Japanese Type2 Diabetes Patients Research Articles

1553-P: Postprandial C-Peptide–to–Glucose Ratio Is Valuable in Assessing Beta-Cell Function in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is based on the insulin secretion (loss of β-cell function) and resistance. Residual β-cell function is a key factor in achieving optimal glycemic control in T2D patients. Glucagon stimulates insulin, therefore glucagon stimulation test (GST) is a reliable marker for β-cell function. Fasting C-peptide (CPR) to glucose ratio (CPR[ng/ml] to glucose[mg/dl] x100; F-CPR-index) is used as a marker of insulin secretion. We evaluated the efficacy of postprandial CPR to glucose ratio (P-CPR-index) for evaluating β-cell function in T2D. Japanese T2D patients with inadequate glycemic control (HbA1c>7.0) were enrolled in the study (n=500, insulin therapy=283). HbA1c, fasting CPR and glucose, postprandial (120 min after breakfast) CPR and glucose were measured, and F-CPR-index and P-CPR-index were calculated. GST was performed as follows: 1mg of glucagon was injected intravenously, CPR was determined before and 6 min after injection, GSTΔCPR (CPR[6 min] - CPR[0 min]) was calculated. Factors correlated with GSTΔCPR were analyzed using simple and multiple stepwise regression analysis. P value<0.05 was defined as statistically different. F-CPR-index, P-CPR-index and GSTΔCPR were 1.60±0.95, 2.67±1.92 and 1.93±1.21, respectively. Simple regression analysis showed that GSTΔCPR was significantly correlated with age, height, body weight (BW), BMI, waist circumference, duration of diabetes, retinopathy, insulin therapy, urinary CPR, F-CPR-index and P-CPR-index. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that independent factors contributing to GSTΔCPR were BW (β=0.336), duration of diabetes (β= −0.107), presence of retinopathy (β= −0.121), use of DPP-4i (β= −0.099), metformin (β= −0.109), SGLT2i (β= −0.108, p=0.002) and P-CPR-index (β=0.432)(R2=0.453). Our date demonstrated that P-CPR-index was valuable and simple method in assessing residual β-cell function with/without insulin therapy in daily clinical practice. Disclosure Y.Matsuhashi: None. T.Abe: None. T.Fujita: None. S.Mizushiri: None. S.Chikazawa: None. M.Daimon: None.

The Effects of Imeglimin on the Daily Glycemic Profile Evaluated by Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Retrospective, Single-Center, Observational Study.

IntroductionImeglimin is a novel antidiabetic drug that amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and improves insulin sensitivity. Several randomized clinical studies have shown the efficacy of imeglimin for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to evaluate the short-term effects and safety of imeglimin in terms of glycemic control, as assessed by intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM).MethodsThis retrospective and observational study of 32 patients who were administered imeglimin in addition to existing treatment regimens was designed to evaluate glycemic profiles. The patients were monitored for more than 4 weeks, including the day of starting imeglimin. The changes in glycemic indices, including mean glucose level, coefficient of variation (CV), time in range (TIR) and time above range (TAR), before and after imeglimin administration were analyzed, and data on adverse effects were collected by interview.ResultsImeglimin administration significantly improved the mean values of glucose (from 159.0 ± 27.5 mg/dL to 141.7 ± 22.1 mg/dL; p < 0.001), TIR (from 67.9 ± 17.0% to 79.5 ± 13.3%; p < 0.001) and TAR (from 29.4 ± 17.5% to 17.9 ± 13.7%; p < 0.001) and tended to improve CV (from 29.0 ± 6.1 to 27.4 ± 5.58; p = 0.058). The curves of 24-h mean glucose level for all 32 subjects were shifted downward from the baseline after imeglimin administration. The high mean glucose level, high TAR, low TIR, low body mass index and low C-peptide were related to the efficacy of imeglimin for glycemic control. The main adverse effects were gastrointestinal disorders, and the incidence of hypoglycemia was increased in cases receiving a combination of imeglimin plus insulin or a glinide agent.ConclusionImeglimin clearly shifted the daily glucose profile into an appropriate range in Japanese T2D patients, indicating improvement of short-term glycemic control. Imeglimin is thought to be a promising therapeutic agent for T2D patients, especially those with a low insulin secretory capacity, which is a common phenotype in East-Asian subjects with glucose intolerance.

Safety and effectiveness of empagliflozin according to body mass index in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study

ABSTRACT Background Empagliflozin, a glucose-lowering drug licensed for type 2 diabetes (T2D), demonstrated tolerability and effectiveness overall in a post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study in Japan. However, the impact of body mass index (BMI) is unclear. Research design and methods This was a prespecified sub-analysis of the prospective, 3-year, PMS study of empagliflozin in Japan where the primary endpoint was adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We evaluated results according to BMI. Results We enrolled 7931 T2D patients treated with empagliflozin. Baseline mean age was 58.7 years; 63.01% were male. Baseline BMI was <20 kg/m2 in 2.06% of patients, while 21.28%, 37.35%, and 24.97% had BMI 20–<25, 25–<30 and ≥30 kg/m2, respectively. ADRs occurred in 19 (11.66%), 203 (12.03%), 411 (13.88%), and 295 (14.90%) patients with BMI <20, 20–<25, 25–<30 and ≥30 kg/m2, respectively. Excessive/frequent urination was the most frequent ADR of special interest in all BMI subgroups except 20–<25 kg/m2 (urinary tract infection). Mean change in glycated hemoglobin from baseline was –0.75%, with similar magnitude across BMI subgroups. Body-weight reduction seemed dependent on BMI, with almost no change in the <20 kg/m2 subgroup. Conclusions Empagliflozin appeared well tolerated and effective in Japanese T2D patients regardless of BMI, although the number of patients with BMI <20 kg/m2 was small in this study.

Healthcare resource utilization after initiation of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors or other glucose‐lowering drugs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes

AbstractAimTo examine healthcare resource utilization in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients after initiation of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4is) or other glucose‐lowering drugs (oGLDs).Materials and MethodsA cost‐utilization analysis was performed using a nationwide hospital‐based administrative claims database (Medical Data Vision) during 2014‐2018 in Japan, where universal healthcare coverage is maintained under a single‐payer system. Data on T2D patients initiated on either SGLT‐2is or oGLDs during the study period (228 514 patients) were extracted and subjected to a 1:1 propensity score‐matching analysis (7626 patient pairs for DPP‐4is and 28 484 for oGLDs). Direct healthcare resource utilizations and inpatient and outpatient costs were compared.ResultsAfter matching, baseline characteristics were well balanced, including healthcare costs within 3 and 12 months before the index date (standardized difference &lt;5% for all variables), with a mean age of 61.6‐64.1 years. While diabetes medication costs were higher in patients initiated with SGLT‐2is than in those initiated with DPP‐4is or oGLDs, further breakdown of individual cost components showed that SGLT‐2is were associated with a lower hospitalization frequency and a shorter total hospital stay (by 213.0 or 204.6 days/100 patient‐years compared with DPP‐4is or oGLDs, respectively; P &lt; .001). Accordingly, overall mean cumulative cost per patient at the 2.5‐year postindex date was lower in patients with SGLT‐2is than in those with DPP‐4is or oGLDs by $2545 (1384.6‐3759.7) and $2330 (1793.1‐2882.9), respectively (P &lt; .001).ConclusionsOur results show the benefits in healthcare resource utilization associated with SGLT‐2i use in Japanese T2D patients.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of linagliptin as add-on therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: final results of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance

ABSTRACT Background We investigated the long-term safety and effectiveness of linagliptin in Japanese type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients starting linagliptin add-on therapy in routine clinical practice. Research design and methods This 3-year prospective, observational, post-marketing surveillance (PMS) was conducted in Japanese patients starting linagliptin add-on therapy. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The secondary outcome was the change from baseline in HbA1c. Results The safety analysis set comprised of 3,372 patients. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 66.5 ± 12.4 years. Most patients (63.2%) received linagliptin in combination with another antidiabetic drug, most commonly a sulfonylurea (38.6%). The incidence of ADRs was 11.39%; the most common ADRs according to MedDRA preferred terms were diabetes mellitus (1.25%), hypertension (0.83%), and hypoglycemia (0.80%). In the effectiveness analysis set (n = 3,029), mean ± SD HbA1c was 7.76 ± 1.37% at baseline and 7.26 ± 1.19% at last observation; mean change from baseline to last observation was – 0.49 ± 1.33%; sustained reductions in HbA1c were observed. These results were consistent across patient subgroups. Conclusions In this PMS, linagliptin add-on therapy for Japanese T2D patients had a safety profile consistent with its known profile and HbA1c reductions over 3 years were observed. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01904383

Association of renal arteriosclerosis and hypertension with renal and cardiovascular outcomes in Japanese type2 diabetes patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Aims/IntroductionThe present retrospective study investigated the impact of renal arteriosclerosis (AS) and hypertension (HT) on long‐term renal and cardiovascular outcomes in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients with biopsy‐proven diabetic nephropathy.Materials and MethodsA total of 185 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into four groups stratified by renal AS status and the presence of HT. The outcomes for this study were the first occurrence of renal events (a need for dialysis or a 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline) and cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, coronary intervention or non‐fatal stroke).ResultsThe proportion of renal AS scores ≥1 was 88.3% among patients with normal‐range blood pressure (BP) and 95.4% among patients with HT. During a mean follow‐up period of 7.6 years, 129 episodes of renal composite events and 55 episodes of cardiovascular events were observed. Compared with patients with no renal AS and normal‐range BP, a renal AS score ≥1 increased the risk of renal composite events with a multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio of 3.21 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.27–8.14) in patients with normal‐range BP and 4.99 (95% CI 1.98–12.54) in patients with HT, whereas renal AS score ≥1 increased the risk of cardiovascular events with a multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio of 6.06 (95% CI 1.24–29.61) in patients with normal‐range BP and 10.02 (95% CI 1.92–52.39) in patients with HT.ConclusionsRenal AS was associated with increasing risks for renal composite events and cardiovascular events in both normal‐range BP and HT. The risks of renal composite events and cardiovascular events were the highest in both renal AS and HT.

Differences between Mitiglinide/Voglibose Fixed-dose Combination and Glimepiride in Modifying Low-density Lipoprotein Heterogeneity in Japanese Type-2 Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mitiglinide/voglibose fixed-dose combination and glimepiride on low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-heterogeneity in type-2 diabetic patients with unstable glycemic control after treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. This was an open-label pilot study in which type-2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to the mitiglinide/voglibose (fixed-dose combination of mitiglinide 10 mg and voglibose 0.2 mg, n=14) or glimepiride (0.5 mg, n=16). In the glimepiride group, serum LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and small-dense (sd) LDL levels decreased significantly (-8.5% and -9.0%), while sd-LDL/LDL-C and an indicator of LDL-particle size, LDL-C/apoB, did not change significantly. In the mitiglinide/voglibose group, serum LDL-C levels did not change, while sd-LDL levels and sd-LDL/LDL-C decreased significantly (-8.6% and -7.9%) and LDL-C/apoB increased significantly (5.8%). Fasting blood glucose levels tended to be reduced to a greater extent in the glimepiride group than in the mitiglinide/voglibose group (-13.9% vs. -8.4%, p=0.08), while the rate of reduction of HbA1c levels tended to be higher in the mitiglinide/voglibose group than in the glimepiride group (-6.9% vs. -3.4%, p=0.09), suggesting differences in fluctuating blood glucose levels between the 2 groups. There were differences in the effects of mitiglinide/voglibose fixed-dose combination and glimepiride in addition to DPP-4 inhibitors on LDL-metabolism, and this may be related to fluctuations in blood glucose levels after treatment with these agents.

Efficacy and safety of nateglinide plus vildagliptin combination therapy compared with switching to vildagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled with nateglinide.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of vildagliptin, a potent dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, as add-on to nateglinide, compared with switching to vildagliptin in Japanese type2 diabetes patients poorly controlled with nateglinide. A total of 40 patients inadequately controlled with nateglinide were randomized to the switching group (n=20, switching from nateglinide to vildagliptin) or combination group (n=20, nateglinide plus vildagliptin). A meal tolerance test was carried out at weeks 0 and 24. The mean changes in glycated hemoglobin from baseline to week 24 were -1.2±0.3% and -0.3±0.5% in patients of the combination and switching groups, respectively, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). The mean changes in area under the curve of glucose from 0 to 180min (AUC0-180min) from baseline to week 24 was -361±271.3mmol·min/L in patients of the combination group compared with 141±241.9mmol·min/L in those of the switching group (P<0.001). The incidence of hypoglycemic events was low (three in the combination group), and none of the patients developed severe hypoglycemia. Although the addition of vildagliptin to nateglinide did not significantly increase insulin secretion relative to glucose elevation (ISG) after meal load (ISG0-180min: AUC0-180min insulin/AUC0-180min glucose) in comparison with that in baseline, the mean ISG0-30min 24weeks after addition of vildagliptin to nateglinide was significantly higher than that at baseline. In contrast, switching from nateglinide to vildagliptin reduced the mean ISG0-180min, relative to baseline. The combination therapy of vildagliptin and nateglinide is effective and safe in Japanese type2 diabetes, and the improved glycemic control is as a result of augmentation of nateglinide-induced early phase insulin secretion. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. ID000004010).

RESEARCH (Recognized effect of Statin and ezetimibe therapy for achieving LDL-C Goal), a randomized, doctor-oriented, multicenter trial to compare the effects of higher-dose statin versus ezetimibe-plus-statin on the serum LDL-C concentration of Japanese type-2 diabetes patients design and rationale

AimsHypercholesterolemia coexisting with diabetes still requires clinical intervention to manage the high risk of cardiovascular disease it poses. No second-step strategy is established, however, for cases where strong statins fail to bring cholesterol down to target levels. In this study we seek to demonstrate the superior effect of ezetimibe in combination with strong statins to reduce LDL-C in Japanese patients suffering from both T2DM and hyper LDL-cholesterolemia.MethodsT2DM outpatients (109 patients from 16 institutes) who failed to achieve the target LDL-C value were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups, a double-dose-statin group and ezetimibe-plus-statin group. Follow-ups were scheduled at 0, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage change in the level of LDL-C from baseline to 12 weeks.Interim resultsWe could successfully create randomized (gender, age, LDL-C, HbA1c, etc.) two groups except for slight differences in apolipoprotein-B and sd-LDL.ConclusionsRESEARCH is the first prospective, parallel-group, multicenter study comparing a double dose of strong statin with ezetimibe plus strong statin for T2DM patients. The RESEARCH study will provide reliable evidence with which to establish a clinical strategy for diabetics who fail to achieve the target LDL-C value.

Long-term efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in the treatment of Japanese Type 2 diabetes (ASSET-K1) to a target of HbA1c

Few studies have investigated the factors related to improvement and maintenance of glycemic control with sitagliptin in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. To identify factors contributing to reaching and maintaining glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% with sitagliptin in Japanese T2D patients. This study included 1327 patients who were: taking sitagliptin as monotherapy; switched to sitagliptin; or taking sitagliptin in combination therapy. At baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after starting sitagliptin, weight, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG) were measured. The subjects were divided into a group that achieved HbA1c<7% at 12 months, a poor control group (HbA1c≥8% at 12 months), and a discontinued group. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to long-term control and maintenance with sitagliptin treatment. HbA1c decreased significantly from 8.0% at baseline to 7.3%, but weight was unchanged. FPG and PPG improved significantly. The HbA1c<7% group had a significantly higher age and a signifi cant ly lower BMI at baseline than the HbA1c≥8% group and the discontinued group. On multivariate regression analysis, baseline HbA1c, baseline BMI, and Δbody weight after 12 months were significantly related to HbA1c reduction. The most common adverse event was hypoglycemia, and the most common adverse event responsible for discontinuation was constipation. HbA1c<7.0% was achieved in 31% of T2D patients who had poor control with conventional treatment. Weight management is important for maintaining good long-term control with sitagliptin.

Efficacy and safety of patient-directed titration of once-daily pre-dinner premixed biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 injection in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients with oral antidiabetic drug failure: STEP-AKITA study.

Aims/Introduction: To clarify clinical characteristics related to optimal glycemic control achieved after adding once-daily pre-dinner biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (BIAsp 30) in Japanese type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients with oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) failure. Under this regimen, we evaluated changes in HbA1c levels and daily self-monitoring blood glucose (BG) profiles, as well as the incidences of hypoglycemia and retinopathy progression. The patients adjusted BIAsp 30 dosages themselves every 3-4 days according to a pre-determined algorithm to achieve fasting BG levels of 101-120 mg/dL. HbA1c levels were expressed as Japan Diabetes Society values. Of 29 enrolled patients, 22 (HbA1c levels, 8.5 ± 1.5% [mean ± SD]) and 20 patients completed the 16- and 24-week follow-up, respectively. At 16 weeks 68.2 and 45.5%, and at 24 weeks 80.0 and 35% of patients had achieved HbA1c levels of <7.0 and <6.5%, respectively. The patients who had achieved optimal glycemic control, including daytime postprandial BG profiles after treatment, had lower post-breakfast BG excursions at baseline, shorter diabetes durations and younger age. No severe hypoglycemic episodes were recorded. Progression of retinopathy was observed in 3 of the 29 enrolled patients. Lower post-breakfast BG excursions, shorter diabetes duration and younger age in Japanese T2D patients with OAD failure might warrant optimal glycemic control with safety after adding once-daily pre-dinner BIAsp 30 initiating regimen. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00062.x, 2010).

Combination therapy of pioglitazone with voglibose improves glycemic control safely and rapidly in Japanese Type 2-diabetic patients on hemodialysis

Unfortunately, clinicians are diagnosing a growing number of patients on hemodialysis (HD) with insulin-resistant, Type 2 diabetes in Japan. While alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (alpha-GI) such as oral antidiabetic agents are indicated for Japanese diabetics on HD, pioglitazone and other PPARgamma agonists are now contraindicated. No prospective study has evaluated the use of thiazolidinediones in diabetics with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in combination with alpha-GI. In this study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in Japanese diabetics on HD. An open-label randomized study was performed on 31 Type 2 diabetics on HD with unstable glycemic control receiving constant doses of voglibose. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: a combination therapy group (pioglitazone group) administered pioglitazone (fixed dose 30 mg) plus voglibose, and a monotherapy group (control group) administered voglibose alone. The efficacy of the treatments was determined by monitoring glycemic control (plasma glucose and HbA1c) and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-R). Safety and tolerance were determined by monitoring clinical and laboratory parameters. The pioglitazone was effective in reducing plasma glucose and HbA1c from the baseline levels from Week 4 onward. It was also effective in reducing triglycerides. HOMA-R decreased significantly at 4 weeks in the pioglitazone group, and the decrease continued up to the last measurement at Week 12. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures at 4 weeks were statistically lower in the pioglitazone group than in the control group. No serious adverse effects such as hypoglycemia, liver impairment or rhabdomyolysis were observed in any of the patients. Pioglitazone was safe and effective as a treatment for diabetics on dialysis therapy. The 30 mg daily dose of pioglitazone was sufficient for Japanese HD patients, obese and nonobese alike. The combination therapy of pioglitazone with voglibose will add to the list of first-line drug treatments for glycemic control in uremic Type 2 diabetes.

No evidence for association of the ENPP1 (PC-1) K121Q variant with risk of type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population

Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1, also known as PC-1) inhibits insulin signal transduction pathway(s). Previous studies have demonstrated the K121Q variant of the ENPP1 gene to have a significant functional role in determining susceptibility to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). To assess whether the K121Q variant has any impact on T2D in Japanese, we undertook an extensive case-control association study using a total of 911 unrelated Japanese T2D patients and 876 control subjects. No significant difference was observed in either genotype distribution (P=0.95) or allele frequency (P=0.83) between T2D and control groups. Notably, the frequency of the ancestral Q121 allele, which is also present in other primates, was quite high in African-Americans, and showed a marked ethnic variation (77.3% in African-Americans, 16.7% in European Americans, 10.5% in Japanese and 4.2% in Han Chinese). Consequently, the pairwise F(ST )value (a classic measure of genetic distance between pairs of population) showed highly significant differentiations between African-American and non-African-American populations (F(ST)>0.3). Our results indicated that the K121Q variant of the ENPP1 gene has very little, if any, impact on T2D susceptibility in Japanese, but may play a role in the inter-ethnic variability in insulin resistance and T2D.