The association between the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life: baseline results from the Dimini lifestyle intervention.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its determinants in individuals with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). METHODS: We used pseudonymized baseline data collected between 2018 and 2020 as part of the Dimini project in Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein. HRQoL was measured by the mental and the physical component score of the validated instrument Short Form 12 and descriptively analysed followed by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The Dimini population (n = 662) showed an average physical component score of 42.12 (SD 10.56) and a mental component score of 47.12 (SD 11.13). While men demonstrated both significantly higher physical and mental component scores than women, differences based on migration background were not observed. Younger age was associated with a higher level of the physical component score, whereas mental component scores linearly increased with age. Regarding indicators of T2D-risk, a significant influence of HbA1c on HRQoL was not confirmed. However, physical component scores are negatively related to Findrisk scores and BMI. Finally, study participants living alone and those with a handicap reported lower levels of HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Compared with a representative sample of the general German population (DEGS1), Dimini participants were characterized by a lower average HRQoL. The analysis showed a higher vulnerability to an impaired HRQoL within certain subgroups of the population and among participants with relatively higher levels of T2D-risk. As a result, tailored healthcare interventions are required to reach these target groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03482674.

Superior vena cava syndrome caused by a malignant tumor: a retrospective single-center analysis of 124 cases.

PURPOSE: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) results from compression of the superior vena cava. SVCS is an emergency requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. We hypothesized that the outcome of patients (pts.) admitted during regular work hours may differ from that of pts. admitted on weekends. METHODS: From 1992 to 2011, we analyzed all pts. admitted with SVCS due to a malignancy. Clinical outcome was analyzed, focusing on the work-up of pts. hospitalized on a weekend compared with those hospitalized during the week. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four pts. with malignant causes of SVCS were analyzed. Causes were as follows: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) 28.2 %, non-small cell lung cancer 25 %, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 25 %, metastasis of other malignant tumors 19.4 % and Hodgkin's disease 2.4 %. Sixty-five percent of pts. were admitted during the week and 35 % on a weekend. Sixty-one percent received chemotherapy, 24 % radiation, 4 % radiochemotherapy, 9 % palliative treatment and 2 % no treatment at all. No difference in choice of treatment between pts. admitted on a weekday versus weekend was seen. Response was as follows: 7 pts. complete remission, 20 pts. partial response, 38 pts. progressive disease, 3 pts. NC and 15 pts. died. Overall response rate was as follows: Hodgkin's disease 100 %, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 29 %, SCLC 22.8 %, non-small cell lung cancer 9.6 % and metastatic cancer 16.6 %. Only 2 of the 34 pts. with relapsing carcinoma responded. None of the pts. died due to SVCS. CONCLUSION: The outcome of pts. with SVCS is not dependent on the day of admission (weekend or weekday) but is related to underlying disease in the setting of a tertiary care center.