The prevalence and incidence of pharmacologically treated diabetes among older people receiving home care services in Norway 2009-2014: a nationwide longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of older people who receive home care services (HCS) has diabetes and requires diabetes specific monitoring, treatment and self-care assistance. However, the prevalence and incidence rates of diabetes among older people in HCS are poorly described. The aim of the study is to estimate prevalence, incidence and time trends of pharmacologically treated diabetes among older people receiving HCS in Norway 2009-2014. METHODS: This nationwide observational cohort study is based on data from two population registries. The study population consisted of persons registered in the Norwegian Information System for the Nursing and Care Sector aged ≥ 65 years receiving HCS during at least one of the years 2009-2014. The Norwegian Prescription Database was utilized to identify participants' prescriptions for glucose lowering drugs (GLD). The period prevalence was calculated each year as persons with one or more prescriptions of GLD in the current or previous year. Incident cases were defined as subjects receiving prescriptions of GLD for the first time in the given calendar year if there were no prescriptions of any GLD for that person during the previous two years. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2014, the number of older people receiving HCS increased from 112,487 to 125,593. The proportion of these who received GLD increased from 14.2% to 15.7% (p < 0.001) and was significantly higher among men than women. The annual incidence rate of diabetes among those receiving HCS showed a decreasing trend from 95.4 to 87.5 cases per 10,000 person-years from 2011 to 2014, but when stratifying on age group and gender, was significant only among the oldest women (age groups 85-89 years and 90 +). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of older people with diabetes who receive HCS highlights the importance of attention to treatment and care related to diabetes in the HCS.

Pharmacologically treated diabetes and hospitalization among older Norwegians receiving homecare services from 2009 to 2014: a nationwide register study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to assess whether annual hospitalization (admissions, length of stay and total days hospitalized) among persons >65 years receiving home care services in Norway were higher for persons with diabetes than those without diabetes. Given the growing prevalence of diabetes, this issue has great importance for policy makers who must plan for meeting these needs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from national Norwegian registries, and the study population varied from 112 487 to 125 593 per calendar year during 2009-2014. Diabetes was defined as having been registered with at least one prescription for blood glucose lowering medication. Overall and cause-specific hospitalization were compared, as well as temporal trends in hospitalization. Hospitalization outcomes for persons with and without diabetes were compared using log-binomial regression or quantile regression, adjusting for age and gender. Results are reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs). RESULTS: Higher total hospitalization rates (IRR 1.17; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.22) were found among persons with, versus without, diabetes, and this difference remained stable throughout the study period. Similar reductions over time in hospital length of stay were observed among persons with and without diabetes, but total annual days hospitalized decreased significantly (p=0.001) more among those with diabetes than among those without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Among older recipients of home care services in Norway, diabetes was associated with a higher overall risk of hospitalization and increased days in the hospital. Given the growing prevalence of diabetes, it is important for policy makers to plan for meeting these needs.

Comparing radiopaque markers and 13C-labelled breath test in diabetic gastroparesis diagnostics.

Purpose: Determining gastric emptying is mandatory in the diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis. Several methods of investigation exist, but none has proven reliable, inexpensive and accessible. In this study, we aimed to compare gastric emptying of radiopaque markers (ROM) and 13carbon-labelled gastric emptying breath tests for solids (GEBT). We also aimed to determine any association between gastric emptying and patient-reported symptoms, glycemic control and the patients' age, diabetes duration and occurrence of other late complications. Patients and methods: Forty-five patients (30 women, 15 men) with diabetes mellitus types 1 or 2 (40, 5) and symptoms of gastroparesis were examined with ROM and GEBT. All were interviewed, filled out symptom questionnaires and had HbA1c levels measured. Results: Forty percent of patients had delayed gastric emptying of ROM, while 55% had delayed gastric emptying of GEBT. Correlation between ROM and GEBT was not significant. Compared to GEBT, sensitivity for a positive ROM test was 0.52, while specificity was 0.74. In women, we found a higher specificity of 0.92, sensitivity 0.47. Difference in HbA1c between patients with positive and negative results was of borderline significance for both tests. GEBT (r=0.41, P=0.008) correlated with HbA1c. Patients with any late complications of diabetes had higher gastric retention of ROM (P=0.028), while patients with polyneuropathy (P=0.014) and diabetic wounds (P=0.004) had slower emptying with GEBT. None of the methods identified significant associations between gastric emptying and symptom scores, age or diabetes duration. Conclusions: As a measure of gastric emptying, the ROM test has benefits of being affordable and available. Compared to GEBT, the method has low diagnostic reliability. Before continued use, we recommend additional studies validating the test in diabetes patients.

A longitudinal study on patients with diabetes and symptoms of gastroparesis - associations with impaired quality of life and increased depressive and anxiety symptoms.

AIMS: To examine patient reported outcomes (PRO) in patients previously assessed for diabetic gastroparesis, and to investigate how symptoms of gastroparesis evolve over time. In addition, to further evaluate outcomes in those with versus without diabetic gastroparesis at baseline. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with diabetes and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diagnosed with or without diabetic gastroparesis in 2011-2013, were included in this follow-up study. PRO were measured with the Patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal symptom severity index (PAGI-SYM), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal disorders-quality of life (PAGI-QOL) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic factors and clinical variables were also recorded. RESULTS: Participants diagnosed with gastroparesis had improved glycemic control (p=0.04) and less GI symptoms (p=0.001), after a follow-up time of 3.2years (mean). Both groups reported severely impaired quality of life (QoL). In total 47% reported symptoms of anxiety, 38% symptoms of depression (scores≥8). GI symptom severity or other PRO could not differentiate between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis, as well as those with gastroparesis symptoms - but normal gastric emptying, suffer from severely impaired QoL and a high burden of anxiety and depressive symptoms.