Diabetes Health Research Articles

A Million Person Study Innovation: Evaluating Cognitive Impairment and other Morbidity Outcomes from Chronic Radiation Exposure Through Linkages with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Assessment and Claims Data.

The study of One Million U.S. Radiation Workers and Veterans, the Million Person Study (MPS), examines the health consequences, both cancer and non-cancer, of exposure to ionizing radiation received gradually over time. Recently the MPS has focused on mortality patterns from neurological and behavioral conditions, e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A fuller picture of radiation-related late effects comes from studying both mortality and the occurrence (incidence) of conditions not leading to death. Accordingly, the MPS is identifying neurocognitive diagnoses from fee-for-service insurance claims from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), among Medicare beneficiaries beginning in 1999 (the earliest date claims data are available). Linkages to date have identified ∼540,000 workers with available health information. Such linkages provide individual information on important co-factor and confounding variables such as smoking, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and many other health and demographic characteristics. The total person-level set of time-dependent variables, outcomes, organ-specific dose measures, co-factors, and demographics will be massive and much too large to be evaluated with standard software. Thus, development of specialized open-source software designed for large datasets (Colossus) is nearly complete. The wealth of information available from CMS claims data, coupled with individual dose reconstructions, will thus greatly enhance the quality and precision of health evaluations for this new field of low-dose radiation and neurocognitive effects.

ASSOCIATION OF SERUM ADENOSINE DEAMINASE LEVELS WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health issue, and complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI) are prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes. Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been suggested as a potential biomarker for various metabolic conditions, including inflammation and kidney injury, but its association with diabetic kidney health remains understudied. Objective: To assess the association of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels with acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This observational comparative study was conducted at DHQ Teaching Hospital KDA, Kohat, from February 7, 2023, to August 7, 2023, following ethical approval. A total of 120 participants were enrolled, including 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and 60 non-diabetic controls. Laboratory investigations for both groups included serum ADA (U/L), HbA1c (%), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (mL/min/1.73 m²). Statistical comparisons between groups were made using appropriate tests, and correlations between serum ADA and other parameters were assessed. Results: The mean age of diabetic patients was 55.40 ± 8.29 years, and that of controls was 54.58 ± 21.64 years. The mean serum ADA level in diabetic patients was significantly higher at 43 ± 4.29 U/L compared to 16.32 ± 1.20 U/L in controls (p = 0.0001). Diabetic patients had a mean HbA1c of 8.30 ± 0.59%, significantly higher than that of controls (5.28 ± 0.59%) (p = 0.0001). The mean eGFR in diabetic patients was 82.61 ± 17.22 mL/min/1.73 m², lower than in controls (105.97 ± 12.07 mL/min/1.73 m²) (p = 0.0001). In diabetic patients, serum ADA levels were positively correlated with HbA1c (indicating poorer glycemic control) and negatively correlated with eGFR (suggesting declining kidney function). Conclusion: Elevated serum adenosine deaminase levels in type 2 diabetic patients are significantly associated with poor glycemic control and decreased kidney function. These findings indicate that serum ADA could serve as a potential biomarker for monitoring glycemic status and kidney health in diabetic patients at risk for acute kidney injury.

Exploring the perceptions and experiences of diabetes management and self-regulation in young adults using a continuous glucose monitoring device

Young adults face many pressures as they start being independent and responsible for their own actions and decisions. The use of continuous glucose monitoring has been shown to improve medical outcomes in diabetes management, but the mechanism of these improvements needs further investigation. This study aimed to examine the self-regulatory experiences and behaviours of a group of young adults using continuous glucose monitoring to manage type 1 diabetes. An exploratory qualitative approach was taken, using six virtual semi-structured interviews with young adults living with type 1 diabetes and using continuous glucose monitoring. A thematic analysis was used to identify themes from the gathered data. In this study, three themes demonstrated reciprocal determinism in that the observation of the continuous glucose monitoring results led to changes in the behaviours of the participants. The concepts of feedback and feedforward were also evident in the information provided by continuous glucose monitoring and the adjustment of the participants to achieve their personal blood glucose goals. The results of this study thus support the fact that self-regulation of those living with type 1 diabetes can be improved using continuous glucose monitoring as a tool for observation of blood glucose fluctuations and can, as a result, lead to changes in diabetes management behaviours and health outcomes. Continuous glucose monitoring provides the opportunity to observe the consequences of diabetes management behaviours, which activates the self-regulation processes of feedback and feedforward. This process has the potential to improve diabetes management behaviours in this vulnerable group.

The Effect of Stigmatization on Diabetes Health Promotion Self-Care Behaviours and Predictors of Stigma and Self-Care Behaviours in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at risk of delaying or not performing diabetes health promotion self-care behaviours because of their social or self-stigmatization. The study aimed to reveal the effect of stigmatization on diabetes health promotion self-care behaviours and predictors of stigma and diabetes health promotion self-care behaviours in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional study included 235 individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS) and Diabetes Health Promotion Self-Care Scale (DHPSCS) were used for data collection. There was a significant, negative correlation between the DSAS and DHPSCS scores. High mean scores on the DSAS and its subscales treated differently, blame/judgement and self-stigma were predictors of a negative effect on diabetes self-care behaviours. Poor health status, alcohol intake and diabetes complications are predictive of stigma. Insulin use and self-monitoring blood glucose are predictors of self-care behaviours. Stigma negatively affects diabetes self-care behaviours in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Nurses could provide education on improvement of health status, harms of alcohol intake and management of diabetes complications. Counselling for coping with stigma and performing self-care could be provided. Nurses could organize interventions to raise awareness about diabetes in society.

The Rise of Biochemical Sensors: Technology for Real-Time Health Monitoring (Applications and Future Scope)

Biochemical sensors integrated into wearable health technology represent one of the most transformative innovations of the 21st century. This review delves into the evolution, principles, and real-time applications of biochemical sensors and their role in personalized health monitoring. Wearable biochemical sensors, capable of continuously measuring various biomarkers like glucose, lactate, cortisol, and electrolytes, are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling proactive management of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and mental health issues. Advances in biosensing technologies, coupled with the use of AI and machine learning algorithms, have enhanced the sensitivity and accuracy of these devices, ensuring that critical health data is available in real-time. From glucose monitoring devices like Abbott's FreeStyle Libre to the latest nanomaterial-based sensors, these innovations are reshaping healthcare delivery by shifting the focus from hospital-centered treatments to patient-centric, continuous monitoring systems. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the technological advancements, challenges, and future directions in biochemical sensors, focusing on key technologies such as electrochemical, optical, and enzymatic sensors. It also highlights the critical role of AI in interpreting the complex data generated by these sensors, paving the way for more efficient diagnostics and predictive healthcare models. Furthermore, the paper explores how these sensors have been applied in infectious disease detection, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discusses their potential to enhance global health surveillance systems. In conclusion, wearable biochemical sensors represent a significant leap forward in the pursuit of personalized medicine, offering real-time diagnostics and timely interventions for disease management. The future of healthcare is closely tied to the ongoing innovations in sensor technology, with the promise of even more advanced and multifunctional devices on the horizon.

Glycemic indicators and mental health symptoms: results from the greater Beirut area cardiovascular cohort

IntroductionDepression and anxiety present high and complex comorbidity with diabetes. One proposed explanation is that glycemic dysregulations and diabetes-related processes can influence mental health risk. We examined the associations of concurrent and prior glycemic indicators (Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels) with depression and anxiety symptoms in a community-based sample of middle-aged Lebanese adults.MethodsData come from the Greater Beirut Area Cardiovascular Cohort (GBACC), with baseline and 5-year assessments of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biological factors (n=198). Depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7) symptoms were assessed at follow-up. We investigated associations between glycemic indicators and continuous mental health scores using first linear and then piecewise regression models.ResultsAdjusted piecewise regression models showed different associations with mental outcomes across glycemic indicators in the diabetic/clinical compared to the non-diabetic range: Among participants with <126 mg/dl baseline FBG, higher FBG levels in this range were significantly associated with lower depressive (beta=-0.12, 95%CI= [-0.207, -0.032]) and anxiety symptoms (beta=-0.099, 95%CI= [-0.186, -0.012]). In contrast, among participants with baseline FBG levels ≥126 mg/dl, higher FBG levels were significantly associated with higher anxiety symptoms (beta=0.055; 95%CI= 0.008, 0.102). Higher baseline FBG levels in the ≥126 mg/dl range showed a not statistically significant trend for higher depressive symptoms. Although not significant, baseline HbA1c levels showed similar patterns with negative associations with mental health symptoms in the <6.5% range.DiscussionResults show that FBG levels were associated with poorer mental health symptoms only in the clinical/diabetic range, and not in the normal range. Associations were observed with baseline glycemic indicators, highlighting potentially early and prolonged associations with mental health. Findings highlight the importance of clinical changes in glycemic indicators for mental health and motivate further research into the transition toward adverse associations between diabetes and mental health.

Diabetes knowledge, health literacy and diabetes self-care among older adults living with diabetes in Alexandria, Egypt

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is a rising health problem, especially in older adults. Health literacy and the degree of diabetes knowledge are among the factors that may influence diabetes self-care activities. The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting self-care activities among older adults living with type 2 diabetes in Alexandria, Egypt.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 400 older adults over the age of 60 with type 2 diabetes, recruited from diabetes outpatient clinics affiliated to the health insurance organization in Alexandria, Egypt. A predesigned, structured interview questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic factors, personal habits, medical history, and drug history. The All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS) and the numeracy section of the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA) were used to assess the level of health literacy. Diabetes Knowledge Test 2 (DKT2) was used to assess diabetes knowledge and Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities scale was used to assess self-care activities. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between health literacy and self-care.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 65.75 ± 5.15 years, and 56.2% of them were males. The mean duration of diabetes was 10.61 ± 5.28 years, 14.3% were illiterate, and 37.2% were university graduates. Positive correlations were found between health literacy, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care activities (p < 0.001). Health literacy and diabetes knowledge were found to be significant predictors of diabetes self-care activities in older adults (aOR = 1.132; 95% CI:1.062–1.207, p < 0.001 and aOR = 1.313; 95% CI: 1.178–1.464, p < 0.001; respectively).ConclusionsHealth literacy and diabetes knowledge were found to be predictors of good self-care activities in older adults living with diabetes. Health educators and health care professionals should focus on health education and the enhancement of diabetes knowledge to improve self-care activities and eventually glycemic control in older adults living with diabetes.

The relationship between repeated measurements of HbA1c and risk of coronary events among the common haptoglobin phenotype groups: the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study

BackgroundIn the ACCORD study, participants with the haptoglobin (Hp) 2–2 phenotype and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8.0% had a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to those with HbA1c 7.0–7.9%. However, this association was not observed in participants without the Hp2-2 phenotype. The optimal glycemic target for CAD prevention for the Hp phenotypes remains uncertain and may vary based on demographic and clinical factors.ObjectiveTo investigate how reaching clinically relevant HbA1c targets relates to the risk of CAD in different Hp phenotype groups among a diverse cohort of individuals with T2DM (the Look AHEAD study, HbA1c ≤ 11% at baseline).MethodsCox regression models with time-varying covariables were used to quantify the association between time-varying achieved HbA1c (< 6.5%, 6.5–6.9%, and ≥ 8.0% compared to 7.0-7.9%), updated at years 1–4, 6, 8, and 10, and incident CAD in the Hp2-2 (n = 1,587) and non-Hp2-2 (n = 2,944) phenotypes separately. Further pre-specified subgroup analyses by age, sex, history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), race, and diabetes duration were performed in each Hp phenotype group separately.ResultsCompared with HbA1c 7.0-7.9%, having HbA1c < 6.5% was associated with a 29% lower CAD risk among participants with the non-Hp2-2 phenotype (adjusted HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.90). In subgroup analyses, this association was present in participants with the non-Hp2-2 phenotype who were male (0.60, 0.44–0.83), who did not have a history of CVD (0.65, 0.47–0.90), who were aged ≥ 65 years (0.64, 0.44–0.94), who were White (0.68, 0.51–0.91), or who had diabetes duration > 10 years (0.58, 0.35–0.95). HbA1c ≥ 8.0% was associated with CAD risk only among participants with the Hp2-2 phenotype who had a history of CVD (1.79, 1.00-3.20). No associations were found between the other HbA1c targets and CAD risk when participants with the Hp2-2 phenotype were grouped together or divided into subgroups.ConclusionThe differences in our results compared to our previous findings may be due to variations in the study populations and factors associated with weight loss, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Our current findings should be considered in the context of hypothesis generation, and ideally, will encourage additional research in this field.

Effectiveness of a Digital Health Intervention Leveraging Reinforcement Learning: Results From the Diabetes and Mental Health Adaptive Notification Tracking and Evaluation (DIAMANTE) Randomized Clinical Trial.

Digital and mobile health interventions using personalization via reinforcement learning algorithms have the potential to reach large number of people to support physical activity and help manage diabetes and depression in daily life. The Diabetes and Mental Health Adaptive Notification and Tracking Evaluation (DIAMANTE) study tested whether a digital physical activity intervention using personalized text messaging via reinforcement learning algorithms could increase step counts in a diverse, multilingual sample of people with diabetes and depression symptoms. From January 2020 to June 2022, participants were recruited from 4 San Francisco, California-based public primary care clinics and through web-based platforms to participate in the 24-week randomized controlled trial. Eligibility criteria included English or Spanish language preference and a documented diagnosis of diabetes and elevated depression symptoms. The trial had 3 arms: a Control group receiving a weekly mood monitoring message, a Random messaging group receiving randomly selected feedback and motivational text messages daily, and an Adaptive messaging group receiving text messages selected by a reinforcement learning algorithm daily. Randomization was performed with a 1:1:1 allocation. The primary outcome, changes in daily step counts, was passively collected via a mobile app. The primary analysis assessed changes in daily step count using a linear mixed-effects model. An a priori subanalysis compared the primary step count outcome within recruitment samples. In total, 168 participants were analyzed, including those with 24% (40/168) Spanish language preference and 37.5% (63/168) from clinic-based recruitment. The results of the linear mixed-effects model indicated that participants in the Adaptive arm cumulatively gained an average of 3.6 steps each day (95% CI 2.45-4.78; P<.001) over the 24-week intervention (average of 608 total steps), whereas both the Control and Random arm participants had significantly decreased rates of change. Postintervention estimates suggest that participants in the Adaptive messaging arm showed a significant step count increase of 19% (606/3197; P<.001), in contrast to 1.6% (59/3698) and 3.9% (136/3480) step count increase in the Random and Control arms, respectively. Intervention effectiveness differences were observed between participants recruited from the San Francisco clinics and those recruited via web-based platforms, with the significant step count trend persisting across both samples for participants in the Adaptive group. Our study supports the use of reinforcement learning algorithms for personalizing text messaging interventions to increase physical activity in a diverse sample of people with diabetes and depression. It is the first to test this approach in a large, diverse, and multilingual sample. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03490253; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03490253. RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034723.

Culturally appropriate options for diabetes self‐management: Results from a patient‐centered comparative effectiveness study

AbstractThis project compared the effectiveness of two evidence‐based models of culturally competent diabetes health promotion: the diabetes self‐management support empowerment model (DSMS) and the chronic care model (CCM). Our primary outcome was improvement in patient capacity for diabetes self‐management as measured by the diabetes knowledge questionnaire (DKQ) and the patient activation measure (PAM). Our secondary outcome was patient success at diabetes self‐management as measured by improvement in A1c, depression scores using the PHQ‐9, and body mass index (BMI). We also gathered data on the cultural competence of the program using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Cultural Competence Set. We compared patient outcomes in two existing sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico that serve a large population of Latinx diabetes patients from low‐income households. Participants were enrolled as dyads—a patient participant (n = 226) and a social support participant (n = 226). Outcomes over time and by program were analyzed using longitudinal linear mixed modeling, adjusted for patient participant demographic characteristics and other potential confounding covariates. Secondary outcomes were also adjusted for potential confounders. Interactions with both time and program helped to assess outcomes. This study did not find a difference between the two sites with respect to the primary outcome measures and only one of the three secondary outcomes showed differential results. The main difference between programs was that depression decreased more for CCM than for DSMS. An exploratory, subgroup analysis revealed that at CCM, patient participants with a very high A1c (&gt;10) demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease. However, given the higher cultural competence rating for the CCM, statistically significant improvement in depression, and the importance of social support to the patients, results suggest that a culturally and contextually situated diabetes self‐management and education program design may deliver benefit for patients, especially for patients with higher A1c levels.Key Points The team was interdisciplinary. The information presented describes results of both qualitative and quantitative data and involves interpretations that are interdisciplinary in nature. The study design used methods from multiple disciplines.

7513 Presence Of Hispanic/Latino Physicians In Academic Research. Are We There Yet?

Abstract Disclosure: C.E. Guillen Lopez: None. A. Patel: None. A. Rocha: None. C. Arima: None. A. Molkina: None. L. Robles: None. A. Arce Gastelum: None. Hispanic/Latino endocrinologists' presence and active involvement in diabetes research play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of healthcare initiatives in the United States. Diabetes, a prevalent and complex health condition, disproportionately affects diverse communities, with Hispanics/Latinos being among the groups facing higher incidence rates. In this context, the significance of Hispanic/Latino endocrinologists cannot be overstated, as their unique perspectives and cultural insights contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing diabetes prevalence, management, and outcomes in the U.S. By actively involving Hispanic/Latino endocrinologists in diabetes research, we not only enhance the representation of diverse patient populations but also foster a more comprehensive approach to addressing the intricate intersections of genetics, lifestyle, and socio-cultural factors contributing to diabetes disparities in the nation. In the 2021 Physician Specialty Data Report, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) incorporated physician race and ethnicity information for the first time. Within the 7,354 actively practicing endocrinologists surveyed, only 636 individuals identified as Hispanic/Latino. The majority of these endocrinologists were predominantly dedicated to clinical practice. A descriptive analysis of 1011 abstracts on diabetes and glucose metabolism presented at the Endo Society from 2021 to 2023 revealed that 549 were authored by women and 458 by men. The majority (705 posters, 69.7%) originated from the U.S., and 306 (30.26%) were classified as international posters. Among these, 152 posters (15%) were associated with the Hispanic or Latino authors, but only 91 (9%) were published in the U.S. In conclusion, the engagement of Hispanic/Latino physicians in endocrinology is indispensable for advancing healthcare. Their participation brings diverse perspectives, facilitates a better understanding of health disparities, and promotes innovative research and patient care strategies. By actively involving Hispanic/Latino physicians, we contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of endocrine disorders and work towards a healthcare system that prioritizes inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration, ultimately benefiting the well-being of individuals across diverse communities. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Erectile dysfunction as a holistic indicator of well-being: a narrative review.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), affecting around 52% of men aged 40-70, is a significant marker of overall health and a potential warning sign of multiple conditions like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and mental health disorders. Recognizing and addressing ED through a holistic approach involving nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management can improve both erectile and overall health outcomes. To provide a narrative review of the available literature on the relationship between ED and overall health, elaborate on the possible mechanisms explaining this association, and discuss the effects of lifestyle on ED. A search of the medical literature was carried out in PubMed and Medline, focusing on original research and systematic reviews of original research on ED and overall health. Due to shared pathophysiological mechanisms like endothelial dysfunction, ED is a significant indicator of overall health, particularly related to CVD and diabetes mellitus. Multiple studies have shown that ED frequently precedes cardiovascular events and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, especially in younger men and those with diabetes. It also has a profound, bidirectional relationship with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle where each exacerbates the other. The four health pillars of nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management play significant roles in erectile function and overall sexual health. ED is not just a condition affecting sexual function but a critical indicator of broader health issues. By adopting an integrative approach that combines nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management, healthcare providers can offer holistic and effective management strategies for this condition.

A-035 Profiling of circulating-microRNAs' signatures in Pre-diabetic versus Diabetic patients

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs involved in the process of gene regulation, and hence affect various diseases including metabolic pathways in diabetes. Given their key roles, they are promising candidates as potential biomarkers or better understanding of disease etiology. In this study, our aim is to identify miRs signatures of plasma circulating-miRs related to glycemic control, vitamin D deficiency and platelet activation in diabetic, pre-diabetic versus non-diabetic patients. Methods Plasma samples were collected from 24 patients (both sexes) in total (eight non-diabetic (ND) control, twelve diabetic (DM), and four pre-diabetic (PD)), classified based on their glycemic control (HbA1c levels). miRs were extracted using the miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Advanced kit of Qiagen, run and analyzed on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Results Differential expression analysis revealed miRs expression variations between diabetic to pre-diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Expression levels of 131 miRs varied significantly between DM to ND group (92 down- and 39 up- regulated), and 141 miRs in PD compared to ND (97 down- and 39 up- regulated). Although DM and PD had similar differential expression, three miRs (has-miR4776-5p, -6778-3p, and 5002-3p) were over-expressed in PD with very low p-value. Differential expression comparisons accounting sex were performed showing significant differences between males to females that will be presented here. Conclusions Our findings supports the important involvement of circulating miRs in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and pathogenesis of diabetes.Further investigation of candidate miRs could identify promising new biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prevention of Diabetes and related health complications.

Blue Index as a Comprehensive, Patient-centered Assessment of Care in Diabetic Patients.

Assessment of diabetes health takes into account metabolic, nonmetabolic, and self-care measures like diet, exercise, follow-up, and habits. On the other hand, the index of complications includes the macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes along with foot complications. The Blue Index (BI) is a composite assessment of both diabetic health-related parameters and systemic complications stemming from diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the diabetes control status of the patients as a single index. A prospective, observational study included a total of 100 adult diabetic patients in whom diabetic health status (DHS) and Komplications Score (KS) were assessed for cardiovascular/macrovascular, microvascular, and foot complications. The BI was calculated as a composite ratio, and measures were obtained at baseline, after 3 months, and at 6 months. Data were statistically analyzed. Diabetic health status significantly increased at the 3rd month and the 6th month, respectively, compared to baseline (p = 0.000). KS significantly decreased at the 3rd month and the 6th month, respectively, compared to baseline measures (p = 0.000). The composite BI scores showed a steady increase of 9.62 at the 3rd month and 13.14 at the 6th month, respectively, compared to baseline. Assessing based on the duration of diabetes detection, the scores of DHS, KS, and BI showed similar changes. Assessing based on patients' gender, DHS was significantly higher in females at baseline compared to males, with gradual improvement in scores over time for both genders. Contrastingly, KS was significantly lower in males compared to females, with scores showing gradual decrement over the time frame, signifying improvement in complications. DHS was significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes detection (p = 0.001) and age (p = 0.01). The BI is a simple tool that incorporates various parameters covering different aspects of diabetes care, including complications. It may be used not only by endocrinologists but also by all physicians as a tool to monitor and improve diabetic care.

On Type 2 Diabetic Patients's Health Promotion Under The Integrated Theory Of Health Behavior Change

On Type 2 Diabetic Patients's Health Promotion Under The Integrated Theory Of Health Behavior Change

Diabetic health literacy and associated factors among patients with diabetes attending follow-up in public hospitals of Northeastern Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of diabetic health literacy (DHL) and associated factors among diabetes patients attending follow-up at public hospitals in Northeastern Ethiopia.DesignAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 24...

Management Strategies for Older Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

More than 30% of the Korean population aged ≥ 65 years has diabetes. Elderly patients with diabetes mellitus are more likely to have comorbidities and often suffer co-morbid cognitive and physical disabilities, depression, and polypharmacy. Older patients with diabetes and good health status can be treated in the same way as younger patients with diabetes. Treatment should be individualized and simplified as much as possible for patients with reduced functionality and comorbidity. The goal of glycemic control in elderly diabetic patients is to control symptoms of hyperglycemia, prevent hypoglycemic events, delay the occurrence of complications, and help patients maintain healthy lives.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations among diabetic patients in the Aseer region: A cross-sectional study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a systemic consequence, influencing many systems of the body, including metabolic functions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal complications among patients with type 2 DM in the Asser region of Saudi Arabia, identify sources of information, and investigate the association of these symptoms with disease duration and glycated hemoglobin. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 13 and December 27, 2023. The questionnaire collected demographic data including age, sex, education, employment, income, and nationality, and 16 questions (5 points for each symptom) about the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in the past 3 months. The total score was 80, participants were categorized based on their total scores into 2 groups: those scoring 40 or below, and those scoring above 40. A total of 230 patients were included in this study, their median age was 32.0 (24.00) years, 60% were men, 63.9% were married, 38.7% earned between 5000 and 10,000 Saudi Riyal/month, 85.2% did not work in the medical field, 39.1% held university degrees, 54.8% did not have health insurance, 70.4% did not smoke, 35.7% worked in government jobs, 63% lived in urban areas, 95.2% were Saudi and 53.5% had only DM. More than half of the respondents, 57.4%, relied on doctors for information about DM. Dysmotility symptoms were common: dyspepsia affected 26.5% often and 5.7% always; early satiety impacted 24.3% often and 5.2% always; and bloating affected 28.3% often and 10.9% always. Constipation/diarrhea were a common complaint, with 23.5% of patients experiencing them often and an additional 4.8% reporting it always. Stool consistency also varied widely, with 21.7% experiencing lumpy or hardened stool. Health insurance status and having chronic diseases showed significant association with the severity of symptoms. Duration of diabetes and glycated hemoglobin were associated with the frequency of the symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common among diabetic patients in Aseer. The frequency of symptoms is associated with glycemic control, duration of diabetes, and health insurance status. These findings highlight the need for improved management and support for better gastrointestinal health in diabetes.

Survival of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Hawassa, Ethiopia: a cohort study

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, led to 622,119,701 reported cases and 6,546,118 deaths. Most studies on COVID-19 patients in hospitals are from high-income countries, lacking data for developing countries such as Ethiopia.This study assesses clinical features, demographics, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The research cohort comprises 804 cases exhibiting clinical diagnoses and/or radiological findings and indicative of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from September 24, 2020, to November 26, 2021. In-hospital mortality rate was predicted using Cox regression. The median age was 45 years, with males making up 64.1% of the population. 173 (21.5%) fatalities occurred, with 125 (72.3%) among males. Male patients had higher mortality rates than females. Severe and critical cases were 24% and 21%. 49.1% had at least one comorbidity, with 12.6% having multiple. Common comorbidities were diabetes (15.9%) and hypertension (15.2%). The Cox regression in Ethiopian COVID-19 patients found that factors like gender, advanced age group, disease severity, symptoms upon admission, shortness of breath, sore throat, body weakness, hypertension, diabetes, multiple comorbidities, and prior health facility visits increased the risk of COVID-19 death, similar to high-income nations. However, in Ethiopia, COVID-19 patients were young and economically active. Patients with at least one symptom had reduced death risk. As a conclusion, COVID-19 in Ethiopia mainly affected the younger demographic, particularly economically active individuals. Early detection can reduce the risk of mortality. Prompt medical attention is essential, especially for individuals with comorbidities. Further research needed on diabetes and hypertension management to reduce mortality risk. Risk factors identified at admission play a crucial role in guiding clinical decisions for intensive monitoring and treatment. Broader risk indicators help prioritize patients for allocation of hospital resources, especially in regions with limited medical facilities. Government’s focus on timely testing and strict adherence to regulations crucial for reducing economic impact.

The Sugar-Coated Truth: The Quality of Diabetes Health Information on TikTok

This study aimed to assess diabetes health information found on TikTok and quantify misinformation on TikTok. The authors assessed 171 videos through two health literacy tools, DISCERN and PEMAT-A/V, to rate the understandability and actionability of online medical content. The findings from this study encourage health care professionals to use social media platforms to provide factual information about diabetes and advise online health care consumers to use reputable sources such as trusted diabetes organizations’ social media accounts, which tend to validate content with clinicians.