All-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes in association with achieved hemoglobin A(1c), systolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

BACKGROUND: To identify the ranges of hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels which are associated with the lowest all-cause mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 12,643 type 2 diabetic patients (aged ≥18 years) were generated from 2002 to 2010, in Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei city, Taiwan. Patients were identified to include any outpatient diabetes diagnosis (ICD-9: 250), and drug prescriptions that included any oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin prescribed during the 6 months following their first outpatient visit for diabetes. HbA1c, SBP, and LDL-C levels were assessed by the mean value of all available data, from index date to death or censor date. Deaths were ascertained by matching patient records with the Taiwan National Register of Deaths. RESULTS: Our results showed general U-shaped associations, where the lowest hazard ratios occurred at HbA1c 7.0-8.0%, SBP 130-140 mmHg, and LDL-C 100-130 mg/dL. The risk of mortality gradually increases if the patient's mean HbA1c, SBP, or LDL-C during the follow-up period was higher or lower than these ranges. In comparison to the whole population, the adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for patients with HbA1c 7.0-8.0%, SBP 130-140 mmHg, and LDL-C 100-130 mg/dL were 0.69 (0.62-0.77), 0.80 (0.72-0.90), and 0.68 (0.61-0.75), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our type 2 diabetic cohort, the patients with HbA1c 7.0-8.0%, SBP 130-140 mmHg, or LDL-C 100-130 mg/dL had the lowest all-cause mortality. Additional research is needed to confirm these associations and to further investigate their detailed mechanisms.

Short-term case fatality rate and associated factors among inpatients with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state: a hospital-based analysis over a 15-year period.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are usually life threatening, but the recent trend of 28-day case-fatality and associated risk factors including Charlson index have not been known. Our aim was to evaluate the 28-day case-fatality rate among hospitalized DKA and HHS patients in a teaching hospital in Taiwan from 1991 to 2005. METHODS: DKA and HHS admissions, identified from in-patient electronic database, were linked to Taiwan's national death registry. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the 28-day case-fatality rates of DKA and HHS, and to compare the trend of case-fatality over three consecutive 5-year periods (i.e, 1991-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005). We also used the Cox proportional hazard regression model to explore the determinants of 28-day case-fatality of the study patients. RESULTS: The 28-day case-fatality rates for DKA and HHS were 6.10% and 18.83%, and the lowest ones were observed in 2001-2005 (2.65% and 11.63% in DKA and HHS, respectively). Pneumonia was a significant predictor for increased 28-day case-fatality in both illnesses. Additionally, older age and stroke were significantly associated with increased case-fatality in DKA patients while myocardial infarction and higher Charlson index were significant predictors for higher case-fatality in HHS patients. CONCLUSION: Improvements in case-fatality in recent years for both DKA and HHS were found in the study hospital. Further reduction of the case-fatality rate among DKA and HHS patients can be achieved by optimal management of certain co-morbidities.

Bartter's syndrome with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We report a rare case of Bartter's syndrome in a 35-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with leg weakness, fatigue, polyuria and polydipsia. Hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and high renin and aldosterone concentrations were present, but the patient was normotensive. Gitelman's syndrome was excluded because of the presence of hypercalciuria, secondary hyperparathyroidism and bilateral nephrocalcinosis. The patients condition improved upon administration of a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor (acemetacin), oral potassium chloride and potassium-sparing diuretics. Five months later, the patient discontinued acemetacin because of epigastric discomfort; at the same time, severe hypokalemia and hyperglycemia developed. Glucagon stimulation and water deprivation tests were performed. Type 2 diabetes mellitus with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. To avoid further gastrointestinal complications, the patient was treated with celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor. This case serves as a reminder that Bartter's syndrome is associated with various metabolic derangements including nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, nephrocalcinosis and diabetes mellitus. When treating Bartter's syndrome, it is also prudent to remember that the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and potassium-sparing diuretics may result in serious adverse reactions.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Many reports in the literature suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with diabetes, but the results are conflicting. The aim of our study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV infections in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. METHODS: We collected 820 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients attending 2 of 5 outpatient endocrinology clinics in Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from March to July 2003. The control group consisted of 905 subjects who came for medical check-ups at the Family Medicine Department. We determined hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV in both groups, using third-generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between type 2 DM patients and the control group for seropositivity of HBsAg (13.5% versus 12.4%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-1.55; p = 0.441), but anti-HCV seropositivity was detected in 6.8% of patients and 2.6% of the control subjects (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.51-5.46; p < 0.001). In anti-HCV-positive DM patients, abnormal alanine aminotransferase was observed in 61.8%, compared with only 34.2% of anti-HCV-negative DM patients (p < 0.001). We did not observe any difference in risk factors for HCV infection between anti-HCV-positive and -negative DM patients. CONCLUSION: The rate of seropositive anti-HCV is 2.8 times higher in type 2 DM patients than non-diabetic control subjects.

Spontaneous pregnancy and partial recovery of pituitary function in a patient with Sheehan's syndrome.

Sheehan's syndrome is caused by pregnancy-related hemorrhage leading to ischemic necrosis of the anterior pituitary gland and hypopituitarism. Spontaneous pregnancy in Sheehan's syndrome is very rare. We report the case of a patient with Sheehan's syndrome who suffered from anterior pituitary insufficiency, but with sparing of gonadotropic function. The patient became pregnant spontaneously and, after her second delivery, thyrotropic function recovered. However, the patient's growth hormone and cortisol levels remained unresponsive to an insulin-tolerance test. This case demonstrates that pituitary function may recover from less extensive pituitary ischemia. We emphasize the importance of early identification of pregnancy in such cases. It is crucial to institute adequate hormone-replacement therapy during pregnancy, since hypopituitarism is associated with high fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Chronic glue sniffing with transient central hypothyroidism and hypergonadotropism.

Neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal and muscular disorders associated with glue sniffing have been widely reported, but endocrinologic abnormalities of glue exposure are rarely mentioned in the literature. We report a 26-year old male patient, a chronic glue sniffer, who presented with weakness of both lower limbs. On physical examination, he had reduced muscle strength of his 4 limbs, especially in his lower limbs. Laboratory examination revealed hypokalemia with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. His thyroid function showed low TSH, T4, T3, free T4 and reverse T3 level. Other pituitary functions were normal apart from high FSH and LH level. TSH response to TRH stimulation was normal, but there was impaired T3 response to TRH. MRI of pituitary showed no significant changes. He continued glue sniffing after discharge. He repeatedly came to our hospital for recurrent hypokalemic paralysis. His serum T4 and free T4 level were low when he had certain amount of glue sniffing and it returned to normal after he stopped sniffing or sniffed less amount of glue. His serum T3 concentrations were normal most of the times thereafter. His FSH and LH level were persistently elevated, even after he did not sniff glue for 2 weeks. Low free T4, TSH and reverse T3 level associated with glue sniffing in our patient were compatible with central hypothyroidism. Toluene, a neurotoxic organic solvent, is present in glues. Being highly lipophilic, it can easily enter and is retained within the lipid-rich nervous system after being inhaled. Like other organic solvents, toluene has been shown to affect dopaminergic and adrenergic turnover within various parts of the brain. The effects on these neurotransmitters could lead to abnormal secretion of pituitary hormones resulting in transient central hypothyroidism and abnormal gonadotropin levels. Long-term harmful effect of central hypothyroidism and chronic influence of abnormal gonadotropins to reproduction function needs further observation.