Current Diabetes Reviews - Volume 16, Issue 3, 2020

Background: The current estimated numbers of patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is believed to be close to 10% of the whole populations of many geographical regions, causing serious concerns over the resulting elevated morbidity and mortality as well as the impact on health care systems around the world. In addition to negatively affecting the quality of life, diabetes is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, indicating that appropriate drug therapy should not only deal with metabolic dysfunction but also protect the vascular system, kidney function and skeletal muscle mass from the effects of the epigenetic changes induced by hyperglycaemia. Objectives: To provide an insight into the management of hypogonadism associated with T2D, this review focuses on clinical observations related to androgen therapy in qualified diabetic patients, and discusses the lines of evidence for its benefits and risks. The potential interactions of testosterone with medicines used by patients with T2D will also be discussed. Conclusion: From recent clinical findings, it became evident that a considerable percentage of patients suffering from T2D manifested low serum testosterone and experienced diminished sexual activity, as well as reduced skeletal muscle mass and lower bone density. Although there are some controversies, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for this particular population of patients appears to be beneficial overall only if it is implemented carefully and monitored regularly.

Background: Obesity, diabetes mellitus may be related to the health, the relationship and the physiological capacity of the production of thyroid hormones (TH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Objectives: The main aims of this review are to describe the relationship between obesity, appetite, weight management, hormonal mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism post-bariatric surgery. Methodology: An in-depth literature search was conducted to identify scientific studies, which analyzed the correlation between diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism post-bariatric surgery. Results: Bariatric surgery decreases hypothyroidism, reduces the need for pharmacological action (such as levothyroxine), controls the weight and body fat and increases the sensitivity to leptin and insulin. Conclusion: The reduction of the stomach and intestine by bariatric surgery is an evolutionary and beneficial action, because it may lead to a drastic decrease on numbers of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and others. Thus, new studies should also focus on patients’ post-operatory conditions, such as lifetime, regulation and functioning of organs after reduced nutrition, and consumption and delivery of nutrients to health maintenance.

From last few years, the pervasiveness of diabetes mellitus (DM), in Saudi Arabia, is growing at a frightening rate. Overall, one-fourth of the adult population is affected by DM, which is further predicted to rise to more than double by the year 2030. The most alarming is possibly the escalation propensity of diabetes, in recent years, where a nearly ten-fold increase has been witnessed over the past thirty years in Saudi Arabia. However, the number of research arbitrations on the prevalence and incidence of DM is woefully inadequate, as compared to developed countries. Apart from this, most of the existing research data carried out in Saudi Arabia is cross-sectional, with small sample sizes, which most often involve only certain parts of the country. Consequently, the present scenario demands more multidimensional and multisectoral research to strengthen the evidence base and to accumulate greater knowledge as a basis for measures and programmes to confront diabetes and its complications. Thus, the present report makes an attempt to depict the current trend of diabetes as well as intends to put forward essential measures for controlling diabetes in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more likely to develop a range of rheumatological and musculoskeletal symptoms (RMS), and experience both chronic and widespread pain, compared with the general population. However, these symptoms are not commonly acknowledged by researchers, which hampers our understanding of the impact on this population. Since exercise is a key lifestyle management strategy for T2D and participation levels are typically low, understanding the potential impact of RMS on exercise participation is critical. The aim of this review is to summarise the literature regarding the prevalence and pathophysiology of RMS in T2D, the evidence for the benefits and risks associated with exercise on RMS, and the currently available tools for the reporting of RMS in both research studies and community settings. Methods: A narrative review. Results: There are numerous exercise trials in T2D, but few have sufficiently reported pain-related adverse events and even fewer have investigated the effects of exercise on RMS and chronic pain. Discussion: Recommendations for future research are provided.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (DM) in children is disturbingly increasing in parallel with the increasing childhood obesity. Better knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of type 2 DM in children is paramount to devise an effective management plan. Objective: Discuss the pathophysiology of type 2 DM in children and adolescents. Methods and Results: This is a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic. Type 2 DM in childhood is viewed as a continuum of insulin resistance (IR) which is determined by an underlying genetic predisposition, intrauterine environment, excessive food consumption, continued rapid weight gain, and poor lifestyle. Besides IR, this is compounded by multiple metabolic defects including β-cell dysfunction and inadequate insulin secretion, α-cell dysfunction, hyperglucagonemia and increased hepatic glucose production, lipotoxicity, inflammation, deficiencies in incretin production and action, and increased renal glucose reabsorption. The confluence of genetic and environmental factors underscores the complexity in disease progression. Conclusion: A consistent single risk factor for type 2 DM is obesity and related IR and therefore it is essential to curtail the progression of obesity. It is important to investigate the role of stringent dietary and nutritional approaches, medications that enhance β-cell function and insulin sensitivity.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased drastically over time, especially in more populous countries such as the United States, India, and China. Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Arterial stiffness is a process related to aging and vascular, metabolic, cellular and physiological deterioration. In recent years, it has been described as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and coronary artery disease. Additionally, it plays an important role in the measurement of chronic disease progression. Recent studies have suggested a strong relationship between diabetes mellitus and arterial stiffness since they share a similar pathophysiology involving endothelial dysfunction. The literature has shown that microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetic patients could be screened and measured with arterial stiffness. Additionally, new evidence proposes that there is a relationship between blood glucose levels, microalbuminuria, and arterial stiffness. Moreover, arterial stiffness predicts cardiovascular risk and is independently associated with mortality in diabetic patients. Abnormal arterial stiffness values in diabetic patients should alert the clinician to the presence of vascular disease, which merits early study and treatment. We await more studies to determine if arterial stiffness could be considered a routine useful non-invasive tool in the evaluation of diabetic patients. There is enough evidence to conclude that arterial stiffness is related to the progression of diabetes mellitus.

Background: A link between diabetes and Parkinson´s disease (PD) has been established by several reports. Consistent data report that people diagnosed with diabetes have demonstrated an enhanced risk of manifesting PD in their lifetime. The working principles involved in this link have been extensively discussed. Over the last decade, diabetes has been reported to be correlated with an increased risk of dementia, suggesting a potential role of diabetes, or insulin signalling dysregulations, in neurodegeneration. In addition, it is nowadays highly debated that dysregulations related to Ca2+ signalling may be an upstream issue which could also link diabetes and PD. Ca2+ and cAMP signalling pathways (Ca2+/cAMP signalling) control both the neurotransmitters/hormones release and neuronal death. Conclusion: Considering our previous reports about Ca2+/cAMP signalling, the putative contribution of Ca2+/cAMP signalling in this link (between diabetes and PD) is discussed in this paper.

Objective: This study was conducted to discuss the clinical value of published Diabetic Retinopathy Progression determinants. Methods: The data for systematic review was collected from the published studies through PubMed and Medline. These studies discussed the clinical predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) progression. The common keywords used were diabetic Retinopathy, diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, and albuminuria. Results: Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the common causes of irreversible visual impairment among adults. Poor glycemic control, systemic hypertension, diabetes duration, dyslipidemia, and microalbuminuria are the major risk factors for the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Recently, increased aortic stiffness has been identified as a prognostic marker of diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: Certain groups of diabetic individuals are at higher risk to have progressive diabetic retinopathy and eventually visual impairment. Clinical determinants and predictors are considered as prognostic markers and could help physicians to develop an effective risk-based screening program for this condition.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is usually accompanied by various micro and macro vascular complications. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is one of the major complications of diabetes which is accountable for morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The first line of treatment in these individuals is life style modification and exercise. There is a dearth of literature on effect of supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM on quality of life, walking impairment, change in Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) values. So, we conducted a systematic review to explore the available literature on supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM. Methods: We conducted a systematic review (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane) to summarise the evidence on a supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM. Randomised and nonrandomised studies were included in the review. Results: Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The outcomes taken into accounts by the studies were the quality of life, walking impairment questionnaire, Ankle brachial index. Neither of the studies matched in their supervised exercise program nor in their outcome. Conclusion: In conclusion, the data evaluating the supervised exercise program in PAD with T2DM is inadequate to determine its effect on this population. Future large-scale studies can be conducted on both subjective and objective outcomes of PAD with T2DM to have a better understanding of the condition and for a universally acceptable exercise program for these individuals which the healthcare practitioners can use in their practice. Prospero registration number: CRD42018112465.

Background: Globalization has lead to such lifestyle changes which have produced increase in incidence and prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Magnesium is found to have some role in glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum magnesium levels with insulin resistance in apparently healthy adults. Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate correlation of serum magnesium with fasting blood sugar, insulin level and Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (indicator of insulin resistance) on the basis of the hypothesis that subjects with hypomagnesaemia are more prone to develop hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study which was population based. Total 130 apparently healthy adults of age between 25-65 years, were recruited with prior ethical approval and written informed consent. Results: Serum magnesium was found to be negatively correlated with fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin level and HOMA-IR. Co-relation of magnesium with FBS (r = -0.55, p<0.0001), insulin (r = -0.45, p< 0.0001) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.52, p<0.0001) was significant. Conclusion: As per findings it was concluded that serum magnesium was found to have significant negative correlation with fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin and HOMA-IR, thus hypomagnesaemia can be suggested to be one of the important predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: One of the greatest challenges in the field of medicine is the increasing burden of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Diabetes may cause several complications, such as kidney failure which is followed by hemodialysis and an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: The purpose of this research was to develop a clinical decision support system for assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis by using a fuzzy logic approach. Methods: This study was conducted in 2018. Initially, the views of physicians on the importance of assessment parameters were determined by using a questionnaire. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was approved by the experts in the field of medicine. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated by using the test-retest method (r = 0.89). This system was designed and implemented by using MATLAB software. Then, it was evaluated by using the medical records of diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis (n=208). Results: According to the physicians' point of view, the most important parameters for assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases were glomerular filtration, duration of diabetes, age, blood pressure, type of diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and C reactive protein. The system was designed and the evaluation results showed that the values of sensitivity, accuracy, and validity were 85%, 92% and 90%, respectively. The K-value was 0.62. Conclusion: The results of the system were largely similar to the patients’ records and showed that the designed system can be used to help physicians to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases and to improve the quality of care services for diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. By predicting the risk of the disease and classifying patients in different risk groups, it is possible to provide them with better care plans.

Background: This cross sectional study investigated the clinical use of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe brachial index (TBI) in 91 type 2 diabetic foot ulcer patients who visited the diabetic foot clinic, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia during July 2017 and January 2018. Materials and Methods: The ABI and TBI facilitated the detection of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the patients’ medical records were used to collect the clinical and demographic variables. The variables of duration (p = 0.047) and treatment (p = 0.046) of the ABI showed significant differences. Age (p = 0.034) and duration (p = 0.001) were the factors related to the diagnosis of TBI by the “χ2” test. Results: From the TBI, 26.4% of the patients were found to have PAD, while the ABI showed that 21.8% of patients had the condition. However, no statistical significance was noted. From the regression analysis, the variable duration of diabetes (≥ 20 years of age) was recognized as an independent risk factor for TBI. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is recommended both the ABI and TBI to be used as screening tests for PAD in diabetic foot ulcer patients.