Characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection Clusters Based on Integrated Genomic Surveillance, Outbreak Analysis and Contact Tracing in an Urban Setting.

BACKGROUND: Tracing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission chains is still a major challenge for public health authorities, when incidental contacts are not recalled or are not perceived as potential risk contacts. Viral sequencing can address key questions about SARS-CoV-2 evolution and may support reconstruction of viral transmission networks by integration of molecular epidemiology into classical contact tracing. METHODS: In collaboration with local public health authorities, we set up an integrated system of genomic surveillance in an urban setting, combining a) viral surveillance sequencing, b) genetically based identification of infection clusters in the population, c) integration of public health authority contact tracing data, and d) a user-friendly dashboard application as a central data analysis platform. RESULTS: Application of the integrated system from August to December 2020 enabled a characterization of viral population structure, analysis of 4 outbreaks at a maximum care hospital, and genetically based identification of 5 putative population infection clusters, all of which were confirmed by contact tracing. The system contributed to the development of improved hospital infection control and prevention measures and enabled the identification of previously unrecognized transmission chains, involving a martial arts gym and establishing a link between the hospital to the local population. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated systems of genomic surveillance could contribute to the monitoring and, potentially, improved management of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the population.

NanoCore: core-genome-based bacterial genomic surveillance and outbreak detection in healthcare facilities from Nanopore and Illumina data.

Genomic surveillance enables the early detection of pathogen transmission in healthcare facilities and contributes to the reduction of substantial patient harm. Fast turnaround times, flexible multiplexing, and low capital requirements make Nanopore sequencing well suited for genomic surveillance purposes; the analysis of Nanopore data, however, can be challenging. We present NanoCore, a user-friendly method for Nanopore-based genomic surveillance in healthcare facilities, enabling the calculation and visualization of cgMLST-like (core-genome multilocus sequence typing) sample distances directly from unassembled Nanopore reads. NanoCore implements a mapping, variant calling, and multilevel filtering strategy and also supports the analysis of Illumina data. We validated NanoCore on two 24-isolate data sets of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). In the Nanopore-only mode, NanoCore-based pairwise distances between closely related isolates were near-identical to Illumina-based SeqSphere+ distances, a gold standard commercial method (average differences of 0.75 and 0.81 alleles for MRSA and VRE; sd = 0.98 and 1.00), and gave an identical clustering into closely related and non-closely related isolates. In the "hybrid" mode, in which only Nanopore data are used for some isolates and only Illumina data for others, increased average pairwise isolate distance differences were observed (average differences of 3.44 and 1.95 for MRSA and VRE, respectively; sd = 2.76 and 1.34), while clustering results remained identical. NanoCore is computationally efficient (<15 hours of wall time for the analysis of a 24-isolate data set on a workstation), available as free software, and supports installation via conda. In conclusion, NanoCore enables the effective use of the Nanopore technology for bacterial pathogen surveillance in healthcare facilities. IMPORTANCE: Genomic surveillance involves sequencing the genomes and measuring the relatedness of bacteria from different patients or locations in the same healthcare facility, enabling an improved understanding of pathogen transmission pathways and the detection of "silent" outbreaks that would otherwise go undetected. It has become an indispensable tool for the detection and prevention of healthcare-associated infections and is routinely applied by many healthcare institutions. The earlier an outbreak or transmission chain is detected, the better; in this context, the Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology has important potential advantages over traditionally used short-read sequencing technologies, because it supports "real-time" data generation and the cost-effective "on demand" sequencing of small numbers of bacterial isolates. The analysis of Nanopore sequencing data, however, can be challenging. We present NanoCore, a user-friendly software for genomic surveillance that works directly based on Nanopore sequencing reads in FASTQ format, and demonstrate that its accuracy is equivalent to traditional gold standard short read-based analyses.

Regional and neighborhood disparities in the odds of type 2 diabetes: results from 5 population-based studies in Germany (DIAB-CORE consortium).

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between residential environment and type 2 diabetes. We pooled cross-sectional data from 5 population-based German studies (1997-2006): the Cardiovascular Disease, Living and Ageing in Halle Study, the Dortmund Health Study, the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg Study, and the Study of Health in Pomerania. The outcome of interest was the presence of self-reported type 2 diabetes. We conducted mixed logistic regression models in a hierarchical data set with 8,879 individuals aged 45-74 years on level 1; 226 neighborhoods on level 2; and 5 study regions on level 3. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex, social class, and employment status. The odds ratio for type 2 diabetes was highest in eastern Germany (odds ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.81, 2.14) and northeastern Germany (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.40, 1.77) and lowest in southern Germany (reference) after adjustment for individual variables. Neighborhood unemployment rates explained a large proportion of regional differences. Individuals residing in neighborhoods with high unemployment rates had elevated odds of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.25, 2.09). The diverging levels of unemployment in neighborhoods and regions are an independent source of disparities in type 2 diabetes.

Personal attributes that influence the adequate management of hypertension and dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results from the DIAB-CORE Cooperation.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are often insufficiently controlled in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Germany. In the current study we evaluated individual characteristics that are assumed to influence the adequate treatment and control of hypertension and dyslipidemia and aimed to identify the patient group with the most urgent need for improved health care. METHODS: The analysis was based on the DIAB-CORE project in which cross-sectional data from five regional population-based studies and one nationwide German study, conducted between 1997 and 2006, were pooled. We compared the frequencies of socio-economic and lifestyle factors along with comorbidities in hypertensive participants with or without the blood pressure target of<140/90 mmHg. Similar studies were also performed in participants with dyslipidemia with and without the target of total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio<5. Furthermore, we compared participants who received antihypertensive/lipid lowering treatment with those who were untreated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the odds of potentially influential factors. RESULTS: We included 1287 participants with T2D of whom n=1048 had hypertension and n=636 had dyslipidemia. Uncontrolled blood pressure was associated with male sex, low body mass index (BMI), no history of myocardial infarction (MI) and study site. Uncontrolled blood lipid levels were associated with male sex, no history of MI and study site. The odds of receiving no pharmacotherapy for hypertension were significantly greater in men, younger participants, those with BMI<30 kg/m(2) and those without previous MI or stroke. Participants with dyslipidemia received lipid lowering medication less frequently if they were male and had not previously had an MI. The more recent studies HNR and CARLA had the greatest numbers of well controlled and treated participants. CONCLUSION: In the DIAB-CORE study, the patient group with the greatest odds of uncontrolled co-morbidities and no pharmacotherapy was more likely comprised of younger men with low BMI and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Blood pressure and lipid management fall far short in persons with type 2 diabetes: results from the DIAB-CORE Consortium including six German population-based studies.

BACKGROUND: Although most deaths among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are attributable to cardiovascular disease, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors appear to be inadequately treated in medical practice. The aim of this study was to describe hypertension, dyslipidemia and medical treatment of these conditions in a large population-based sample. METHODS: The present analysis was based on the DIAB-CORE project, in which data from five regional population-based studies and one nationwide German study were pooled. All studies were conducted between 1997 and 2006. We assessed the frequencies of risk factors and co-morbidities, especially hypertension and dyslipidemia, in participants with and without T2D. The odds of no or insufficient treatment and the odds of pharmacotherapy were computed using multivariable logistic regression models. Types of medication regimens were described. RESULTS: The pooled data set comprised individual data of 15, 071 participants aged 45-74 years, including 1287 (8.5%) participants with T2D. Subjects with T2D were significantly more likely to have untreated or insufficiently treated hypertension, i.e. blood pressure of > = 140/90 mmHg (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.26-1.61) and dyslipidemia i.e. a total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio > = 5 (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.59-2.04) than participants without T2D. Untreated or insufficiently treated blood pressure was observed in 48.9% of participants without T2D and in 63.6% of participants with T2D. In this latter group, 28.0% did not receive anti-hypertensive medication and 72.0% were insufficiently treated. In non-T2D participants, 28.8% had untreated or insufficiently treated dyslipidemia. Of all participants with T2D 42.5% had currently elevated lipids, 80.3% of these were untreated and 19.7% were insufficiently treated. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure and lipid management fall short especially in persons with T2D across Germany. The importance of sufficient risk factor control besides blood glucose monitoring in diabetes care needs to be emphasized in order to prevent cardiovascular sequelae and premature death.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Germany in 2040: estimates from an epidemiological model.

To estimate the number of persons in the age-group 55-74 years with type 2 diabetes in Germany until 2040 and to analyze the impact of an intervention in a high risk group. A Markov model is used to generate forecasts by age and sex in each year using inputs of estimated diabetes prevalence, incidence and mortality based on actual national data. Projections about future demographics stem from the German Federal Office of Statistics. In a slightly modified model a state for persons with prediabetes is included to study the interplay of effect-size and participation quote on the number of persons with diabetes. The projected number of people with type 2 diabetes aged 55-74 years rises from 2.4 million in 2010 to 3.9 million in 2030. From 2030 on this number will decrease slightly to 3.3 million in 2040. If every second person aged 55-74 with prediabetes took part in a prevention program with the effect size of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Program, 0.4 million cases could be prevented until 2030. To prevent 1.0 million cases in 2030, 90 % of all persons with prediabetes had to take part in an intervention that reduces the transition rate from prediabetes to diabetes by 55 %. Unless enormous efforts are spent into prevention programs, the number of persons with type 2 diabetes will increase tremendously in the next two decades.

Race- and sex-specific associations of parental education with insulin resistance in middle-aged participants: the CARDIA study.

Low childhood socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in adulthood. Our aim was to examine if maternal and paternal education, as indicators of childhood SES, equally contributed to increased HOMA-IR in later life. Of 5,115 adults from the Coronary Artery Disease Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study aged 18-30 years in 1985-1986, data on 1,370 females and 1,060 males with baseline and 20 year follow-up data were used to estimate associations of maternal and paternal education with HOMA-IR, adjusting for personal education, BMI, lipids, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors. Parental education was determined as high with ≥ 12 years of schooling and classified as both high, only mother high, only father high, both low education. Distinct combinations of maternal and paternal education were associated with HOMA-IR across race and sex groups. Lowest year 20 HOMA-IR in European American (EA) females occurred when both parents were better educated, but was highest when only the father had better education. HOMA-IR was lowest in African American (AA) participants when the mother was better educated but the father had less education, but was highest when both parents were better educated. Parental education was unrelated to HOMA-IR in EA males. Associations of parental education with HOMA-IR are seen in AA females, AA males, and EA females but not in EA males. The distinct combinations of parental education and their associations with HOMA-IR especially in AA participants need to be addressed in further research on health disparities.

Impact of early psychosocial factors (childhood socioeconomic factors and adversities) on future risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic disturbances and obesity: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors and socioeconomic status (SES) have a notable impact on health disparities, including type 2 diabetes risk. However, the link between childhood psychosocial factors, such as childhood adversities or parental SES, and metabolic disturbances is less well established. In addition, the lifetime perspective including adult socioeconomic factors remains of further interest.We carried out a systematic review with the main question if there is evidence in population- or community-based studies that childhood adversities (like neglect, traumata and deprivation) have considerable impact on type 2 diabetes incidence and other metabolic disturbances. Also, parental SES was included in the search as risk factor for both, diabetes and adverse childhood experiences. Finally, we assumed that obesity might be a mediator for the association of childhood adversities with diabetes incidence. Therefore, we carried out a second review on obesity, applying a similar search strategy. METHODS: Two systematic reviews were carried out. Longitudinal, population- or community-based studies were included if they contained data on psychosocial factors in childhood and either diabetes incidence or obesity risk. RESULTS: We included ten studies comprising a total of 200,381 individuals. Eight out of ten studies indicated that low parental status was associated with type 2 diabetes incidence or the development of metabolic abnormalities. Adjustment for adult SES and obesity tended to attenuate the childhood SES-attributable risk but the association remained. For obesity, eleven studies were included with a total sample size of 70,420 participants. Four out of eleven studies observed an independent association of low childhood SES on the risk for overweight and obesity later in life. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, there is evidence that childhood SES is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity in later life. The database on the role of psychological factors such as traumata and childhood adversities for the future risk of type 2 diabetes or obesity is too small to draw conclusions. Thus, more population-based longitudinal studies and international standards to assess psychosocial factors are needed to clarify the mechanisms leading to the observed health disparities.

Regional differences in antihyperglycemic medication are not explained by individual socioeconomic status, regional deprivation, and regional health care services. Observational results from the German DIAB-CORE consortium.

AIMS: This population-based study sought to extend knowledge on factors explaining regional differences in type 2 diabetes mellitus medication patterns in Germany. METHODS: Individual baseline and follow-up data from four regional population-based German cohort studies (SHIP [northeast], CARLA [east], HNR [west], KORA [south]) conducted between 1997 and 2010 were pooled and merged with both data on regional deprivation and regional health care services. To analyze regional differences in any or newer anti-hyperglycemic medication, medication prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression models with a robust error variance adjusted gradually for individual and regional variables. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1,437 people aged 45 to 74 years at baseline, (corresponding to 49 to 83 years at follow-up) with self-reported type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of receiving any anti-hyperglycemic medication was 16% higher in KORA (PR 1.16 [1.08-1.25]), 10% higher in CARLA (1.10 [1.01-1.18]), and 7% higher in SHIP (PR 1.07 [1.00-1.15]) than in HNR. The prevalence of receiving newer anti-hyperglycemic medication was 49% higher in KORA (1.49 [1.09-2.05]), 41% higher in CARLA (1.41 [1.02-1.96]) and 1% higher in SHIP (1.01 [0.72-1.41]) than in HNR, respectively. After gradual adjustment for individual variables, regional deprivation and health care services, the effects only changed slightly. CONCLUSIONS: Neither comprehensive individual factors including socioeconomic status nor regional deprivation or indicators of regional health care services were able to sufficiently explain regional differences in anti-hyperglycemic treatment in Germany. To understand the underlying causes, further research is needed.

Longitudinal change in health-related quality of life in people with prevalent and incident type 2 diabetes compared to diabetes-free controls.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis is to compare people with prevalent type 2 diabetes, incident type 2 diabetes and without diabetes with respect to longitudinal change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when adjusting for baseline determinants of HRQOL. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Primary baseline and follow-up data from three regional and one national population-based cohort studies in Germany were pooled for analysis. HRQOL was measured using physical and mental health summary scores (PCS and MCS) from the German version of the Short Form Health Survey with 36 or 12 items. Mean score change per observation year was compared between the three groups (prevalent diabetes, incident diabetes, no diabetes) based on linear regression models. RESULTS: The analysis included pooled data from 5367 people aged 45-74 years at baseline. Of these, 85.5% reported no diabetes at baseline and follow-up, 6.3% reported diabetes at both baseline and follow-up (prevalent diabetes), and 8.2% reported diabetes only at follow-up (incident diabetes). Over a mean observation period of 8.7 years, annual decline in HRQOL scores is pronounced at 0.27-0.32 (PCS) and 0.34-0.38 (MCS) in the group with prevalent diabetes compared with people without diabetes. Those with incident diabetes showed intermediate values but did not differ significantly from people without diabetes after adjustment for covariates in the full model. CONCLUSION: Compared with data from cross-sectional analysis, the HRQOL loss associated with prevalent diabetes appears to be much larger than previously assumed.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Diabetes in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The database of the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information makes it possible for the first time to compute statistics on diabetes for all insurees of the statutory health insurance scheme in Germany. Data from this comprehensive source are less likely to be biased by differences in the membership structures of individual insurance carriers or by the underrepresentation of persons over age 80 that is seen in most population-based studies. METHODS: International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-coded diagnosis data from the inpatient and outpatient sectors were used to define persons as having diabetes. Incidences were estimated from differences in prevalence from one year to the next and the expected mortality of persons with and without diabetes. RESULTS: A diabetes diagnosis was present in 6.4 million out of a total of 65.6 million insurees in 2009 and in 6.7 million out of 64.9 million insures in 2010. The corresponding age and sex standardized prevalences of diabetes were 9.7% in 2009 and 9.9% in 2010, respectively. The number of persons with type 2 diabetes was 4.6 million in 2009 and 4.7 million in 2010. The prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes rose steeply from age 50 to age 80. Peak incidence was at age 85, with 24 newly diagnosed cases of diabetes per 1000 person-years. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these data, we estimate that 5.8 million persons with type 2 diabetes are living in Germany today. The database used in this study is a valuable complement to population-based studies for monitoring the prevalence of diabetes, particularly in persons over age 80.

No adverse effect of outdoor air pollution on HbA1c in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is growing that air pollutants deteriorate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by oxidative stress and inflammation. This might affect HbA1c levels and insulin requirements in type 1 diabetes. There are no data available on this association. METHODS: Air pollution values of respirable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), and accumulated ozone (O3-AOT40) were obtained from the federal environmental agency (Umweltbundesamt II) and assigned to place of residence of 840 participants from a nation-wide population-based type 1 diabetes registry (German Diabetes Center, Düsseldorf, Germany). Information on HbA1c, social status, treatment and co-morbidities was collected by self-administered questionnaires. Complete information was available for 771 patients aged 11-21 years at the time of study. RESULTS: In linear regression models, no adverse effects of air pollutants (PM10, NO2 or O3-AOT40 on HbA1c level were found, but O3-AOT40 was inversely associated with HbA1c (mmol/mol) in the crude (estimate per IQR: -1.86; 95% CI: (-3.27; -0.44); p=0.01) and the best model adjusting for lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, clinical information, and season (-1.50; (-2.82; -0.17); 0.034). After adding area of residency as random effect to the crude and the best model, the association was no longer significant (-1.64; (-3.84; 0.56); 0.14); (-1.56; (-3.67; 0.55); 0.14). Adjustment for further possible confounders did not affect the estimates seriously. None of the pollutants was associated with insulin dose (IU/kg body weight). CONCLUSIONS: Investigated pollutants had no adverse effect on metabolic control in children and young adults with type 1 diabetes in this cross-sectional study. The weak inverse association of accumulated ozone with HbA1c might be due to confounding by regional characteristics or regional aspects of care.

Regional Variability of Lifestyle Factors and Hypertension with Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Population-Based KORA-F4 and SHIP-TREND Studies in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) shows regional differences in Germany. The purpose of the project was to compare the prevalence of prediabetes and undiagnosed T2D in two regions in Germany, the Northeast and the South, and to evaluate their associations with regional variations in lifestyle factors and hypertension. METHODS: Data from the KORA-F4 study (South Germany, 2006-2008) and the SHIP-TREND study (Northeast Germany, 2008-2012) were used. Participants aged 35-79 years without T2D with an overnight fasting of more than 8 hours and an oral glucose tolerance test were included: KORA-F4: n = 2,616 and SHIP-TREND: n = 1,968. RESULTS: The prevalence of prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D was especially high in men (about 60%) and women (about 50%) in the Northeast, followed by men (about 50%) and women (about 30%) in the South. Lifestyle factors associated with T2D varied between the regions: more participants in the Northeast were active smokers and the percentages of people with overweight or obesity were greater than in their southern counterparts. However, these differences could not explain the striking disparity in prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. The frequency of hypertension was also distinctly higher in the Northeast than in the South and clearly associated with prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. Especially in men living in the Northeast, screening individuals with blood pressure ≥ 140/90mmHg might reveal up to 70% of those with prediabetes/newly diagnosed T2D. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about regional variability in T2D and related risk factors is important for the planning of diabetes prevention programs. In our analyses, common lifestyle factors did not nearly explain these variations between the northern SHIP-TREND and the southern KORA-F4 studies. Further examinations of regional socioeconomic, political, environmental and other aspects are needed. Meanwhile, targeted diabetes prevention strategies with a special focus on men living in the northern parts of Germany are reasonable.

Anthropometric markers and their association with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: which marker is best for prediction? Pooled analysis of four German population-based cohort studies and comparison with a nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the association between different anthropometric measurements and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to assess their predictive ability in different regions of Germany. METHODS: Data of 10,258 participants from 4 prospective population-based cohorts were pooled to assess the association of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) with incident T2DM by calculating HRs of the crude, adjusted and standardised markers, as well as providing receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Differences between HRs and ROCs for the different anthropometric markers were calculated to compare their predictive ability. In addition, data of 3105 participants from the nationwide survey were analysed separately using the same methods to provide a nationally representative comparison. RESULTS: Strong associations were found for each anthropometric marker and incidence of T2DM. Among the standardised anthropometric measures, we found the strongest effect on incident T2DM for WC and WHtR in the pooled sample (HR for 1 SD difference in WC 1.97, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.22, HR for WHtR 1.93, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.17 in women) and in female DEGS participants (HR for WC 2.24, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.63, HR for WHtR 2.10, 95% CI 1.81 to 2.44), whereas the strongest association in men was found for WHR among DEGS participants (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.89 to 2.78). ROC analysis showed WHtR to be the strongest predictor for incident T2DM. Differences in HR and ROCs between the different markers confirmed WC and WHtR to be the best predictors of incident T2DM. Findings were consistent across study regions and age groups (<65 vs ≥ 65 years). CONCLUSIONS: We found stronger associations between anthropometric markers that reflect abdominal obesity (ie, WC and WHtR) and incident T2DM than for BMI and weight. The use of these measurements in risk prediction should be encouraged.

Blood Pressure Control Has Improved in People with and without Type 2 Diabetes but Remains Suboptimal: A Longitudinal Study Based on the German DIAB-CORE Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a very common comorbidity and major risk factor for cardiovascular complications, especially in people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Nevertheless, studies in the past have shown that blood pressure is often insufficiently controlled in medical practice. For the DIAB-CARE study, we used longitudinal data based on the German DIAB-CORE Consortium to assess whether health care regarding hypertension has improved during the last decade in our participants. METHODS: Data of the three regional population-based studies CARLA (baseline 2002-2006 and follow-up 2007-2010), KORA (baseline 1999-2001 and follow-up 2006-2008) and SHIP (baseline 1997-2001 and follow-up 2002-2006) were pooled. Stratified by T2D status we analysed changes in frequencies, degrees of awareness, treatment and control. Linear mixed models were conducted to assess the influence of sex, age, study, and T2D status on changes of systolic blood pressure between the baseline and follow-up examinations (mean observation time 5.7 years). We included 4,683 participants aged 45 to 74 years with complete data and accounted for 1,256 participants who were lost to follow-up by inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: Mean systolic blood pressure decreased in all groups from baseline to follow-up (e.g. - 8.5 mmHg in those with incident T2D). Pulse pressure (PP) was markedly higher in persons with T2D than in persons without T2D (64.14 mmHg in prevalent T2D compared to 52.87 mmHg in non-T2D at baseline) and did not change much between the two examinations. Awareness, treatment and control increased considerably in all subgroups however, the percentage of those with insufficiently controlled hypertension remained high (at about 50% of those with hypertension) especially in prevalent T2D. Particularly elderly people with T2D often had both, high blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg and a PP of ≥60 mmHg. Blood pressure in men had improved more than in women at follow-up, however, men still had higher mean SBP than women at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure management has developed positively during past years in Germany. While hypertension prevalence, awareness and treatment were substantially higher in participants with T2D than in those without T2D at follow-up, hypertension control was achieved only in about half the number of people in each T2D group leaving much room for further improvement.

Tinea barbae (tinea sycosis): experience with nine cases.

Tinea barbae is a rare dermatophytosis that affects the hair and hair follicles of the beard and mustache. This paper presents 9 cases of tinea barbae observed over an 18-year period of time and classified as follows: 1 was superficial and 8 were deep (6 folliculitis-like and 2 kerion-like). Most of the cases (4) were associated with topical steroid therapy, others with pet contact (3 cases) and one with diabetes. The causal agents isolated were: Trichophyton rubrum in 3; Microsporum canis in 3; Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2; and Trichophyton tonsurans in one. The involvement of the hair was observed and classified in all cases. The trichophytin skin reaction was positive in all 9 patients. All the patients were treated with systemic antimycotics, 3 cases with griseofulvin, 1 with ketoconazole, 3 with itraconazole, and 2 with terbinafine. Clinical and mycologic cures were achieved at 6 to 8 weeks of treatment at the usual doses.

Is particle pollution in outdoor air associated with metabolic control in type 2 diabetes?

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that air pollutants are associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Subclinical inflammation may be a mechanism linking air pollution with diabetes. Information is lacking whether air pollution also contributes to worse metabolic control in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. We examined the hypothesis that residential particulate matter (PM10) is associated with HbA1c concentration in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Nationwide regional levels of particulate matter with a diameter of ≤ 10 µm (PM10) were obtained in 2009 from background monitoring stations in Germany (Federal Environmental Agency) and assigned to place of residency of 9,102 newly diagnosed diabetes patients registered in the DPV database throughout Germany (age 65.5 ± 13.5 yrs; males: 52.1%). Mean HbA1c (%) levels stratified for air pollution quartiles (PM10 in µg/m(3)) were estimated using linear regression models adjusting for age, sex, BMI, diabetes duration, geographic region, year of ascertainment, and social indicators. FINDINGS: In both men and women, adjusted HbA1c was significantly lower in the lowest quartile of PM10 exposure in comparison to quartiles Q2-Q4. Largest differences in adjusted HbA1c (95% CI) were seen comparing lowest quartiles of exposure with highest quartiles (men %: -0.42 (-0.62; -0.23)/mmol/mol: -28.11 (-30.30; -26.04), women, %: -0.28 (-0.47; -0.09)/mmol/mol: -0.28 (-0.47; -0.09)). INTERPRETATION: Air pollution may be associated with higher HbA1c levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. Further studies are warranted to examine this association.

Regional differences of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and prediabetes prevalence are not explained by known risk factors.

BACKGROUND: We have previously found regional differences in the prevalence of known type 2 diabetes between northeastern and southern Germany. We aim to also provide prevalence estimates for prediabetes (isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG), isolated glucose intolerance (i-IGT), combined IFG and IGT) and unknown type 2 diabetes for both regions. METHODS: Prevalence (95%CI) of prediabetes (i-IFG: fasting glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/l; i-IGT: 2 h postchallenge glucose 7.8-11.0 mmol/l, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), ≥ 8 h overnight fasting) and unknown diabetes were analyzed in two regional population-based surveys (age group 35-79 years): SHIP-TREND (Study of Health in Pomerania (northeast), 2008-2012) and KORA F4 (Cooperative Health Research in the region of Augsburg (south), 2006-2008). Both studies used similar methods, questionnaires, and identical protocols for OGTT. Overall, 1,980 participants from SHIP-TREND and 2,617 participants from KORA F4 were included. RESULTS: Age-sex-standardized prevalence estimates (95%CI) of prediabetes and unknown diabetes were considerably higher in the northeast (SHIP-TREND: 43.1%; 40.9-45.3% and 7.1%; 5.9-8.2%) than in the south of Germany (KORA F4: 30.1%; 28.4-31.7% and 3.9%; 3.2-4.6%), respectively. In particular, i-IFG (26.4%; 24.5-28.3% vs. 17.2%; 15.7-18.6%) and IFG+IGT (11.2%; 9.8-12.6% vs. 6.6%; 5.7-7.5%) were more frequent in SHIP-TREND than in KORA. In comparison to normal glucose tolerance, the odds of having unknown diabetes (OR, 95%CI: 2.59; 1.84-3.65) or prediabetes (1.98; 1.70-2.31) was higher in the northeast than in the south after adjustment for known risk factors (obesity, lifestyle). CONCLUSIONS: The regional differences of prediabetes and unknown diabetes are in line with the geographical pattern of known diabetes in Germany. The higher prevalences in the northeast were not explained by traditional risk factors.

Treatment pattern of type 2 diabetes differs in two German regions and with patients' socioeconomic position.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes treatment may differ by region and patients' socioeconomic position. This may be particularly true for newer drugs. However, data are highly limited. METHODS: We examined pooled individual data of two population-based German studies, KORA F4 (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, south), and the HNR (Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, west) both carried out 2006 to 2008. To ascertain the association between region and educational level with anti-hyperglycemic medication we fitted poisson regression models with robust error variance for any and newer anti-hyperglycemic medication, adjusting for age, sex, diabetes duration, BMI, cardiovascular disease, lifestyle, and insurance status. RESULTS: The examined sample comprised 662 participants with self-reported type 2 diabetes (KORA F4: 83 women, 111 men; HNR: 183 women, 285 men). The probability to receive any anti-hyperglycemic drug as well as to be treated with newer anti-hyperglycemic drugs such as insulin analogues, thiazolidinediones, or glinides was significantly increased in southern compared to western Germany (prevalence ratio (PR); 95% CI: 1.12; 1.02-1.22, 1.52;1.10-2.11 respectively). Individuals with lower educational level tended to receive anti-hyperglycemic drugs more likely than their better educated counterparts (PR; 95% CI univariable: 1.10; 0.99-1.22; fully adjusted: 1.10; 0.98-1.23). In contrast, lower education was associated with a lower estimated probability to receive newer drugs among those with any anti-hyperglycemic drugs (PR low vs. high education: 0.66; 0.48-0.91; fully adjusted: 0.68; 0.47-0.996). CONCLUSIONS: We found regional and individual social disparities in overall and newer anti-hyperglycemic medication which were not explained by other confounders. Further research is needed.