Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update information about the relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and atherosclerosis. This review emphasizes the potential mechanisms linking MASLD with atherosclerosis and the possible causal relationships between these conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: An increased risk of cardiovascular disease is related to MASLD. Several molecular, cellular, and metabolic mechanisms have been described to explain the development of atherothrombosis in MASLD patients. These include atherogenic dyslipidemia, low-grade vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, insulin resistance, gut microbiota dysbiosis, activation of renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems, hypercoagulability, and decreased fibrinolysis. Also, there is recent evidence suggesting an association between genetically driven liver fat and coronary heart disease mediated by the causal effect of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have reported a strong association between MASLD and cardiovascular outcomes. MASLD is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis development. Multiple mechanisms may be involved in this association. Further research is required to establish a causal association between MASLD and atherosclerosis.

Smoking, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality in individuals with diabetes in Mexico: an analysis of the Mexico city prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence from low- and middle-income countries regarding the effect of smoking in people with diabetes is lacking. Here, we report the association of smoking with mortality in a large cohort of Mexican adults with diabetes. METHODS: Participants with diabetes mellitus (self-reported diagnosis, use of antidiabetic medications or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) aged 35-74 years when recruited into the Mexico City Prospective Study were included. Cox regression confounder-adjusted mortality rate ratios (RRs) associated with baseline smoking status were estimated. RESULTS: Among 15,975 women and 8225 men aged 35-74 years with diabetes but no other comorbidities at recruitment, 2498 (16%) women and 2875 (35%) men reported former smoking and 2753 (17%) women, and 3796 (46%) men reported current smoking. During a median of 17 years of follow-up there were 5087 deaths at ages 35-74 years. Compared with never smoking, all-cause mortality RR was 1.08 (95%CI 1.01-1.17) for former smoking, 1.11 (95%CI 1.03-1.20) for current smoking, 1.09 (95%CI 0.99-1.20) for non-daily smoking, 1.06 (95%CI 0.96-1.16) for smoking < 10 cigarettes/day (median during follow-up 4 cigarettes/day), and 1.28 (95% CI 1.14-1.43) for smoking ≥ 10 cigarettes/day (median during follow-up 15 cigarettes/day). Mortality risk among daily smokers was greatest for COPD, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and acute diabetic complications. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of Mexican adults with diabetes, low-intensity daily smoking was associated with increased mortality, despite observing smoking patterns which are different from other populations, and over 5% of total deaths were associated with smoking.

Time matters: an insight into the relationship between chrononutrition and diabetes.

Chrononutrition is a branch of chronobiology that evaluates nutrients and the pathways implicated in their regulation in accordance with circadian rhythms. Sleep deprivation and disturbances have been strongly associated with the progression of different metabolic alterations, and the time of food intake plays a fundamental role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. It has been demonstrated that not only the components of food are important, but quantity and quality are also crucial elements of a healthy eating pattern. Chrononutrition is an emerging tool that could help improve dietary interventions beyond those derived from consuming an adequate amount of each nutrient. Diabetes is a complex endocrine pathology characterized by sustained hyperglycemia. Dietary changes are a key component in obtaining adequate control and preventing long-term complications. Recent studies emphasize the use of chrononutrition and its components as a novel dietary intervention that could improve metabolic control. The use of chrononutrition as a dietary intervention is faced with challenges such as the presence of gaps in the literature that limit its implementation. This emphasizes the imperative need for additional research that can lead to an evidence-based use of this intervention.

Correlation Between Hemoglobin Glycation Index Measured by Continuous Glucose Monitoring With Complications in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: HbA1C is the "gold standard" parameter to evaluate glycemic control in diabetes; however, its correlation with mean glucose is not always perfect. The objective of this study was to correlate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) with microvascular complications. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including permanent users of CGM with type 1 diabetes mellitus or latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult. HGI was estimated, and presence of microvascular complications was compared in subgroups with high or low HGI. A logistic regression analysis to assess the contribution of high HGI to chronic kidney disease (CKD) was performed. RESULTS: In total, 52 participants who were aged 39.7 ± 14.7 years, with 73.1% women and 15.5 years (IQR, 7.5-29 years) since diagnosis, were included; 32.7% recorded diabetic retinopathy, 25% CKD, and 19.2% neuropathy. The median HbA1C was 7.6% (60 mmol/mol) and glucose management indicator (GMI) 7.0% (53 mmol/mol). The average HGI was 0.55% ± 0.66%. The measured HbA1C was higher in the group with high HGI (8.1% [65 mmol/mol] vs 6.9% [52 mmol/mol]; P < .001), whereas GMI (7.0% [53 mmol/mol] vs 7.0% [53 mmol/mol]; P = .495) and mean glucose were similar in both groups (153 mg/dL vs 153 mg/dL; P = .564). In the high HGI group, higher occurrence of CKD (P = .016) and neuropathy were observed (P = .025). High HGI was associated with increased risk of CKD (odds ratio [OR]: 5.05; 95% CI: 1.02-24.8; P = .04) after adjusting for time since diagnosis (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02-1.16; P = .008). CONCLUSION: High HGI measured by CGM may be a useful marker for increased risk of microvascular diabetic complications.

Albuminuria, Disease Duration, and Glycated Hemoglobin Are Related With Bone Mineral Density in Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have found a significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to healthy controls. Factors associated with this phenomenon have yet to be defined; therefore, this study aimed to explore the association of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), disease duration, albuminuria, and glomerular filtration rate with BMD in adults with T1D. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in tertiary care center. BMD analysis was performed by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Linear models were constructed considering variables associated with BMD. Approval from the ethics committees and informed consent were obtained. RESULTS: We included 128 participants, of whom 59% were women, and 16% had menopause. The median age was 33 (26-42) years. The average age of diabetes diagnosis was 15.3 ± 6.3 years, and the median disease duration was 19.5 (12-27) years. In the adjusted analysis, higher albuminuria (P < .01) and disease duration (P < .05) were associated with a lower BMD in the femoral neck and total hip, independently of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Higher HbA1c (P < .01) was associated with a lower spine BMD after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSION: Studied factors specific to T1D, including albuminuria, disease duration, and HbA1c have an association with BMD regardless of BMI, age, and sex.

Multifactorial causes of chronic itch in diabetes: More than just neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pruritus is common in patients with diabetes though its pathophysiology is unknown and difficult to pinpoint given the multi-system manifestations of diabetes. Herein, we aim to evaluate the severity of chronic itch in patients with diabetes and its association with glycaemic control, microvascular complications and quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 105 adults with diabetes evaluated by a dermatologist at a tertiary care centre in Mexico City. Degree of chronic pruritus and its impact on quality of life as well as laboratory, clinical and demographic data were collected. Patients without chronic pruritus (n = 62) were compared to those with chronic pruritus (n = 43). The latter cohort was further stratified by itch severity, and characteristics of their itch were quantified. RESULTS: Neuropathy and loss of protective sensation were more common in patients with chronic pruritus, compared to those without chronic pruritus (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Anxiety and depression were more common in individuals with chronic pruritus (p = 0.009), and these group reported higher effect of pruritus on their quality of life (p < 0.0001). The most common sites of itch were the head, back and arms. Among patients with chronic itch, increasing itch severity was associated with decreasing eGFR (p = 0.080). CONCLUSIONS: The underlying cause of chronic itch in patients with diabetes is likely multifactorial and owing to microvascular complications such as neuropathy and nephropathy. Better understanding of the causes of itch in these patients can allow for more targeted treatment, leading to improved quality of life.

Associated factors to the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners in the Mexican adult population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the associated factors to the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in the Mexican adult population since its consumption has increased exponentially worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was applied to 5 038 Mexican adults to evaluate the frequency of NNS consumption and classify the population in tertiles. The sociodemographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics of the participants were compared by gradient of NNS consumption, and a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associated factors to the NNS consumption. RESULTS: The variables that showed a positive association (p≤0.01) with the consumption of NNS were economic income, BMI, smoking, physical activity, diet quality, the presence of chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemias), and the consumption of fruit. The age and the consumption of confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages were negatively associated (p<0.01) with the consumption of NNS. CONCLUSION: The results of this study help to characterize the target population that is a consumer of NNS since it is recommended not encourage the preference for sweet taste and to promote a decrease in the consumption of both caloric and NNS, preferring the natural flavor of food.

Visual impairment associated with diabetic retinopathy and macular edema: a hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Data on visual impairment (VI) in patients with diabetes are necessary in order to guide economic and human resources for reducing its prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy-related VI in patients with type 2 diabetes in a hospital-based setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out from 2014 to 2019 in an ophthalmology outpatient clinic. Any VI was defined as corrected pin-hole visual acuity in the better eye of ≥ 0.24 logMAR. The presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME) and cataract was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 840 patients were included; median diabetes duration was 15 years. The prevalence of VI was 30%. DR was found in 62% of patients (30% had sight-threatening DR [STDR]), 17% had referable DME, and 3%, cataracts. The odds ratio for moderate or worse VI was 9.02 for STDR (p < 0.001), 5.89 for referable DME (p = 0.001), and 2.51 for cataract (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Thirty percent of participants had some degree of VI. Moderate or worse VI showed a strong association with STDR and referable DME.

ANTECEDENTES: Los datos sobre discapacidad visual (DV) en pacientes con diabetes son necesarios para orientar los recursos económicos y humanos que disminuyan su prevalencia. OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de DV relacionada con retinopatía diabética en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 en un entorno hospitalario. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado de 2014 a 2019 en una consulta externa de oftalmología. Cualquier DV se definió como agudeza visual corregida con agujero estenopeico en el ojo con mejor visión (≥ 0.24 logMAR). Se evaluó la presencia de retinopatía diabética, edema macular diabético (EMD) y cataratas. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 840 pacientes; la mediana de duración de la diabetes fue de 15 años. La prevalencia de DV fue de 30 %. Se encontró retinopatía diabética en 62 % (30 % tenía retinopatía diabética que amenazaba la visión [RDAV]); 17 %, EMD y 3 %, cataratas. La razón de momios para DV moderada o de mayor gravedad fue de 9.02 para RDAV (p < 0.001), 5.89 para EMD referible (p = 0.001) y 2.51 para catarata (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIÓN: Treinta por ciento de los participantes tenía algún grado de DV. La DV moderada o de mayor gravedad mostró una fuerte asociación con RDAV y EMD referible.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is associated with increased COVID-19 severity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Increased adiposity and visceral obesity have been linked to adverse COVID-19 outcomes. The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may have relevant implications given its proximity to the heart and lungs. Here, we explored the role of EAT in increasing the risk for COVID-19 adverse outcomes. METHODS: We included 748 patients with COVID-19 attending a reference center in Mexico City. EAT thickness, sub-thoracic and extra-pericardial fat were measured using thoracic CT scans. We explored the association of each thoracic adipose tissue compartment with COVID-19 mortality and severe COVID-19 (defined as mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation), according to the presence or absence of obesity. Mediation analyses evaluated the role of EAT in facilitating the effect of age, body mass index and cardiac troponin levels with COVID-19 outcomes. RESULTS: EAT thickness was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 mortality (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.39) independent of age, gender, comorbid conditions and BMI. Increased EAT was associated with lower SpO2 and PaFi index and higher levels of cardiac troponins, D-dimer, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and 4 C severity score, independent of obesity. EAT mediated 13.1% (95% CI 3.67-28.0%) and 5.1% (95% CI 0.19-14.0%) of the effect of age and 19.4% (95% CI 4.67-63.0%) and 12.8% (95% CI 0.03-46.0%) of the effect of BMI on requirement for intubation and mortality, respectively. EAT also mediated the effect of increased cardiac troponins on myocardial infarction during COVID-19. CONCLUSION: EAT is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 and mortality independent of obesity. EAT partly mediates the effect of age and BMI and increased cardiac troponins on adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

Elevated serum uric acid is a facilitating mechanism for insulin resistance mediated accumulation of visceral adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Serum uric acid (SUA) has been associated with cardiometabolic conditions such as insulin resistance (IR) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation. Here, we aimed to clarify a unifying mechanism linking elevated SUA to IR and VAT. METHODS: We conducted analyses in 226 subjects from the UIEM cohort with both euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements for IR and VAT accumulation and explored the role of SUA and adiponectin by developing a network of causal mediation analyses to assess their impact on IR and VAT. These models were then translated to two population-based cohorts comprising 6337 subjects from NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012 cycles in the US and ENSANUT Medio Camino 2016 in Mexico, using HOMA2IR and adipoIR as indicators of peripheral and adipose tissue IR, and METS-VF as a surrogate for VAT accumulation. RESULTS: SUA has a mediating role inside a bidirectional relationship between IR and visceral obesity, which was similar using either gold standard measurements or surrogate measures for IR and VAT. Furthermore, adiponectin acts as a linking mediator between elevated SUA and both peripheral IR and VAT accumulation. The proportion of the mechanism for IR-mediated (in either peripheral or adipose tissue) VAT accumulation was greater, compared to VAT-mediated IR accumulation (10.53% [9.23%-12.00%] to 5.44% [3.78%-7.00%]). Normal-range SUA levels can be used to rule-out underlying cardio-metabolic abnormalities in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SUA acts as a mediator inside the bidirectional relationship between IR and VAT accumulation and these observations could be applicable at a phenotype scale.

Total body water and sicca symptoms in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluated the total body water (TBW) among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and assess its correlation with the severity of oral and ocular sicca symptoms, and some objective sicca variables. METHODS: We included 85 patients and 85 controls matched by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). We assessed the Schirmer-I test and the non-stimulated whole salivary flow (NSWSF). We evaluated ocular and oral symptoms during the past 15 days using a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS) (highest score=worst symptoms). We obtained the TBW by bioelectric impedance analysis. RESULTS: 80% were women (mean age 54.8 years and mean disease duration 11.5 years). TBW was similar in pSS and controls (46.8±4.6 vs. 46.9±4.5, p=0.88). TBW correlated with age (ρ=-0.25, p=0.02), disease duration (ρ=-0.30, p=0.005), BMI (ρ=-0.78, p=0.001) and ocular VAS scale (ρ=-0.28, p=0.01); but not with NSWSF, Schirmer test or oral VAS scale. When comparing patients in the lowest TBW percentile (≤25%) with the remaining patients, the former group was older, had longer disease duration, higher BMI, lower frequency of anti-Ro/SSA and antinuclear antibodies, and higher ocular VAS scores. In the multivariate analysis, the ocular VAS score (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.08-3.2, p=0.02) and the BMI 1.92 (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.4-2.66, p=0.0001) remained associated with a lower TBW percentage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pSS had similar TBW percentages to control subjects. However, lower TBW percentages in the pSS were associated with higher BMI and also with the most severe ocular symptoms.

Validity and reliability of simple surrogate indexes to evaluate beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Simple surrogate indexes (SSI) to assess beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity (IS) and insulin resistance (IR) are an easy and economic tool used in clinical practice to identify glucose metabolism disturbances. AIM: To evaluate the validity and reliability of SSI that estimate beta-cell function, IS and IR using as a reference the parameters obtained from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 62 subjects aged 20-45 years, with a normal body mass index and without diabetes or prediabetes. SSI were compared with the acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg), insulin sensitivity index (Si) and disposition index (DI) obtained from the FSIVGTT using the minimal model approach. Half of the participants (n = 31) were randomly selected for a second visit two weeks later to evaluate the reliability of all the variables. RESULTS: HOMA1-%B and HOMA2-%B had a significant correlation with AIRg (Spearman Rho (rs) = 0.33 and 0.37 respectively, p < 0.01). The SSI evaluating IS/IR that showed stronger correlation (rs > 0.50) with Si were fasting insulin, HOMA1-IR, HOMA2-IR, HOMA1-%S, HOMA2-%S, QUICKI, and the McAuley index. The parameters that showed good reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.75 were AIRg, HOMA1-%S, HOMA2-%S, and QUICKI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that most of the SSI are useful and reliable.

Identification of glucose and insulin patterns during A 5-H glucose tolerance test and association with cardiometabolic risk factors.

Background: Insulin resistance is key in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Objective: We aimed to identify glucose and insulin patterns after a 5-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in individuals without diabetes and to explore cardiometabolic risk factors, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity in each pattern. Methods: We analyzed the 5-h OGTT in a tertiary healthcare center. We identified classes using latent class trajectory analysis and evaluated their association with cardiometabolic risk factors, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity surrogates by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: We included 1088 5-h OGTT performed between 2013 and 2020 and identified four classes. Class one was associated with normal insulin sensitivity and secretion. Class two showed hyperglycemia, dysinsulinism, and a high-risk cardiometabolic profile (obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol). Class three included older individuals, a higher proportion of males, and a greater prevalence of hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and postprandial hypoglycemia. Finally, class four showed hyperglycemia, dysinsulinism, and hyperinsulinemia; this class had the worst cardiometabolic profile (a high proportion of males, greater age, hypertension, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterol, p < 0.001 vs. other classes). Conclusions: The latent class analysis approach allows the identification of groups with an adverse cardiometabolic risk factor, and who might benefit from frequent follow-ups and timely multidisciplinary interventions.

[Consensus on the use of iSGLT2 in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Documento de consenso sobre el uso de los iSGLT2 en el tratamiento de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

Although in recent years in Mexico the quality of diabetes mellitus (DM) care has improved and access to health services and medications has increased, there is a lack of adherence to the recommendations of the clinical guidelines, which could explain the poor glycemic control in many of the patients with DM. Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (iSGLT2) inhibitors have been the last class of antidiabetic agents to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and COFEPRIS (Mexico). In order to improve the use of SGLT2i in clinical practice in Mexico, this paper presents the recommendations issued by a panel of eleven Mexican experts based on the new published evidence for the treatment of patients with DM2.

Aunque en los últimos años en México ha mejorado la calidad de la atención de la diabetes mellitus (DM) y ha aumentado el acceso a servicios de salud y medicamentos, existe una falta de apego a las recomendaciones de las guías de práctica clínica, que podría explicar la falta de un control glucémico adecuado en muchos de los pacientes con DM. Los inhibidores del cotransportador de sodio-glucosa tipo 2 (iSGLT2) han sido la última clase de agentes antidiabéticos en recibir la aprobación de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) y de la Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios de México (COFEPRIS). Con el fin de mejorar el uso de los iSGLT2 en la práctica clínica en México, en este documento se presentan las recomendaciones emitidas por un panel de 11 expertos mexicanos con base en las nuevas evidencias publicadas para el tratamiento de los pacientes con DM2.

Natural course of metabolically healthy phenotype and risk of developing Cardiometabolic diseases: a three years follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Whether the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype is a single, stable or a transitional, fluctuating state is currently unknown. The Mexican-Mestizo population has a genetic predisposition for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other cardiometabolic complications. Little is known about the natural history of metabolic health in this population. The aim of this study was to analyze the transitions over time among individuals with different degrees of metabolic health and body mass index, and evaluate the incidence of cardiometabolic outcomes according to phenotype. METHODS: The study population consisted of a metabolic syndrome cohort with at least 3 years of follow up. Participants were apparently-healthy urban Mexican adults ≥20 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥20 kg/m2. Metabolically healthy phenotype was defined using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) metabolic syndrome criteria and the subjects were stratified into 4 groups according to their BMI and metabolic health. For cardiometabolic outcomes we estimated the incidence of cardiometabolic outcomes and standardized them per 1, 000 person-years of follow-up. Finally, to evaluate the risk for transition and development of cardiometabolic outcomes, we fitted Cox Proportional Hazard regression models. RESULTS: Amongst the 5541 subjects, 54.2% were classified as metabolically healthy and 45.8% as unhealthy. The MHO prevalence was 39.3%. Up to a third of the population changed from their initial category to another and the higher transition rate was observed in MHO (42.9%). We also found several novel factors associated to transition to metabolically unhealthy phenotype; socioeconomic status, number of pregnancies, a high carbohydrate intake, history of obesity and consumption of sweetened beverages. Similarly, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was a main predictor of transition; loss of VAT ≥5% was associated with reversion from metabolically unhealthy to metabolically healthy phenotype (hazard ratio (HR) 1.545, 95%CI 1.266-1.886). Finally, we observed higher incidence rates and risk of incident T2D and hypertension in the metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) and metabolically unhealthy lean (MUHL) phenotypes compared to MHO. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic health is a dynamic and continuous process, at high risk of transition to metabolically unhealthy phenotypes over time. It is imperative to establish effective processes in primary care to prevent such transitions.

Comparison of Clinical Tests for Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in a Type 1 Diabetes Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the performance and agreement of 5 modalities for testing sensory neuropathy against a neurothesiometer among Hispanic patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary reference center in Mexico City. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were calculated using a VibraTip device, 128 Hz tuning fork, and the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07/10 g monofilament test, Ipswich touch test (IpTT), and pinprick test (PPT). The VPT obtained using a neurothesiometer was used as the standard. Agreement between tests was calculated using kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Our study included 78 patients (156 examinations), of whom 56.4% were females. The mean age was 38.2 ± 13.0 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2. The best sensitivity was found for IpTT and VibraTip (89.7% and 79.3%, respectively), while the PPT and IpTT had the highest positive predictive values (94.4% and 92.9%, respectively). The highest kappa coefficients were obtained for the IpTT vs neurothesiometer (kappa coefficient [κ] = 0.893, P < .001), followed by VibraTip vs neurothesiometer (κ = 0.782, P < .001). The VibraTip vs IpTT also had a substantial agreement (κ= 0.713, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that the IpTT had the best diagnostic performance and agreement compared with the standard in this cohort of Hispanic patients with T1D. The IpTT is a useful, simple test for diabetic neuropathy screening. These findings support its inclusion in future guidelines for diabetic foot examination.

Familial hypertriglyceridemia: an entity with distinguishable features from other causes of hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypertriglyceridemia (FHTG) is a partially characterized primary dyslipidemia which is frequently confused with other forms hypertriglyceridemia. The aim of this work is to search for specific features that can help physicians recognize this disease. METHODS: This study included 84 FHTG cases, 728 subjects with common mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridemia (CHTG) and 609 normotriglyceridemic controls. All subjects underwent genetic, clinical and biochemical assessments. A set of 53 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with triglycerides levels, as well as 37 rare variants within the five main genes associated with hypertriglyceridemia (i.e. LPL, APOC2, APOA5, LMF1 and GPIHBP1) were analyzed. A panel of endocrine regulatory proteins associated with triglycerides homeostasis were compared between the FHTG and CHTG groups. RESULTS: Apolipoprotein B, fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF-21), angiopoietin-like proteins 3 (ANGPTL3) and apolipoprotein A-II concentrations, were independent components of a model to detect FHTG compared with CHTG (AUC 0.948, 95%CI 0.901-0.970, 98.5% sensitivity, 92.2% specificity, P < 0.001). The polygenic set of SNPs, accounted for 1.78% of the variance in triglyceride levels in FHTG and 6.73% in CHTG. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and genetic differences observed between FHTG and CHTG supports the notion that FHTG is a unique entity, distinguishable from other causes of hypertriglyceridemia by the higher concentrations of insulin, FGF-21, ANGPTL3, apo A-II and lower levels of apo B. We propose the inclusion of these parameters as useful markers for differentiating FHTG from other causes of hypertriglyceridemia.

Comparison of Two Electronic Systems for Obtaining Diabetes Care Indicators in Clinical Practice.

We compared the completeness of data captured by physicians in a diabetes outpatient clinic using a general electronic health record system versus one that was specifically geared to diabetes. Use of a diabetes-oriented data system was found to allow for greater capture of crucial variables required for diabetes care than a general electronic record and was well accepted by health care providers.

Type 1 Diabetes Care in Mexico: An Analysis of the RENACED-DT1 National Registry.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) in Mexico is limited. We developed an on-line platform Registro Nacional de Pacientes con Diabetes Tipo 1 (RENACED-DT1). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe the characteristics and healthcare of PWT1D registered in RENACED-DT1. METHODS: Analyses of 965 PWT1D from July 2014 to January 2018 in different endocrinology clinics around Mexico. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent were female with median age of 21 years, age at diagnosis 11 years, and disease duration at inclusion 8.2 years. Treatment regimen was basal-bolus in 61% and insulin-pumps in 21% (mainly in the private sector); 33.3% with self-monitoring of blood-glucose (SMBG) ≥4 times/day. Mean HbA1c at last follow-up was 8.7 ± 2.1% (72±23 mmol/mol), 18% had HbA1c < 7% (53 mmol/mol), and 35% > 9% (75 mmol/mol). SMBG ≥ 4 times/day was associated with HbA1c < 7%. Time since diagnosis > 10 years, female sex, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, SMBG < 4 times/day, and any hypoglycemia were associated with microvascular complications (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Percentage of patients achieving HbA1c < 7% is low; increased blood glucose monitoring is associated with better glycemic control. The achievement of optimal glycemic control must be increased to reduce the incidence of chronic complications and improve quality of life in PWT1D.

Association between insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in Mexican patients without type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Central aortic arterial stiffness (CAAS) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Insulin resistance (IR) contributes to CAAS-associated risk. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between IR and CAAS in a Mexican population without diabetes. METHODS: IR was estimated with Homeostatic Model Assessment 2-Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR) and other surrogate markers (Metabolic score for IR [METS-IR], Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI], triglycerides/glucose index [TyG], TyG*body mass index [TyG*BMI] and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio [TG/HDL-C]). CAAS was evaluated using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity analysis (PWVcf) and the standardized augmentation index (AI-75). Bivariate correlations were made between surrogate markers and PWVcf. Increased CAAS was defined as PWVcf above the 90th percentile. Thresholds and area under the curve (AUC) were obtained for each surrogate marker in order to evaluate their performance in estimating increased CAAS. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were included. A correlation was found between HOMA2-IR and PWVcf; this correlation was replicated with other surrogate markers. METS-IR and TyG*BMI had the highest degree of correlation with PWVcf. When adjustments were made for covariates, the correlations with TyG*BMI, METS-IR, HOMA2-IR and QUICKI maintained significance. HOMA2-IR showed the strongest correlation with AI-75. METS-IR and TyG showed the best AUC. Patients with prediabetes had the highest PWVcf. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between IR and CAAS is present before the onset of diabetes; this association may entail higher cardiovascular risk.

ANTECEDENTES: La rigidez arterial central aórtica (RACA) es un factor de riesgo cardiovascular independiente. La resistencia a la insulina (RI) contribuye al riesgo asociado a RACA. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre RI y RACA en una población mexicana sin diabetes. MÉTODOS: La RI se estimó con HOMA2-IR y (Homeostatic Model Assessment 2-Insulin Resistance) otros subrogados (METS-IR [Metabolic score for IR], QUICKI [Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index], TyG [ratio triglicéridos/glucosa], TyG*IMC [TyG*índice de masa corporal] y TG/HDL [ratio TG/lipoproteínas de alta densidad]). Se evaluó la RACA mediante el análisis de velocidad de onda del pulso carotídeo-femoral (VOPcf) y el índice de aumentación estandarizado (AI-75). Se realizaron correlaciones bivariante entre los subrogados y la VOPcf. RACA aumentada se definió como VOPcf arriba del percentil 90. Se obtuvieron puntos de corte y área bajo la curva (ABC) para cada subrogado para estimar RACA aumentada. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó 358 pacientes. Se encontró una correlación entre HOMA2-IR y VOPcf; esta correlación se replicó con los subrogados. METS-IR y TyG*IMC tuvieron el mayor grado de correlación con VOPcf. Al ajustar, las correlaciones con TyG*IMC, METS-IR, HOMA2-IR y QUICKI mantuvieron significancia. La correlación con AI-75 fue mayor para HOMA2-IR. METS-IR y TyG mostraron la mejor ABC. Los pacientes con prediabetes tuvieron mayor VOPcf. CONCLUSIONES: La relación entre la RI y la RACA está presente desde etapas no diabéticas; esta asociación puede conllevar mayor riesgo cardiovascular.