Improving outcome prediction in individuals with colorectal cancer and diabetes by accurate assessment of vascular complications: Implications for clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is considered a risk factor for mortality following a diagnosis of cancer. We hypothesised that the risk will vary due to the heterogeneous nature of the population and accurate classification of vascular complications will improve prediction of clinical outcomes. METHODS: The COloRECTal cancer data Repository (CORECT-R) was used to identify individuals with primary colorectal cancer, who underwent surgical resection in England (2005-2016). Diabetes was recorded using ICD10 codes (E10-E14) during inpatient hospital admission in the six years preceding cancer diagnosis, complication status was determined using the adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI). Survival and post-operative outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of 232,367 individuals, 28,642 (12.3%) were recorded as having diabetes, 49.2% of whom had complications according to the aDCSI. Patients with diabetes complications had increased incidence of adverse post-operative outcomes (90-day post-operative mortality (6.6% versus 3.2%) and death during the surgical episode (7.9% versus 3.6%)), compared to those without diabetes. Those without complications had rates comparable to the population without diabetes. The odds of death within a year of diagnosis were higher for those with complicated diabetes compared to those without diabetes [OR 1.58 (95%CI 1.51-1.66) p < 0.01], but no difference was observed between those with uncomplicated diabetes and those without diabetes [OR 1.05 (95%CI 0.99-1.11) p = 0.10]. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction of outcome following surgery in colorectal cancer patients with diabetes relies on the accurate assessment of complications. This study suggests that the poor post-operative outcomes in diabetes patients may be associated with diabetes complication rather than diabetes itself.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of empagliflozin treatment in people with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial.

AIM: In the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, empagliflozin therapy reduced cardiovascular death by 38% compared with placebo when added to standard of care. Using the trial results, we created a discrete-event simulation model to assess lifetime health economic outcomes in people with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Time-dependent survival regression analysis was performed on data from EMPA-REG OUTCOME for 10 cardiovascular and renal events (e.g. stroke, heart failure hospitalization, macroalbuminuria, cardiovascular mortality) to capture event rates over time, and interaction between events. Model performance was assessed by comparing predicted and observed outcomes at 3 years. Costs in the United Kingdom (UK) and health utilities were obtained from published literature. Outcomes included cumulative event rates, life-years, costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: The model predicted an 18% relative increase (by 2.1 life-years) in survival for empagliflozin (14.0 life-years) vs. standard of care (11.9 life-years), attributable to direct treatment effect on cardiovascular mortality, and to indirect effect via reductions in other events. Participants treated with empagliflozin may experience improved quality of life (1.0 QALY) and higher costs (£3737/participant), yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £4083/QALY. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results to changes in input parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Based on extrapolation of EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial data using a participant-level simulation model, empagliflozin in addition to standard of care is projected to be highly cost-effective using UK healthcare costs. The impact in other countries will vary due to differences in drug pricing and accrual of other costs. (Clinical Trial Registry No: NCT01131676).

Hypoglycaemia, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in diabetes: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management.

Hypoglycaemia has long been recognised as a dangerous side-effect of treatment of diabetes with insulin or insulin secretagogues. With its potential to disrupt cerebral function, hypoglycaemia can have a major effect on peoples' lives. Study findings have suggested that hypoglycaemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Different mechanisms by which hypoglycaemia might provoke cardiovascular events have been identified in experimental studies, and in clinical studies cardiac arrhythmias have been reported to be induced by hypoglycaemia, with one report describing sudden death during a severe episode. Emerging evidence suggests that the association between hypoglycaemia and cardiovascular events and mortality is likely to be multifactorial. The association is probably partly caused by confounding, with hypoglycaemia occurring more frequently in people with comorbidities who are also more likely to die than those without. However, people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes also seem at risk of hypoglycaemia-induced cardiovascular effects. This risk should be recognised by clinicians when agreeing glycaemic goals with patients and choosing appropriate glucose-lowering therapies.

Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Mortality Among U.S. Adults With and Without Self-Reported Diabetes, 1988-2015.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has declined substantially in the U.S. The aims of this study were to examine trends and demographic disparities in mortality due to CVD and CVD subtypes among adults with and without self-reported diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (1985-2014) with mortality follow-up data through the end of 2015 to estimate nationally representative trends and disparities in major CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmia mortality among adults ≥20 years of age by diabetes status. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 11.8 years from 1988 to 2015 of 677,051 adults, there were significant decreases in major CVD death (all P values <0.05) in adults with and without diabetes except adults 20-54 years of age. Among adults with diabetes, 10-year relative changes in mortality were significant for major CVD (-32.7% [95% CI -37.2, -27.9]), IHD (-40.3% [-44.7, -35.6]), and stroke (-29.2% [-40.0, -16.5]), but not heart failure (-0.5% [-20.7, 24.7]), and arrhythmia (-12.0% [-29.4, 77.5]); the absolute decrease of major CVD among adults with diabetes was higher than among adults without diabetes (P < 0.001). Men with diabetes had larger decreases in CVD death than women with diabetes (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Major CVD mortality in adults with diabetes has declined, especially in men. Large reductions were observed for IHD and stroke mortality, although heart failure and arrhythmia deaths did not change. All race and education groups benefitted to a similar degree, but significant gaps remained across groups.

Diabetes Shared Care Program (DSCP) and risk of infection mortality: a nationwide cohort study using administrative claims data in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: The Diabetes Shared Care Program (DSCP) is an integrated care model in Taiwan that has been proven to improve the care quality of patients with diabetes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DSCP in decreasing the hospital mortality of infectious diseases. METHODS: From 1 662 929 patients with type 2 diabetes newly diagnosed between 1999 and 2013, we retrieved a total of 919 patients who participated in the DSCP with the first hospitalisation for an infectious disease as the study cohort and 9190 propensity score-matched patients with type 2 diabetes who did not participate as the comparison.The efficacy of DSCP was evaluated via the following comparisons between the DSCP and non-DSCP cohorts: hospital mortality, 1-year medical cost prior to and during the hospitalisation, and complications, such as receiving mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission. The ratio (OR) for hospital mortality of the DSCP participants was calculated by logistical regression. Further stratification analyses were conducted to examine which group of patients with type 2 diabetes benefited the most from the DSCP during hospitalisation for infectious diseases. RESULTS: The DSCP cohort had a lower hospital mortality rate than the non-DSCP participants (2.18% vs 4.82%, p<0.001). The total medical cost during the hospitalisation was lower in the DSCP cohort than in the non-DSCP cohort (NT$72 454±30 429 vs NT$86 385±29 350) (p=0.006). In the logistical regression model, the DSCP participants exhibited a significantly decreased adjusted OR for hospital mortality (adjusted OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.66, p=0.0002). The efficacy of the DSCP was much more prominent in male patients with type 2 diabetes and in patients with lower incomes. CONCLUSION: Participation in the DSCP was associated with a lower risk of hospital mortality for infectious diseases.

Combined effects of diabetes and low household income on mortality: a 12-year follow-up study of 505 677 Korean adults.

AIM: To examine the effects of diabetes, low income and their combination on mortality in the Korean population. METHODS: We analysed a total of 505 677 people (53.9% male) aged 40-79 years old from the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening (NHIS-HEALS) cohort. Ten levels of household income were used as indicators of economic status. Diabetes was defined as elevated fasting blood glucose (≥ 6.9 mmol/l) and/or use of glucose-lowering drugs or insulin. Covariates of age, sex, BMI, smoking and Charlson Comorbidity Index were determined at baseline. Outcomes were total and cause-specific mortality over 12 years. Cox's proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality according to the presence of diabetes, household income and their combination. RESULTS: Lower household income was associated with higher mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and non-cancer non-cardiovascular causes. Excessive mortality due to low incomes was observed in both people with and without diabetes. In men, the adjusted HR [95% confidence interval (CI)] of mortality was 1.38 (1.34 to 1.42) for low-income only, 1.48 (1.42 to 1.55) for diabetes only and 1.95 (1.86 to 2.05) for diabetes and low-income combined, relative to the normal glucose and high income group. Corresponding HR (95% CI) in women were 1.19 (1.14 to 1.24), 1.54 (1.44 to 1.64) and 1.87 (1.75 to 2.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both low household income and the presence of diabetes independently increase the risk of mortality, but their combined effects on mortality may be different between men and women.

Racial/ethnic disparities among Asian Americans in inpatient acute myocardial infarction mortality in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common high-risk disease with inpatient mortality of 5% nationally. But little is known about this outcome among Asian Americans (Asians), a fast growing racial/ethnic minority in the country. The objectives of the study are to obtain near-national estimates of differences in AMI inpatient mortality between minorities (including Asians) and non-Hispanic Whites and identify comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics associated with these differences. METHOD: This is a retrospective analysis of 2010-2011 state inpatient discharge data from 10 states with the largest share of Asian population. We identified hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of AMI using the ICD-9 code and used self-reported race/ethnicity to identify White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. We performed descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, type of AMI, and receipt of cardiac procedures. Next, we examined overall inpatient AMI mortality rate based on patients' race/ethnicity. We also examined the types of AMI and a receipt of invasive cardiac procedures by race/ethnicity. Lastly, we used sequential multivariate logistic regression models to study inpatient mortality for each minority group compared to Whites, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Over 70% of the national Asian population resides in the 10 states. There were 496,472 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AMI; 75% of all cases were Whites, 10% were Blacks, 12% were Hispanics, and 3% were Asians. Asians had a higher prevalence of cardiac comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure compared to Whites (p-value< 0.01). There were 158,623 STEMI (ST-elevation AMI), and the proportion of hospitalizations for STEMI was the highest for Asians (35.2% for Asians, 32.7% for Whites, 25.3% for Blacks, and 32.1% for Hispanics). Asians had the highest rates of inpatient AMI mortality: 7.2% for Asians, 6.3% for Whites, 5.4% for Blacks, and 5.9% for Hispanics (ANOVA p-value < 0.01). In adjusted analyses, Asians (OR = 1.11 [95% CI: 1.04-1.19]) and Hispanics (OR = 1.14 [1.09-1.19]) had a higher likelihood of inpatient mortality compared to Whites. CONCLUSIONS: Asians had a higher risk-adjusted likelihood of inpatient AMI mortality compared to Whites. Further research is needed to identify the underlying reasons for this finding to improve AMI disparities for Asians.

Diabetes and number of years of life lost with and without cardiovascular disease: a multi-state homogeneous semi-Markov model.

AIMS: We quantified the impact of type 2 diabetes on incidence of non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, considering CVD as a continuum from occurrence of diabetes to the end point, and estimated the 15-year life expectancy with and without CVD. METHODS: A total of 7239 Iranian adults (3246 men), aged ≥ 30 years, were followed from 1999 to 2014. We applied a multi-state semi-Markov model with three transitions including CVD-free to non-fatal CVD, CVD-free to death and non-fatal CVD to death, and studied the influence of diabetes on each transition rate, stratifying by sex and adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Diabetes was significantly associated with increased risk of non-fatal CVD in men [hazard ratio, 1.70 (1.36-3.53)] and women [2.19 (1.74-2.77)], and of all-cause death [2.72 (2.03-3.63) and 1.92 (1.37-2.67) in men and women, respectively]. An increased risk of mortality was found only among diabetic men, when non-fatal CVD was occurred [2.19 (1.36-3.53)]. Men with diabetes experienced first non-fatal CVD and death without CVD 1.7 and 1.4 years, respectively, earlier than those without diabetes; the corresponding values were 1.4 and 0.7 years for women. Moreover, diabetic men lived 1.3 years less than non-diabetic counterparts when non-fatal CVD was occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes increased the risk of non-fatal CVD events and all-cause mortality and consequently decreased the number of years lived without CVD. A decrease in LE was found only among diabetic men compared to non-diabetics after non-fatal CVD occurred.

Incidence and Mortality Rates and Clinical Characteristics of Type 1 Diabetes among Children and Young Adults in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine incidence, mortality, and clinical status of youth with diabetes at the Centro Vivir con Diabetes, Cochabamba, Bolivia, with support from International Diabetes Federation Life for a Child Program. METHODS: Incidence/mortality data analysis of all cases (<25 year (y)) diagnosed January 2005-February 2017 and cross-sectional data (December 2015). RESULTS: Over 12.2 years, 144 cases with type 1 diabetes (T1D) were diagnosed; 43.1% were male. Diagnosis age was 0.3-22.2 y; peak was 11-12 y. 11.1% were <5 y; 29.2%, 5-<10 y; 43.1%, 10-<15 y; 13.2%, 15-<20 y; and 3.5%, 20-<25 y. The youngest is being investigated for monogenic diabetes. Measured incidence in Cercado Province (Cochabamba Department) was 2.2/100,000 children < 15 y/y, with ≈80% ascertainment, giving total incidence of 2.7/100,000 children < 15 y/y. Two had died. Crude mortality rate was 2.3/1000 patient years. Clinical data on 141 cases <35 y: mean/median HbA1c was 8.5/8.2% (69/62 mmol/mol), levels higher in adolescents. Three were on renal replacement therapy; four others had substantial renal impairment. Elevated BMI, triglycerides, and cholesterol were common: 19.1%, 18.3%, and 39.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Bolivia has low T1D incidence. Reasonable glycemic control is being achieved despite limited resources; however, some have serious complications and adverse cardiovascular risk factor profiles. Further attention is needed for complications.

Five-year cost-effectiveness of the Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP) for type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care.

This study evaluated the short-term cost-effectiveness of the Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP) for diabetes mellitus (DM) in Hong Kong. Propensity score matching was used to select a matched group of PEP and non-PEP subjects. A societal perspective was adopted to estimate the cost of PEP. Outcome measures were the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and diabetic complication over a 5-year follow-up period and the number needed to treat (NNT) to avoid 1 event. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of cost per event avoided was calculated using the PEP cost per subject multiplied by the NNT. The PEP cost per subject from the societal perspective was US$247. There was a significantly lower cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality (2.9% vs 4.6%, P < .001), any DM complication (9.5% vs 10.8%, P = .001) and CVD events (6.8% vs 7.6%, P = .018), in the PEP group. The costs per death from any cause, DM complication or case of CVD avoided were US$14 465, US$19 617 and US$30 796, respectively. The extra amount allocated to managing PEP was small and it appears cost-effective in the short-term as an addition to RAMP.

No increased risk of cardiovascular events in older adults initiating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors vs therapeutic alternatives.

AIM: To compare the cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors relative to sulphonylureas (SUs) and thiazolidinediones (TZDs). METHODS: During 2007 to 2013, using Medicare data for beneficiaries aged >65 years, we identified the following 2 cohorts of new-users, who had not been exposed to the drugs being compared in the 6 months before initiation: (1) DPP-4 inhibitor vs SU initiators and (2) DPP-4 inhibitor vs TZD initiators. Using propensity-score-adjusted Cox models accounting for competing risk by death, we estimated the hazard ratios (HRs), risk differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), and a combined outcome (MI, stroke, all-cause mortality). RESULTS: In the DPP-4 inhibitor vs SU comparison, there were 30 130 DPP-4 inhibitor initiators and 68 382 SU initiators. Their mean age was 75 years, 41% were men and 55% had a baseline CV condition. The HR for the composite outcome was 0.75 (95% CI 0.72-0.79) over a median treatment duration of 1 year, but the 1-year risks of MI were 1.00 (95% CI 0.89-1.12) and 1.47 (95% CI 1.38-1.56) per 100 patients for DPP-4 inhibitors and SUs, respectively, and the corresponding stroke risks were 0.98 (95% CI 0.87-1.10) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.17). For the DPP-4 inhibitor vs TZD comparison, there were 20 596 DPP-4 inhibitor initiators and 13 526 TZD initiators without previous HF. Their mean age was 74 years, 42% were men and 30% had a baseline CV event. The composite outcome HR was 0.94 (95% CI 0.86-1.02) over a median treatment duration of 1 year. The 1-year risk for MI was ~0.90 and for stroke it was ~0.80 per 100 patients in both DPP-4 inhibitor and TZD initiators. CONCLUSION: Although limited by the short treatment period, the present study suggests there is no increased short-term risk of MI, stroke or HF with DPP-4 inhibitors vs SUs/TZDs.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Use of a Prophylactic Antibiotic for Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Amputation due to Diabetes or Vascular Illness in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The use of a prophylactic antibiotic in an amputation surgery is a key element for the successful recovery of the patient. We aim to determine, from the perspective of the Colombian health system, the cost-effectiveness of administering a prophylactic antibiotic among patients undergoing lower limb amputation due to diabetes or vascular illness in Colombia. METHODS: A decision tree was constructed to compare the use and nonuse of a prophylactic antibiotic. The probabilities of transition were obtained from studies identified from a systematic review of the clinical literature. The chosen health outcome was reduction in mortality due to prevention of infection. The costs were measured by expert consensus using the standard case methodology, and the resource valuation was carried out using national-level pricing manuals. Deterministic sensitivity, scenarios, and probabilistic analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the base case, the use of a prophylactic antibiotic compared with nonuse was a dominant strategy. This result was consistent when considering different types of medications and when modifying most of the variables in the model. The use of a prophylactic antibiotic ceases to be dominant when the probability of infection is greater than 48%. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a prophylactic antibiotic was a dominant strategy, which is a conclusion that holds in most cases examined; therefore, it is unlikely that the uncertainty around the estimation of costs and benefits change the results. We recommend creating policies oriented toward promoting the use of a prophylactic antibiotic during amputation surgery in Colombia.

Early specialist care for diabetes: who benefits most? A propensity score-matched cohort study.

AIMS: To examine whether early endocrinologist care reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications among newly diagnosed patients with diabetes of differing complexity. METHODS: We conducted a population-based propensity score-matched cohort study using provincial health data from Ontario, Canada. Adults (≥ 30 years) diagnosed with diabetes between 1 April 1998 and 31 March 2006 who received endocrinologist care in the first year of diagnosis were matched to a comparison group receiving primary care alone (N = 79 020) based on propensity scores and medical complexity (assigned using information on chronic conditions). Individuals were followed for 3- and 5-year outcomes, including non-fatal acute myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease death (primary endpoint), major cardiovascular events (acute myocardial infarction, stroke) or all-cause death, amputation and end-stage renal disease. RESULTS: Among medically complex patients, early endocrinologist care was associated with a lower 3-year incidence of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.78-1.01) and major cardiovascular events or all-cause death (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.97). These effects persisted after accounting for a higher incidence of end-stage renal disease on follow-up and were greatest in those with ≥ 3 visits to an endocrinologist (primary endpoint: hazard ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.86 and 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.82, for unadjusted and end-stage renal disease adjusted analyses, respectively). In contrast, no benefit was observed in the non-medically complex subgroup. Overall effects were similar at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Early endocrinologist care is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events and death among newly diagnosed patients with diabetes who have comorbid medical conditions.

Optimal approaches to diabetic patients with multivessel disease.

The pathophysiology of diabetes and systemic insulin resistance contributes to the nature of diffuse atherosclerosis and a high prevalence of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients. The optimal approach to this patient population remains a subject of an ongoing discussion. In this review, we give an overview of the unique pathophysiology of CAD in patients with diabetes, summarize the current state of therapies available, and compare modalities of revascularization that have been investigated in recent clinical trials. We conclude by highlighting the importance of a comprehensive heart team approach to every patient while accommodating both patient preference and quality-of-life decisions.

Surgical Revascularization versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Optimal Medical Therapy in Diabetic Patients with Multi-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with DM and CAD undergoing revascularization with either a surgical or a percutaneous approach are at higher risk of adverse outcomes and mortality compared with non-DM patients. It is within this background that the optimal choice of revascularization is of critical importance in this high-risk population. The large FREEDOM trial randomized 1900 patients with DM and multivessel CAD to either revascularization with coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Compared with PCI, CABG significantly reduced the rates of death and myocardial infarction but was associated with a higher risk of stroke. In a real-world setting the decision-making process for the optimal revascularization strategy in these patients is challenging as many clinical factors may influence the decision to either pursue a surgical or a percutaneous revascularization. However, the current consensus is that CABG should be the preferred revascularization strategy in diabetic patients with extensive multivessel CAD.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in diabetics: A growing health care cost crisis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine 4-decade temporal trends in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare in-hospital outcomes, resource utilization, and long-term survival after CABG in diabetics versus nondiabetics. METHODS: From January 1972 to January 2011, 10,362 pharmacologically treated diabetics and 45,139 nondiabetics underwent first-time CABG. Median follow-up was 12 years. Direct technical cost data were available from 2003 onward (n = 4679). Propensity matching by diabetes status was used for outcome comparisons. Endpoints were in-hospital adverse events, resource utilization, and long-term survival. RESULTS: Diabetics undergoing CABG increased from 7% in the 1970s to 37% in the 2000s. Their outcomes were worse, with more (P < .05) in-hospital deaths (2.0% vs 1.3%), deep sternal wound infections (2.3% vs 1.2%), strokes (2.2% vs 1.4%), renal failure (4.0% vs 1.3%), and prolonged postoperative hospital stay (9.6% vs 6.0%); and their hospital costs were 9% greater (95% confidence interval 7%-11%). Survival after CABG among diabetics versus nondiabetics at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years was also worse: 94% versus 94%, 80% versus 84%, 56% versus 66%, and 20% versus 32%, respectively. Propensity-matched patients incurred similar costs, but the prevalence of postoperative deep sternal wound infections and stroke, as well as long-term survival, remained worse in diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes is both a marker for high-risk, resource-intensive, and expensive care after CABG and an independent risk factor for reduced long-term survival. These issues, coupled with the increasing proportion of patients needing CABG who have diabetes, are a growing challenge in reining in health care costs.