Diabetes Remission Status During Seven-year Follow-up of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Study.

CONTEXT: Few studies have examined the clinical characteristics that predict durable, long-term diabetes remission after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: To compare diabetes prevalence and remission rates during 7-year follow-up after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB). DESIGN: An observational cohort of adults with severe obesity recruited between 2006 and 2009 who completed annual research assessments for up to 7 years after RYGB or LAGB. SETTING: Ten US hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A total sample of 2256 participants, 827 with known diabetes status at both baseline and at least 1 follow-up visit. INTERVENTIONS: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or LAGB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diabetes rates and associations of patient characteristics with remission status. RESULTS: Diabetes remission occurred in 57% (46% complete, 11% partial) after RYGB and 22.5% (16.9% complete, 5.6% partial) after LAGB. Following both procedures, remission was greater in younger participants and those with shorter diabetes duration, higher C-peptide levels, higher homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA %B), and lower insulin usage at baseline, and with greater postsurgical weight loss. After LAGB, reduced HOMA insulin resistance (IR) was associated with a greater likelihood of diabetes remission, whereas increased HOMA-%B predicted remission after RYGB. Controlling for weight lost, diabetes remission remained nearly 4-fold higher compared with LAGB. CONCLUSIONS: Durable, long-term diabetes remission following bariatric surgery is more likely when performed soon after diagnosis when diabetes medication burden is low and beta-cell function is preserved. A greater weight-independent likelihood of diabetes remission after RYGB than LAGB suggests mechanisms beyond weight loss contribute to improved beta-cell function after RYGB.Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00465829.

Epidemiology and Risk of Amputation in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Artery Disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) stems from atherosclerosis of lower extremity arteries with resultant arterial narrowing or occlusion. The most severe form of PAD is termed chronic limb-threatening ischemia and carries a significant risk of limb loss and cardiovascular mortality. Diabetes mellitus is known to increase the incidence of PAD, accelerate disease progression, and increase disease severity. Patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus and PAD are at high risk for major complications, such as amputation. Despite a decrease in the overall number of amputations performed annually in the United States, amputation rates among those with both diabetes mellitus and PAD have remained stable or even increased in high-risk subgroups. Within this cohort, there is significant regional, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic variation in amputation risk. Specifically, residents of rural areas, African-American and Native American patients, and those of low socioeconomic status carry the highest risk of amputation. The burden of amputation is severe, with 5-year mortality rates exceeding those of many malignancies. Furthermore, caring for patients with PAD and diabetes mellitus imposes a significant cost to the healthcare system-estimated to range from $84 billion to $380 billion annually. Efforts to improve the quality of care for those with PAD and diabetes mellitus must focus on the subgroups at high risk for amputation and the disparities they face in the receipt of both preventive and interventional cardiovascular care. Better understanding of these social, economic, and structural barriers will prove to be crucial for cardiovascular physicians striving to better care for patients facing this challenging combination of chronic diseases.

End-of-life care following leg amputation in patients with peripheral artery disease or diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to characterize end-of-life care in patients who have had a leg amputated for peripheral artery disease (PAD) or diabetes. METHODS: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of patients with PAD or diabetes who died in Ontario, Canada, between 2011 and 2017. Those who had a leg amputation within 3 years of death were compared with a control cohort of deceased patients with PAD or diabetes, but without leg amputation. The patients were identified from linked health records within the single-payer healthcare system. Place and cause of death, as well as health services and costs within 90 days of death, were compared between the amputee and control cohorts. Among amputees, multivariable regression models were used to characterize the association between receipt of home palliative care and in-hospital death, as well as time spent in hospital at the end of life. RESULTS: Compared with 213 300 controls, 3113 amputees were less likely to die at home (15·5 versus 24·9 per cent; P < 0·001) and spent a greater number of their last 90 days of life in hospital (median 19 versus 8 days; P < 0·001). Amputees also had higher end-of-life healthcare costs across all sectors. However, receipt of palliative care was less frequent among amputees than controls (inpatient: 13·4 versus 16·8 per cent, P < 0·001; home: 14·5 versus 23·8 per cent, P < 0·001). Among amputees, receipt of home palliative care was associated with a lower likelihood of in-hospital death (odds ratio 0·49, 95 per cent c.i. 0·40 to 0·60) and fewer days in hospital (rate ratio 0·84, 0·76 to 0·93). CONCLUSION: Palliative care is underused after amputation in patients with PAD or diabetes, and could contribute to reducing in-hospital death and time spent in hospital at the end of life.

ANTECEDENTES: Caracterizar la atención al final de la vida en pacientes con amputación de la extremidad inferior por enfermedad arterial periférica (peripheral arterial disease, PAD) o diabetes. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo de base poblacional en sujetos fallecidos con PAD o diabetes en Ontario, Canadá (2011-2017). A partir de los registros sanitarios incluidos en un sistema de salud de una sola entidad pagadora, se identificaron los individuos con amputación de la extremidad inferior en los 3 años previos al fallecimiento y una cohorte control de fallecidos con PAD o diabetes sin amputación. Entre las cohortes de amputados y controles se comparó el lugar del fallecimiento y la causa, así como el uso de servicios sanitarios y costes en los últimos 90 días de vida. En el grupo de los amputados, se utilizaron modelos de regresión para caracterizar la asociación entre recibir cuidados paliativos domiciliarios y el fallecimiento en el hospital, así como los días de estancia hospitalaria al final de la vida. RESULTADOS: En comparación con los controles (n = 213.300), los sujetos con amputación (n = 3.113) era menos probable que fallecieran en el domicilio (16% versus 25%, P < 0,001) y pasaron un mayor número de sus últimos 90 días de vida en el hospital (mediana 19 versus 8 días, P < 0,001). Los costes de atención sanitaria al final de la vida en todos los sectores también fueron mayores para los amputados. Sin embargo, recibir cuidados paliativos fue menos frecuente en los amputados que en los controles (en el hospital 13% versus 17%, P < 0,001; domiciliarios 14% versus 24%, P < 0,001). En el grupo de los amputados, recibir cuidados paliativos domiciliarios se asociaba con una menor probabilidad de fallecimiento en el hospital (razón de oportunidades, odds ratio 0,49, i.c. del 95% 0,40-0,60) y menos días de hospitalización (tasa de riesgo 0,84, i.c. del 95% 0,76-0,93). CONCLUSIÓN: Los cuidados paliativos están infrautilizados en pacientes con PAD o diabetes y pueden contribuir a disminuir los fallecimientos en el hospital y los días de hospitalización al final de la vida.

[Variación estacional de las amputaciones en un hospital universitario de Monterrey, México (2009-2012)]. / Seasonality variation of amputations in a university hospital from Monterrey, Mexico (2009-2012).

ANTECEDENTES: Una de las principales complicaciones de la diabetes mellitus es la amputación de alguna extremidad. En todo el mundo, la prevalencia de amputaciones asociadas a la diabetes es muy variada y tiene un impacto considerable en la calidad de vida del paciente. OBJETIVO: Analizar la frecuencia de las amputaciones en el Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González y evaluar si se presenta un patrón estacional. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 2009 a 2012, en el que se revisaron los expedientes de pacientes diabéticos que se sometieron a amputación. La estacionalidad se analizó con la bondad de ajuste de ji al cuadrado. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 456 amputaciones. Los resultados muestran que febrero es el mes que presenta la mayor frecuencia de amputaciones. La estación anual con mayor número de amputaciones fue el invierno. CONCLUSIONES: Las amputaciones en pacientes diabéticos del área metropolitana de Monterrey presentan un patrón estacional, siendo los meses de invierno los de mayor frecuencia. BACKGROUND: The amputation of an extremity is a main complication of Diabetes mellitus. Worldwide the prevalence of amputations associated with diabetes mellitus is variable and had a considerable impact in the quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the frequency of amputations in the University Hospital, Dr José E González and evaluate if a seasonal pattern is present. METHOD: A retrospective analysis from 2009 to 2012 was carried out. Clinical files of diabetic patients undergoing to amputation were studied. The seasonality was evaluated with a chi square goodness of fit. RESULTS: A total of 456 amputations were studied. Results shown that February was the month with highest frequency of amputations while winter was the annual season with highest frequency of amputations. CONCLUSIONS: Amputations of diabetic patients from Metropolitan Monterrey Mexico show a seasonal pattern being the winter months those that present highest frequency.

Is There a Threshold Value of Hemoglobin A1c That Predicts Risk of Infection Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: There remains little evidence to support a perioperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level that could serve as a threshold for a significantly increased risk of deep postoperative infection in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) following total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: A national administrative database was queried for patients who underwent primary THA with DM. Patients with an HbA1c level within 3 months of surgery were identified and were stratified based on HbA1c level in 0.5 mg/dL increments. The incidence of deep infection requiring operative intervention within 1 year for each group was identified and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analysis was performed to determine a threshold value of the HbA1c. RESULTS: A total of 7736 patients who underwent THA with a perioperative HbA1c level were included. The rate of infection ranged from 0.7% to 5.9%. The inflection point of the ROC curve corresponded to an HbA1c level between 7.0 and 7.5 mg/dL (P = .001, specificity = 69%, sensitivity = 47%). The AUC for the ROC was 0.68. Patients with an HbA1c level of 7.5 mg/dL or greater had a significantly higher risk of deep infection compared to patients below this threshold (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9-3.4; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The risk of infection in patients with DM increases as the perioperative HbA1c increases. However, in the present study, the HbA1c threshold level calculated demonstrated low discrimination based on our AUC value, suggesting the HbA1c test is poorly predictive of periprosthetic joint infection following THA in patients with DM.

Cost of Immediate Surgery Versus Non-operative Treatment for Trigger Finger in Diabetic Patients.

PURPOSE: As health care costs continue to rise, providers must increasingly identify and implement cost-effective practice measures without sacrificing quality of care. Corticosteroid injections are an established treatment for trigger finger; however, numerous clinical trials have documented the limited efficacy of these injections in the diabetic population. Furthermore, the most cost-effective treatment strategy for diabetic trigger finger has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to perform a decision analysis to identify the least costly strategy for effective treatment of diabetic trigger finger using existing evidence in the literature. METHODS: Four treatment strategies for diabetic trigger finger were identified: (1) 1 steroid injection followed by surgical release, (2) 2 steroid injections followed by surgical release, (3) immediate surgical release in the operating room, and (4) immediate surgical release in the clinic. A literature review was conducted to determine success rates of the different treatment strategies. Costing analysis was performed using our institutional reimbursement from Medicare. One-way sensitivity and threshold analysis was utilized to determine the least costly treatment strategy. RESULTS: The least costly treatment strategy was immediate surgical release in the clinic. In patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, this strategy results in a 32% and a 39% cost reduction when compared with treatment with 1 or 2 corticosteroid injections, respectively. For 1 or 2 corticosteroid injections to be the most cost-effective strategy, injection failure rates would need to be less than 36% and 34%, respectively. The overall cost of care for immediate surgical release in the clinic was $642. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic trigger finger is a common problem faced by hand surgeons, with a variety of acceptable treatment algorithms. Management of diabetic trigger finger with immediate surgical release in the clinic is the most cost-effective treatment strategy, assuming a corticosteroid injection failure rate of at least 34%. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic/decision III.

Long-term Outcomes for Living Pancreas Donors in the Modern Era.

BACKGROUND: Living donor segmental pancreas transplants (LDSPTx) have been performed selectively to offer a preemptive transplant option for simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipients and to perform a single operation decreasing the cost of pancreas after kidney transplant. For solitary pancreas transplants, this option historically provided a better immunologic match. Although short-term donor outcomes have been documented, there are no long-term studies. METHODS: We studied postdonation outcomes in 46 segmental pancreas living donors. Surgical complications, risk factors (RF) for development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and quality of life were studied. A risk stratification model (RSM) for DM was created using predonation and postdonation RFs. Recipient outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Between January 1, 1994 and May 1, 2013, 46 LDSPTx were performed. Intraoperatively, 5 (11%) donors received transfusion. Overall, 9 (20%) donors underwent splenectomy. Postoperative complications included: 6 (13%) peripancreatic fluid collections and 2 (4%) pancreatitis episodes. Postdonation, DM requiring oral hypoglycemics was diagnosed in 7 (15%) donors and insulin-dependent DM in 5 (11%) donors. RSM with three predonation RFs (oral glucose tolerance test, basal insulin, fasting plasma glucose) and 1 postdonation RF, greater than 15% increase in body mass index from preoperative (Δ body mass index >15), predicted 12 (100%) donors that developed postdonation DM. Quality of life was not significantly affected by donation. Mean graft survival was 9.5 (±4.4) years from donors without and 9.6 (±5.4) years from donors with postdonation DM. CONCLUSIONS: LDSPTx can be performed with good recipient outcomes. The donation is associated with donor morbidity including impaired glucose control. Donor morbidity can be minimized by using RSM and predonation counseling on life style modifications postdonation.

Ethnic Considerations for Metabolic Surgery.

Obesity and diabetes represent twin health concerns in the developed world. Metabolic surgery has emerged as an established and enduring treatment for both obesity and diabetes. As the burden of obesity and diabetes varies upon the basis of ethnicity, it is also apparent that there may be differences for indications and outcomes for different ethnic groups after metabolic surgery. Whereas there appears to be evidence for variation in weight loss and complications for different ethnic groups, comorbidity remission particularly for diabetes appears to be free of ethnic disparity after metabolic surgery. The impacts of access, biology, culture, genetics, procedure, and socioeconomic status upon metabolic surgery outcomes are examined. Further refinement of the influence of ethnicity upon metabolic surgery outcomes is likely imminent.

Cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab in the treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema.

Objective Ranibizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor designed for ocular use, has been deemed cost-effective in multiple indications by several Health Technology Assessment bodies. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab monotherapy or combination therapy (ranibizumab plus laser photocoagulation) compared with laser monotherapy for the treatment of visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods A Markov model was developed in which patients moved between health states defined by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) intervals and an absorbing 'death' state. The population of interest was patients with DME due to type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Baseline characteristics were based on those of participants in the RESTORE study. Main outputs were costs (in 2013 CA$) and health outcomes (in quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. This cost-utility analysis was conducted from healthcare system and societal perspectives in Quebec. Results From a healthcare system perspective, the ICERs for ranibizumab monotherapy and combination therapy vs laser monotherapy were CA$24 494 and CA$36 414 per QALY gained, respectively. The incremental costs per year without legal blindness for ranibizumab monotherapy and combination therapy vs laser monotherapy were CA$15 822 and CA$20 616, respectively. Based on the generally accepted Canadian ICER threshold of CA$50 000 per QALY gained, ranibizumab monotherapy and combination therapy were found to be cost-effective compared with laser monotherapy. From a societal perspective, ranibizumab monotherapy and combination therapy provided greater benefits at lower costs than laser monotherapy (ranibizumab therapy dominated laser therapy). Conclusions Ranibizumab monotherapy and combination therapy resulted in increased quality-adjusted survival and time without legal blindness and lower costs from a societal perspective compared with laser monotherapy.

Long-term Safety of Living Kidney Donation in an Emerging Economy.

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up and management of donors was undertaken in a specialist kidney transplant unit in Pakistan to identify risk and prevent adverse outcomes in living related kidney donors. METHODS: In an observation cohort study between 1985 and 2012, 3748 donors were offered free medical follow-up and treatment 6 to 12 months after donation and annually thereafter. Each visit included history, physical examination, blood tests for renal, lipid, glucose profiles, and 24-hour urine for proteinuria and creatinine clearance. Preventive intervention was undertaken for new onset clinical conditions. Donor outcomes were compared with 90 nondonor healthy siblings matched for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: Of the 3748 donors, 2696 (72%) were in regular yearly follow-up for up to 27 years (median, 5.6; interquartile range, 7.9). Eleven (0.4%) died 4 to 22 years after donation with all-cause mortality of 4.0/10 000 person years. Six (0.2%) developed end-stage renal disease 5 to 17 years after donation, (2.7/10 000 person years). Proteinuria greater than 1000 mg/24 hours developed in 28 patients (1%), hypertension in 371 patients (13.7%), and diabetes in 95 patients (3.6%). Therapeutic intervention-controlled protein was less than 1000 mg/24 hours, blood pressure was below 140/90 mm Hg, and glycemic control in 85% up to 15 years after onset. Creatinine clearance fell from 109.8 ± 22.3 mL/min per 1.73 m predonation to 78 ± 17 at 1 year, 84 ± 19 at 5 years, and 70 ± 20 at 25 years. Comparison of 90 nondonor sibling and donor pairs showed significantly higher fasting glucose and hypertension in nondonors. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up of donors has demonstrated end-stage renal disease in 0.6% at 25 years. Regular follow-up identified new onset of disease and allowed interventions that may have prevented adverse outcomes.

DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS -12 MONTHS PROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF PATTERN OF PRESENTATION AT ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY TEACHING HOSPITAL, PARKLANE, ENUGU: A BASIS FOR DIABETIC FOOT CLINIC?

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication of diabetes. This morbidity results in long hospitalization and high cost of management. It is a significant cause of non-traumatic amputation. Reduction in incidence and progression to amputation will be highly desired. AIM: To highlight the pattern of presentation and to emphasize the need for multidisciplinary approach in prevention by integration of focused footcare plan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective interviewer administered questionnaire based study. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were recruited with a male female ratio of 1.8:1. Mean age of presentation was 55.5 years and commoner in those that have had diabetes for 10 - 15 years. Low level of education had a direct relationship with occurrence of DFU. Neuropathy was a common predisposing factor to DFU. More than 60% had no knowledge of foot care even though they have been educated on dietary control here was average hospital stay of 48 days, amputation rate of 19.4% and mortality rate of 8.3%. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive foot care program should be incorporated in the management of diabetes as soon as diagnosis is made in other to reduce the huge burden of DFU.

Impact of bariatric surgery on life expectancy in severely obese patients with diabetes: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To create a decision analytic model to estimate the balance between treatment risks and benefits for severely obese patients with diabetes. BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery leads to many desirable metabolic changes, but long-term impact of bariatric surgery on life expectancy in patients with diabetes has not yet been quantified. METHODS: We developed a Markov state transition model with multiple Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression models as inputs to compare bariatric surgery versus no surgical treatment for severely obese diabetic patients. The model is informed by data from 3 large cohorts: (1) 159,000 severely obese diabetic patients (4185 had bariatric surgery) from 3 HMO Research Network sites; (2) 23,000 subjects from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample; and (3) 18,000 subjects from the National Health Interview Survey linked to the National Death Index. RESULTS: In our main analyses, we found that a 45-year-old woman with diabetes and a body mass index (BMI) of 45 kg/m gained an additional 6.7 years of life expectancy with bariatric surgery (38.4 years with surgery vs 31.7 years without surgery). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the gain in life expectancy decreased with increasing BMI, until a BMI of 62 kg/m is reached, at which point nonsurgical treatment was associated with greater life expectancy. Similar results were seen for both men and women in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: For most severely obese patients with diabetes, bariatric surgery seems to improve life expectancy; however, surgery may reduce life expectancy for the super obese with BMIs over 62 kg/m.

Cost of lower-limb amputation in U.S. veterans with diabetes using health services data in fiscal years 2004 and 2010.

The purpose of this study was to estimate healthcare costs associated with diabetes-related lower-limb amputations (LLAs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We performed a cross-sectional comparative analysis of 3,381 VHA clinic users in fiscal year (FY) 2004 and 3,403 clinic users in FY2010 identified as having type 2 diabetes mellitus and nontraumatic LLA. LLA expenditures related to inpatient medical, inpatient surgical, and outpatient care were estimated using VHA Health Economics Resource Center average cost files. LLA-related pharmaceutical costs were obtained from VHA Decision Support System national extract files. From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) perspective, the mean cost associated with care for diabetes-related LLA per patient in the VA healthcare system in FY2004 was $50,351 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 48,939-51,803) in U.S. dollars; the total cost for all 3,381 patients was $170,236,037. In FY2010, cost per patient rose to $60,647 (95% CI = 59,143-62,188), with a total cost of $206,380,331 for 3,403 patients. In the VHA healthcare system, the economic burden associated with LLAs in patients with diabetes exceeded $200,000,000 in FY2010. This suggests that further improvements in care of patients with diabetes could be associated with significant cost savings.

An assessment of non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and related risk factors in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Chuuk: a systems perspective.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) have been identified as a health emergency in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI).1 This assessment, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was conducted in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Chuuk and describes the burdens due to selected NCDs (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney disease); and assesses the system of service capacity and current activities for service delivery, data collection and reporting as well as identifying the issues that need to be addressed. There has been a 9.2% decline in the total population between 2000 and 2010. Findings of medical and health data reveal that diabetes, myocardial infarction, and septicemia are the leading causes of death and lower limb surgical procedures and amputations was a major problem that was addressed with a foot care education program to prevent amputations. No data were available on the prevalence of diabetes among the population of Chuuk. Other findings show significant gaps in the system of administrative, clinical, data, and support services to address these NCDs. There is a lack of policy and procedure manuals, coordination among providers, and common standards of care. There is no functional data system to identify and track patients with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Priority issues and problems were identified for the clinical, administrative, and data systems.

An assessment of non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and related risk factors in the Republic of Palau: a systems perspective.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) have been identified as a health emergency in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI).1 This assessment, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was conducted in the Republic of Palau and describes the burden due to selected NCD (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, chronic kidney disease); and assesses the system of service capacity and current activities for service delivery, data collection, and reporting as well as identifying the issues that need to be addressed. There has been a 7.1% increase in the population between 2000 and 2010. Significant shifts in the age groups show declines among children and young adults under 34 years of age and increases among adult residents over 45 years of age. Findings reveal that the risk factors of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors are associated with overweight and obesity and subsequent NCD that play a significant role in the morbidity and mortality of the population. The leading causes of death include heart disease and cancer. A 2003 community household survey was conducted and 22.4% of them reported a history of diabetes in the household. A survey among Ministry of Health employees showed that 44% of the men and 47% of the women were overweight and 46% of the men and 42% of the women were obese. Other findings show significant gaps in the system of administrative, clinical, and support services to address these NCD. Priority issues and needs for the administrative and clinical systems were identified.

An assessment of non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and related risk factors in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Kosrae: a systems perspective.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) have been identified as a health emergency in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). This assessment, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was conducted in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Kosrae and describes the burdens due to NCDs, including diabetes, and assesses the system of service capacity and current activities for service delivery, data collection and reporting as well as identifying the issues that need to be addressed. There has been a 13.9% decline in the population between 2000 and 2010. Findings reveal that the risk factors of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors lead to overweight and obesity and subsequent NCD that are a significant factor in the morbidity and mortality of the population. Leading causes of death were due to nutrition and metabolic diseases followed by diseases of the circulatory system. Data from selected community programs show that the prevalence of overweight and obese participants ranged between 82% and 95% and the rate of reported diabetes ranged from 13% to 14%. Other findings show significant gaps in the system of administrative, clinical, data, and support services to address these NCD. There is no functional data system that is able to identify, register, or track patients with diabetes. Priority administrative and clinical issues were identified that need to be addressed to begin to mitigate the burdens of NCDs among the residents of Kosrae State.

An assessment of non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and related risk factors in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Yap: a systems perspective.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) have been identified as a health emergency in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI).1 This assessment, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was conducted in the Federated States of Micronesia, State of Yap, and describes the burdens due to diabetes and other NCDs (heart disease, hypertension, stroke, chronic renal disease), and assesses the system of service capacity and current activities for service delivery, data collection and reporting as well as identifying the issues that need to be addressed. There has been a 1.2% increase in the population between 2000 and 2010; however, there was a significant increase in the 45-64 year old age group. Findings reveal that the risk factors of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors lead to overweight and obesity and subsequent NCD that are a significant factor in the morbidity and mortality of the population. The leading causes of death include cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Local household surveys show that 63% to 80% of the adults and 20.5% to 33.8% of the children were overweight or obese. The surveys also showed that 23% of the adult population had diabetes and 35% were hypertensive. Other findings show significant gaps in the system of administrative, clinical, data, and support services to address these NCD. There is a policy and procedure manual that guides the NCD staff. There is no functional data system that is able to identify, register, or track patients with diabetes and other NCDs. Priority administrative and clinical issues were identified.

A study of regional variation in the inpatient cost of lower extremity amputation among patients with diabetes in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding of the effects of providers' cost on regional variation in healthcare spending is still very limited. The objective of this study is to assess cross-state and cross-region variations in inpatient cost of lower extremity amputation among diabetic patients (DLEA) in relation to patient, hospital, and state factors. METHODS: Patient and hospital level data were obtained from the 2007 US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). State level data were obtained from the US Census Bureau and the Kaiser Family Foundation websites. Regression models were implemented to analyze the association between in-patient cost and variables at patient, hospital, and state levels. RESULTS: This study analyzed data on 9066 DLEA hospitalizations from 39 states. The mean cost per in-patient stay was $17,103. Four out of the five most costly states were located on the East and West coasts (NY and NJ, CA and OR). Age, race, length of stay, level of amputation, in-patient mortality, primary payer, co-morbidities, and type of hospital were significantly correlated with in-patient costs and explained 55.3% of the cost variance. Based on the means of costs unexplained by those factors, the three West coast states had the highest costs, followed by five Midwestern states, and four Southern states, and Kansas were the least costly. CONCLUSIONS: Over 40% of the variations in DLEA hospital costs could not be explained by major patient-, hospital-, and state-level variables. Further research is needed to examine whether similar patterns exist for other costly surgical procedures among diabetic patients.

Assessment of the bag-in-the-lens implantation technique in diabetic patients.

Cataract is a common condition observed in patients with diabetes mellitus frequently requiring surgical intervention. The bag-in-the-lens (BIL) intraocular implant is an alternative approach to standard lens-in-the-bag cataract surgery. The lens is supported by anterior and posterior capsulorhexes, which confers a number of advantages in terms of lens centration, rotational stability and prevention of posterior capsular opacity. The purpose of this report is to describe the results of BIL cataract surgery in a retrospective cohort of diabetic patients. Fifty-four cases of BIL surgery are included with a follow-up period of 1 year. Visual acuity outcomes were comparable to previously published standard lens-in-the-bag procedures. There were no reports of posterior capsular opacification and the grade of diabetic retinopathy remained stable. Three cases of clinically significant macular edema were detected over the follow-up period. We conclude that the BIL implantation technique is an advantageous approach to treating cataract in the diabetic population.