Long-standing Diabetes Mellitus Research Articles

Prognostic Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Overall Survival in a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer but its prognostic impact remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between long-standing DM and the risk of mortality. This population-based cohort study analyzed data from the national healthcare database in Taiwan. We identified all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and excluded those who were diagnosed with DM with-in 2 years of the cancer diagnosis. Eligible patients were grouped into long-standing DM (>2 years) and nondiabetic controls, and were compared for overall survival using a Cox proportional hazard model. Sensitivity tests stratified by cancer stages (as indicated by specific treatment) were performed. Patients with long-standing DM were significantly older (mean age, 71.38 years versus 66.0 years; P<.0001) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (9.53 versus 6.78; P<.0001) and diabetes comorbidity severity index (2.38 versus 0.82; P<.0001) compared with the non-DM controls. Although the unadjusted analysis showed a higher risk of mortality in the patients with long-term DM (crude hazard ratio &lsqb;HR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval &lsqb;CI], 1.20 to 1.33; P<.0001), the association became insignificant after adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidity index (adjusted HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.06, P = .84). Subgroup analyses also showed no association between long-term DM and mortality in various subgroups stratified by cancer treatment. After adjusting for associated comorbidities and complications, long-standing DM per se was not an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in this nationwide population-based cohort with pancreatic cancer. CCI = Charlson Comorbidity Index; CI = confidence interval; DCSI = Diabetes Complication Severity Index; DM = diabetes mellitus; HR = hazard ratio; ICD = International Classification of Diseases; NHIRD = National Health Insurance Research Database; RCIPD = Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database.

SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY IN LONG STANDING TYPE 2 DIABETIC WOMEN

Patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus undergoing surgical interventions are under considerable risk, hence posing a surgical challenge, as they may have cardiovascular and/or cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). CAN is serious, often overlooked and underdiagnosed, with possible arrhythmias and silent ischemia that may be life threatening. The aim of this study was to screen for one of the underdiagnosed high-risk problems by assessment of CAN in long-standing type 2 diabetic women undergoing stressful situations. Cross-sectional study. Hundred type 2 diabetic women scheduled for major surgery were assessed by autonomic function tests. CAN was assessed by analyzing heart rate variations during three standard tests (deep breathing, lying to standing, and the valsalva maneuver). Sympathetic functions were assessed by checking orthostatic hypotension. The CAN score of each patient was analyzed. Continuous 24 h ECG monitoring was performed to evaluate arrhythmia, corrected QT (QTc), and QT dispersion (QTd). Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, with a focus on left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic, and systolic dysfunctions, was carried out. Patients were classified as having mild (with only one abnormal test) or severe CAN when two or more abnormal function tests were present. Exclusion criteria included any systemic illness that could affect the results of the study or the autonomic functions, smoking, hypertension, and patients with evident ischemia. CAN was detected in 70% of the patients studied, and 70% of them had a severe case of CAN. Postural hypotension was detected in 34% of the patients studied. QTc prolongation and QTd were frequent. ECG and Doppler echocardiography changes of left ventricular hypertrophy were more prevalent among patients with CAN. Diabetics with CAN were significantly older, had a longer duration of diabetes mellitus, and higher HbA1-c, higher pulse pressure, triglyceride, uric acid, and urinary albumin excretion rate. They also had a significantly increased left ventricular mass index and diastolic dysfunction. Middle-aged women with long-standing diabetes are vulnerable to CAN with postural hypotension and prolonged QTc intervals, QTd, and increased left ventricular mass index. Identification of CAN is crucial to prevent the hazards of cardiovascular insults during stressful situations, and cases with severe CAN may require coronary artery disease screening preoperatively.

Changes in glucose tolerance after pancreatectomy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

668 Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is reported to be related to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Long-standing DM is a risk factor for PDAC, meanwhile, quite a few patients with PDAC develop DM as a paraneoplastic disorder and some papers reported that DM affected prognosis for PDAC. In this study, we investigated pre- and post-operative glucose tolerance in patients with pancreatectomy for PDAC or other disease. Methods: This single-center prospective study included 69 patients with pancreatectomy (40 pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 29 distal pancreatectomy (DP) ) who received 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glucagon test pre- and one month postoperatively. Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide (CPR) at 0-, 30-, 60-, and 120-min during OGTT; and 0- and 6-min during glucagon test were obtained. These data and survival outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were 20 (29%) PDAC patients: 12 (30%) in PD group and eight (28%) in DP group. Nine patients with PDAC (45%) and seven patients (18%) without PDAC demonstrated DM type in preoperative OGTT. After pancreatectomy, 11 patients (55%) with PDAC and seven patients (15%) without PDAC experienced improvement in OGTT (P=0.0005). Greater improvement in homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance that were obtained by OGTT and used to measure insulin resistance, was noted after surgery in PDAC patients compared with non-PDAC patients (-1.4 vs -0.5 in PD group, P=0.07; -0.8 vs +0.06 P=0.05 in DP group). Delta CPRs obtained by glucagon test were significantly decreased postoperatively (3.0 to 1.1 ng/mL, P&lt;0.0001 in PD group; 3.3 to 1.8 ng/mL, P&lt;0.0001 in DP group). In survival analysis, fasting plasma glucose &gt;110 mg/dL (HR 3.9, 95%CI 1.5-10, P=0.005) and the average of plasma insulin &gt; 25 µIU/mL during OGTT (HR 0.36, 95%CI 0.14-0.93, P=0.035) were significant prognostic factor for PDAC. Conclusions: Pancreatectomy impaired insulin secretion and improve insulin resistance especially in PDAC patients. About half of PDAC patients demonstrated the improvement of glucose tolerance after surgery. Of note, glucose tolerance differed between PDAC and other disease, and affect the survival outcome for PDAC patients.

High-frequency spinal cord stimulation at 10\u2009kHz for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy: design of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (SENZA-PDN)

BackgroundPainful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), a debilitating and progressive chronic pain condition that significantly impacts quality of life, is one of the common complications seen with long-standing diabetes mellitus. Neither pharmacological treatments nor low-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has provided significant and long-term pain relief for patients with PDN. This study aims to document the value of 10-kHz SCS in addition to conventional medical management (CMM) compared with CMM alone in patients with refractory PDN.MethodsIn a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (SENZA-PDN), 216 subjects with PDN will be assigned 1:1 to receive 10-kHz SCS combined with CMM or CMM alone after appropriate institutional review board approvals and followed for 24 months. Key inclusion criteria include (1) symptoms of PDN for at least 12 months, (2) average pain intensity of at least 5 cm—on a 0- to 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS)—in the lower limbs, and (3) an appropriate candidate for SCS. Key exclusion criteria include (1) large or gangrenous ulcers or (2) average pain intensity of at least 3 cm on VAS in the upper limbs or both. Along with pain VAS, neurological assessments, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, and patient satisfaction will be captured. The primary endpoint comparing responder rates (≥50% pain relief) and safety rates between the treatment groups will be assessed at 3 months. Several secondary endpoints will also be reported on.DiscussionEnrollment commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2019. This study will help to determine whether 10-kHz SCS improves clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life and is a cost-effective treatment for PDN that is refractory to CMM.Trial registrationClincalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03228420 (registered 24 July 2017).

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for isolated infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia

Background Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is considered the most severe stage of peripheral artery disease. Patients with CLI typically have the disease affecting multiple levels (i.e. aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, and infrapopliteal). CLI due to isolated infrapopliteal arterial disease is commonly seen in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or the elderly. Endovascular treatment of infrapopliteal arteries has been considered a primary approach for revascularization in CLI. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for isolated infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease in diabetic patients with CLI. Patients and methods This prospective study included 20 diabetic patients with CLI in 28 limbs due to isolated infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease who underwent infrapopliteal PTA between January 2017 and January 2019 in Mataria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Results The study was conducted on 20 diabetic patients, 12 (60%) men and eight (40%) women. Their age ranged between 54 and 76 years with a mean age of 65 years. Successful recanalization was achieved in 23 (82.1%) limbs. Reintervention was needed in five (17.9%) limbs and it was successful in four limbs. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 18 months with the mean overall follow-up being 12.5 months. The primary patency rate and secondary patency rate were, respectively, 78.3 and 80% at 1 year. The limb salvage rates after 1 year were 75%. Mortality rate after 1 year was 10%. Conclusion PTA is effective and the preferred procedure for revascularization and limb salvage in diabetic patients with CLI due to isolated infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease.

Lenticular burns following PASCAL photocoagulation.

Lenticular burns following PASCAL photocoagulation.

Comprehensive diabetes care: The Goa model.

Diabetes mellitus continues to increase in epidemic proportions globally as well as in India. Poor glycemic control in long-standing diabetes mellitus eventually leads to chronic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetic retinopathy is emerging as an important cause of avoidable visual impairment and blindness in India across all strata of society. Much of this vision loss can be prevented by improving control of known risk factors, annual fundus screening, with prompt treatment of individuals with sight-threatening retinopathy. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust has made a significant contribution by supporting such a program across India, including Goa. The newly established medical retina clinic at Goa Medical College now provides facilities for screening, a detailed evaluation of advanced retinopathy, and therapeutic modalities such as laser and intravitreal injections. The peripheral centers are equipped to screen all people with diabetes mellitus and refer those with sight-threatening retinopathy to the medical college. The provision of a foot scanner to evaluate the risk of foot ulcers and microalbuminuria assessment as part of the nephropathy screening would encompass the entire gamut of diabetic microvascular complications. The next decade would provide evidence if this initiative, with the enthusiastic partnership of the state government, results in reduction of blindness in the people of Goa and an overall reduction in diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.

New-Onset or Exacerbation of Diabetes Mellitus Is a Clue to the Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which accounts for majority of pancreatic cancers, is one of the most lethal human malignancies. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage after symptom development. Early diagnosis of PDAC in asymptomatic subjects is important to improve prognosis. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for PDAC, and DM, especially new-onset DM, has attracted attentions as a diagnostic clue to PDAC. However, the impact of DM as a diagnostic opportunity on the prognosis of PDAC is unclear. We here retrospectively reviewed 489 PDAC patients and compared the clinical characteristics and prognosis according to the opportunities for PDAC diagnosis. PDAC was diagnosed upon presentation of symptoms, such as pain and jaundice, in 318 cases including 151 DM patients, upon new-onset or exacerbation of long-standing DM in 53 asymptomatic patients, and upon incidental detection by medical check-up or follow-up/work-up of other diseases in 118 asymptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients including those with DM had smaller tumors, earlier disease stage, and higher resectability rates than symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients diagnosed in association with DM had better prognosis (median survival time, 771 days) than those diagnosed due to symptoms (343 days, P < 0.001), and similar to those diagnosed by incidental detection (869 days). The survival advantage was not evident in symptomatic patients with DM-associated signs. In conclusion, patients diagnosed in association with DM at asymptomatic stages had better prognosis than those diagnosed with symptoms. DM-associated signs might provide a clue to the early diagnosis of PDAC among asymptomatic subjects.

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal band, and skin (POEMS) changes syndrome presenting with a pseudosensory level: a case report

IntroductionPolyneuropathy is a key feature of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal band, and skin changes syndrome, which is a paraneoplastic manifestation of an underlying lymphoproliferative neoplasm. We report the first case of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal band, and skin changes syndrome presenting with a pseudosensory level.Case presentationA 59-year-old Tamil woman with long-standing diabetes mellitus and hypertension developed painless, progressive inguinal lymphadenopathy. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed mild hepatomegaly and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. A histological examination of an enlarged inguinal lymph node showed features of a plasma cell-type Castleman disease. She was treated with rituximab. Six months later, she developed gradually ascending numbness and weakness of both lower limbs. On examination, she had flaccid paraparesis (power 3/5) with a sensory level to pinprick at thoracic level 9. Joint position sense was preserved. Her cranial nerves and upper limbs were neurologically normal. Nerve conduction studies confirmed peripheral neuropathy with conduction slowing and a magnetic resonance imaging of her spine did not show cord or root compression. Serum protein electrophoresis showed a monoclonal band. A bone marrow biopsy showed a hypercellular marrow with 30% plasma cells. A repeat contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed sclerotic bony lesions involving multiple vertebrae in addition to mild hepatomegaly and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal band, and skin changes syndrome was diagnosed and she was treated with intravenously administered pulse therapy of dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide. After three cycles of treatment, she regained normal muscle power and sensation.ConclusionsPolyneuropathy in polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal band, and skin changes syndrome can present as a pseudosensory level.

Diabetic gastroparesis: what can complementary and alternative medicines do?

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is a complication of long-standing diabetes mellitus (DM) and a chronic motility disorder of the stomach. Up to 50% of patients with type 1 and 2 DM have the gastrointestinal manifestations, especially delayed gastric emptying (GE). And DM accounted for almost one-third of all cases of gastroparesis. The most common symptoms of DGP include postprandial fullness, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain, which markedly lead to poor quality of life. Therapeutic strategies in western medicine for DGP involve dietary modification, the control of blood glucose, medications that stimulate gastric motor activity, anti-emetic and prokinetic drug therapy, and nonpharmacological measures. However, the limited effectiveness and the side effects of the strategies above mentioned may be restricted for their applications sometimes. Complementary and alternative therapy like Chinese herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage has been widely used for thousands of years and there are an increasing number of studies in DGP about them, suggesting that Chinese medicine could bring multiple benefits in the treatment of refractory nausea and vomiting and also help to alleviate abdominal distension with fewer side effects. Here, we focus on the general treatment strategies of complementary and alternative therapy, as discovered through PubMed and CNKI in English and Chinese publications, respectively.

Clinical Relevance of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases.

Clinical Relevance of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and cardiovascular risk: the importance of a long-term perspective and a multidisciplinary approach to optimal intravitreal therapy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) resulting from vascular damage from persistently elevated blood glucose levels are among the serious secondary pathologies associated with long-standing diabetes mellitus. The established link between DR and CVD suggests the need for appropriate and early management of patients with diabetes to minimize CV risk. This is of particular importance in patients with recent, or a history of, major CV events. Early management of DR is a complex task that requires comprehensive evaluation and a multidisciplinary approach to manage complications, risk factors, and interactions between different aspects of the disease. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have become an important therapeutic modality in ophthalmology. However, their use is contraindicated in patients with DR and/or DME with a CV event in the previous 3months. In patients with DME, corticosteroids target the multifaceted inflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of DR, with a broader spectrum of action than anti-VEGF agents. In this context, recent guidelines suggest the use of corticosteroids, and in particular dexamethasone intravitreal implant, as a well-tolerated and efficacious first-line treatment in patients with high CV risk, such as a history of or recent major CV events. This review focuses on the subset of diabetic patients with a prior CV event, DR, and DME and discusses the need for a holistic approach in evaluating the optimal therapeutic choice for the care of the individual patient, supported by real-world clinical experience on long-term dexamethasone intravitreal implant therapy.

105 - A Rare Case of Recurrent Diabetic Muscle Infarction: An Overlooked Complication of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetic Muscle Infarction (DMI) is a rare end organ complication of poorly controlled and long-standing diabetes mellitus with advanced microvasculopathy. Only 44 episodes of DMI recurrence have been reported in literature so far.

Long-standing diabetes mellitus and pancreas transplantation: An avenue to increase utilization of an ideal treatment modality.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased post-operative complications in various surgeries. Little data exist regarding the impact of long-standing DM (>25years) on outcomes in pancreas transplantation (PTX). The objectives of our study were to determine if long-standing pre-transplant DM (>25years) was associated with inferior outcomes following PTX. Using a 13-year (April, 2000-May, 2012) retrospective analysis, we examined demographic and transplant factors, complications, and outcomes in patients without (Group A) and with (Group B) long-standing (>25years) pre-PTX DM. Mean follow-up was 4.2years. Of 214 consecutive PTX performed, 137 (105 simultaneous PTX (SPK), 25 PTX after kidney (PAK), 7 PTX alone (PTA)) had pre-PTX duration of DM recorded, including 65 in Group A and 72 in Group B. There were no differences between cohorts with respect to demographics. There were no differences in post-PTX surgical/medical complications. There were no differences in outcomes between cohorts (ie, rejection, graft loss or death). This large-scale analysis demonstrated that PTX can be performed in patients with long-standing DM with excellent patient and graft outcomes. Long-standing DM did not lead to an increased post-PTX infections or complications. Our study suggests that duration of DM should not impact PTX candidacy.

Impact of the Duration of Diabetes Mellitus on the Outcome of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Gemcitabine: A Retrospective Study.

Objective To assess the impact of the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who received gemcitabine monotherapy as the standard therapy before the introduction of combination regimens. The treatment outcomes of gemcitabine were compared among three groups classified according to the duration of DM: no DM, short DM (<4 years), and long DM (≥4 years). Results Among 350 patients, 218, 87, and 45 patients were classified into the no DM, short DM, and long DM groups, respectively. In comparison to the no DM group, the univariate hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-2.02; p=0.027] and 1.33 (95% CI, 0.93-1.89; p=0.081), respectively, in the long DM group, and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.85-1.46; p=0.426) and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.81-1.40; p=0.678), respectively, in the short DM group; the multivariate-adjusted HRs were 1.33 (95% CI, 0.94-1.89; p=0.103) and 1.37 (95% CI, 0.95-1.98; p=0.095) in the long DM group and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.85-1.47; p=0.410) and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.82-1.46; p=0.533) in the short DM group. The survival outcomes of the long DM group tended to remain poorer in analyses using different cutoffs of DM duration as, well as in hospital-specific analyses. Conclusion Long-standing DM may be associated with shorter PFS and OS in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Agonistic autoantibodies against B2-adrenergic receptors correlating with macrovascular disease in longstanding diabetes type 2.

Agonistic autoantibodies directed against adrenergic, endothelin, and angiotensin receptors are known as pathogenic factors in disease-causing vascular impairments such as Buergers' disease, dilatative cardiomyopathy, dementia, and preeclampsia. Diabetes mellitus also causes micro- and macrovascular damages, but pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Following indications for a pathogenic role of the mentioned antibodies from our preliminary investigations, we investigated the prevalence in a bigger cohort of patients with longstanding diabetes with or without diabetic complications. We included 200 patients in four groups (grouping due to duration of diabetes and presence of complications) from our university polyclinic with longstanding diabetes mellitus type 2 and evaluated the prevalence of the agonistic autoantibodies using ELISA technique. Antibodies directed against the alpha1-(39%), the first extracellular loop of the beta2-(34,5%), and the first extracellular loop of the beta1-adrenergic receptor (29,0%) were the most often detectable. With progression of diabetes and its complications, we found a decrease in the prevalence of the antibodies. Regression analyses revealed a positive association of antibodies against the first loop of the beta2-receptor and the presence of macrovascular complications. This investigation found mid frequent prevalence of agonistic autoantibodies in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus type 2. The association between an antibody against one epitope and the presence of macrovascular complications may indicates a pathogenic linkage. This finding is inconsistent with our preliminary data and needs further evaluation, maybe by follow-up.

The confounding role of common diabetes medications in developing acute renal failure: A data mining approach with emphasis on drug-drug interactions

Longstanding diabetes mellitus is today known as the primary reason for kidney failure in the patients having that condition. While the prior research has studied the confounding role of some frequently prescribed diabetes medications in developing acute renal failure, some rarely prescribed medications are still under-studied in this regard. In addition, even for those drugs studied in the past, inconsistent findings have been reported. In the present study, by extending a data mining framework from the prior research and equipping that with some standard statistical metric from the medical literature we investigate the general confounding role of the common diabetes medications in developing acute renal failure in a large group of patients with diabetes mellitus (Type II). In addition, we assess the stability of the identified confounding roles by taking into account the potential drug-drug interactions between those diabetes medications with a group of drugs already known to have negative effect on the kidney function. Our results suggest the general dominant confounding role for each of the diabetes medications, but also suggests that these roles are unstable across various prescription combinations due to potential drug-drug interactions, thereby provide an explanation for the inconsistent findings in the literature.

Charcot arthropathy of the diabetic foot in a sub-Saharan tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCharcot foot arthropathy is a potentially limb-threatening condition that leads to progressive destruction of the bones and joints in the neuropathic foot. One of its main causes is diabetes mellitus whose prevalence is steadily increasing. The acute phase is often misdiagnosed thus leading to foot deformity, ulceration and increased risk of amputation. There is a paucity of literature on this condition from sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at determining the extent of Charcot foot arthropathy, the radiological patterns of Charcot foot arthropathy and patient’s factors associated with Charcot foot arthropathy among adult patients with longstanding diabetes in an African setting.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that was carried at a national referral and university teaching hospital in Kampala, Uganda. One hundred patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus were consecutively recruited. Patients with a history of having diabetes mellitus for at least seven years since diagnosis were considered to have a longstanding disease. Clinical assessment of both feet was done. Weight-bearing radiographs of the selected foot were taken and evaluated using the Sanders and Frykberg and modified Eichenholtz classifications. A blood sample was taken for glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and student t-test.ResultsThe proportion of Charcot foot arthropathy among patients with longstanding diabetes was 12% of which one-third (4 out of 12) were acute cases. Fifty percent of the lesions were in the forefoot and 50% in the midfoot. Seventeen percent of lesions were at the inflammatory stage of the modified Eichenholtz classification, 50% at the developmental stage, 25% at the healing stage, and 8% at the remodelling stage. An abnormal foot radiograph was significantly associated with Charcot foot arthropathy among patients with longstanding diabetes.ConclusionCharcot foot arthropathy is fairly common in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus in these settings with one third of patients presenting in the early acute phase. An abnormal weight-bearing radiograph was an associated factor of Charcot foot arthropathy among this specific group of patients. To reduce on the morbidity and limb threatening sequelae of this condition, clinicians are therefore advised to routinely examine the feet of patients with diabetes and send those with suspicious signs and symptoms for radiographic assessment.

Urinary tract infection in diabetes: Susceptible organisms and antibiogram patterns in an outpatient clinic of a tertiary health care center

We aimed to determine the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on uropathogens and antibiotic resistance pattern in urinary tract infection (UTI) in our center. Three hundred fifty-five DM patients and 165 non-DM patients with UTI were included in this retrospective study. Urine samples were processed in the laboratory following standard protocol. Mean age was higher in DM group (63.9 ± 12.4 vs 59.6 ± 17.3 years, respectively, P = 0.001). Females showed much higher UTI prevalence in both groups (85.6% in DM vs 70.3% in non-DM group, P = 0.000). Mean HbA1c level on admission was 9.3% (78 mmol/mol). Mean duration of DM was 13.9 ± 8.5 yr. E.coli was the predominant uropathogen for both (67.3% in DM and 61.8% in non-DM group). Most isolated microorganisms were sensitive to nitrofurantoin (87.0% in DM, vs 83.6% in non-DM group, P = 0.265). Mean DM duration of higher than 10,5 years showed greatest risk of multidrug resistance (MDR) (AUC = 0.58, sensitivity of 63.7% and specificity of 50%, P = 0.019). Diabetic patients with UTI had poor glycemic control and long-standing DM. Nitrofurantoin was the most appropriate antimicrobial agent for empirical use. The MDR was higher in patients with DM lasting longer than 10.5 years.

Clinical, mammographic, and ultrasonographic characteristics of diabetic mastopathy: A case series

PurposeDiabetic mastopathy (DMP) is a rare benign breast lesion that mimics breast cancer on ultrasound. Our aims were to identify patient characteristics and imaging features of the disease. MethodsWe conducted retrospective searches of our database for DMP lesions that were pathologically confirmed between January 2004 and November 2015. Mammographic and ultrasound features were reviewed by two experienced radiologists. ResultsTwelve women were identified with 16 lesions. Most patients (83%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and over half were insulin-dependent (58.3%), with a mean time of 16.9 years between the diagnosis of DM and that of DMP. There were negative findings on mammography for 46.7% of the lesions, including larger-sized lesions. Ultrasound revealed various features, including irregular shape (81.3%), indistinct margins (100%), parallel orientation to the chest wall (93.8%), marked hypoechogenicity (87.5%), and posterior shadowing (62.5%). ConclusionsDMP was more common in patients with longstanding DM; in particular, type 2 DM and insulin-dependent patients. DMP lesions were usually occult on mammography, despite the relatively large size of DMP, which may help distinguish DMP from invasive cancer. Ultrasound detected several features that are also present in invasive cancer, making tissue sampling necessary to distinguish these.