Can the practice of mindfulness reduce medical errors?

Purpose: In this article we consider the impact of mindfulness as an effective method of coping with stress and review the available literature on this topic; in addition, we share our 5 years of experience working with final year medical students. Views: Working in a hospital is a demanding and stressful job. Despite the rapid development of new technologies, the number of medical errors is not decreasing. In this paper we look for effective methods to improve medical education with a focus on the effects of stress on situational awareness (SA) and executive functions (EF). This study provides information on the beneficial effects of mindfulness techniques that, by influencing EF and SA, can directly reduce physicians' errors. Conclusions: The authors of this paper contend that effective methods of coping with stress, including mindfulness, should be considered as an additional subject in the final years of medical education.

Mindfulness Is Related to the Situational Awareness of Medical Students Confronted with Life-Threatening Emergency Situations.

BACKGROUND: Emergency medicine can impose a heavy psychological burden on healthcare workers. Stress experienced during life-threatening situations may disrupt situational awareness (SA), i.e., the perception of environmental elements with respect to time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their state into the near future. We aimed to investigate whether mindfulness (a special way of paying attention: conscious, non-judgmental, and oriented to the present moment) can be related to the SA levels among final-year medical students confronted with life-threatening situations during medical simulations. METHODS: The simulations were constructed as high-fidelity scenarios in children and adults (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03761355). The components of mindfulness were assessed using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. SA among students was assessed using The Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique at three levels: (1) data, (2) comprehension, and (3) projection. RESULTS: In total, 117 students were included. Level 1 SA positively correlated with the overall mindfulness score and its components, i.e., nonreactivity, conscious presence, and nonjudgment. Moreover, level 3 SA significantly correlated with the description, but not with the overall mindfulness score. A regression model showed that nonreactivity explained 34% of Level 1 of SA variability. The addition of conscious presence and nonjudgment into this model did not change its predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: nonreactivity a component of mindfulness of final-year medical students is related to the meticulous data collection of patients in life-threatening situations.

Relationship between mindfulness, stress, and performance in medical students in pediatric emergency simulations.

Objectives: Pediatric teams of emergency departments work under extreme stress, which affects high-level cognitive functions, specifically attention and memory. Therefore, the methods of stress management are being sought. Mindfulness as a process of intentionally paying attention to each moment with acceptance of each experience without judgment can potentially contribute to improving the performance of medical teams. Medical simulation is a technique that creates a situation to allow persons to experience a representation of a real event for the purpose of education. It has been shown that emergency medicine simulation may create a high physiological fidelity environment similarly to what is observed in a real emergency room. The aim of our study was to determine whether the technical and non-technical skills of medical students in the course of pediatric high fidelity simulations are related to their mindfulness and stress. Participants and methods: A total of 166 standardized simulations were conducted among students of medicine in three simulation centers of medical universities, assessing: stress sensation (subjectively and heart rate/blood pressure), technical (checklists) and non-technical skills (Ottawa scale) and mindfulness (five facet mindfulness questionnaire): ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03761355. Results: The perception of stress among students was lower and more motivating if they were more mindful. Mindfulness of students correlated positively with avoiding fixation error. In the consecutive simulations the leaders' non-technical skills improved, although no change was noted in their technical skills. Conclusion: The results of our research indicate that mindfulness influence the non-technical skills and the perception of stress of medical students during pediatric emergency simulations. Further research is needed to show whether mindfulness training leads to improvement in this field.

Mindfulness in healthcare professionals and medical education.

Healthcare professionals are exposed not only to the ubiquitous stress, but also to the culture of perfectionism. Therefore, they need tools to achieve a balance between work and rest in order to effectively help their patients. The study objective is a review of the literature on the implementation of mindfulness in healthcare professionals and medical students. The authors searched the literature in PubMed and Google Scholar databases for publications about "mindfulness" in "healthcare professionals" and "medical students." The search included manuscripts published to July 31, 2019. Mindfulness is a process of intentional paying attention to experiencing the present moment with curiosity, openness and acceptance of each experience without judgment. Mindfulness training leads to a better mood perception, lower stress perception, and responding to stimuli more effectively. All these features can have a potentially positive effect on healthcare service. The paper describes methods of intervention as well as their effects, which may be useful both in maintaining the well-being of healthcare professionals and in patient care. Mindfulness meditation has a beneficial effect on stress, depression, burnout, well-being and empathy among doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. However, the method has a number of limitations, including a small number of participants, a high dropout rate in the intervention group and, above all, ceasing to practice mindfulness in the longer term after the course termination. Mindfulness can be widely implemented by healthcare professionals, thus improving their well-being and the quality of care they provide. Further standard scientific research is needed to confirm this impact. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(1):1-14.

Increasing Co-occurrence of Additional Autoimmune Disorders at Diabetes Type 1 Onset Among Children and Adolescents Diagnosed in Years 2010-2018-Single-Center Study.

Objectives: The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in children is growing, but its relation to other autoimmune disorders that coexist since the onset of diabetes is not recognized. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of T1D and the prevalence of autoimmune illnesses additionally coexisting since the diabetes mellitus onset in children during a period of 9 years' observation. Methods: In this retrospective study, the incidence rate (IR) of the T1D was calculated as the total number of all cases that were newly diagnosed per 100,000 population people between 0 and 18 years of age. The selected age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) were examined, respectively. The studied group included 493 children (264 [53.55%] boys) between 0 and 18 years old newly diagnosed with T1D in one of the Polish centers in the years 2010-2018. Other autoimmune illnesses diagnoses were obtained from medical records taken from the first hospital treatment, when T1D was recognized. Results: The annual standardized IR of T1D increased from 19.2/100,000 in year 2010 to 31.7/100,000 in 2018 (1.7-fold over 9 years' observation), with an increase in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) by 4% per year. The highest growth in IR was recorded in 5- to 9-year-olds (from 19.61 in 2010 to 43.45 in 2018). In 61 (12.4%) of the studied group, at least one additional autoimmune disease was diagnosed. The prevalence doubled from 10.4% in the year 2010 to 20.8% in the year 2018. Autoimmune thyroid illnesses were found in 37 children (7.5%); their incidence increased from 6.3% to almost 2-fold, 12.5%, in 2018. In 26 children (5.3%), celiac disease was recognized; the prevalence increased from 4.2 to 9.8% in the study period. The prevalence of additional autoimmune thyroid disease was higher in glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive antibodies (χ2 = 3.4, p = 0.04) patients, the oldest age group (15-18 years) (χ2 =7.1, p = 0.06), and in girls (χ2 =7.1, p = 0.007). Conclusions:The standardized IR of T1D in children increased 1.7-fold over the 9-year observation period, and IRR increased 4% per year. Additional autoimmunity represents a significant comorbidity in patients with new-onset T1D. The number of children diagnosed with additional autoimmune diseases that accompany T1D is rapidly growing in all age groups throughout recent years.

Regular physical activity as a physiological factor contributing to extend partial remission time in children with new onset diabetes mellitus-Two years observation.

BACKGROUND: Beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) are confirmed in patients with all types of long-lasting diabetes. The possibility of PA to be a factor prolonging remission phase in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) has not yet been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to elucidate the influence of regular PA on prevalence of partial remission (PR), metabolic control, daily insulin requirement (DIR), and C-peptide secretion in children newly diagnosed with T1D. METHODS: A total of 125 children diagnosed with T1D were studied prospectively for 2 years. Patients were controlled every 3 months and advised with PA according to ISPAD recommendations. Anthropometric parameters, HbA1c, C-peptide level and DIR were analyzed. Patients' PA level was assessed using a self-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: We classified 43% of participants as physically-active. In this group, lower HbA1c after 2 years, lower DIR after 3, 6 months, and after 2 years (all P < .05) were found. At discharge from hospital, the prevalence of DIR < 0.5 U/kg/24 h with near normoglycemia was similar in both groups. Then, we observed higher PR prevalence in active group lasting over time and resulting in 44% vs 13% after 2 years (P < .001). C-peptide after 2 years was comparable in both groups, with higher prevalence of clinically significant levels (>0.2 nmoL/L) in active group: 79.6% vs 61.4% (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: These data support the view that regular PA may essentially contribute to extending PR time in pediatric diabetes, and may therefore lead to a better long-term metabolic control of the disease.

Relationship between Executive Functions, Mindfulness, Stress, and Performance in Pediatric Emergency Simulations.

Over the past decade, high-fidelity medical simulation has become an accepted and widely used teaching method in pediatrics. Both simulation and work in the real conditions of emergency departments are accompanied by stress that affects the executive functions of participants. One of the methods for reducing stress among medical students and healthcare professionals is the practice of mindfulness. The aim of this study was to examine whether executive functions, mindfulness, and stress are related to the technical and non-technical skills of medical students participating in medical simulations in pediatrics. The study included 153 final-year medical students. A total of 306 high-fidelity simulations of life-threatening situations involving children were conducted. Results: Stress and the coping mechanism of the participants were correlated to their skills during pediatric simulations. Some components of mindfulness, such as non-judgment and conscious action, were positively related to the skills of medical team leaders. Executive functions correlated with the non-technical skills and mindfulness of the medical students. Conclusions: Stress, mindfulness, and executive functions modeled the behavior and skills of medical students during pediatric simulations of life-threatening events. Further research in this area may prove whether mindfulness training will improve learning outcomes in pediatric emergency medicine.

Factors affecting weight and body composition in childhood cancer survivors-cross-sectional study.

Due to improved efficacy of antitumour treatment in the general population, there are increasingly more childhood cancer survivors. However, some of these survivors are at risk of distant complications including cardiovascular disease. We aimed to examine the risk of overweight/obesity and abnormal body composition in a large group of patients from our paediatric oncology centre. We used anthropometric methods and electrical bioimpedance to assess these features, and then determined their association with disease and treatment. We found patients treated for leukaemia/lymphoma (especially boys) had significantly higher rates of overweight/obesity compared to the other patient groups. On the contrary, overweight/obesity was more common in girls among patients treated for solid tumours. Patients treated for leukaemia/lymphoma were characterised by a higher body fat content compared to those treated for solid tumours and controls. During treatment for cancer, patients had a higher percentage of muscle mass deficiency compared to those in the control group. Our regression analysis showed time from completion of treatment, gender and type of therapy (radiotherapy, megachemotherapy) were associated with body weight and body composition including fat and muscle content. We recommend paediatricians and general practitioners should actively try to detect and prevent cardiovascular disease among childhood cancer survivors.

The Empowerment of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Is Associated with Their Executive Functions.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a difficult period for young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), both in psychological and clinical terms. Empowerment therapy may support these patients, provided they are ready to change and have adequate executive functions to facilitate this change. Therefore, we hypothesise that the readiness of adolescents with T1DM to change is related to clinical features and/or their executive functions. METHODS: Using the Diabetes Empowerment Scale and the Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function, we evaluated patients with T1DM duration of more than one year from three Polish diabetes centres of the PolPeDiab study group (N = 146). We related the data to features associated with disease and treatment and compared the results to those of adolescents without diabetes (N = 110). RESULTS: We observed that adolescents with T1DM had a higher rate of abnormal results in executive function tests than their peers without diabetes (p > 0.05). Diabetes empowerment in this group of patients decreased with disease duration (r = -0.25, p = 0.006) and increased with deteriorating metabolic control (HbA1c; r = 0.25, p = 0.006). The greater the deficiencies in executive functions among adolescents with T1DM, the greater their readiness to change. The relationship between executive functions and diabetes empowerment is partially gender-differentiated. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, we propose individualized diabetes education in this group of patients based on the assessment of readiness to change and executive functions.

Five-year observation of the relationship between body mass index and glycated hemoglobin in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Poor metabolic control is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between such factor as body weight and metabolic control in children with diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between body weight, age, metabolic control, sex, and form of insulin therapy in children with DM1. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of children with DM1 treated at one diabetes center for a minimum of 5 years since diagnosis. RESULTS: Median body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) increased annually (p = .0042) on average 0.08 ± 0.27 per year throughout the observation. As well HbA1c and daily dose insulin increased annually (p < .0001; p < .0001, respectively) on average by 0.43 ± 0.79 and by 0.13 ± 0.17 per year. Percentage of good metabolic control - HbA1c cut-off of 6.5% - gradually worsened in all patients over the 5 years, with a higher percentage of girls experiencing poor metabolic control (84.48% of girls vs. 77.87% of boys; p = .01895). No correlation between BMI-SDS and metabolic control (HbA1c) was found (R = 0.09, p = .60). CONCLUSIONS: Body weight appears to be more affected by non-diabetic factors (e.g. irregular eating and sedentary lifestyle) than by the clinical course of diabetes. Metabolic control and body weight must be maintained in all children with DM1 (males and females) to reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors after Childhood Cancer Treatment Are Independent of the FTO Gene Polymorphism?

The study objective was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients treated for childhood cancer (N = 101) and to determine the involvement of clinical (cancer type and therapy) and/or genetic (FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism) factors. Anthropometric features, laboratory findings, and standardized osteodensitometric indices (fat and lean mass) were considered. Overweight/obesity was found in 17.82% of the patients; however, central adiposity was found in as many as 42.5%. At least one abnormality in lipid metabolism was observed in 35.6%. Densitometry revealed elevated levels of fat mass in 44.55% of the patients. None of the parameters studied were associated with the FTO gene polymorphism. Standardized waist circumference was significantly higher in patients treated for leukemia than those treated for solid tumors (p = 0.04). Our findings indicate a high rate of central adiposity among childhood cancer survivors, especially leukemia patients. The prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular disease after anticancer therapy is not FTO gene polymorphism-dependent.

Assessment of preservation of beta-cell function in children with long-standing type 1 diabetes with "ultrasensitive c-peptide" method.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. It was previously believed that the loss of the endocrine function of the pancreas is total and inevitable. With the rise of new knowledge and new methods allowing to reliably measure c-peptide in the low plasma concentration range, we have learned otherwise. Some residual function of the beta-cells can be present even after decades of the course of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the c-peptide level with routine laboratory and ultrasensitive methods in children with long-standing type 1 diabetes in relation to clinical characteristics. METHODS: We recruited 178 consecutive children with type 1 diabetes mellitus lasting at least 1 year, mean diabetes duration was 5.6 years. Basic anthropometric measurements were performed and blood samples were drawn. From patients history records we gathered data regarding the course of the disease and laboratory results previously acquired. Laboratory tests performed on the blood samples included HbA1c levels and c-peptide level measurement using classic (n=178) and ultrasensitive (n=160) method (Mercodia). Clinically relevant c-peptide level was set at 0.23 ng/ml according to the DCCT recommendations. RESULTS: Clinically relevant c-peptide was found in 54 of 160 (33.75%) patients. Patients with preserved c-peptide were older at the time of diagnosis, had longer clinical remission, and required lower total and basal doses of insulin. Significantly lower mean HbA1c from the last year, but higher HbA1c at the time of the diabetes diagnosis were found in the group with higher c-peptide levels. The comparison of the classic and ultrasensitive c-peptide tests revealed that both yield similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Our observation shows that 34% of young patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes have prolonged c-peptide secretion. We confirm the long-standing assumption that residual beta-cell function is beneficial for metabolic control of the patients. Classic method of the c-peptide measurement can be just as useful in clinical practice as the ultrasensitive one.

Central aortic pressure, arterial stiffness and echocardiographic parameters of children with overweight/obesity and arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: A non-invasive estimation of central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters, and appropriate interpretation thereof make it possible to determine the status of the vascular wall and myocardium. These parameters are early markers of unfavorable remodeling of the cardiovascular system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters of overweight/obese children (with or without concomitant arterial hypertension). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 84 children (mean age: 15 years) - 45 with primary arterial hypertension, 39 normotensive, and 38 controls. Central aortic systolic (cSys) and diastolic (cDia) pressures, pulse wave augmentation index (Aix@75), peripheral resistance, pulse wave reflection and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined by means of brachial oscillometry. A number of echocardiographic parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Obese children with arterial hypertension showed the highest values of cSys, cDia and PWV, as well as interventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (IVS), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), elongation index and cardiac output (CO). Patient age, cSYS, cDIA and LAD were identified as significant predictors of PWV. The groups did not differ in terms of Aix@75, peripheral resistance and pulse wave reflection values. CONCLUSIONS: Children with overweight/obesity present with elevated values of cSys, PWV, LVMI, LAD and CO. The risk of these abnormalities is further increased due to concomitant arterial hypertension.

Organ-specific autoimmunity in relation to clinical characteristics in children with long-lasting type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diabetes and other organ-specific autoantibodies (Ab) associated with various autoimmune conditions, in Polish children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: In this study 114 patients, aged 13.4 years, with mean diabetes duration 5.2 years were included. Ab to islet cell antigens: glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), insulinoma antigen 2 (IA-2), zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8), together with thyroid peroxidase Ab (TPO Ab), thyroglobulin Ab (Tg Ab), tissue transglutaminase Ab (tTG Ab) and 21-hydroxylase Ab (21-OH Ab) were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one diabetes associated Ab was found in 87%, with the highest prevalence of 64% for ZnT8 Ab. In patients with disease duration <5 years, at least one antibody was present in 90%, the most prevalent was ZnT8 Ab (72%). In patients with duration >10 years, 50% had at least one antibody. The prevalence of other than islet cell autoimmunity was high (34%). Thyroid Ab were detected in 26% patients, 42% in girls vs. 8% in boys, p<0.001. tTG Ab were found in 11% patients, with a greater prevalence in children with early onset (p=0.01). 21-OH Ab were found in 2.6% T1DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Islet Ab were found in most T1DM children and remained positive even 10 years after onset. ZnT8 Ab emerged as an important marker for the diagnosis of T1DM in the Polish children. Screening for non-diabetes Ab in T1DM may be helpful in identifying subclinical cases of autoimmune thyroid, celiac or Addison's disease (AD).

The influence of clinical and genetic factors on the development of obesity in children with type 1 diabetes.

The exact cause of the obesity epidemic remains unknown; however, both environmental and genetic factors are involved. People at risk of developing obesity include children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which in turn increases their cardiovascular disease risk. Here, we discuss the clinical and genetic factors influencing weight in patients with T1DM. In children with T1DM, the presence of obesity depends mainly on sex, metabolic control, and disease duration. However, genetic factors, including the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, are also associated with body weight. Indeed, children with the FTO gene rs9939609 obesity-risk allele (homozygous = AA or heterozygous = AT) are predisposed to a higher body mass index and have a greater risk of being overweight or obese. However, in this review, we show that FTO gene polymorphisms only have a small effect on body weight in children, much weaker than the effect of clinical factors. The association between FTO gene polymorphisms and body weight is only statistically significant in children without severe obesity. Moreover, other genetic factors had no effect on weight in patients with T1DM, and further research involving larger populations is required to confirm the genetic basis of diabetes and obesity. Therefore, identifying the clinical features of children with T1DM, such as their initial body mass index, sex, metabolic control, and disease duration, will still have the strongest effect on reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Physicians should pay close attention to modifiable elements of these relationships, for example, metabolic control and energy and insulin intake, when caring for patients with T1DM. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Epidemiology of diabetes type 1 in children aged 0-14 in Podlasie Province in years 2005-2012]. / Epidemiologia cukrzycy typu 1 wsród dzieci w wieku 0­14 lat w makroregionie podlaskim w latach 2005­2012.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies performed during last decades in many European countries and in the world proved increasing incidence rate of diabetes, especially diabetes type 1 in children (DMT1). In Europe there is one of the highest diabetes incidence rate. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence rate of diabetes type 1 in children aged 0-14 years in North-East Poland during 2005-2012 years and to analyse this rates in relation to age, gender and season of the diabetes onset. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed among patients staying under care of outpatient diabetes clinic of the Department of Pediatric, Endocrinologym Diabetology with Cardilogy Division, medical University of Bialystok, Poland. The DMT1 incidence rate was calculated as the number of all newly diagnosed cases per 100 000 persons 0-14 aged matched. RESULTS: During the studied 8-years- period DMT1 was diagnosed in 306 children aged 0-14 years, 159 boys and 147 girls, in Podlasie Province. The highest number of new cases was found in 2011: 49, and 2012: 47, with the lowest number in 2005 and 2009: 32 each year. The average incidence rate in the studied period was 20,84/100 000 population, aged matched. The lowest incidence rate was found in 0-4 yrs old group: 14,59 /100 000, in 5-9 years old group was: 22,04/100 000, and was highest in 10-14 years old group: 24,94/100 000. The highest increase in incidence rate was noted in the youngest group: from 9,14/100 000 in 2005, to 23,45/100 000 in 2012. The greatest number of new recognisions was found in from November to March, and the lowest number from June to August. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The DMT1 incidence rate among children aged 0-14 years, in Podlasie Province, during 2005-2012 years was 20,84/100 000. 2. Increase in incidence rate was observed in the studied period from 15,23/100 000 in 2005 to 26,71/100 000 in 2012. The highest increase in incidence rate, 2,5 times, was fund in the youngest group, aged 0-4 years. 3. The seasonal incidence of New onset was observed with the greater number in autumn-winter months.

Empowerment in the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity.

As the available therapies for diabetes and obesity are not effective enough, diabetologists and educators search for new methods to collaborate with patients in order to support their health behaviors. The aim of this review is to discuss perspectives for the development of new empowerment-type therapies in the treatment of diabetes/obesity. Empowerment is a process whereby patients gain the necessary knowledge to influence their own behavior to improve the quality of their lives. It is carried out in five stages: (1) identify the problem, (2) explain the feelings and meanings, (3) build a plan, (4) act, and (5) experience and assess the execution. Although many years have passed since the advent and popularization of the concept of empowerment, the area remains controversial, mainly with regard to the methodology of therapy. Some previous studies have confirmed the positive effect of empowerment on body weight, metabolic control, and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes; however, few studies have been conducted in patients with type 1 diabetes. There is still a need to confirm the effectiveness of empowerment in accordance with Evidence Based Medicine by performing long-term observational studies in a large group of patients. In future, empowerment may become part of the standard of care for patients with diabetes and/or obesity.

Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Use on Glucose Variability and Endothelial Function in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: New Technology--New Possibility to Decrease Cardiovascular Risk?

Children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are the high-risk group of accelerated atherosclerosis. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) provides possibilities for the detection of glycaemic variability, newly recognized cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of RT-CGM as an educational tool to find and reduce glycaemic variability in order to improve endothelial function in T1DM adolescents. Forty patients aged 14.6 years were recruited. The study was based on one-month CGM sensors use. Parameters of glycaemic variability were analyzed during first and last sensor use, together with brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) to assess endothelial function. In the whole group, FMD improvement was found (10.9% to 16.6%, p < 0.005), together with decrease in all studied glycaemic variability parameters. In patients with HbA1c improvement compared to the group without HbA1c improvement, we found greater increase of FMD (12% to 19%, p < 0.005 versus 8.2% to 11.3%, p = 0.080) and greater improvement of glucose variability. RT-CGM can be considered as an additional tool that offers T1DM adolescents the quick reaction to decrease glycaemic variability in short time observation. Whether such approach might influence improvement in endothelial function and reduction of the risk of future cardiovascular disease remains to be elucidated.

Elevated levels of Th17 cells in children with central obesity.

BACKGROUND: It is believed that the recently discovered interleukin 17-producing Th17 cells play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in the course of obesity and diabetes. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to complete data on this subject in children. METHODS: We assessed Th17 cell levels in the peripheral blood of children diagnosed with central obesity (n = 14) and compared the results with data obtained in patients with newly diagnosed (n = 11) and long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus (n = 18), and in a control group as well (n = 24). RESULTS: (i) Children with central obesity were characterized by higher percentages of Th17 cells as compared to children from the control group; (ii) in the peripheral blood of patients with long-term type 1 diabetes the Th17 cell counts were higher compared to the control group; (iii) total plasma cholesterol concentration correlated positively with Th17/Treg cells ratio; and (iv) among patients with long-term diabetes, disease duration correlated positively with Th17 cell count and Th17/Th1 cell ratio. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that Th17 cells may be involved in chronic inflammation accompanying obesity and type 1 diabetes mellitus in children.