Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated at Internal Medicine Clinics: Türkiye DAHUDER Awareness of Fatty Liver Disease (TR-DAFLD) Study.

This awareness study aimed to determine the ultrasound (US) examination rates in relation to US-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) diagnosis in internal medicine outpatients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across Türkiye. A total of 6283 T2D patients were included in this multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted at 17 internal medicine clinics across Türkiye. The presence and indications for US performed within the last 3 years were recorded along with US-confirmed MAFLD rates, laboratory findings on the day of US, and referral rates. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index was calculated to estimate the risk of advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 index ≥ 1.3). Overall, 1731 (27.6%) of 6283 patients had US examination, which revealed MAFLD diagnosis in 69.9% of cases. In addition, 24.4% of patients with US-confirmed MAFLD were at risk of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 index ≥ 1.3), and the referral rate was 15.5%. In conclusion, our findings emphasize an insufficient MAFLD awareness among clinicians and the likelihood of most of T2D patients to be at risk of living with an unknown status regarding their MAFLD and advanced fibrosis risk.

Betatrophin Levels Are Related to the Early Histological Findings in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Betatrophin, a liver hormone, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. We investigated the betatrophin levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and searched for any relationship with histological severity and metabolic parameters. Fifty males with NAFLD [Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) (n = 32); non-NASH (n = 18)] and 30 healthy controls were included. Plasma betatrophin was measured by ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by HOMA-IR index. Histological features were scored by the semi quantitative classification and combined as the NAFLD activity score (NAS). Betatrophin levels in the non-NASH group were significantly higher than the controls. Betatrophin was positively correlated to the age, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR index and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and negatively correlated to the steatosis and NAS. In the stepwise linear regression analysis, the triglyceride (ß = 0.457, p < 0.001), glucose (ß = 0.281, p = 0.02) and NAS (ß = -0.260, p = 0.03) were the independent determinants of betatrophin. Betatrophin levels are higher in the early stages of NAFLD and tend to decrease when the disease progresses. This could be an important preliminary mechanistic finding to explain the increased frequency of glucose intolerance during the course of NAFLD.

The Evolving Role of Fetuin-A in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Overview from Liver to the Heart.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated to the features of metabolic syndrome which can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the most common cause of mortality in people with NAFLD is not liver-related but stems from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of NAFLD is on the rise, mainly as a consequence of its close association with two major worldwide epidemics, obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The exact pathogenesis of NAFLD and especially the mechanisms leading to disease progression and CVD have not been completely elucidated. Human fetuin-A (alpha-2-Heremans Schmid glycoprotein), a glycoprotein produced by the liver and abundantly secreted into the circulation appears to play a role in insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and inflammation. This review discusses the links between NAFLD and CVD by specifically focusing on fetuin-A's function in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and atherosclerotic CVD.

The effect of mutation status, pathological features and tumor location on prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. It is the third most common tumor in both genders and the second reason of cancer-related deaths. In recent years, tumor location has gained importance as a prognostic indicator. In this study, we aimed to analyze if there was a prognostic effect of tumor location, the pathological features, and the mutation status of patients on survival. METHODS: Two-hundred and ten colorectal cancer patients aged 18 years and older were included into the study. One-hundred and forty-two patients had left-sided tumor and 68 patients had right-sided tumor. Patients who had other malignancies rather than squamous cell skin cancer and in situ cervical cancer were excluded. All statistical tests were carried out using two-sided process, and a p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 140 men and 70 women in the study. The median age of the patients was 62 years old. There was no statistically significant difference according to tumor location and survival of patients. The overall survival of patients with right-sided tumors was 60.5 months and 47.2 months for left-sided tumors. Disease-free survival of patients was 63.7 months for right-sided tumors and 46 months for left-sided ones. Perineural invasion, grade and stage were crucial prognostic parameters. Disease-free survival was longer for female colorectal cancer patients. CONCLUSION: According to our study, survival of patients was similar regardless of tumor location. This can be explained by the different sequencing of treatment strategies and divergent population genetics.

Discontinuation of Hemodialysis After 8 Years in Favor of Toprak's Kidney Care in a Patient with End-Stage Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND End-stage kidney disease patients who need hemodialysis for more than 3 months are less likely to be able to discontinue dialysis. Patient care, however, can play a role in improving kidney function. In this study, we showed that even a patient on hemodialysis for 8 years can discontinue or reduce the number of weekly dialysis sessions through kidney care. Here, we report the effect of patient care on the ability to cease dialysis or reduce dialysis sessions, discuss such cessation or reduction in chronic hemodialysis patients, and describe proper follow-up procedure for a patient whose dialysis has been discontinued or reduced. CASE REPORT Here, we present a 77-year-old man who had undergone hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 75 months, after which dialysis sessions were gradually decreased and terminated within 21 months while undergoing Toprak's Kidney Care, a kidney care program. The patient went without dialysis for 10 months. Then, hemodialysis was started once weekly for 46 months, as the glomerular filtration rate values decreased significantly. Following this period, he underwent hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 19 months. During these follow-up periods, 2 hospitalizations were required due to pneumonia and atrial fibrillation. There were no major adverse cardiac events. The patient is still in our follow-up care. CONCLUSIONS Gradual termination of an 8-year period of hemodialysis through a kidney care program without kidney transplantation is very rare. In end-stage kidney disease patients with adequate urination, kidney care should be considered to terminate hemodialysis or reduce the weekly dialysis sessions.

The effect of mutation status, pathological features and tumor location on prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. It is the third most common tumor in both genders and the second reason of cancer-related deaths. In recent years, tumor location has gained importance as a prognostic indicator. In this study, we aimed to analyze if there was a prognostic effect of tumor location, the pathological features, and the mutation status of patients on survival. METHODS: Two-hundred and ten colorectal cancer patients aged 18 years and older were included into the study. One-hundred and forty-two patients had left-sided tumor and 68 patients had right-sided tumor. Patients who had other malignancies rather than squamous cell skin cancer and in situ cervical cancer were excluded. All statistical tests were carried out using two-sided process, and a p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 140 men and 70 women in the study. The median age of the patients was 62 years old. There was no statistically significant difference according to tumor location and survival of patients. The overall survival of patients with right-sided tumors was 60.5 months and 47.2 months for left-sided tumors. Disease-free survival of patients was 63.7 months for right-sided tumors and 46 months for left-sided ones. Perineural invasion, grade and stage were crucial prognostic parameters. Disease-free survival was longer for female colorectal cancer patients. CONCLUSION: According to our study, survival of patients was similar regardless of tumor location. This can be explained by the different sequencing of treatment strategies and divergent population genetics.

Rates and associates of influenza and pneumococcus vaccination in diabetes mellitus: A nationwide cross-sectional study (TEMD vaccination study).

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against influenza and pneumococcus is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. AIM: To investigate the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and to search for the independent associates of vaccination in Turkish patients with diabetes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, nationwide, multicenter study, adult patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) (n = 454) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (n = 4721), who were under follow-up for at least a year in the outpatient clinics, were consecutively enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of patients were recorded. Vaccination histories were documented according to the self-statements of the patients. RESULTS: Patients with T1DM and T2DM had similar vaccination rates for influenza (23.6% vs 21.2%; P = 0.240) and pneumococcus (8% vs 7%; P = 0.451) vaccinations. Longer diabetes duration and older age were the common independent associates of having vaccination for both types of diabetes patients. Higher education level, using statin treatment, and having optimal hemoglobin A1c levels were the common independent associates of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with T2DM. CONCLUSION: TEMD Vaccination Study shows that patients with T1DM and T2DM had very low influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in Turkey. The lower rates of vaccination in certain populations urges the necessity of nationwide vaccination strategies targeting these populations.

The impact of hypomagnesemia on erectile dysfunction in elderly, non-diabetic, stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease patients: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in older men with chronic kidney disease. Magnesium is essential for metabolism of nitric oxide which helps in penile erection. There is little information available about the influence of serum magnesium on ED. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of hypomagnesemia on ED in elderly chronic kidney disease patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 372 patients aged 65-85 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60-15 mL/min/1.73 m2, were divided into two groups according to serum magnesium levels: hypomagnesemia, n=180; and normomagnesemia, n=192. ED was assessed through the International Index of Erectile Function-5. Hypomagnesemia is defined as serum magnesium <1.8 mg/dL. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED was higher among hypomagnesemic subjects compared to that among normomagnesemics (93.3% vs 70.8%, P<0.001). Severe ED (62.8% vs 43.8%, P=0.037), mild-to-moderate ED (12.2% vs 5.2%, P=0.016), abdominal obesity (37.2% vs 22.9%, P=0.003), metabolic syndrome (38.4% vs 19.2%, P=0.026), proteinuria (0.83±0.68 vs 0.69±0.48 mg/dL, P=0.023), and C-reactive protein (6.1±4.9 vs 4.1±3.6 mg/L, P<0.001) were high; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (48.8±14.0 vs 52.6±13.5 mg/dL, P=0.009), and albumin (4.02±0.53 vs 4.18±0.38 g/dL, P=0.001) were low in the hypomagnesemia group. Serum magnesium ≤1.85 mg/dL was the best cutoff point for prediction of ED. Hypomagnesemia (relative risk [RR] 2.27), age ≥70 (RR 1.74), proteinuria (RR 1.80), smoking (RR 21.12), C-reactive protein (RR 1.34), abdominal obesity (RR 3.92), and hypertension (RR 2.14) were predictors of ED. CONCLUSION: Our data support that ED is related to hypomagnesemia in elderly patients with moderately to severely reduced kidney function.

Magnesium Replacement Improves the Metabolic Profile in Obese and Pre-Diabetic Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease: A 3-Month, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Magnesium is an essential mineral for many metabolic functions. There is very little information on the effect of magnesium supplementation on metabolic profiles of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of magnesium supplementation on metabolic profiles of pre-diabetic, obese and mild-to-moderate CKD patients with hypomagnesemia. METHODS: A total of 128 hypomagnesemic, pre-diabetic and obese patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 90 and 30 ml/min/1.73m2 were enrolled in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients in the magnesium group received 365 mg of oral magnesium (n = 57) once daily for 3 months, while patients in the control group received a placebo (n = 61), also once daily for 3 months. Hypomagnesemia is defined by a serum magnesium level <1.8 mg/dl in males and <1.9 mg/dl in females; obesity is defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2; and pre-diabetes is defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥100 but <126 mg/dl. The primary end point of the study was the change in insulin resistance measured by the homeostastic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, insulin resistance (-24.5 vs. -8.2%, P = 0.007), HOMA-IR index (-31.9 vs. -3.3%, P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (-6.6 vs. -0.16%, P < 0.001), insulin (-29.6 vs. -2.66%, P < 0.001), waist circumference (-4.8 vs. 0.55%, P < 0.001) and uric acid (-0.8 vs. 2.2%, P = 0.004) were significantly decreased in terms of mean changes; albumin (0.91 vs. -2.91%, P = 0.007) and magnesium (0.21 ± 0.18 vs. -0.04 ± 0.05 mg/dl, P < 0.001) were significantly increased in those taking magnesium compared with a placebo. The decrease in metabolic syndrome (-10.5 vs. -4.9%, P = 0.183), obesity (-15.7 vs. -8.2%, P = 0.131), pre-diabetes (-17.5 vs. -9.8%, P = 0.140), and systolic (-5.0 ± 14.8 vs. 0.22 ± 14.9 mm Hg, P = 0.053) and diastolic (-3.07 ± 9.7 vs. 0.07 ± 9.6 mm Hg, P = 0.071) blood pressure did not achieve to a significant level after study. CONCLUSION: Our data support the argument that magnesium supplementation improves the metabolic status in hypomagnesemic CKD patients with pre-diabetes and obesity.