What is the most effective exercise protocol to improve cardiovascular fitness in overweight and obese subjects?

BACKGROUND: Increased peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) can reduce cardiovascular risks associated with obesity. Our aim was to analyze the effect of a weight loss program on cardiovascular fitness in overweight (W) and obese (O) subjects. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-seven subjects (77 males and 90 females), aged 18-50 years, performed a modified Bruce protocol before (pre) and after (post) a weight loss program of 24 weeks. This program combined physical training (strength, S; endurance, E; combined strength + endurance, SE; or physical activity recommendation, PA) 3 times per week, with a 25%-30% caloric restriction diet. RESULTS: VO2peak improved in overweight and obese males (pre and post values in L/min, respectively; W = 3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 3.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001; O = 3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.013) as well as in overweight females (2.0 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). VO2peak in the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) increased for all 4 interventions in males (p < 0.05), except for S in the obese group (1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3, p = 0.141). In females, it increased in E (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001), SE (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.003), and PA (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.006) in overweight groups. Time-to-exhaustion improved in all subjects except for females in PA group (15.7 ± 0.3 min vs. 15.9 ± 0.3 min, p = 0.495). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that all methods, including the recommendation of physical activity, can improve cardiovascular fitness in overweight subjects and obese males.

Glucose Variability After Bariatric Surgery: Is Prediction of Diabetes Remission Possible?

We aimed to corroborate glycemic control after bariatric surgery (BS) using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and analyze if data could predict long-term outcome. We evaluated 24 of our patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent BS (12 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB, and 12 single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy, SADI-S) and who were in remission after 18-24 months' follow-up. At this time, a CGM device was placed for 7 days. Patients were reevaluated thereafter for at least 5 years. Glucose variability (GV) was lower in patients after SADI-S and in the 18 patients who were still in remission after 5 years, and provided more information on long-term status than classical diabetes-related characteristics.

[Psychometric analysis of the Spanish and Catalan versions of a questionnaire for hypoglycemia awareness]. / Análisis psicométrico de las versiones en lengua castellana y catalana de un cuestionario de percepción de la hipoglucemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intensive insulin therapy with multiple insulin doses in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is associated with a higher risk of hypoglycaemic episodes. Repeated hypoglycemia results in a reduced ability/failure to recognize hypoglycemia symptoms and predisposes to severe episodes. In this context is crucial to work with specific questionnaires to diagnose and address this burden. Our study aimed to perform the psychometric analysis of Spanish and Catalan versions of Clarke et al. questionnaire for hypoglycemia awareness. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Psychometric analysis in patients with T1D of Spanish and Catalan versions of Clarke et al. questionnaire in 3 phases: 1) translation, back-translation and cultural adaptation of the English version; 2) analysis of internal, external and test-retest validity, and 3) assessing sensitivity to change in hypoglycemia perception. RESULTS: One-hundred and forty-four subjects with T1D answered the Clarke et al. questionnaire (mean age [SD] 36 [18] years, 46% men). We observed a Cronbach α coefficient for internal validity of 0.75, a correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability of r=0.81 and a correlation of the questionnaire score with the frequency of severe and no severe hypoglycemia events of r=0.47 and r=0.77, respectively. The analysis of 20 patients with T1D 24 months after the initiation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion showed a decrease in the frequency of non-severe hypoglycemia/week (from 5.40 [2.09] to 2.75 [1.74]) and in the number of severe hypoglycemic episodes/year (1.25 [0.44] to 0.05 [0.22]). This was associated with a decrease in scores of the translated versions of Clarke et al. questionnaire (from 5.45 [1.19] to 1.60 [2.03]). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish and Catalan versions of Clarke et al. questionnaire display good psychometric properties and both could be considered a useful tool for evaluating hypoglycemia awareness in patients with T1D from our area.

Introduction of IADPSG criteria for the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus results in improved pregnancy outcomes at a lower cost in a large cohort of pregnant women: the St. Carlos Gestational Diabetes Study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of the new International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria (IADPSGC) for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) results in an increased prevalence of GDM. Whether their introduction improves pregnancy outcomes has yet to be established. We sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of one-step IADPSGC for screening and diagnosis of GDM compared with traditional two-step Carpenter-Coustan (CC) criteria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: GDM risk factors and pregnancy and newborn outcomes were prospectively assessed in 1,750 pregnant women from April 2011 to March 2012 using CC and in 1,526 pregnant women from April 2012 to March 2013 using IADPSGC between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Both groups received the same treatment and follow-up regimes. RESULTS: The use of IADPSGC resulted in an important increase in GDM rate (35.5% vs. 10.6%) and an improvement in pregnancy outcomes, with a decrease in the rate of gestational hypertension (4.1 to 3.5%: -14.6%, P < 0.021), prematurity (6.4 to 5.7%: -10.9%, P < 0.039), cesarean section (25.4 to 19.7%: -23.9%, P < 0.002), small for gestational age (7.7 to 7.1%: -6.5%, P < 0.042), large for gestational age (4.6 to 3.7%: -20%, P < 0.004), Apgar 1-min score <7 (3.8 to 3.5%: -9%, P < 0.015), and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (8.2 to 6.2%: -24.4%, P < 0.001). Estimated cost savings was of €14,358.06 per 100 women evaluated using IADPSGC versus the group diagnosed using CC. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the new IADPSGC was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in GDM prevalence in our study population, as well as significant improvements in pregnancy outcomes, and was cost-effective. Our results support their adoption.

Psychometric analysis of the Spanish and Catalan versions of the Diabetes Self-Care inventory-revised version questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish and Catalan versions of the Diabetes Self-Care Inventory-Revised Version (SCI-R) questionnaire to assess the degree of adherence to self-care among adults with diabetes. METHODS: We validated the Spanish and Catalan translation from, and back translation to, English and cultural adaptation of the SCI-R in type 1 diabetes patients on multiple insulin doses or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and in type 2 diabetes patients on oral agents and/or insulin. Internal reliability, structural validity, and external validity (correlation with glycated hemoglobin) were evaluated. Responsiveness to change was assessed in patients 1 year after onset of type 1 diabetes and following a structured education program. RESULTS: The SCI-R presented good internal reliability Cronbach's α: 0.75, test-retest reliability (r = 0.82) and structural validity (r > 0.40). The external validity was also good; the SCI-R correlated with HbA1c in patients with type 1 diabetes on multiple insulin doses (r = -0.50) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (r = -0.66) and in patients with type 2 diabetes on multiple insulin doses (r = -0.62). However, it was not satisfactory in patients on oral agents (r = -0.20) and/or bedtime insulin (r = -0.35). Responsiveness to change was analyzed in 54 patients (age 27.3±7.4 years, 26% men, HbA1c 6.8% ±1.1%); the SCI-R score was 72.3% ±13.7% and correlated negatively with glycated hemoglobin (r = -0.42) and 3 scales of the Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire (lower score indicating better perception): Impact (r = -0.37), Social Worry (r = -0.36) and Diabetes Worry (r = -0.38), all at P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The Spanish and Catalan versions of the SCI-R questionnaire show good psychometric properties and both could be considered as useful tools for evaluating self-care behavior in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, there are still some subgroups of patients with type 2 diabetes in which the validity of this questionnaire needs further evaluation.

Early management of type 2 diabetes based on a SMBG strategy: the way to diabetes regression--the St Carlos study : a 3-year, prospective, randomized, clinic-based, interventional study with parallel groups.

The aims are to define the regression rate in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes after lifestyle intervention and pharmacological therapy based on a SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose) strategy in routine practice as compared to standard HbA1c-based treatment and to assess whether a supervised exercise program has additional effects. St Carlos study is a 3-year, prospective, randomized, clinic-based, interventional study with three parallel groups. Hundred and ninety-five patients were randomized to the SMBG intervention group [I group; n = 130; Ia: SMBG (n = 65) and Ib: SMBG + supervised exercise (n = 65)] and to the HbA1c control group (C group) (n = 65). The primary outcome was to estimate the regression rate of type 2 diabetes (HbA1c <6 % on metformin treatment). After 3 years of follow-up, diabetes regression was achieved by 56 patients, 6 (9.2 %) from the C group, 21 (32.3 %) from the Ia group and 29 (44.6 %) from the Ib group. RR (95 % CI) for diabetes regression in the intervention group (Ia + Ib) was 4.5 (2.1-9); p < 0.001 and remained after stratification by gender, age and BMI. This difference was associated with healthier changes in lifestyle and greater weight loss. RR for a weight loss >4 kg was 3.6 (1.8-7); p < 0.001. This study shows that the use of SMBG in an educational program effectively increases the regression rate in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients after 3 years of follow-up. These data suggest that SMBG-based programs should be extended to primary care settings where diabetic patients are usually attended.

A Telemedicine system based on Internet and short message service as a new approach in the follow-up of patients with gestational diabetes.

To evaluate the feasibility of a Telemedicine system based on Internet and short message service in the follow-up of patients with gestational diabetes. Compared to control group, Telemedicine group reduced 62% the number of unscheduled face-to-face visits, and 82.7% in the subgroup of insulin-treated patients, improving patient satisfaction, and achieving similar pregnancy and new born outcomes.

The outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus after a telecare approach are not inferior to traditional outpatient clinic visits.

Objective. To evaluate the feasibility of a telemedicine system based on Internet and a short message service in pregnancy and its influence on delivery and neonatal outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods. 100 women diagnosed of GDM were randomized into two parallel groups, a control group based on traditional face-to-face outpatient clinic visits and an intervention group, which was provided with a Telemedicine system for the transmission of capillary glucose data and short text messages with weekly professional feedback. 97 women completed the study (48/49, resp.). Main Outcomes Measured. The percentage of women achieving HbA1c values <5.8%, normal vaginal delivery and having a large for-gestational-age newborn were evaluated. Results. Despite a significant reduction in outpatient clinic visits in the experimental group, particularly in insulin-treated women (2.4 versus 4.6 hours per insulin-treated woman resp.; P < .001), no significant differences were found between the experimental and traditional groups regarding HbA1c levels (all women had HbA1c <5.8% during pregnancy), normal vaginal delivery (40.8% versus 54.2%, resp.; P > .05) and large-for-gestational-age newborns (6.1% versus 8.3%, resp.; P > .05). Conclusions. The system significantly reduces the need for outpatient clinic visits and achieves similar pregnancy, delivery, and newborn outcomes.