Level Of Diabetes Control Research Articles

Insulin-dependent diabetes control, personality and life stress in adolescents

Thirty adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes, half of whom were in good diabetes control and half in poor control, and 15 matched non-diabetic adolescents were contrasted on neuroticism, life stress, and physiological measures. Heart rate and skin conductance data were collected prior to and while subjects underwent venipuncture and gave two speeches. The good-control diabetes group scored lower on neuroticism (measured by Eysenck Personality Questionnaires) than the other two groups. No relationship was found between level of diabetes control and amount of reported life stress. These findings are discussed in terms of mechanisms that may mediate the relationships.

Increased diene conjugates in diabetic subjects with microangiopathy.

Free radicals are highly reactive unstable chemical species which have been implicated in the vascular damage associated with several disease states. Diene conjugates, probable products of free radical activity on lipids, were measured spectrophotometrically in 26 diabetic patients with microangiopathy, 36 uncomplicated diabetic patients, and 36 healthy controls. Total diene conjugates and diene conjugate to triglyceride ratios were significantly elevated in diabetic patients with microangiopathy (0.57 +/- 0.08 and 0.31 +/- 0.14 OD units/ml respectively; mean +/- SD) when compared with patients without complications (0.32 +/- 0.10, p less than 0.001, and 0.17 +/- 0.06, OD units/ml, p less than 0.011). There was no difference in total diene conjugation and their ratio to triglycerides between healthy controls and uncomplicated diabetic patients and the results were not influenced by the type of diabetes or level of diabetic control. Diene conjugate ratios repeated in 14 patients on two occasions, 6 weeks apart, with stable metabolic control were consistent. Increased diene conjugation suggesting increased free radical activity is associated with microangiopathy and this may have pathogenetic implications.

Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus: Glycemic Control and Family Function

To test the hypothesis that family function differs in patients according to their level of diabetes control, family function was assessed using the Family APGAR questionnaire in low-income patients with adult-onset diabetes who were under comprehensive care in five community health centers. From 3,000 active patients, a group of 385 with the following characteristics were randomly selected: mean age, 59.1 (range 25-93); M:F ratio, 1:4; and ethnic distribution (blacks: Hispanics: whites, 48%:31%:21%). Categorizing patients by their extent of diabetes control, good family function was found in 92% of patients in good control of their diabetes mellitus, in 66% of those in fair control, and only in 50% of those in poor control (p less than 0.005, chi 2 = 44.1, df = 2). Since these data point to the association between levels of family functioning and control of diabetes, further studies are needed to ascertain if an improvement in family functioning will lead to better diabetic control.

Clinical evaluation of ocular and visual functions in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetics.

Ocular and visual functions were evaluated in 30 insulin-dependent diabetics, aged 12 to 20 years, and 30 age- and sex-matched nondiabetics. The test and control groups were compared in terms of visual resolution, accommodative ability, color discrimination, functional retinal reserve, and afferent optic nerve function. These results were considered along with the blood-glucose level, crystalline lens, fundus appearance, level of diabetic control, and disease duration. No widespread differences in ocular or visual function were found between the test and control groups. Measures of accommodative ability, functional retinal reserve (photostress recovery time), and blood-glucose level best differentiated the two groups. This study suggests that in-office evaluation of accommodation and functional retinal reserve may be sensitive indicators of early visual functional deficits in the presence of minimal anatomical changes associated with diabetes.

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Diabetics Treated With Intraperitoneal Insulin-Reply

—The application of capillary blood glucose monitoring in patients undergoing CAPD is of clinical relevance. The authors share their observations in this communication that laboratory and capillary blood glucose values correlate very well in 30 patients undergoing CAPD. This letter emphasizes an important use of capillary blood glucose monitoring in the management of patients undergoing treatment for chronic renal failure. Furthermore, it also underscores the ability to potentially achieve desirable levels of diabetes control in individuals manifesting a major complication of the disease. Although the use of intensive monitoring is commonly thought to be primarily beneficial to possibly prevent or mitigate the development of end-organ damage, Coronel et al suggest that good control is worthwhile and achievable in patients with fulminant nephropathy. It would be interesting to evaluate whether morbidity (eg, peritonitis) or mortality can be influenced in this population with continued excellent diabetes regulation even after renal failure has

The Food Consumption of Juvenile Diabetics: Evaluation of Diets Used at Home and at Summer Camp

With the technical assistance of MILDRED KAUFMAN, MS.,’ ANI) TAMI O(ATA, A.B., � I N A PREVIOUS report on nutritional studies of diabetic children attending summer camp’ we mentioned the observation that the actual food consumnption at home by many of these children was not always that whicim �\‘a.s represented by time figures furnished to us on the caml)er’s application for admission to camnp. Time desire for more accurate information regarding timis prompted us to undertake a careful analysis and calculation of the food consuniption at home. To carry out such studies it was of course necessary to interview each child and attempt to make the necessary calculations from the information thus furnished. This, we felt, would i)e the best way of learning just what the calorie intake actually was and how it compared with the diet prescription ordered l)y the referring physician. Information was also obtained regarding the insulin dosage and the level of diabetic control that was maintained wimile on these home diets as judged by the degree and persistance of glycosuria. We were also interested in the problem involving those of our children who had not received at any time any definite instructions regarding their food intake; and, finally, we were particula ny anxious to obtain information regarding that group of children who were on the so-called “free diet” regime.