Comparison of analog insulin mix 50:50 with human insulin mix 30:70 in persons with type 2 diabetes during Ramadan.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To test if changing the Iftar insulin to a 50:50 mixed analog insulin from a 30:70 human insulin at the same total dose leads to improvement in the postprandial blood glucose (taken as after the main meal). Since the intermediate acting insulin dose is effectively lowered, the pre-Suhur blood glucose is also tested to see if this rises. METHODS: The Iftar human 30:70 mixed insulin is substituted for a 50:50 one using insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro (Humalog® Mix50/50™), whilst maintaining the same total dose. The participants were also changed to 75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro (Humalog® Mix75/25™) at the same pre-Ramadan dose for their Suhur injection (Experimental group). A similar number of controls continued their 30:70 mixed human insulin at the same dose during Ramadan (Control group). Pre-Ramadan and during Ramadan fasting and postprandial (3 hours) and pre-Suhur blood glucose (BG) are tested in 20 subjects and 20 controls by the patients using home glucose meters. Hypoglycaemia, defined as a BG of ≤ 70 mg%, was tested for by the patients and noted if they experience symptoms of it. Severe hypoglycaemia occurred if the patient needed assistance for recovery. No insulin dose adjustments are made in either group and any other anti-diabetic treatment was continued. Pre- and post-Ramadan HbA1 c and body weight are measured. The number of days fasted and baseline characteristics are age, gender, and duration of diabetes are also noted. Differences between groups in parameters were assessed using ANCOVA to adjust for pre-Ramadan values of age, gender, and duration of diabetes. RESULTS: All the participants fasted for at least 29 days. The 2 groups were not significantly different at baseline. During Ramadan, mean postprandial BG in the Experimental group was lower by 21.1 mg% (1.2 mmol/l) (95% CI 12.6, 29.7; P < 0.001). Similarly, after Ramadan mean HbA1 c in the Experimental group was lower by 0.4% (95% CI 0.1%, 0.8%; P = 0.01). No significant differences between the groups were detected in mean bodyweight after Ramadan (P = 0.86) or mean fasting BG during Ramadan (P = 0.07). There was no difference in incidence of hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from human insulin mix 30:70 to analog insulin mix 50:50 results in better post main meal control in Ramadan, without affecting HbA1c, or increasing the incidence of hypoglycaemia.

Ramadan fasting and diabetes 2019: The year in review.

INTRODUCTION: The literature on health aspects of Ramadan fasting is widely spread in many journals making it not readily available to those interested in the subject. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A narrative, non-systematic review of the international literature from two major online databases (viz. Scopus, PubMed) in one year (2019). The search term "Ramadan fasting AND Diabetes" was used, and relevant literature was narrated in a concise thematic account. RESULTS: Research design included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Articles included controlled trials, critical appraisals, literature narrations, and systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The publications spanned a vast array of topics related to Ramadan fasting, including assessments of current safety and efficacy profiles of newer diabetes therapies, modes of insulin delivery, and utilization of advanced technology for the treatment and monitoring of blood glucose during Ramadan fasting. Increased interest was particularly evident in capturing the experience element manifested by perceptions, attitudes, and practices of both patients and healthcare professionals during Ramadan. The current literature consolidates previous data on the safety of fasting practices amongst the well-controlled. On the other hand, it emphasizes the need for more aggressive interventions for high-risk patients, promoting the usage of newer anti-diabetic agents and advanced glucose monitoring technology for safer fasting practices. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of global literature production related to Ramadan fasting and Diabetes remains modest. Observational studies of small size prevail. Greater improvements in both quality and quantity of research on Ramadan are needed.

Knowledge gaps and perceptions of future research directions on management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting: An online survey of physicians.

OBJECTIVES: Current knowledge and research on diabetes and Ramadan form the basis for evidence-based clinical practice. In this context, we aimed to explore physicians' perceptions of current knowledge gaps about research fasting (RF), barriers to, and foreseeable directions for advancement of the field. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of a convenience sample of 260 physicians from 27 countries. The survey questionnaire addressed three main domains: perceived current knowledge gaps and unmet needs in research about RF and diabetes, barriers to the conduct of research, and future directions for furthering the evidence in this field. RESULTS: Majority of respondents (65.7%) were senior physicians in adult endocrinology/diabetes (45.9%) working at tertiary centers (65.2%). The majority (67.3%) reported seeing an average of 20+ patients with diabetes weekly and felt "very or fairly confident" in managing diabetes during RF (67.7%). The knowledge gaps identified were the management of high-risk patients with diabetes (54.1%), such as renal impairment (59.8%), and pregnancy (61.5%). The main barriers to research were lack of adequate funding to academic centers (75.7%) and lack of interest of institutions in the subject (64.6%). Future efforts should be directed at the conduct of large epidemiological studies (49.5%) or double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials (48.6%) to address the former gaps. Research findings should be widely disseminated via hands-on workshops (recommended by 70.3% of respondents) or international conferences (61.2%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide agreement regarding the knowledge gaps in the management of diabetes during RF. Future efforts should focus on addressing these critical deficiencies.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Practice, Medical Education, and Research: An International Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Because of the mandatory sanitary measures established during the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have proposed to describe the new clinical, educative, and research practices of an international sample of doctors. METHODS: We have used an online electronic survey of a convenient sample of doctors from 40 countries using a multiple-choice online questionnaire, including three domains.  424 out of 456 respondents provided adequate responses. RESULTS: Most respondents were from medical (51.5%) and surgical (11.8%) specialties. Over half of the respondents practiced in academic centers and one fifth in the private sector. Coronavirus pandemic induced frequent changes in practice, such as seeing fewer patients in clinics than usual (34.9%) and utilization of telemedicine (31.3%). A significant disruption in medical education activities and residents' training was observed, resulting in the cancellation of many activities such as grand rounds, departmental and multidisciplinary meetings, and case conferences with over-reliance on virtual and on-demand educational sessions. The residents' supervision and support were significantly reduced. Almost 16% of respondents were involved in research work on coronavirus pandemic while a third continued their usual research activity, but half were not involved in any research at the time of the survey. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID19 pandemic has promoted new practices in the field as the recourse to telemedicine, virtual conferences, and thematic researches on COVID-19. The unexpected situation has opened new prospects for future doctors' preparation for these new means of practice and learning of medicine.

Clinical experience with biphasic insulin aspart in people with type 2 diabetes: Results from the Libya cohort of the A1chieve study.

BACKGROUND: The A1chieve, a multicentric (28 countries), 24-week, non-interventional study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of insulin detemir, biphasic insulin aspart and insulin aspart in people with T2DM (n = 66,726) in routine clinical care across four continents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected at baseline, at 12 weeks and at 24 weeks. This short communication presents the results for patients enrolled in biphasic insulin aspart sub group from Libya. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were enrolled in the biphasic insulin aspart subgroup. All the patients were prior insulin users. At baseline glycaemic control was poor (mean HbA1c: 9.3%). After 24 weeks of treatment there was an improvement in HbA1c (-0.9%). Hypoglycaemic events reduced from 7.2 events/patient-year to 3.7 events/patient-year in 24 weeks. SADRs did not occur in any of the study patients. CONCLUSION: Starting or switching to biphasic insulin aspart was associated with improvement in glycaemic control with a low rate of hypoglycaemia.