Clinical Course of 53 Previously Vaccinated Patients Admitted to the National Hospital in Warsaw, Poland with COVID-19 Between November 2021 and March 2022.

BACKGROUND Current vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and vaccine booster programs aim to reduce hospitalizations due to severe COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). It is now accepted that vaccination does not completely prevent infection and that breakthrough COVID-19 does occur. This study included 53 vaccinated patients who were hospitalized at a single center in Poland with breakthrough COVID-19 and aimed to evaluate the factors associated with their clinical course. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study covered the period 26 November 2021 to 11 March 2022. All patients had been vaccinated against COVID-19 with one of the following 4 vaccines: the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) mRNA vaccine (Spikevax); the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine (nucleoside-modified) (Comirnaty); the Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen/J0ohnson & Johnson) recombinant vaccine (Jcovden); and the AZD1222 (ChAdOx1) (Oxford/AstraZeneca) recombinant vaccine (Vaxzevria). RESULTS The course of COVID-19 in vaccinated patients was relatively similar. The patients vaccinated more than 24 weeks earlier rarely needed a stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (P=0.021), and the occurrence of deaths was significantly lower in this group (P=0.046). Women remained in hospital considerably longer than men (P=0.011). Age and comorbidities did not affect the course of this infection. CONCLUSIONS Despite the many advantages of the COVID-19 vaccination, our observations indicate a potential risk of infection after vaccination. The assessment of the course of COVID-19 in vaccinated patients gives the possibility to compare different vaccines and indicate factors that can reduce immunity.

An association between bone mineral density and anabolic hormones in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Prediabetes (PD) leads to reduced testosterone (T) in males, but the association between the anabolic hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated an association between the anabolic hormones and BMD in middle-aged and elderly men with PD. METHODS: We investigated 84 prediabetic and 56 control men. Total T (TT), calculated free T (cFT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured, and BMD was assessed using DXA methods. RESULTS: Patients with PD had lower TT (p < .001), cFT (p < .005), and DHEAS (p < .02) than control group. BMD values of the lower lumbar spine (p < .02) and total body (p < .05) in prediabetic men were lower than in control group. Lumbar spine BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.376), cFT (r = 0.235), and HbA1c (r = -0.368); femoral neck BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.412) and cFT (r = 0.421). The high lumbar spine and femur neck BMD was associated with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c, while the high total body BMD with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c. CONCLUSION: The anabolic hormones significantly affect BMD in male with PD, and screening for low BMD is necessary in these patients.

Prevalence of ocular abnormalities in prediabetic patients.

AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in prediabetic individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 61 subjects aged 37-78 (41 women, 20 men), with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance, were enrolled in the study and compared to 30 healthy volunteers, aged 39-75 (20 women, 10 men), without prediabetes and history of previous ocular diseases. Both groups of patients underwent a complete physical examination, biochemical tests and ophthalmic examination: visual acuity testing, intraocular pressure measurement, anterior and posterior segment evaluation, fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography, colour vision and letter contrast sensitivity tests. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of various ocular abnormalities in prediabetic subjects as compared to healthy controls were as follows: acquired colour vision impairment 8.2% vs. 0% (p<0.05), signs of retinopathy: 9.8% vs. 0% (p<0.05), cataract: 32.8%/ vs. 6.7% (p<0.05), and corneal surface disorders: 19.7% vs. 3.3% (p<0.05). Optical coherence tomography revealed increased prevalence of posterior vitreous detachments and epiretinal membranes in prediabetic individuals as compared to healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences in central retinal thickness, mean visual acuity and mean intraocular pressure between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with prediabetes present with numerous ocular abnormalities. The prevalence of ocular disorders in prediabetic subjects is significantly higher as compared to healthy population. Regular ophthalmic monitoring seems to be essential at this stage of hyperglycemic disorders. A dedicated prevention and screening programs should be implemented in prediabetic population in order to early detect ocular abnormalities and identify individuals at risk of other diabetic complications.

Late-onset hypogonadism among old and middle-aged males with prediabetes in Polish population.

OBJECTIVES: Around 40% of diabetic men have lowered testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism but the prevalence of hypogonadism among prediabetic men is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in population of Polish men with prediabetes. METHODS: This study was performed in 196 prediabetic men and in 184 normoglycemic, control group. Prediabetes was defined as impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4%. LOH was defined as low libido, diminished frequency of morning erections and erectile dysfunctions in men with total testosterone <12 nmol/l. RESULTS: Total testosterone (TT) level in prediabetes group was 11.78 ± 1.76 and 16.37 ± 1.6 nmol/l in control group (p < 0.001). LOH was diagnosed in 30% prediabetic men and in 13.6% control men. There were negative relationships between calculated free testosterone (cFT) and HbA1c (r = -0.3856; p < 0.005). In prediabetic group, TT and cFT levels were lower in patients with impaired glucose tolerance than impaired fasting glucose (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02, respectively). We showed inverse relationships between IIEF-5 score and cFT (r = -0.414, p < 0.005) and between IIEF-5 and HbA1c (r = -0.395, p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In population of Polish men with prediabetes we observed high prevalence of LOH. Routine testosterone screening should be performed in all prediabetic men.

Hormonal determinants of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in diabetic men. The aim of this study was to investigate hormonal determinants, the prevalence and severity of ED and LUTS in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes (PD). METHODS: We investigated 176 men with PD and 184 healthy peers. PD was defined according American Diabetes Association. ED according IIEF scale and LUTS according IPSS scale were assessed. Total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED in patients with PD was higher than in control group (30 versus 24%) as well as the prevalence and severity of ED and LUTS in elderly (60-80 years) and middle-aged (40-59 years) men with PD was higher than in healthy peers. In middle-aged pre-diabetic men, the more severe LUTS symptoms were associated with low TT and DHEAS, while in elderly men with low cFT and DHEAS. The higher prevalence of ED in middle-aged men with PD was associated with cFT and DHEAS, while in elderly pre-diabetic men with TT and IGF-1. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severity of LUTS and ED symptoms were higher in pre-diabetic men than in healthy peers. Hormonal determinants of these symptoms are different in middle-aged and elderly patients with PD.

The prevalence of prediabetes in population of Polish men with late-onset hypogonadism.

OBJECTIVE: Prediabetes patients are likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Low testosterone is a risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in men. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes in population of Polish men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). METHODS: This study was performed in 246 men with LOH and in 184 eugonadal control group. Prediabetes was diagnosed in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), IGT or with HbA1c from 5.7 to 6.4%. Sex hormones and metabolic parameters were measured. RESULTS: The mean TT concentration in the LOH group was 9.55 ± 1.5 nmol/l and 16.45 ± 1.8 nmol/l in the control group (p < 0.001). We observed negative relationships between cFT and HbA1c (r = -0.336; p < 0.005) and between TT and HbA1c (r = -0.366, p < 0.002), In the LOH group, prediabetes was diagnosed in 41.5% men. In the control group, prediabetes was diagnosed in 13% of patients. In the LOH group, TT and cFT levels were lower in prediabetic patients, when compared with normoglycemic patients and patients with IGT had lower TT levels than subgroups with IFG or elevated HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of Polish men with LOH, we observed high prevalence of prediabetes and routine fasting glucose and glucose tolerance test should be performed in these patients.

[Ocular abnormalities in patients with prediabetes]. / Zmiany w narzadzie wzroku u osób, u których rozpoznano stan przedcukrzycowy.

Prediabetes is recognized as the major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Nearly 7% of adults worldwide are estimated to have prediabetes and the prevalence is increasing. There is evidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with prediabetes. Early detection of prediabetes and lifestyle modification could therefore contribute to the prevention of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Many reports indicate the possibility of ocular abnormalities in prediabetes. A number of studies show associations between prediabetes and early forms of retinopathy. There is also evidence that colour vision and contrast sensitivity are impaired in these patients. Our study analyses data regarding ocular abnormalities in prediabetes.

The Course of COVID-19 among Unvaccinated Patients-Data from the National Hospital in Warsaw, Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Studies to date indicate the relatively high effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing severe COVID-19 symptoms. However, in Poland, 40% of the population remains unvaccinated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the natural history of COVID-19 in unvaccinated hospital patients in Warsaw, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study evaluated data from 50 adult patients from the National Hospital in Warsaw, Poland, in the period 26 November 2021 to 11 March 2022. None of these patients had been vaccinated against COVID-19. RESULTS: Analysis showed that the average hospitalisation time for these unvaccinated COVID-19 patients was 13 days. Clinical deterioration was observed in 70% of these patients, 40% required the intensive care unit, and 34% subsequently died prior to the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant deterioration and high mortality rate in the unvaccinated patients. For this reason, it seems prudent to take measures to increase the vaccination coverage level of the population against COVID-19.

Public Perception of Pharmacists in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists constitute one of the largest groups of medical professionals and play a significant role in public health. Pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies is one of the key elements that impact the clinical outcomes of patients. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the public perception of pharmacists in Poland, as well as the knowledge of and willingness of Polish people to use pharmaceutical care services. METHODS: This study was carried out in 2017 on 1435 people. The research tool was an anonymous online questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the participants, 61% considered pharmacists to have a position of public trust, and 25% trusted pharmacists to a lesser extent than representatives of other medical professions. The participants stated that pharmacists were kind (74%) and helpful (69%). For 52% of the participants, pharmacists were fully competent to provide information on medications. Twenty-eight percent of the participants ask pharmacists for advice related to medicinal products. Poles' knowledge on pharmaceutical care was low (44% of the respondents knew this notion). Sixty-six percent of the participants were willing to use pharmaceutical consultations (43% free of charge, and 23% for a nominal fee). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall perception of patients towards pharmacists was positive in Poland, it is essential to educate patients on the possibilities of using pharmaceutical services, and to promote the role of pharmacists in healthcare systems.

Falsified Medicines Directive in a Secondary Care Environment-Impact on Supply Chain.

The Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) and the Delegated Regulation (DR) impact the pharmaceutical supply chain. Ahead of the deadline for implementation, in February 2019, every entity of the supply chain had to adapt its operations to the regulatory requirements to be compliant with the directive. This paper analyzes the supply chain of a hospital pharmacy and the impact of the FMD implementation. Furthermore, a cost analysis was performed demonstrating that the FMD increases expenditure in the secondary care environment dispensing operations. Governments should be aware that this regulation will certainly impact public healthcare institutions in the long term.

Time efficiency of direct anterior hip arthroplasty compared to postero-lateral approach in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: Primary arthroplasty of the hip joint is currently one of the most commonly performed procedures in orthopedics. In Poland we are observing significant changes in the age structure. With the prolonged life more and more elderly patients require musculoskeletal surgery to maintain comfortable and painless mobility. Reducing the duration of the procedure reduces the costs of anesthesiology, surgical and instrument teams, as well as the operating room technical team. The aim of the study was to compare the time required to perform hip joint arthroplasty by the direct anterior approach (DAA) with the postero-lateral approach (PLA) in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 559 total and bipolar cemented and cementless hip replacement procedures based on two operative approaches - the minimally invasive DAA over the course of 2 years, and the standard PLA over the course of 3 years - was performed. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the approaches used for cementless total arthroplasty with regard to the mean treatment times: 51.9 min for the 272 DAA cases, and 78.3 min for the 190 PLA cases (p < 0.0001). For the cementless hemi-arthroplasty procedure, the mean treatment times were 46.9 min in 36 patients for DAA, and 48.2 min for 61 patients for PLA (p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive DAA significantly shortens the time of the procedure in elderly patients compared to PLA. Further study is needed to analyze other aspects of those two approaches.

Insulin as the main regulator of cellular glucose utilization--aetiological aspects of insulin resistance.

This review presents the advances in the molecular biology and the pathophysiology of insulin resistance with emphasis on disturbances in cellular glucose transport. New scientific information about the structure and function of glucotransporters from the GLUT4 and SLGT families underline their significance in endocrinopathies and metabolic disease pathogenesis as related to insulin resistance. The new discoveries in this area also contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of insulin receptor and post-receptor reactivity by hormones and by drugs. They refer to the regulation of glycaemia and to its disturbances in diabetes mellitus, particularly of type 2, to metabolic syndrome, and, in general, to the pathogenesis of many syndromes and clinical disturbances caused by insulin resistance. Impairment of cellular glucose transport may be one of the primary aetiological factors in this respect. Therefore, studies of cellular glucotransporters expression and function promise new clinical and pharmacotherapeutic developments. Progress in this area has already been transformed into many practical proposals which are improving clinical practice.

Cellular glucose transport disturbances in the pathogenesis and therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The current world epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus results from two general groups of causative factors. One is the influence of strong pathogenetic environmental pressures - also described as negative civilizational influence - on the very large subpopulation, assessed at 30% of the total world population, which is genetically predisposed to react to this external stress with the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such a pathogenetic reaction is based on the appearance of cellular and organ resistance to insulin. A second factor involves the beta cells of the pancreatic islets and their dysfunction. For these reasons, studies on the aetiology of insulin resistance have significance, both theoretical and practical. There are many biological deviations that can produce cellular insulin resistance and underutilization of glucose. The mechanism that is always present is the decrease of cellular glucose transport. For this reason, it should be approached as a potential target for preventive and therapeutic actions. These pathophysiological and clinical circumstances were the motivation for presenting a review of cellular glucose transport pathophysiology, which contributes to the aetiology of insulin resistance, cellular underutilization of glucose, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. They underline the significance of cellular glucose transport as a target for prevention and therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus and other insulin resistant conditions. This review presents comments about the influence on cellular glucose transport of diet, physical exercise, and pharmacotherapeutic agents, based on the authors' studies. The review could contribute to an innovative approach to the pathogenesis, prevention, and therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus and other conditions related to insulin resistance.

Molecular physiology of cellular glucose transport - a potential area for clinical studies in diabetes mellitus.

The normalization of cellular glucose assimilation is the basic aim of metabolic therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It requires parallel changes in the process of cellular glucose transport (CGT). This review presents the pathophysiological and clinical outlines of CGT. Sequentially, the advances in the mechanisms and classification of CGT and their physiological and molecular base are described. The role of CGT pathogenetic significance in diabetes mellitus is stressed. Finally, the opinion is expressed that the CGT study is a potentially important approach to clinical interpretation of glucose metabolism disturbances and their pharmacotherapy.

Investigations of cellular glucose transport and its regulation under the influence of insulin in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effects of insulin on glucose transport in human peripheral lymphocytes using flow cytometry. We hypothesized that lymphocytes could be used as tools to study insulin action at the cellular level and facilitate the investigation of mechanisms that lead to insulin resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood was withdrawn from 25 healthy subjects. The expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) isoforms in plasma membrane and the rates of glucose transport were determined with and without insulin (10 to 100 mU/L). Anti-CD3 phycoerythrin monoclonal antibody was used for lymphocyte gating. GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 isoforms were determined after staining cells with specific monoclonal antibodies to GLUT1, 3, and 4. Glucose transport was monitored with deoxy-D-glucose, 2-[3H(G)] - 185-370 GBq. RESULTS: Insulin increased the uptake of deoxy-D-glucose and the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 isoforms in the plasma membrane. The optimal effects were always reached at 50 mU/L of insulin with the increase in GLUT1, 3, and 4 expression of 12%, 44%, and 38%, respectively. Mean baseline values of deoxy-D-glucose uptake were 3409 ccpm at 15 min., 6587 ccpm at 30 min., and 12525 ccpm at 60 min. of investigation. The maximal uptake in insulin-stimulated conditions was reached with 50 mU/L of insulin and went up to 12450 ccpm at 15 min., 37482 ccpm at 30 min., and 37916 ccpm at 60 min. of investigation (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes may become an interesting model system to study the effects of insulin on cellular glucose transport. Flow cytometry is suitable for this investigation and may be used as a method to estimate the influence of insulin on GLUTprotein translocation and the dynamics of glucose uptake by lymphocytes.

Does cellular glucose transport respond to a controlled diet and sulfonylurea therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus?

INTRODUCTION: The normalization of cellular glucose assimilation is the basic aim of therapy in diabetes mellitus. This process should be accompanied by a proportional increase of the cellular glucose transport (CGT). The level of CGT should react to therapy typically recommended in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), composed of diet and sulfonylurea. In order to explore this clinically significant hypothesis, a clinical-experimental study was undertaken. Its aim was to determine the clinical pharmacotherapeutic significance of CGT measurements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CGT testing was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes. CGT was assessed with 2-[(3)H(G)] glucose: before, and after the addition of sulfonylurea or sulfonylurea plus insulin to the incubation medium. Tests were performed at baseline in 28 persons with newly diagnosed, "therapeutically naive" T2DM and in 20 control subjects. In diabetic patients the tests for CGT were repeated after 3 months of routine diet and sulfonylurea therapy. In addition, the level of GLUT4 expression was assessed by flow cytometry before and after this therapy. RESULTS: Before treatment, CGT was significantly decreased in all subjects with T2DM. Incubated in-vitro cells responded directly to the addition of sulfonylurea with a moderate increase of CGT. This response was augmented by the addition of insulin to sulfonylurea in the incubation medium. The monitored three-month routine, controlled therapy with diet and sulfonylurea resulted in a significant increase of CGT process in all types of incubation tests. CONCLUSIONS: The basal and reactive CGT is significantly decreased in lymphocytes of persons with T2DM before the introduction of therapy. Effective therapy with diet and sulfonylurea normalizes both types of CGT - basal and reactive. It is related to the near normalization of GLUT4 expression in the studied cells. This phenomenon may be used as a new marker for diabetes mellitus pharmacotherapy. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (1): 75-81).

Cellular glucose transport disturbances as a marker of the pre-diabetic state - pathogenetic and clinical significance of the assessment of GLUT4 expression.

INTRODUCTION: GLUT4 is a representative of the family of integral membrane proteins which facilitate glucose transport across cellular membranes. In the available literature there is no publication referring to the investigations of glucotransporter expression in pre-diabetic subjects. However, GLUT4 protein overexpression was shown in leukocytes of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to compare GLUT4 quantitative expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in type 2 diabetes mellitus risk groups to healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study groups included 15 pre-diabetic subjects and 15 persons with normal glucose tolerance and positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (first-degree relatives). As a control group, 15 healthy persons with no family history of diabetes were enrolled. The expression of GLUT4 on the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated with the use of indirect immunofluorescence. Quantitative determination of GLUT4 was performed with the use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: In the control group, GLUT4 expression amounted to 12 + or - 1.5% and was significantly lower in relation to both pre-diabetic subjects (18.2 + or - 8.8%; p = 0.008) and the positive family history group (17.9 + or - 9%; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GLUT4 overexpression in subjects with positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus suggests that cellular glucose transport disturbances occur prior to hyperglycaemia. Determination of GLUT4 expression appears to be a possibly useful method of early detection in individuals at high risk of diabetes.

First nation-wide study of diabetic retinopathy in Poland in the years 2013-2017.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence and time trends of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the overall population of Poland from 2013 to 2017 and diagnose the risk factors of occurring DR among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Data from all levels of healthcare services at public and private institutions recorded in the National Health Fund (NHF) database were evaluated. International Classification of Diseases codes (ICD-9 and ICD-10) and unique NHF codes were used to identify DM type 1 and type 2 patients, DR and treatment procedures including laser photocoagulation, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), anti-VEGF and steroid intravitreal injections. RESULTS: The overall registered prevalence of DR in the entire population of Poland was 0.81%. The mean prevalence of DR was 20.01% in the population with type 1 DM and 9.70% in the population with type 2 DM. In the study period, women represented 56.36% of all individuals registered with DR and 55.09% of all DM patients. In Poland, only 6.34% of all DM patients with DR received specific treatment with laser photocoagulation of the retina (82.32%), PPV (11.56%), anti-VEGF or steroid injections (5.15% and 0.97%, respectively). Cox regression hazard analysis showed that the risk of DR was associated with DM treatment only by GPs, female sex, coexisting systemic diseases and urban residence in both type 1 and type 2 DM. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-year retrospective analysis reveals the mean prevalence of DR in the population with type 1 and type 2 DM in Poland was rather low.

Age at onset of obesity, transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) rs7903146 polymorphism, adiponectin levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Interaction between obesity and genetic factors involved in the regulatory pathways of glucose homeostasis may play a significant role in diabetes development in the obese. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism, adiponectin levels, age at onset of obesity and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a sample of obese Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 474 unrelated obese subjects were included in this study. Real-time PCR was used to detect the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism. Serum level of adiponectin was determined by the ELISA method. Standard assays were used to measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and HbA1c concentrations. We used multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: We found that the T allele of rs7903146 was significantly associated with T2D risk (odds ratio of 1.59 for T allele, p = 0.005). This association persisted after adjusting for confounders in the recessive model (odds ratio of 3.54 for TT genotype, p = 0.011). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in diabetic subjects than in nondiabetic individuals (3.6 vs. 5.6 µg/ml, p < 0.001). Participants who were obese at age ≥ 20 years had significantly higher odds of having T2D (OR = 4.94) than those with the onset of obesity before 20 years (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the significance of the relationship between the TCF7L2 polymorphism, a person's age at onset of obesity and the prevalence of T2D, and confirms lower adiponectin levels in obese diabetics in comparison to obese nondiabetics.

The Giant Geriatric Syndromes Are Intensified by Diabetic Complications.

By 2015, diabetes has affected more than 415 million people over the world. It is anticipated that 640 million adults will suffer from diabetes in 2040. The elongation of the life expectancy, as the result of better general health care, extends also the time when diabetic complications may develop together with other senility-specific problems. The Giant Geriatric Syndromes (Geriatric Giants) have been qualified by the original Nascher's criteria defined more than 100 years ago, but they are becoming more and more relevant in connection with the aging of societies. The criteria comprise the older age, commonness of the health problem, multifactorial etiology, functional or cognitive impairment, worsened outcome, and increased morbidity and mortality. We described the impact of diabetes on Geriatric Giants including cognitive dysfunction, depression, malnutrition, incontinence, falls and fractures, chronic pain, and the loss of senses. The association of diabetes with Geriatric Giants reveals as a vicious circle with the background of neurovascular complications. However, diabetes influence on the incidence of cancer in elderly was also discussed, since neoplastic diseases associate with Geriatric Giants, for example, chronic pain and depression. The knowledge about these aspects of functional decline in geriatric population is crucial to improve patient care.