Randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing basal insulin peglispro and insulin glargine, in combination with prandial insulin lispro, in patients with type 1 diabetes: IMAGINE 3.

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of basal insulin peglispro (BIL), which has a flat pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and a long duration of action, with insulin glargine (GL) in patients with type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this phase III, 52-week, blinded study, we randomized 1114 adults with type 1 diabetes in a 3 : 2 distribution to receive either BIL (n = 664) or GL (n = 450) at bedtime, with preprandial insulin lispro, using intensive insulin management. The primary objective was to compare glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the groups at 52 weeks, with a non-inferiority margin of 0.4%. RESULTS: At 52 weeks, mean (standard error) HbA1c was 7.38 (0.03)% with BIL and 7.61 (0.04)% with GL {difference -0.22% [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.32, -0.12]; p < 0.001}. At 52 weeks more BIL-treated patients reached HbA1c <7% (35% vs 26%; p < 0.001), the nocturnal hypoglycaemia rate was 47% lower (p < 0.001) and the total hypoglycaemia rate was 11% higher (p = 0.002) than in GL-treated patients, and there was no difference in severe hypoglycaemia rate. Patients receiving BIL lost weight, while those receiving GL gained weight [difference -1.8 kg (95% CI -2.3, -1.3); p < 0.001]. Treatment with BIL compared with GL at 52 weeks was associated with greater increases from baseline in levels of serum triglyceride [difference 0.19 mmol/l (95% CI 0.11, 0.26); p < 0.001] and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels [difference 6.5 IU/l (95% CI 4.1, 8.9), p < 0.001], and more frequent injection site reactions. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 1 diabetes, treatment with BIL compared with GL for 52 weeks resulted in a lower HbA1c, more patients with HbA1c levels <7%, and reduced nocturnal hypoglycaemia, but more total hypoglycaemia and injection site reactions and higher triglyceride and ALT levels.

New insulin glargine 300 U/ml compared with glargine 100 U/ml in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes on oral glucose-lowering drugs: a randomized controlled trial (EDITION 3).

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) with that of glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes using oral glucose-lowering drugs. METHODS: The EDITION 3 study was a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group study. Participants were randomized to Gla-300 or Gla-100 once daily for 6 months, discontinuing sulphonylureas and glinides, with a dose titration aimed at achieving pre-breakfast plasma glucose concentrations of 4.4-5.6 mmol/l (80-100 mg/dl). The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to month 6. The main secondary endpoint was percentage of participants with ≥1 nocturnal confirmed [≤3.9 mmol/l (≤70 mg/dl)] or severe hypoglycaemia from week 9 to month 6. Other measures of glycaemia and hypoglycaemia, weight change and insulin dose were assessed. RESULTS: Randomized participants (n = 878) had a mean (standard deviation) age of 57.7 (10.1) years, diabetes duration 9.8 (6.4) years, body mass index 33.0 (6.7) kg/m(2) and HbA1c 8.54 (1.06) % [69.8 (11.6) mmol/mol]. HbA1c levels decreased by equivalent amounts with the two treatments; the least squares mean difference in change from baseline was 0.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.09 to 0.17] % or 0.4 (-1.0 to 1.9) mmol/mol. Numerically fewer participants reported ≥1 nocturnal confirmed (≤3.9 mmol/l) or severe hypoglycaemia from week 9 to month 6 [relative risk (RR) 0.89 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.20)] with Gla-300 versus Gla-100; a significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia with this definition was found over the 6-month treatment period [RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.99)]. No between-treatment differences in adverse events were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Gla-300 is as effective as Gla-100 in reducing HbA1c in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes, with lower hypoglycaemia risk.

Glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia with new insulin glargine 300 U/ml versus insulin glargine 100 U/ml in people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs: the EDITION 2 randomized 12-month trial including 6-month extension.

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) with insulin glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) over 12 months of treatment in people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs (OADs). METHODS: EDITION 2 (NCT01499095) was a randomized, 6-month, multicentre, open-label, two-arm, phase IIIa study investigating once-daily Gla-300 versus Gla-100, plus OADs (excluding sulphonylureas), with a 6-month safety extension. RESULTS: Similar numbers of participants in each group completed 12 months of treatment [Gla-300, 315 participants (78%); Gla-100, 314 participants (77%)]. The reduction in glycated haemoglobin was maintained for 12 months with both treatments: least squares (LS) mean (standard error) change from baseline -0.55 (0.06)% for Gla-300 and -0.50 (0.06)% for Gla-100; LS mean difference -0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.22 to 0.10)%]. A significant relative reduction of 37% in the annualized rate of nocturnal confirmed [≤3.9 mmol/l (≤70 mg/dl)] or severe hypoglycaemia was observed with Gla-300 compared with Gla-100: rate ratio 0.63 [(95% CI 0.42-0.96); p = 0.031], and fewer participants experienced ≥1 event [relative risk 0.84 (95% CI 0.71-0.99)]. Severe hypoglycaemia was infrequent. Weight gain was significantly lower with Gla-300 than Gla-100 [LS mean difference -0.7 (95% CI -1.3 to -0.2) kg; p = 0.009]. Both treatments were well tolerated with a similar pattern of adverse events (incidence of 69 and 60% in the Gla-300 and Gla-100 groups). CONCLUSIONS: In people with type 2 diabetes treated with Gla-300 or Gla-100, and non-sulphonylurea OADs, glycaemic control was sustained over 12 months, with less nocturnal hypoglycaemia in the Gla-300 group.

LEADER 2: baseline calcitonin in 9340 people with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of cardiovascular outcome Results (LEADER) trial: preliminary observations.

AIMS: To report preliminary data on baseline serum calcitonin concentrations and associated clinical characteristics in a global population with type 2 diabetes before liraglutide or placebo randomization. METHODS: The ongoing LEADER trial has enrolled 9340 people with type 2 diabetes and at high risk of cardiovascular disease at 410 centres worldwide. People with baseline serum calcitonin ≤ 50 ng/l were randomized to liraglutide once daily or placebo and will be followed for up to 5 years. Serum calcitonin was measured at baseline and will be measured annually thereafter. An independent committee of thyroid experts will oversee calcitonin monitoring throughout the trial and will review all calcitonin concentrations ≥ 20 ng/l. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 64.3 ± 7.2 years, 64.3% were men, and mean the body mass index was 32.5 ± 6.3 kg/m(2). The median (interquartile range) baseline serum calcitonin values were 3.9 (1.0 to >7.6) ng/l in men and 1.0 (1.0 to >1) ng/l in women. Serum calcitonin was >10 ng/l in 14.6% of men and in 0.96% of women. In sex-specific multivariable linear analysis of covariance models, a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with higher serum calcitonin concentrations that were statistically significant. A 20 ml/min/1.73 m(2) decrease in estimated GFR (eGFR) was associated with a 14% increase in serum calcitonin in women and an 11% increase in men. CONCLUSIONS: In the LEADER population, the prevalence of elevated serum calcitonin concentrations at baseline was high, and there was an inverse association between eGFR and serum calcitonin concentrations.

Contrasting weight changes with LY2605541, a novel long-acting insulin, and insulin glargine despite similar improved glycaemic control in T1DM and T2DM.

AIMS: The basal insulin analogue LY2605541, a PEGylated insulin lispro with prolonged duration of action, was previously shown to be associated with modest weight loss in Phase 2, randomized, open-label trials in type 2 (N=288) and type 1 (N=137) diabetes mellitus (T2DM and T1DM), compared with modest weight gain with insulin glargine. Exploratory analyses were conducted to further characterize these findings. METHODS: Pearson correlations between change in body weight and other variables were calculated. Continuous variables were analysed using a mixed linear model with repeated measurements. Proportions of subjects with weight loss were analysed using Fisher's exact test for T2DM and Nagelkerke's method for T1DM. RESULTS: Weight loss was more common in LY2605541-treated patients than in patients treated with insulin glargine (T2DM: 56.9 vs. 40.2%, p=0.011; T1DM: 66.1 vs. 40.3%, p<0.001). More LY2605541-treated patients experienced ≥5% weight loss compared to patients treated with glargine (T2DM: 4.8 vs. 0%, p=0.033; T1DM: 11.9 vs. 0.8%, p<0.001). In both the T1DM and T2DM studies, weight change did not correlate with baseline body mass index (BMI), or change in HDL-cholesterol in either treatment group. No consistent correlations were found across both studies between weight change and any of the variables assessed; however, weight change was significantly correlated with hypoglycaemia rate in glargine-treated T2DM patients. CONCLUSION: In two Phase 2 trials, improved glycaemic control with long-acting basal insulin analogue LY2605541 is associated with weight loss in previously insulin-treated patients. This weight change is independent of baseline BMI or hypoglycaemia.

Exenatide once weekly improved glycaemic control, cardiometabolic risk factors and a composite index of an HbA1c < 7%, without weight gain or hypoglycaemia, over 52 weeks.

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate potential effects of exenatide once weekly (ExQW), a GLP-1 receptor agonist, on glycaemic control and CV risk factors. METHODS: This analysis included 675 Intent-to-Treat patients with T2DM [baseline (mean ± SD) HbA1c, 8.1 ± 1.2%; fasting blood glucose (FBG), 166 ± 48 mg/dl; weight, 94.3 ± 19.4 kg; systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), 129 ± 15/78 ± 9 mm Hg; total cholesterol, 178.5 ± 41.9 mg/dl; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 100.1 ± 35.0 mg/dl; high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 44.5 ± 11.6 mg/dl; triglycerides, 155.6 ± 3.3 mg/dl; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 32.1 ± 19.5 U/l] treated with diet and exercise alone or in combination with metformin, sulfonylurea, and/or thiazolidinedione who received 52 weeks of ExQW in four clinical trials. RESULTS: At 52 weeks, ExQW significantly improved HbA1c [mean (SE) change from baseline, -1.3 (0.05)%], FBG [-36.3 (2.02) mg/dl], body weight [-2.6 (0.19) kg], SBP/DBP [-3.6 (0.56) mm Hg/-1.2 (0.34) mm Hg], total cholesterol, -4.4 (1.33) mg/dl; LDL, -2.6 (1.08) mg/dl; HDL, 1.1 (0.31) mg/dl; triglycerides, -7 (1.6)%], and ALT [-4.3 (0.71) IU/l] concentrations, with greater improvements in patients with elevated analyte levels at baseline. Improvements were observed across a range of background antihyperglycaemia therapies. Of patients completing 52 weeks, 19% achieved the composite American Diabetes Association goal (HbA1c < 7.0%, BP < 130/80 mm Hg, LDL < 100 mg/dl), compared to 1% at baseline. Nearly half (48%) achieved HbA1c < 7.0% without weight gain or major/minor hypoglycaemia. Nausea was the most frequent adverse event and was predominantly mild. Hypoglycaemia was infrequent, and more common with a sulfonylurea. CONCLUSIONS: With 52 weeks of ExQW, patients experienced sustained improvements in glycaemic control and CV risk factors, with an increased likelihood of achieving both a clinically relevant composite outcome (HbA1c < 7% without weight gain or increased risk of hypoglycaemia) and a composite of key therapeutic goals (HbA1c < 7%, BP < 130/80 mm Hg, LDL < 100 mg/dl).

Metabolic outcomes of matched patient populations initiating exenatide BID vs. insulin glargine in an ambulatory care setting.

AIM: This observational study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of exenatide BID (exenatide) vs. insulin glargine (glargine) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in ambulatory clinical practice. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were conducted using an electronic medical record (EMR) database among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating exenatide or glargine between 1 November 2006 and 30 April 2009. The cohorts were propensity-score matched to control baseline demographics, clinical measures, health status and medication use. The changes from baseline to a 12-month follow-up period for A1C (primary outcome), weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and lipid levels were compared between the matched cohorts using paired tests. RESULTS: Propensity-score matching between the exenatide (n = 4494) and glargine (n = 5424) cohorts led to 2683 matched pairs with comparable characteristics, including age, gender and baseline clinical values. The exenatide cohort achieved a greater mean reduction in A1C (-0.6% vs. -0.4%, p < 0.01), weight (-2.6 kg vs. -0.2 kg, p < 0.01), BMI (-0.8 kg/m(2) vs. -0.04 kg/m(2) , p < 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-1.8 mmHg vs. -0.1 mmHg, p < 0.01) in the follow-up period. The changes in diastolic blood pressure and lipid levels were not significantly different between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to glargine, exenatide-treated patients experienced significant reductions in A1C, weight, BMI and SBP. Acknowledging the limitations of observational research, exenatide showed greater clinical effectiveness than glargine from a large EMR database in the ambulatory care setting.

Long-term effect of rosiglitazone and/or ramipril on the incidence of diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The Diabetes Reduction Assessment with Ramipril and Rosiglitazone Medication (DREAM) trial reported that 3 years of therapy with rosiglitazone reduced the primary outcome of diabetes or death by 60%. Here we investigated whether an effect on diabetes prevention persists more than 1.5 years after therapy has been discontinued. METHODS: The DREAM On passive follow-up study was conducted at 49 of the 191 DREAM sites. Consenting participants were invited to have a repeat OGTT 1-2 years after active therapy ended. A diagnosis of diabetes at that time was based on either a fasting or 2 h plasma glucose level of ≥7.0 mmol/l or ≥11.1 mmol/l, respectively, or a confirmed diagnosis by a non-study physician. Regression to normoglycaemia was defined as a fasting and 2 h plasma glucose level of <6.1 mmol/l and <7.8 mmol/l, respectively. RESULTS: After a median of 1.6 years after the end of the trial and 4.3 years after randomisation, rosiglitazone participants had a 39% lower incidence of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.70; p < 0.0001) and 17% more regression to normoglycaemia (95% CI 1.01-1.34; p = 0.034). When the analysis was restricted to the passive follow-up period, a similar incidence of both the primary outcome and regression was observed in people from both treatment groups (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.81-1.24 and HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.97-1.32, respectively). Similar effects were noted when new diabetes was analysed separately from death. Ramipril did not have any significant long-term effect. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Time-limited exposure to rosiglitazone reduces the longer term incidence of diabetes by delaying but not reversing the underlying disease process.

Diarrhea in streptozocin-treated rats. Loss of adrenergic regulation of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport.

Diarrhea was noted in rats with streptozocin-induced chronic diabetes. We have investigated the possibility that this diarrhea is a consequence of altered neuronal control of water and electrolyte absorption in the intestinal epithelium. In particular, we examined noradrenergic control because alpha-2-adrenergic agonists are known to stimulate intestinal fluid absorption. When compared with nondiabetic littermates, chronically diabetic rats exhibited significant impairment of fluid absorption by the ileum and colon, but not the jejunum. This impairment of intestinal fluid absorption was not found in either insulin-treated or untreated acutely diabetic (7 d) animals. Mucosal histology appeared normal in all of the above groups. Mucosal norepinephrine stores in the jejunum and ileum of chronically diabetic rats were estimated in vitro by the short-circuit current (Isc) response to tyramine, an agent that effectively releases stored norepinephrine. Pargyline was added to inhibit enzymatic destruction of the added tyramine. In chronically diabetic rats, the Isc response to tyramine was significantly decreased in ileum, but not in jejunum. However, when these responses were expressed as a fraction of the maximal Isc tissue response to exogenously added epinephrine, significant decreases were noted in both ileum and jejunum. In tissues from acutely diabetic rats, Isc responses to tyramine and epinephrine were no different from controls. When sympathetic denervation was produced in nondiabetic rats by treatment with 6-OH-dopamine, the pattern of impaired fluid absorption that developed was the same as that observed in chronically diabetic rats. We conclude that impaired intestinal mucosal absorption of fluid and electrolytes slowly develops in rats made diabetic with streptozocin and that this absorptive impairment is due to a loss of normally present noradrenergic innervation of enterocytes.

Glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia with insulin glargine 300U/mL versus insulin glargine 100U/mL in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes: 12-month results from the EDITION 3 trial.

AIM: To explore if efficacy and safety findings for insulin glargine 300U/mL (Gla-300) versus insulin glargine 100U/mL (Gla-100), observed over 6 months in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes, are maintained after 12 months. METHODS: EDITION 3 was a phase 3a, randomized, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target study of once-daily Gla-300 versus Gla-100 (target fasting self-monitored plasma glucose, 4.4-5.6mmol/L [80-100mg/dL]). Participants completing the initial 6-month treatment phase continued their previously allocated basal insulin. RESULTS: Of 878 participants randomized, 337/439 (77%) and 314/439 (72%) assigned to Gla-300 and Gla-100, respectively, completed 12 months of treatment. Improved glycaemic control was sustained until 12 months in both treatment groups, with similar reductions in HbA1c from baseline to month 12 (difference: -0.08 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.23 to 0.07] % or -0.9 [-2.5 to 0.8] mmol/mol). Relative risk of experiencing≥1 confirmed (≤3.9mmol/L [≤70mg/dL]) or severe hypoglycaemic event with Gla-300 versus Gla-100 was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.69 to 1.07) at night and 0.92 (0.82 to 1.03) at any time of day. For events with a glycaemic threshold of<3.0mmol/L (<54mg/dL) these numbers were 0.76 (0.49 to 1.19) and 0.66 (0.50 to 0.88). A similar pattern was seen for documented symptomatic events. No between-group differences in adverse events were identified. CONCLUSION: Over 12 months, Gla-300 treatment was as effective as Gla-100 in reducing HbA1c in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes, with lower overall risk of hypoglycaemia at the<3.0mmol/L threshold.

Observations on control of glycemia with conventional insulin therapy or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

Determination of glycemic differences between groups treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or conventional insulin therapy (CIT) was central to the major objective of the study. Assessment of glycemia was based on 24-h inhospital profiles of plasma glucose; pre- and postprandial and bedtime (seven time points) diurnal profiles performed monthly on outpatient samples; and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) measured bimonthly at each center. The correlation between plasma glucose determinations in the central laboratory and in local laboratories was 0.988. Significance of differences between treatments was by analysis of variance and least-squares regression. At baseline, mean inhospital plasma glucose and HbA1 concentrations and insulin dosages were identical in the groups randomized to CSII or CIT. A prompt decrement of indices of glycemic control during CSII was observed such that mean decrements sustained over the 8-mo treatment period in home and in hospital plasma glucose profiles and HbA1 relative to values obtained during CIT (P less than 0.0001). The likelihood of CSII-treated patients achieving glycemic indices within the normal range was increased. The standardization of the mean and the M-value calculated from inhospital glucose profiles during CSII and CIT at 4 and 8 mo indicated that there was less plasma glucose fluctuation during CSII. The method of pooling standardized local HbA1 measurements from the six centers appeared to be an adequate substitute for centrally performed HbA1 determinations. Advantages of inhospital plasma glucose measurements in terms of accuracy and ability to obtain nocturnal samples contrasted with the likelihood of increased realism and superior correlation with HbA1 in home-obtained samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Observations on C-peptide and free insulin in the blood during continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and conventional insulin therapy.

As part of a multicenter trial, 70 individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes were randomized to either conventional insulin therapy (CIT) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). In order to standardize patient selection in the six participating centers, one of the eligibility criteria was the demonstration that each patient had no residual endogenous insulin secretion as assessed by plasma C-peptide determinations. The patients were of average (+/- SEM) age of 33.0 +/- 1.6 yr, had had diabetes for a mean (+/- SEM) duration of 17.4 +/- 1.1 yr, and had both fasting and postglucagon stimulation C-peptide values of less than 0.1 pmol/ml, consistent with clinically insignificant endogenous insulin secretion. There was no change in C-peptide response at 4 or 8 mo compared with baseline values, whether or not the patient's glucose control remained unchanged (CIT group) or significantly improved to near-normoglycemia (CSII group). In a subgroup of 34 patients at three centers, the 24-h mean glucose concentration was significantly lower in the CSII group compared with the CIT group at 4 mo (126 +/- 10 versus 176 +/- 14 mg/dl) and at 8 mo (121 +/- 5 versus 183 +/- 15 mg/dl) (P less than 0.005). Although the 24-h mean serum free immunoreactive insulin levels were shown to be no different at baseline (27.4 +/- 3.8 versus 26.2 +/- 3.1 microU/ml) or after 4 mo (22.5 +/- 3.2 versus 25.6 +/- 3.2) or 8 mo (26.5 +/- 3.4 versus 28.8 +/- 3.4) of CIT or CSII therapy, respectively, the mean increase of free insulin concentrations in relation to the main meals was greater in the CSII group (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lack of glucagon response to hypoglycemia in type I diabetics after long-term optimal therapy with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump.

Counterregulatory hormonal responses were studied in six patients after 4-18 mo treatment with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump. In response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, significant increases in epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone were measured in all subjects, while in five of the six patients glucagon levels did not increase at all. The persistence of these abnormal glucagon responses despite long-term optimal glucose control suggests that they are not due to hyperglycemia per se, but are due rather to a specific alpha cell abnormality. The high incidence of asymptomatic hypoglycemia in these patients emphasizes that caution is necessary to avoid serious hypoglycemia when striving for near-normal glucose control with insulin infusion pump therapy.

Glucose counterregulation in patients after pancreatectomy. Comparison with other clinical forms of diabetes.

Glucose and counterregulatory hormone responses to a high-dose (1.7 mU/kg/min) insulin infusion were studied in 6 patients who had undergone total pancreatectomy, and the results were compared with those of normal controls and patients with other clinical forms of diabetes. The maximum increase in the plasma glucagon concentration during hypoglycemia in the pancreatectomized patients (5 +/- 5.6 pg/ml) was less than in normals (121 +/- 22 pg/ml). Type I diabetic subjects (28 +/- 14 pg/ml), and insulin-treated diabetic subjects of recent onset (36 +/- 12 pg/ml) also had reduced responses, while responses were normal in type II diabetic subjects (102 +/- 26 pg/ml). The epinephrine response to the hypoglycemic stimulus was reduced after pancreatectomy (278 +/- 81 pg/ml) and in type I diabetic subjects (628 +/- 244 pg/ml), but was not different from control (858 +/- 126 pg/ml) in type II and recent-onset diabetic patients. There was considerable overlap in counterregulatory hormone responses in individual patients with and without autonomic neuropathy and with normal or undetectable fasting C-peptide concentrations. While the control subjects all experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia within a narrow range of plasma glucose concentrations (35-46 mg/dl), five of the diabetic subjects experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia at plasma glucose levels of greater than or equal to 55 mg/dl, and five had no subjective awareness of hypoglycemia despite plasma glucose levels less than 30 mg/dl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Use of an automated device for alternative site blood glucose monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy, comfort, and ease of use of a new automated device for blood glucose monitoring using the arm as an alternative sampling site. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: These studies use an automated hand-held device that applies a small vacuum, lances the skin, transfers blood onto an electrochemical test strip, and measures glucose. Patients who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes and had received no prior training using this device were recruited from five diabetes clinics. Testing was performed by the patients using this device and by trained healthcare professionals. Blood glucose was measured by 354 patients: from the arm using the device, from the finger using a laboratory reference instrument, and from the finger using the device via the secondary test port. Each patient completed a questionnaire rating the level of pain and ease of use of the device. RESULTS: Blood glucose results in samples obtained from the arm with the automated device agreed well with finger-stick plasma glucose results using a reference instrument (regression slope 0.98, intercept 0.01 mmol/l [0.1 mg/dl], r = 0.96). Error grid analysis showed that 100% of the measurements fell within zones A and B. In the survey, 60% of the patients reported that arm testing with the automated device was "painless;" another 31% of the patients stated that it was "much less painful," and 6% of patients considered using the device "less painful" than finger-stick testing. In a survey containing 15 questions for rating the ease of use with a scale of 1 to 6, the overall mean rating was 5.5. CONCLUSIONS: The automated device is easy to use and provides accurate glucose results; 97% of the patients found it less painful than finger-stick testing.

Multiple androgenic abnormalities, including elevated free testosterone, in hyperprolactinemic women.

To investigate the basis of the hirsutism and elevated plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and/or DHA sulfate (DHAS) in hyperprolactinemic women, we measured androgen binding parameters and an extensive profile of plasma androgens in normal (NL) and hyperprolactinemic women (HYPRL). ACTH tests and dexamethasone (dex) suppression tests were performed in subgroups. Free testosterone levels were higher in HYPRL (13.1 +/- 23.3 vs. 7.18 +/- 0.72 pg/ml; P less than 0.025), although total testosterone was comparable. This disparity was related to plasma testosterone-estradiol-binding globulin (TEBG) levels being one third lower in HYPRL (mean +/- SE, 27.4 +/- 4.0 nM) than in NL (41.2 +/- 3.7 nM; P less than 0.0125). Less striking elevations of plasma DHAS, androstenedione, and 11-deoxycortisol were found in HYPRL. Plasma total dihydrotestosterone [17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (tDHT)] was nearly 30% lower in HYPRL (11.2 +/- 2.6 ng/dl) than in NL (15.6 +/- 1.3 ng/dl; P less than 0.025), whereas free DHT was normal. Ratios of tDHT to precursors were lower in HYPRL (P less than 0.005). After ACTH stimulation, hyperresponsiveness of 17-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione were observed. Apparent adrenal enzyme efficiencies, judged from post-ACTH product to precursor ratios, were normal in HYPRL with one exception: the ratio of tDHT to total testosterone at 4 h was lower (P less than 0.05). Dex suppression normalized androgens and obliterated the abnormal tDHT to precursor ratios. These findings suggest an ACTH dependency of the abnormalities. In summary, we find that about 40% of HYPRL have an androgenic abnormality, and the most characteristic abnormality is an elevated free testosterone level (abnormal in 43%). Depressed TEBG and high DHAS levels were found with lesser frequency (19-21%). The plasma tDHT concentration was low, both in absolute terms and relative to its precursors. Dex suppressibility of the hyperandrogenemia was also observed. We postulate that PRL may exert multiple effects on steroid secretion and metabolism. Possibilities include the inhibition of the TEBG level.

The metabolic effects of biosynthetic human proinsulin in individuals with type I diabetes.

To assess the significance of deficiency of circulating proinsulin in patients with type I diabetes mellitus, we studied the metabolic effects of biosynthetic human proinsulin in 24 patients. After withdrawing insulin, an infusion of proinsulin to physiological plasma levels did not prevent elevations of plasma glucose or beta-hydroxybutyrate. During steady state infusions of insulin and proinsulin, 13.7 times the steady state plasma level of proinsulin compared to insulin was required to maintain euglycemia. This finding indicates that proinsulin is approximately 7.3% as biologically active as insulin on a molar basis in maintaining glucose control. The MCRs of insulin and proinsulin during these steady state infusions were 12.5 +/- 2.2 (+/- SEM) and 2.62 +/- 0.33 ml/kg X min, respectively. After maintaining euglycemia overnight with an infusion of insulin or proinsulin and then acutely stopping these infusions, the rise in plasma glucose after proinsulin was delayed significantly compared to insulin, consistent with proinsulin's slower clearance. Further studies are necessary to determine whether biosynthetic human proinsulin has a specific role in the treatment of diabetes.

Dietary practices of persons with diabetes during insulin pump therapy.

Eating behaviors and diet composition were investigated in 15 individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Glycemic control was significantly improved and was near normal during pump treatment. Patients were interviewed with the use of a structured questionnaire composed of multiple question formats to document dietary practices and to identify changes from conventional therapy. Mealtimes were varied considerably on both conventional and pump therapy (as much as 110 +/- 19 and 126 +/- 20 minutes, respectively), but mealtime delays were reported to be manageable while the patients were using the pump. The practices of eating larger meals or additional snacks compensated for by extra insulin significantly increased during CSII therapy. Partly as a consequence of such practices, patients experienced a significant weight gain of 7.2 +/- 2 lb during pump treatment (p less than .005). Clearly, prospective studies are needed to determine the acceptable degree of dietary flexibility and the optimal management of diet during insulin pump therapy.

Comprehensive management of patients with type 2 diabetes: establishing priorities of care.

Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and a marked increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased CVD risk is caused by a unique cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes, comprehensive management of risk factors is essential. Aggressive treatment of dyslipidemia and hypertension is known to benefit patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, intensive glycemic control and targeted treatment of insulin resistance can further reduce the enormous burden of CVD in this high-risk population. Increasing evidence suggests that insulin resistance is one of the earliest markers of risk for both CVD and diabetes, and it is known that insulin resistance alone can significantly increase the risk of CVD. Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are both associated with disordered lipid metabolism, manifest in elevated triglyceride levels, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and small, dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol particles. Patients with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance have an increased risk of hypertension, which further contributes to their CVD risk. Each of these factors can also contribute to the risk of microvascular disease. To ensure that patients with type 2 diabetes receive comprehensive, high-quality care, specific standards have been developed. These standards can help providers establish clear treatment targets, identify specific priorities of care, and use therapies of known efficacy to reduce the risk of complications. This review summarizes the current standards of care for patients with type 2 diabetes, with an emphasis on treatments that reduce the cardiovascular risk factors. Using a case study approach, it reviews the essential components of diabetes care and proposes a rational approach to these complex cases--an approach that should result in consistent, high-quality care.