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PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the predictive potential of plasma connecting peptide (C-peptide) in differentiating type 1 diabetes (T1D) from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to inform evidence-based diabetes classification criteria. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all the patients with diabetes visiting an outpatient diabetology, endocrinology, general practice and family medicine tertiary health care center between January 2016 and December 2021. FINDINGS: Two hundred twelve individuals with diabetes were included, 85 (44.8%) with T1D and 127 (55.2%) with T2D. Mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 35.9 (15.1) years, and 112 (52.8%) men. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of diabetes was 3.8 (3.0-4.5) years (T1D, 3.9 [3.5-4.6]; T2D, 3.4 [2.4-4.4]; P = 0.001). Body mass index was <18.5 kg/m2 in 5 (2.5%) individuals (T1D, 5; T2D, none), 18.5 to <25 kg/m2 in 57 (28.5%) (T1D, 32; T2D, 25), 25 to <30 kg/m2 in 58 (29%) (T1D, 28; T2D, 30), and >30 kg/m2 in 80 (40.0%) (T1D, 20; T2D, 60). Median (IQR) glycosylated hemoglobin was 7.4% (6.7%-8.5%) (T1D, 8.3% [7.2%-9.9%]; T2D, 7% [6.3%-7.6%]; P = 0.0001). Median (IQR) C-peptide concentration was 0.59 nmol/L (0.01-1.14 nmol/L) (T1D, 0.01 nmol/L [0.003-0.05 nmol/L]; T2D, 1.03 nmol/L [0.70-1.44 nmol/L]; P = 0.0001). C-peptide concentration of ≤0.16 nmol/L showed 92.9% sensitivity, 1-specificity of 2.4%, and AUC of 97.2% (CI, 94.7%-99.6%; P = 0.0001) in differentiating T1D from T2D. IMPLICATIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study in the Middle East and North Africa region highlighting the role of C-peptide in diabetes classification. The estimated cutoff point for C-peptide concentration (≤0.16 nmol/L) will certainly help in accurately classifying the T1D and will rule out the routine clinical judgmental approaches in the region, especially in those scenarios and periods where it is always difficult to diagnose the diabetes type. Quantifying the cutoff for C-peptide is among the vital strengths of this study that will provide a better treatment plan in diabetes care management. Also, we evaluated concomitant glucose levels to rule out the phenomenon of falsely low C-peptide values in the setting of hypoglycemia or severe glucose toxicity. Based on our findings, C-peptide testing could be included in postulating an evidence-based guideline that differentiates T1D from T2D. Despite this, our study has some limitations, including the selection bias due to the retrospective design and low C-peptide levels could be indicative of low pancreatic reserves due to other causes or long-standing T2D, and quantifying these reasons requires additional resources and time.
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Background: Heart failure (HF) affects around 60 million individuals worldwide. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lung ultrasound (LUS) in managing HF with the goal of reducing hospital readmission rates. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and original articles published between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023, focusing on LUS for HF assessment in out-patient settings. There is a potential for bias as the effectiveness of interventions may vary depending on the individuals administering them. Results: The PRISMA method synthesized the findings. Out of 873 articles identified, 33 were selected: 19 articles focused on prognostic assessment of HF, 11 centred on multimodal diagnostic assessments, and two addressed therapeutic guidance for HF diagnosis. LUS demonstrates advantages in detecting subclinical congestion, which holds prognostic significance for readmission and mortality during out-patient follow-up post-hospital-discharge, especially in complex scenarios, but there is a lack of standardization. Conclusions: there are considerable uncertainties in their interpretation and monitoring changes. The need for an updated international consensus on the use of LUS seems obvious.
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Objective: To calculate the prevalence of chronic auricular fibrillation (CAF), how much of it is considered high-risk (CAFhr) and the degree of coverage with oral anticoagulation treatment (OAT). Design: Multi-centre descriptive study. Setting: 9 health districts. The Terres de l'Ebre Primary Care Service. Participants: Randomised sample of 375 patients with CAF, of whom 150 met the criteria of CAFhr during 2002. Main measurements: Profile of patients with CAFhr; coverage with OAT; place of follow-up; presence of vascular complications; and the time relationships between the diagnosis of CAF, vascular complications and the start of OAT. All the INR determinations taken from the patients included in the study were used. Results: There was 2.2% prevalence of CAF (95% CI: 1.2-3.3). 40% of CAF had criteria of CAFhr. 74.2% were treated with OAT. In 41.7% the diagnosis of CAF coincided with the incidence of some vascular complication. There were no differences between the overall results of the INR obtained in hospital and in PC. The expected efficacy of OAT for thromboembolism prevention in our high risk sample was 61.12%. Conclusions: 40% of the CAF are high risk. In over a third of patients OAT was indicated after a vascular complication linked to a unknown CAF. The INR between 2-3 is similar in PC centres and the corresponding haematology service
Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de la fibrilación auricular crónica de alto riesgo (FACar) y su cobertura con tratamiento anticoagulante oral (TAO) y comparar los resultados a nivel primario y hospitalario. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo, multicéntrico, de selección al azar. Emplazamiento: 9 áreas básicas de salud. Participantes: 375 pacientes con FAC, de los que 112 reunían los criterios de FACar durante 2002. Mediciones principales: Perfil de pacientes con FACar, cobertura con TAO, lugar de seguimiento, presencia de complicaciones vasculares y la relación temporal entre el diagnóstico de FAC, las complicaciones vasculares y el inicio del TAO. Se utilizaron todas las determinaciones INR practicadas a los pacientes incluidos en el período de estudio. Resultados: La prevalencia de FAC es del 2.2% (IC 95%: 1.4-3.3). El 40% de las FAC tienen criterios de FACar en pacientes mayores de 64 años. Un 74.2% está tratado con TAO. En un 41.7% el diagnóstico de la FAC coincide con la incidencia de una complicación vascular. No hay diferencias en los resultados globales de los INR obtenidos en el hospital y en atención primaria. La efectividad esperada del TAO en la prevención tromboembólica en nuestra población de alto riesgo es del 61.12%. Conclusiones: El 40% de las FAC son de alto riesgo. En más de un tercio de los pacientes el TAO fue indicado después de una complicación vascular asociada a una FAC desconocida. Hay un retraso del TAO en su inicio. La proporción de INR entre 2-3 obtenida en los centros de atención primaria es similar a los del servicio de hematología de referencia.