The use of dietary supplements, and the association between supplemental vitamin D and glycaemic control in adult individuals with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To assess the dietary supplement use in adult individuals with type 1 diabetes, and to study the association between vitamin D supplementation and glycaemic control in an observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study subjects were participants of the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study. Data were included from all individuals with type 1 diabetes with estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, who had completed a diet questionnaire. In the questionnaire, the participants reported dietary supplement use for the past 30 days. A thorough investigation with an assessment of the blood panel was conducted at the study visit. RESULTS: Data were available from 1181 individuals (43% men, mean ± SD age 45 ± 13 years). Altogether 62% of the sample reported supplement use; 56% reported some vitamin or mineral and 27% reported non-vitamin and non-mineral supplement use. Supplement use was more frequent among women and those supplementing had better overall health. In the study sample, of the vitamins and minerals, vitamin D (45%) and magnesium (31%), respectively, were the most frequently reported. In the multivariable models, vitamin D supplementation was associated with better glycaemic control. Starting from a daily dose of ≥30 µg, there was evidence of improving glycaemic control with higher doses of supplemental vitamin D (e.g., for 30 µg: B [Wald Confidence Internal], p-value, -2.76 [-5.03 to -0.49], 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Supplement use was frequent in this sample of adult individuals with type 1 diabetes. Due to potential drug-supplement interactions, the attending physicians should be aware of their patients' supplement use. The causality between vitamin D supplementation and glycaemic control should be assessed in a randomized controlled trial.

Loneliness and its cross-sectional associations with health, health behaviours, and perceptions in Finnish patients with overweight or obesity taking part in the Healthy Weight Coaching.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cross-sectional associations between loneliness and health, health behaviours, and perceptions in Finnish individuals with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2). METHODS: We used baseline data from patients participating, in 2016-2022, in a real-life digital 12-month weight management program known as Healthy Weight Coaching. Patients completed several questionnaires such as those related to loneliness, healthcare resource utilization, physical activity, and life satisfaction. BMI was computed based on self-reported weight and height. In addition to investigating individual health variables, we studied the association between loneliness and factor-analysis-derived health and wellbeing clusters. RESULTS: Data were available from 2000 individuals (16.7% men, median age 48 years, median BMI 39.2 kg/m2). Altogether, 11.6%, 42.4%, and 46.0% reported feeling lonely, somewhat lonely, and not lonely, respectively. Feeling lonely was associated with higher BMI, greater healthcare resource utilization, lower life satisfaction, burdensomeness of life, more negative perceptions related to obesity and to the upcoming coaching, lower daytime energy, and reduced 20-min brisk walk results, a measure of functional capacity. Of the five factor-analysis-derived clusters, loneliness was adversely associated with "Life satisfaction" [lonely, 0.337 (0.270-0.421), p < 0.001; somewhat lonely, 0.545 (0.475-0.625), p < 0.001]. Moreover, loneliness associated with "Negative perceptions of obesity/daytime fatigue" [lonely, 4.627 (3.391-6.314), p < 0.001; somewhat lonely 2.021 (1.694-2.412), p < 0.001], and "Obesity/low physical activity" [lonely, 1.474 (1.105-1.966), p = 0.008; somewhat lonely, 1.220 (1.019-1.460), p = 0.030]. CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness had several untoward associations with health, health behaviours, and perceptions. Further research should explore the intricate relationship between obesity, loneliness, and physical and psychosocial health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.cov (Clinical Trials Identifier NCT04019249).

Regression of albuminuria and its association with incident cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in type 1 diabetes: the FinnDiane Study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to assess regression of albuminuria and its clinical consequences in type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The analysis included 3642 participants from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study with a 24 h urine sample and a history of albuminuria available at baseline. A total of 2729 individuals had normal AER, 438 a history of microalbuminuria and 475 a history of macroalbuminuria. Regression was defined as a change from a higher category of albuminuria pre-baseline to a lower category in two out of the three most recent urine samples at baseline. The impact of regression on cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary procedure) and mortality was analysed over a follow-up of 14.0 years (interquartile range 11.9-15.9). RESULTS: In total, 102 (23.3%) individuals with prior microalbuminuria and 111 (23.4%) with prior macroalbuminuria had regressed at baseline. For individuals with normal AER as a reference, the age-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for cardiovascular events were 1.42 (0.75, 2.68) in individuals with regression from microalbuminuria, 2.62 (1.95, 3.54) in individuals with sustained microalbuminuria, 3.15 (2.02, 4.92) in individuals with regression from macroalbuminuria and 5.49 (4.31, 7.00) in individuals with sustained macroalbuminuria. Furthermore, for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates, HRs in regressed individuals were comparable with those with sustained renal status at the achieved level (i.e. those who did not regress but remained at the most advanced level of albuminuria noted pre-baseline). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Progression of diabetic nephropathy confers an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Notably, regression reduces the risk to the same level as for those who did not progress.

The serum uric acid concentration is not causally linked to diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.

Previous studies have shown a relationship between uric acid concentration and progression of renal disease. Here we studied causality between the serum uric acid concentration and progression of diabetic nephropathy in 3895 individuals with type 1 diabetes in the FinnDiane Study. The renal status was assessed with the urinary albumin excretion rate and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and at the end of the follow-up. Based on previous genomewide association studies on serum uric acid concentration, 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with good imputation quality were selected for the SNP score. This score was used to assess the causality between serum uric acid and renal complications using a Mendelian randomization approach. At baseline, the serum uric acid concentration was higher with worsening renal status. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, baseline serum uric acid concentration was not independently associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy over a mean follow-up of 7 years. However, over the same period, baseline serum uric acid was independently associated with the decline in eGFR. In the cross-sectional logistic regression analyses, the SNP score was associated with the serum uric acid concentration. Nevertheless, the Mendelian randomization showed no causality between uric acid and diabetic nephropathy, eGFR categories, or eGFR as a continuous variable. Thus, our results suggest that the serum uric acid concentration is not causally related to diabetic nephropathy but is a downstream marker of kidney damage.

The association between macronutrient intake and the metabolic syndrome and its components in type 1 diabetes.

Diet is a major modifiable lifestyle factor that may affect the components of the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to investigate the association between relative proportions of macronutrients and the components of the metabolic syndrome in a population of individuals with type 1 diabetes. In all, 791 individuals without nephropathy, with plausible energy intake and known metabolic syndrome status, taking part in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study were included in the analyses. Dietary data were collected with a diet record. The association between the relative macronutrient intake and the outcome variables were analysed using multivariable nutrient density substitution models. The relative proportions of dietary macronutrients or fatty acids were not associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome. In men, however, favouring carbohydrates over fats was associated with lower odds of the waist component, whereas favouring either carbohydrates or fats over proteins was associated with lower odds of the blood pressure component of the metabolic syndrome. In women, substituting carbohydrates for fats was associated with lower HDL-cholesterol concentration. Substituting carbohydrates or fats for alcohol or protein was, in men, associated with lower systolic blood pressure. To conclude, the relative distribution of macronutrients may have some relevance for the metabolic syndrome.

New susceptibility loci associated with kidney disease in type 1 diabetes.

Diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy (DN), is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) that requires dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation. In addition to the decrease in the quality of life, DN accounts for a large proportion of the excess mortality associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whereas the degree of glycemia plays a pivotal role in DN, a subset of individuals with poorly controlled T1D do not develop DN. Furthermore, strong familial aggregation supports genetic susceptibility to DN. However, the genes and the molecular mechanisms behind the disease remain poorly understood, and current therapeutic strategies rarely result in reversal of DN. In the GEnetics of Nephropathy: an International Effort (GENIE) consortium, we have undertaken a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of T1D DN comprising ~2.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) imputed in 6,691 individuals. After additional genotyping of 41 top ranked SNPs representing 24 independent signals in 5,873 individuals, combined meta-analysis revealed association of two SNPs with ESRD: rs7583877 in the AFF3 gene (P = 1.2 × 10(-8)) and an intergenic SNP on chromosome 15q26 between the genes RGMA and MCTP2, rs12437854 (P = 2.0 × 10(-9)). Functional data suggest that AFF3 influences renal tubule fibrosis via the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1) pathway. The strongest association with DN as a primary phenotype was seen for an intronic SNP in the ERBB4 gene (rs7588550, P = 2.1 × 10(-7)), a gene with type 2 diabetes DN differential expression and in the same intron as a variant with cis-eQTL expression of ERBB4. All these detected associations represent new signals in the pathogenesis of DN.

Modifiable self-management practices impact nocturnal and morning glycaemia in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To identify risk factors for nocturnal/morning hypo- and hyperglycaemia in type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Data on self-management practices were obtained from 3-day records. We studied the associations between self-management practices on the first recording day and the self-reported blood glucose (BG) concentrations on the subsequent night/morning. RESULTS: Of the 1025 participants (39 % men, median age 45 years), 4.4 % reported nocturnal hypoglycaemia (<3.9 mmol/l), 9.8 % morning hypoglycaemia, 51.5 % morning euglycaemia, and 34.3 % morning hyperglycaemia (≥8.9 mmol/l). Within hypoglycaemic range, insulin pump use was associated with higher nocturnal BG concentration (B=0.486 [95 % Confidence Interval=0.121-0.852], p=0.009). HbA1c was positively (0.046 [0.028-0.065], p<0.001), while antecedent fibre intake (-0.327 [-0.543 - -0.111], p=0.003) and physical activity (PA) (-0.042 [-0.075 - -0.010], p=0.010) were inversely associated with morning BG concentration. The odds of morning hypoglycaemia were increased by previous day hypoglycaemia (OR=2.058, p=0.002) and alcohol intake (1.031, p=0.001). Previous day PA (0.977, p=0.031) and fibre intake (0.848, p=0.017) were inversely, while HbA1c (1.027, p<0.001) was positively associated with the risk of morning hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol avoidance may prevent nocturnal hypoglycaemia, while PA and fibre intake may reduce hyperglycaemia risk. Avoidance of daytime hypoglycaemia and keeping HbA1c in control may help maintain normoglycaemia also at night-time.

Clustering of risk behaviours and associations between risk behaviours and cardio-metabolic risk factors in adult individuals with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To assess clustering of risk behaviours and their health determinants. METHODS: Cross-sectional health behaviour and health data were collected from individuals with type 1 diabetes, in the FinnDiane Study. Clustering of risk behaviours was assessed and associations between behaviours and health variables were investigated. RESULTS: Data were available from 956 participants (40 % men, mean age 46 years). Altogether, 4.3 % individuals reported no risk behaviours, while 25.7 %, 37.4 %, 24.7 %, 6.8 %, and 1.0 % reported 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 risk behaviours, respectively. Reporting ≥4 risk behaviours occurred more frequently than expected by chance. Dietary non-adherence was most frequently reported (84.4 %), followed by low LTPA (54.4 %), poor sleep (41.9 %), high alcohol consumption (15.2 %), and smoking (11.2 %). Adjusted for confounders, relative to ≤1 risk behaviour, reporting ≥2 risk behaviours was associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure. Having ≥3 risk behaviours was associated with larger waist-hip ratio, and higher HbA1c and triglyceride concentration; ≥4 risk behaviours was associated with higher cholesterol concentration. Of the health behaviours, low LTPA had the highest number of deleterious health associations. CONCLUSIONS: Accumulation of risk behaviors increases negative health outcomes. Exhibiting ≥2 risk behaviours or low LTPA was associated with multiple adverse outcomes.

Association of dietary sodium intake with atherogenesis in experimental diabetes and with cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

It is recommended that individuals with diabetes restrict their dietary sodium intake. However, although salt intake is correlated with BP (blood pressure), it also partly determines the activation state of the RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system), a key mediator of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. apoE KO (apolipoprotein E knockout) mice were allocated for the induction of diabetes with streptozotocin or citrate buffer (controls) and further randomized to isocaloric diets containing 0.05%, 0.3% or 3.1% sodium with or without the ACEi [ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor] perindopril. After 6 weeks of study, plaque accumulation was quantified and markers of atherogenesis were assessed using RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR) and ELISA. The association of sodium intake and adverse cardiovascular and mortality outcomes were explored in 2648 adults with Type 1 diabetes without prior CVD (cardiovascular disease) from the FinnDiane study. A 0.05% sodium diet was associated with increased plaque accumulation in diabetic apoE KO mice, associated with activation of the RAAS. By contrast, a diet containing 3.1% sodium suppressed atherogenesis associated with suppression of the RAAS, with an efficacy comparable with ACE inhibition. In adults with Type 1 diabetes, low sodium intake was also associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and new-onset cardiovascular events. However, high sodium intake was also associated with adverse outcomes, leading to a J-shaped relationship overall. Although BP lowering is an important goal for the management of diabetes, off-target actions to activate the RAAS may contribute to an observed lack of protection from cardiovascular complications in patients with Type 1 diabetes with low sodium intake.

The relationship between FGF23 and body composition according to albuminuria stage in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and obesity are linked to kidney disease. However, the relationship between FGF23 and body composition is unclear. Associations between FGF23 and body composition were investigated in type 1 diabetes from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study according to albuminuria stages. METHODS: Data were available from 306 adults with type 1 diabetes (229 normal albumin excretion rate, T1Dnormo; 38 microalbuminuria, T1Dmicro; 39 macroalbuminuria, T1Dmacro), and 36 controls. Serum FGF23 was measured by ELISA. Body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Associations between body composition and serum FGF23 were investigated using linear regression models. RESULTS: Compared with T1Dnormo, individuals with more advanced kidney disease were older, had longer diabetes duration, higher serum hsCRP, and higher FGF23 concentration. However, FGF23 concentration was comparable between T1Dnormo and controls. Adjusted for potential confounders, in T1Dmicro, FGF23 was positively associated with the percentages of total fat, visceral fat, and android fat tissues, while negative associations between FGF23 and lean tissue were observed. FGF23 was not associated with body composition in T1Dnormo, T1Dmacro, and controls. CONCLUSIONS: In type 1 diabetes, the relationship between FGF23 and body composition is dependent on albuminuria stages.

Mental, physical, and social well-being and quality of life in healthy young adult twin pairs discordant and concordant for body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between obesity and mental health is complex and is moderated by the level of obesity, age, sex, and social and genetic factors. In the current study, we used a unique co-twin control design, with twin pairs discordant for body mass index (BMI), to control for shared genetic and environmental effects between obesity and several dimensions of mental health. METHODS: We studied 74 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, of whom 36 were BMI-discordant (intra-pair difference in BMI ≥ 3 kg/m2), and 77 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs (46 BMI-discordant). We assessed subjective health, especially mental health and mental well-being (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, and social well-being) through questionnaires. RESULTS: Heavier MZ co-twins from BMI-discordant pairs had poorer general health (58.8±3.0 vs. 72.4±3.8, P = 0.001, FDR = 0.017 on a scale from 0 to 100 where higher scores indicate more positive results), physical functioning (90.3±1.1 vs. 95.5±2.2, P = 0.024, FDR = 0.122), energy levels (55.6±3.4 vs. 66.6±3.3, P = 0.013, FDR = 0.109), and emotional well-being (65.9±3.2 vs. 75.4±2.9, P = 0.031, FDR = 0.122), as well as a tendency for depressive symptoms (8.4±1.3 vs. 5.6±0.9, P = 0.071, FDR = 0.166) compared to their leaner co-twins. Heavier DZ co-twins had poorer total physical well-being (91.6±1.9 vs. 95.6±1.0, P = 0.035, FDR = 0.356) and more depressive symptoms (4.3±0.9 vs. 2.4±0.5, P = 0.016, FDR = 0.345 on a scale from 0 to 63 where lower scores indicate fewer depressive symptoms) than their leaner co-twins. Association analyses, using all twin pairs, confirmed that higher BMI within pairs linked to general health, physical functioning and depressive symptoms. No association was found between BMI and anxiety, self-esteem, life satisfaction, or social well-being. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study underscores the notable association between elevated BMI and physical well-being and to a lesser extent between elevated BMI and depressive symptoms, while revealing no discernible connections with anxiety, self-esteem, life satisfaction, or social well-being.

Development and validation of a weight-loss predictor to assist weight loss management.

This study aims to develop and validate a modeling framework to predict long-term weight change on the basis of self-reported weight data. The aim is to enable focusing resources of health systems on individuals that are at risk of not achieving their goals in weight loss interventions, which would help both health professionals and the individuals in weight loss management. The weight loss prediction models were built on 327 participants, aged 21-78, from a Finnish weight coaching cohort, with at least 9 months of self-reported follow-up weight data during weight loss intervention. With these data, we used six machine learning methods to predict weight loss after 9 months and selected the best performing models for implementation as modeling framework. We trained the models to predict either three classes of weight change (weight loss, insufficient weight loss, weight gain) or five classes (high/moderate/insufficient weight loss, high/low weight gain). Finally, the prediction accuracy was validated with an independent cohort of overweight UK adults (n = 184). Of the six tested modeling approaches, logistic regression performed the best. Most three-class prediction models achieved prediction accuracy of > 50% already with half a month of data and up to 97% with 8 months. The five-class prediction models achieved accuracies from 39% (0.5 months) to 89% (8 months). Our approach provides an accurate prediction method for long-term weight loss, with potential for easier and more efficient management of weight loss interventions in the future. A web application is available: https://elolab.shinyapps.io/WeightChangePredictor/ .The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04019249 (Clinical Trials Identifier NCT04019249), first posted on 15/07/2019.

Sense of coherence, food selection and leisure time physical activity in type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Successful management of type 1 diabetes depends on the self-care practices. Sense of coherence has been associated with various measures of lifestyle choices. We aimed to study the associations between sense of coherence and self-care practices in patients with type 1 diabetes. We hypothesized that patients with weak sense of coherence have less prudent food choices and lower physical activity. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 1104 patients (44% men, mean age 45±12 years) from the FinnDiane Study were available. Sense of coherence, dietary intake, and leisure time physical activity were evaluated using self-reported questionnaires. Diet score was calculated based on the degree to which food choices complied with dietary guidelines. Weekly metabolic equivalent hours were calculated by multiplying the activity duration by the activity- and intensity-specific metabolic equivalent. RESULTS: The sense of coherence score correlated positively both with the diet score and the weekly metabolic equivalent hours. Those in the lowest sense of coherence tertile had both the lowest diet scores and the lowest weekly metabolic equivalent hours values. Among women, the sense of coherence score was associated with the diet score when adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, received dietary guidance, and nephropathy status. The sense of coherence score independently predicted the metabolic equivalent hours value in men. CONCLUSIONS: A higher sense of coherence score predicted more prudent food choices in women and higher physical activity in men. In the future, the health consequences associated with a weak sense of coherence should be studied prospectively. Also, the possibility to use the sense of coherence questionnaire as a screening instrument to identify patients who could benefit from intensified counseling should be investigated.

Weight Loss Trajectories in Healthy Weight Coaching: Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: As global obesity prevalence continues to increase, there is a need for accessible and affordable weight management interventions, such as web-based programs. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to assess the outcomes of healthy weight coaching (HWC), a web-based obesity management program integrated into standard Finnish clinical care. METHODS: HWC is an ongoing, structured digital 12-month program based on acceptance and commitment therapy. It includes weekly training sessions focused on lifestyle, general health, and psychological factors. Participants received remote one-on-one support from a personal coach. In this real-life, single-arm, prospective cohort study, we examined the total weight loss, weight loss profiles, and variables associated with weight loss success and program retention in 1189 adults (963 women) with a BMI >25 kg/m² among participants of the program between October 2016 and March 2019. Absolute (kg) and relative (%) weight loss from the baseline were the primary outcomes. We also examined the weight loss profiles, clustered based on the dynamic time-warping distance, and the possible variables associated with greater weight loss success and program retention. We compared different groups using the Mann-Whitney test or Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables and the chi-squared test for categorical variables. We analyzed changes in medication using the McNemar test. RESULTS: Among those having reached the 12-month time point (n=173), the mean weight loss was 4.6% (SE 0.5%), with 43% (n=75) achieving clinically relevant weight loss (≥5%). Baseline BMI ≥40 kg/m² was associated with a greater weight loss than a lower BMI (mean 6.6%, SE 0.9%, vs mean 3.2%, SE 0.6%; P=.02). In addition, more frequent weight reporting was associated with greater weight loss. No significant differences in weight loss were observed according to sex, age, baseline disease, or medication use. The total dropout rate was 29.1%. Dropouts were slightly younger than continuers (47.2, SE 0.6 years vs 49.2, SE 0.4 years; P=.01) and reported their weight less frequently (3.0, SE 0.1 entries per month vs 3.3, SE 0.1 entries per month; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive web-based program such as HWC is a potential addition to the repertoire of obesity management in a clinical setting. Heavier patients lost more weight, but weight loss success was otherwise independent of baseline characteristics.

Nut Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Type 1 Diabetes.

Although nut consumption has been associated with several health benefits, it has not been investigated in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, our aim was to assess nut consumption and its association with metabolic syndrome in adult individuals with type 1 diabetes taking part in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study. The nut intake of the 1058 participants was assessed from 3-day food records that were completed twice, and the number of weekly servings, assuming a serving size of 28.4 g, was calculated. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the cardiovascular risk factors: central obesity, high blood pressure (≥130/85 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication), high triglyceride concentration (≥1.70 mmol/L or use of lipid-lowering medication), low HDL-cholesterol concentration (<1.00 mmol/L in men and <1.30 mmol/L in women or use of lipid-lowering medication), and hyperglycaemia. Overweight/obesity was defined as a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. HbA1c > 59 mmol/mol (>7.5%) was used as a criterion for suboptimal glycaemic control. Of the 1058 (mean age 46 years, 41.6% men) participants, 689 (54.1%) reported no nut intake. In the remaining sample, the median weekly nut intake was 40.8 g. In the adjusted models, higher nut intake, as the continuous number of weekly servings and the comparison of those with <2 and ≥2 weekly servings, was associated with lower metabolic syndrome score, waist circumference, HbA1c, and BMI. Nut consumption as a continuous variable was negatively associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome, its blood pressure, triglyceride, and HDL-cholesterol components, and suboptimal glycaemic control. Consumption of ≥2 weekly servings was associated with lower odds of suboptimal glycaemic control (by 51.5%), overweight/obesity (by 33.4%), and metabolic syndrome (by 51.8%) and meeting the waist (by 37.3%), blood pressure (by 44.5%), triglyceride (by 37.7%), and HDL-cholesterol (by 36.2%) components of the metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, a weekly nut intake of ≥2 servings was beneficially associated with all the components of the metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes. The causality of this association will need to be investigated.

Dietary intake and hospitalisation due to diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

We investigated the association between diet and risk of hospitalisation for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes. Food records were used to assess dietary intake. Data on DKA and hypoglycaemia hospitalisations, within two years of dietary assessments, were obtained from registries. Analyses were conducted with and without macronutrient substitution. Data were available from 1391 participants, 28 (2.0%) and 55 (4.0%) of whom were hospitalised due to DKA or hypoglycaemia, respectively. In the adjusted model, self-reported alcohol intake was associated with increased (per 10 g: B = 1.463, 95% CI = 1.114-1.922, p = 0.006; per E%: B = 1.113, 95% CI = 1.027-1.206, p = 0.009), and fibre intake with reduced (per g/MJ: B = 0.934, 95% CI = 0.878-0.995, p = 0.034) risk of DKA hospitalisation. Substituting carbohydrates for fats was associated with increased risk for hypoglycaemia hospitalisation (B = 1.361, 95% CI = 1.031-1.795, p = 0.029), while substituting alcohol for carbohydrates (B = 1.644, 95% CI = 1.006-2.685, p = 0.047) or proteins (B = 2.278, 95% CI = 1.038-4.999, p = 0.040) increased the risk for DKA hospitalisation. In conclusion, refraining from alcohol intake is a preventable risk factor for DKA, while higher fibre intake seems rather protective. Increasing carbohydrate intake while decreasing that of fats, is associated with higher hypoglycaemia risk. Whether this is a cause or effect of hypoglycaemia remains to be established.

Depression Is Associated With Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between depression and diabetic nephropathy progression in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from 3,730 participants without end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at baseline, participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study, were included. Depression was assessed in three ways. Depression diagnoses were obtained from the Finnish Care Register for Health Care. Antidepressant agent purchase data were obtained from the Drug Prescription Register. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Based on their urinary albumin excretion rate (AER), participants were classified as those with normal AER, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria. Progression from normal AER to microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, or ESRD; from microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria or ESRD; or from macroalbuminuria to ESRD, during the follow-up period, was investigated. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 9.6 years, renal status deteriorated in 18.4% of the participants. Diagnosed depression and antidepressant purchases before baseline were associated with 53% and 32% increased risk of diabetic nephropathy progression, respectively. Diagnosed depression assessed during follow-up remained associated with increased risk of disease progression (32%). BDI-derived symptoms of depression showed no association with the progression, but the total number of antidepressant purchases modestly reduced the risk (hazard ratio 0.989 [95% CI 0.982-0.997]), P = 0.008). With the sample divided based on median age, the observations followed those seen in the whole group. However, symptoms of depression additionally predicted progression in those age ≤36.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosed depression and antidepressant purchases are associated with the progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. Whether successful treatment of depression reduces the risk needs to be determined.

Symptoms of depression are associated with reduced leisure-time physical activity in adult individuals with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Here, we investigated the association between depressive symptoms and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Data from adult individuals with type 1 diabetes without evidence of diabetic kidney disease or macrovascular complications, participating in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study, were included. Based on a questionnaire, weekly LTPA as metabolic equivalent of task hour was calculated. Activity levels (inactive, moderately active, active), weekly frequencies (< 1, 1-2, > 2), intensities (low, moderate, high), and single session durations (< 30, 31-60, > 60 min) were assessed. Depressive symptomatology was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We calculated a continuous BDI score and divided participants into those with (BDI score ≥ 16) and without (BDI score < 16) symptoms of depression. For sensitivity analyses, we additionally defined symptoms of depression with antidepressant agent purchases within a year from the study visit. RESULTS: Of the 1339 participants (41.7% men, median age 41 years), 150 (11.2%) reported symptoms of depression. After adjustments, both higher BDI scores and depressive symptomatology were associated with more inactive lifestyle, and lower frequency and intensity of the LTPA. The BDI score was additionally associated with shorter single session duration. For antidepressant purchases, lower odds were observed in those with higher intensity and longer single session duration of LTPA. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive mood is harmfully related to LTPA in type 1 diabetes. In order to improve the long-term health of individuals with type 1 diabetes, efforts to increase both mental well-being and physical activity should be taken.

Computational modelling of self-reported dietary carbohydrate intake on glucose concentrations in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus one-anastomosis gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate in a real-life setting the use of machine learning for modelling the postprandial glucose concentrations in morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). METHODS: As part of the prospective randomized open-label trial (RYSA), data from obese (BMI ≥35 kg/m2) non-diabetic adult participants were included. Glucose concentrations, measured with FreeStyle Libre, were recorded over 14 preoperative and 14 postoperative days. During these periods, 3-day food intake was self-reported. A machine learning model was applied to estimate glycaemic responses to the reported carbohydrate intakes before and after the bariatric surgeries. RESULTS: Altogether, 10 participants underwent RYGB and 7 participants OAGB surgeries. The glucose concentrations and carbohydrate intakes were reduced postoperatively in both groups. The relative time spent in hypoglycaemia increased regardless of the operation (RYGB, from 9.2 to 28.2%; OAGB, from 1.8 to 37.7%). Postoperatively, we observed an increase in the height of the fitted response curve and a reduction in its width, suggesting that the same amount of carbohydrates caused a larger increase in the postprandial glucose response and that the clearance of the meal-derived blood glucose was faster, with no clinically meaningful differences between the surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed analysis of the glycaemic responses using food diaries has previously been difficult because of the noisy meal data. The utilized machine learning model resolved this by modelling the uncertainty in meal times. Such an approach is likely also applicable in other applications involving dietary data. A marked reduction in overall glycaemia, increase in postprandial glucose response, and rapid glucose clearance from the circulation immediately after surgery are evident after both RYGB and OAGB. Whether nondiabetic individuals would benefit from monitoring the post-surgery hypoglycaemias and the potential to prevent them by dietary means should be investigated.KEY MESSAGESThe use of a novel machine learning model was applicable for combining patient-reported data and time-series data in this clinical study.Marked increase in postprandial glucose concentrations and rapid glucose clearance were observed after both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and one-anastomosis gastric bypass surgeries.Whether nondiabetic individuals would benefit from monitoring the post-surgery hypoglycaemias and the potential to prevent them by dietary means should be investigated.

Health-related quality of life in patients with type 1 diabetes--association with diabetic complications (the FinnDiane Study).

BACKGROUND: The daily treatment of type 1 diabetes with frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels and nuisance caused by insulin administration may affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Type 1 diabetes is further burdened with an increased risk of complications which may additionally reduce a patient's HRQoL. We aimed to assess HRQoL and its association with diabetic complications in a large sample of patients with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Altogether, 1070 patients with type 1 diabetes (46% men, mean age 46 +/- 12 years, diabetes duration 29 +/- 13 years) from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study (FinnDiane Study) participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on HRQoL were obtained from 1023 patients using the 15D instrument. When studying nephropathy, patients were divided into groups based on their albumin excretion rate. Laser-treated patients were classified as having proliferative retinopathy. RESULTS: The mean 15D score was 0.899 +/- 0.095 with no differences between men and women. HRQoL decreased with increasing age among patients with and without diabetic complications. In the Tobit regression model, macroalbuminuria (-0.036), dialysis (-0.082), renal transplant (-0.053), poor glycemic control (-0.006), ageing (-0.002) and longer diabetes duration (-0.001) explained the reduction in HRQoL. In a corresponding model, the presence of proliferative retinopathy did not have a significant negative influence on HRQoL. Of individual dimensions of the 15D instrument, nephropathy affected all but five dimensions, while retinopathy affected vision, mobility, eating and usual activities. CONCLUSIONS: The 15D scores decreased with increasing age. The presence of nephropathy, but not retinopathy, reduced the subjective HRQoL in patients with type 1 diabetes.