed and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched for all relevant studies. Seven observational and eight randomized controlled (RCTs) studies were included. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. We found that a vegan diet is associated with lower T2D prevalence or incidence and in T2D patients decreases high glucose values and improves glucose homeostasis, as reported from the majority of included studies. This approach seems to be comparable to other recommended healthful eating models, but as it may have potential adverse effects associated with the long-term exclusion of some nutrients, appropriate nutritional planning and surveillance are recommended, particularly in specific groups of diabetic patients such as frail elderly, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Predictive Low Glucose Suspend Algorithm in Real Life: A Five-Year Follow-Up Retrospective Analysis.

AIM: Sensor-augmented pumps with predictive low glucose suspend function (PLGS-SAP) help patients avoid hypoglycemia and improve quality of life: in this retrospective study, we investigated long-term effects of PLGS-SAP on metabolic outcomes, acute and chronic diabetic complications, in particular cardiovascular events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated for more than 10 years with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) were followed for 5 years; 71 (Group 1) started to use PLGS-SAP, and 68 (Group 2) maintained on their non-PLGM insulin pump. Glucose control measures (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], acute diabetic complications), clinical outcomes (body mass index [BMI], arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia), chronic diabetes-related complications, and device utilization (continuous glucose monitoring utilization, use of temporary basal rates or special boluses, carbohydrate counting usage) were assessed. RESULTS: The reduction of HbA1c was significant in Group 1 (from 7.5% ± 1.1% to 7.0% ± 1.0%, P = .02), while in Group 2 it did not reach statistical significance (from 7.5% ± 1.1% to 7.4% ± 0.9%, P = .853). BMI increased significantly in Group 2 (from 25.3 ± 2.8 to 25.7 ± 3.4, P < .001), but not in Group 1 (from 25.2 ± 3.5 to 25.2 ± 2.8, P = .887). There were no statistically significant differences in occurrence of acute diabetes complications, other clinical outcomes, prevalence of diabetes-related complications, or device utilization between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our five-year follow-up experience with T1D CSII users, PLGS-SAP has resulted efficient in improving metabolic control and maintaining the body weight.

Outcomes of Culturally Tailored Dietary Intervention in the North African and Bangladeshi Diabetic Patients in Italy.

Immigrants show higher adjusted diabetes prevalence than Italians, especially among South-East Asians followed by North and Sub-Saharan Africans. Diabetes progression is influenced by food behaviors, and diet control is a critical aspect in disease management. Food habits have many cultural and symbolic implications. Guidelines recommend that every patient should receive appropriate self-management education according to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. This study aims to test whether a customized diet and transcultural mediator's support can improve immigrants' food habits. A pre-post quali-quantitative study was conducted among 20-79-year-old Bangladeshi and North African diabetic immigrants. The INMP transcultural mediator, an expert in the social and health care field, actively participates in clinical activity by decoding linguistic and cultural needs expressed by the foreigner patient. Five culturally tailored dietary profiles were designed according to international diabetes guidelines and adjusted to traditional food habits. Data were collected with two different semi-structured questionnaires. Changes in food consumption were assessed through McNemar's test, while paired Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to analyze pre and post intervention. Fifty-five patients were enrolled. At follow-up, cereals, meat, and potatoes intake significantly improved, and the number of adequate dietary habits for each patient increased significantly. Transcultural mediator support was 90% positively evaluated. Adherence to dietary control is favorably influenced by a transcultural intervention, which is based on clinical and socio-cultural criteria, in compliance with patient's lifestyles.

Effects of polyphenols on cardio-metabolic risk factors and risk of type 2 diabetes. A joint position statement of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the Italian Society of Diabetology (SID), the Italian Association of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition (ADI) and the Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists (AMD).

AIM: A large body of evidence supports a role of polyphenols in the prevention of chronic diseases, i.e. type 2 diabetes (DMT2), cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. In the present manuscript, the effect of polyphenol/phenolic compounds on the main cardio-metabolic risk factors (body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose concentrations, plasma lipids, inflammation and oxidative stress) in humans will be discussed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Epidemiological evidence supports the beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich diets in the prevention of T2D risk. However, the available evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials did not allow the identification of specific phenolic compounds or polyphenol-rich foods that effectively improve cardio-metabolic risk factors. The most promising results in terms of the management of cardio-metabolic risk factors derive from RCTs based on a long-term intake of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages. Therefore, future studies should focus on a diet containing different classes of polyphenols rather than a specific food or phenolic compound. The hypothesis is that a polyphenol-rich diet may have a pleiotropic effect on cardiometabolic risk factors thanks to the specific action of different polyphenol subclasses. CONCLUSION: The lack of conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of polyphenols in the management of cardio-metabolic risk factors does not allow recommendation of their use as supplements to reduce T2D and CVD risk. However, the daily consumption of naturally polyphenol-rich foods and beverages might be advised according to the current nutritional dietary recommendation.

Position Statement on the management of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII): The Italian Lazio experience.

This document has been developed by a group of Italian diabetologists with extensive experience in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy to provide indications for the clinical management of CSII in diabetic patients (both type 1 and type 2) based on delivery mode operating in Italy. Although the potential benefits of pump therapy in achieving glycemic goals is now accepted, such results cannot be obtained without specific knowledge and skills being conveyed to patients during ad hoc educational training. To ensure that these new technologies reach their full effectiveness, as demonstrated theoretically and clinically, a careful assessment of the overall therapeutic and educational process is required, in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Therefore, to ensure the cost-effectiveness of insulin pump therapy and to justify reimbursement of therapy costs by the National Health System in Italy, in this article we present a model for diabetes and healthcare centers to follow that provides for different levels of expertise in the field of CSII therapy. This model will guarantee the provision of excellent care during insulin pump therapies, thus representing the basis for a successful outcome and expansion of this form of insulin treatment in patients with diabetes while also keeping costs under control.

ProAct study: new features of insulin pumps improve diabetes management and glycemic control in patients after transition of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion systems.

BACKGROUND: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) patients experience switches of pump systems on a regular basis. We investigated the impact of transition from older pumps to the Accu-Chek(®) Combo system (Roche Diagnostics Deutschland GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) on a patient's glycemic control and diabetes management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 299 patients (172 female, 127 male; mean±SD age, 39.4±15.2 years; CSII duration, 7.0±5.2 years) were enrolled by 61 European sites into this uncontrolled prospective trial. Glycemic control, safety, and diabetes management parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Changes from baseline were analyzed. RESULTS: After transition to the new insulin pump, mean±SD hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values decreased from 7.8±1.1% (baseline) to 7.7±1.1% (end point). The proportion of patients with HbA1c <7.0% was slightly higher at the end of the study (29.6%) than at baseline (25.2%), whereas the proportion of patients with HbA1c >8.0% decreased (baseline, 36.2%; end point, 32.7%; P<0.05). The number of hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose<70 mg/dL) improved slightly during the study (baseline, 40.4±34.0 events/quarter; end point, 39.2±33.9 events/quarter). Glycemic control improved significantly in the group with an initial HbA1c >8.0% (-0.46%; P<0.001) and remained solidly stable in the group with an initial HbA1c <7% (+0.04%; not significant). Short-term (<3 years) pump users (n=48) had a larger HbA1c decrease (-0.40%) than long-term (≥3 years) users (n=251) (-0.07%; P<0.05). The number of blood glucose measurements increased (3.7±1.9/day vs. 4.4±1.8/day; P<0.05), whereas the number of insulin boluses decreased (5.1±1.9/day vs. 4.6±1.5/day; P<0.05) during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Transition from older pump systems to the Accu-Chek Combo system in a large patient population resulted in stable glycemic control with significant improvements in HbA1c in patients with unsatisfactory baseline HbA1c and shorter pump use. Increased frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose and decrease of bolus frequency could suggest a more confident diabetes management and a reduced need for correction boluses.