Comparison of the effects of exenatide and insulin glargine on right and left ventricular myocardial deformation as shown by 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiograms.

Background: Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs. The effects of GLP-1 analogs on myocardial function are controversial. Aims: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of exenatide and insulin glargine on subclinical right and left ventricular dysfunction. Methods and Material: In this study, 27 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized into exenatide and insulin glargine treatment groups. The patients were monitored for six months by conventional echocardiography (ECHO) and 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to evaluate right and left ventricular functions. Results: ECHO parameters did not change significantly pre- and post-treatment, except for the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values. Post-treatment TAPSE values significantly increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment values. In the insulin group, values for 2D-STE parameters of the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) based on apical long-axis (ALA) images increased significantly (p: 0.047) compared to pre-treatment values; however, apical 4-chamber (A4C), apical 2-chamber (A2C), LVGLS, and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) values did not change. In the exenatide group, LVGLS based on A4C values improved (p: 0.048), while ALA, A2C, and LVGLS values did not change. Moreover, the RVGLS values improved significantly after exenatide treatment (p: 0.002). Based on 2D-STE parameters the two treatments did not differ statistically in either pre- or post-treatment periods. Conclusions: Glp-1 treatment can improve left ventricular regional and right ventricular global subclinical dysfunction. Therefore, early GLP-1 treatment may be recommended in diabetic patients with a high risk of cardiac dysfunction.

Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs second study (DAWN2™): cross-national comparisons on barriers and resources for optimal care--healthcare professional perspective.

AIMS: The second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study sought cross-national comparisons of perceptions on healthcare provision for benchmarking and sharing of clinical practices to improve diabetes care. METHODS: In total, 4785 healthcare professionals caring for people with diabetes across 17 countries participated in an online survey designed to assess diabetes healthcare provision, self-management and training. RESULTS: Between 61.4 and 92.9% of healthcare professionals felt that people with diabetes needed to improve various self-management activities; glucose monitoring (range, 29.3-92.1%) had the biggest country difference, with a between-country variance of 20%. The need for a major improvement in diabetes self-management education was reported by 60% (26.4-81.4%) of healthcare professionals, with a 12% between-country variance. Provision of diabetes services differed among countries, with many healthcare professionals indicating that major improvements were needed across a range of areas, including healthcare organization [30.6% (7.4-67.1%)], resources for diabetes prevention [78.8% (60.4-90.5%)], earlier diagnosis and treatment [67.9% (45.0-85.5%)], communication between team members and people with diabetes [56.1% (22.3-85.4%)], specialist nurse availability [63.8% (27.9-90.7%)] and psychological support [62.7% (40.6-79.6%)]. In some countries, up to one third of healthcare professionals reported not having received any formal diabetes training. Societal discrimination against people with diabetes was reported by 32.8% (11.4-79.6%) of participants. CONCLUSIONS: This survey has highlighted concerns of healthcare professionals relating to diabetes healthcare provision, self-management and training. Identifying between-country differences in several areas will allow benchmarking and sharing of clinical practices.

Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs second study (DAWN2™): cross-national benchmarking of diabetes-related psychosocial outcomes for people with diabetes.

AIMS: The second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study aimed to assess psychosocial outcomes in people with diabetes across countries for benchmarking. METHODS: Surveys included new and adapted questions from validated questionnaires that assess health-related quality of life, self-management, attitudes/beliefs, social support and priorities for improving diabetes care. Questionnaires were conducted online, by telephone or in person. RESULTS: Participants were 8596 adults with diabetes across 17 countries. There were significant between-country differences for all benchmarking indicators; no one country's outcomes were consistently better or worse than others. The proportion with likely depression [WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) score ≤ 28] was 13.8% (country range 6.5-24.1%). Diabetes-related distress [Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale 5 (PAID-5) score ≥ 40] was reported by 44.6% of participants (17.2-67.6%). Overall quality of life was rated 'poor' or 'very poor' by 12.2% of participants (7.6-26.1%). Diabetes had a negative impact on all aspects investigated, ranging from 20.5% on relationship with family/friends to 62.2% on physical health. Approximately 40% of participants (18.6-64.9%) reported that their medication interfered with their ability to live a normal life. The availability of person-centred chronic illness care and support for active involvement was rated as low. Following self-care advice for medication and diet was most common, and least common for glucose monitoring and foot examination, with marked country variation. Only 48.8% of respondents had participated in diabetes educational programmes/activities to help manage their diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-national benchmarking using psychometrically validated indicators can help identify areas for improvement and best practices to drive changes that improve outcomes for people with diabetes.

Lipoprotein(a) concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without cardiovascular disease: relationship to metabolic parameters and diabetic complications.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a 3-4 times greater risk of coronary artery disease. One of the major risk factors in diabetics is their abnormal plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, and a high serum concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an acknowledged risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum Lp(a) levels in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients without cardiovascular disease, and assess the relationship between these levels and microvascular complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study involved 86 T2DM patients without cardiovascular disease and 44 healthy control subjects. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean age, body mass index, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol or Lp(a) levels. There was a positive correlation between Lp(a) levels and diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Microalbuminuria and serum Lp(a) concentrations were significantly higher in the T2DM patients with proliferative retinopathy, who also had a longer duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes does not increase serum Lp(a) concentrations. T2DM patients with high Lp(a) levels may be at high risk of retinopathy.