Association of Real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring With Glycemic Control and Acute Metabolic Events Among Patients With Insulin-Treated Diabetes.

Importance: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes; observational evidence for CGM in patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes is lacking. Objective: To estimate clinical outcomes of real-time CGM initiation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Exploratory retrospective cohort study of changes in outcomes associated with real-time CGM initiation, estimated using a difference-in-differences analysis. A total of 41 753 participants with insulin-treated diabetes (5673 type 1; 36 080 type 2) receiving care from a Northern California integrated health care delivery system (2014-2019), being treated with insulin, self-monitoring their blood glucose levels, and having no prior CGM use were included. Exposures: Initiation vs noninitiation of real-time CGM (reference group). Main Outcomes and Measures: Ten end points measured during the 12 months before and 12 months after baseline: hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c); hypoglycemia (emergency department or hospital utilization); hyperglycemia (emergency department or hospital utilization); HbA1c levels lower than 7%, lower than 8%, and higher than 9%; 1 emergency department encounter or more for any reason; 1 hospitalization or more for any reason; and number of outpatient visits and telephone visits. Results: The real-time CGM initiators included 3806 patients (mean age, 42.4 years [SD, 19.9 years]; 51% female; 91% type 1, 9% type 2); the noninitiators included 37 947 patients (mean age, 63.4 years [SD, 13.4 years]; 49% female; 6% type 1, 94% type 2). The prebaseline mean HbA1c was lower among real-time CGM initiators than among noninitiators, but real-time CGM initiators had higher prebaseline rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Mean HbA1c declined among real-time CGM initiators from 8.17% to 7.76% and from 8.28% to 8.19% among noninitiators (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, -0.40%; 95% CI, -0.48% to -0.32%; P < .001). Hypoglycemia rates declined among real-time CGM initiators from 5.1% to 3.0% and increased among noninitiators from 1.9% to 2.3% (difference-in-differences estimate, -2.7%; 95% CI, -4.4% to -1.1%; P = .001). There were also statistically significant differences in the adjusted net changes in the proportion of patients with HbA1c lower than 7% (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, 9.6%; 95% CI, 7.1% to 12.2%; P < .001), lower than 8% (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, 13.1%; 95% CI, 10.2% to 16.1%; P < .001), and higher than 9% (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, -7.1%; 95% CI, -9.5% to -4.6%; P < .001) and in the number of outpatient visits (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, -0.4; 95% CI, -0.6 to -0.2; P < .001) and telephone visits (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4; P < .001). Initiation of real-time CGM was not associated with statistically significant changes in rates of hyperglycemia, emergency department visits for any reason, or hospitalizations for any reason. Conclusions and Relevance: In this retrospective cohort study, insulin-treated patients with diabetes selected by physicians for real-time continuous glucose monitoring compared with noninitiators had significant improvements in hemoglobin A1c and reductions in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for hypoglycemia, but no significant change in emergency department visits or hospitalizations for hyperglycemia or for any reason. Because of the observational study design, findings may have been susceptible to selection bias.

Selenium deficiency is linearly associated with hypoglycemia in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: The trace element selenium (Se) is needed for regular biosynthesis of selenoproteins, which contribute to antioxidative defense systems and affect redox-regulated signaling. Elevated Se intake and selenoprotein expression levels have been associated with impaired hydrogen peroxide-dependent signaling by insulin, leading to hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The relation of low Se intake with glucose status and carbohydrate metabolism is poorly known. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross sectional analysis among healthy subjects residing in two Chinese counties with different habitual Se intakes was conducted. Fasted glucose levels were related to Se concentrations of 5686 adults by linear regression analysis with Se, body mass index, age, thyroid status, insulin and sex as independent variables. RESULTS: Serum Se correlated strongly and positively with glucose in the Se-deficient population. There was no strong relationship of Se and glucose in the non-deficient population. Overt hypoglycemia (serum glucose < 2.8 mM) was observed in 19.2% of this random sample of subjects in the Se-deficient and in 1.4% of the moderately supplied population, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate Se supply constitutes an important factor for glucose homeostasis in human subjects. The interaction between Se status and glucose control is not limited to hyperglycemia, but apparently extends to hypoglycemia risk in Se deficiency. This newly identified relationship may be of relevance for the course of severe disease including major trauma, sepsis and COVID-19, where Se deficiency has been associated with mortality risk.

Diabetes Healthcare Professionals Use Multiple Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Indicators to Assess Glucose Management.

BACKGROUND: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers multiple data features that can be leveraged to assess glucose management. However, how diabetes healthcare professionals (HCPs) actually assess CGM data and the extent to which they agree in assessing glycemic management are not well understood. METHODS: We asked HCPs to assess ten de-identified CGM datasets (each spanning seven days) and rank order each day by relative glycemic management (from "best" to "worst"). We also asked HCPs to endorse features of CGM data that were important in making such assessments. RESULTS: In the study, 57 HCPs (29 endocrinologists; 28 diabetes educators) participated. Hypoglycemia and glycemic variance were endorsed by nearly all HCPs to be important (91% and 88%, respectively). Time in range and daily lows and highs were endorsed more frequently by educators (all Ps < .05). On average, HCPs endorsed 3.7 of eight data features. Overall, HCPs demonstrated agreement in ranking days by relative glycemic control (Kendall's W = .52, P < .001). Rankings were similar between endocrinologists and educators (R2 = .90, Cohen's kappa = .95, mean absolute error = .4 [all Ps < .05]; Mann-Whitney U = 41, P = .53). CONCLUSIONS: Consensus in the endorsement of certain data features and agreement in assessing glycemic management were observed. While some practice-specific differences in feature endorsement were found, no differences between educators and endocrinologists were observed in assessing glycemic management. Overall, HCPs tended to consider CGM data holistically, in alignment with published recommendations, and made converging assessments regardless of practice.

Hypoglycemic thalamic activation in type 1 diabetes is associated with preserved symptoms despite reduced epinephrine.

Brain responses to low plasma glucose may be key to understanding the behaviors that prevent severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of long duration, hypoglycemia aware type 1 diabetes on cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 15 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 15 non-diabetic controls during a two-step hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Symptom, hormone, global cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia were measured. Epinephrine release during hypoglycemia was attenuated in type 1 diabetes, but symptom score rose comparably in both groups. A rise in global cerebral blood flow did not differ between groups. Regional cerebral blood flow increased in the thalamus and fell in the hippocampus and temporal cortex in both groups. Type 1 diabetes demonstrated lesser anterior cingulate cortex activation; however, this difference did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Thalamic cerebral blood flow change correlated with autonomic symptoms, and anterior cingulate cortex cerebral blood flow change correlated with epinephrine response across groups. The thalamus may thus be involved in symptom responses to hypoglycemia, independent of epinephrine action, while anterior cingulate cortex activation may be linked to counterregulation. Activation of these regions may have a role in hypoglycemia awareness and avoidance of problematic hypoglycemia.

Blood glucose levels in diabetic patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

INTRODUCTION: To determine if hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has an effect on diabetic blood glucose levels (BGL) and, if so, the extent of this effect. Also, to examine factors that exacerbate any observed effect. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected quality data on diabetics undergoing HBO2. Pre- and post-treatment BGL were recorded. Pre-treatment BGL ⟨120 mg/dL received glucose supplementation. Hypoglycemia was defined as BGL ⟨70 mg/dL. BGL ⟨90 mg/dL was included as an elevated hypoglycemia threshold. RESULTS: 77 patients representing 1,825 treatments were included for analysis. No patient had deleterious side effects or required emergency care. BGL decreased in 75.4% of treatments in this group, with a median decrease of 25 mg/dL (IQR=54 mg/dL; range of decreased 374 mg/dL to increased 240 mg/dL). A statistically significant greater percentage of treatments of patients with type 2 diabetes resulted in a decrease in BGL (1598 or 77.5%) compared to treatments of patients with type 1 diabetes (169 or 51.5%) (χ2(1, N=1767) =55.37, p⟨0.001). 1.1% of treatments had post-HBO2 serum glucose ⟨90 mg/dL, and 0.2% of treatments had post-HBO2 serum glucose ⟨70 mg/dL. The majority (70%) of patients with post-HBO2 BGL ⟨90 mg/dL were maintained on insulin alone (χ2(2, N=20) =12.4, p=0.002). Well-controlled diabetics (i.e., those with all BGLs within 50 mg/dL over all pre-HBO2 treatments) had no post-HBO2 BGL ⟨70 mg/dL or ⟨90 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBO2 does not cause a clinically significant decrease in diabetic patient BGL. No patient in our study had deleterious side effects or required emergency care. We found that glucose level of ⟨90 mg/dL occurred more often in those who use insulin. Hyperbaric patients who exhibit consistent BGL values may represent a group who could be managed similarly to the non-diabetic population.

Postprandial hypoglycaemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the effects of acarbose, sitagliptin, verapamil, liraglutide and pasireotide.

AIM: To investigate the effects of acarbose, sitagliptin, verapamil, liraglutide and pasireotide on post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized crossover study, 11 women who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and had documented hypoglycaemia were each evaluated during a baseline period without treatment and during five treatment periods with the following interventions: acarbose 50 mg for 1 week, sitagliptin 100 mg for 1 week, verapamil 120 mg for 1 week, liraglutide 1.2 mg for 3 weeks and pasireotide 300 µg as a single dose. Treatment effects were evaluated by a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) and, for all treatment periods except pasireotide, by 6 days of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). RESULTS: Treatment with acarbose and treatment with pasireotide both significantly lifted nadir glucose levels (mean ± SEM 3.9 ± 0.2 and 7.9 ± 0.4 vs 3.4 ± 0.2; P < .03) and reduced time in hypoglycaemia during the MMTTs. Acarbose reduced peak glucose levels and time in hyperglycaemia, whereas pasireotide greatly increased both variables. Acarbose and pasireotide reduced insulin and C-peptide levels, and pasireotide also diminished glucagon-like peptide-1 levels. Sitagliptin lowered nadir glucose values, while verapamil and liraglutide had no effect on hypoglycaemia. During the CGM periods, the treatments had no impact on hypoglycaemia, whereas acarbose and liraglutide reduced hyperglycaemia and glycaemic variability. CONCLUSIONS: In an experimental setting, treatment with acarbose and pasireotide reduced PBH. Acarbose appears to have an overall glucose-stabilizing effect, whereas pasireotide leads to increased and sustained hyperglycaemia.

Potential cause-effect relationship between insulin autoimmune syndrome and alpha lipoic acid: Two case reports.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) or Hirata disease is a rare cause of autoimmune hypoglycemia with apparent high insulin levels and anti-insulin autoantibodies and was first described by Hirata in Japan in 1970. IAS cases are usually related to exposure to sulfhydryl-containing drugs, which stimulate the production of insulin autoantibodies. Among sulfhydryl-containing compounds, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has recently emerged as a cause of IAS. After the first observations of ALA-induced IAS were reported in Japan in 2006, an increasing number of cases related to ALA administration have been described. An Italian group recently reported on six cases of IAS of which one was associated with HLA-DRB1*04:06 and the remaining five with HLA-DRB1*04:03. This suggests that the latter is potentially involved in the genetic susceptibility of people of European descent to IAS. METHODS: Here, we describe two new cases of IAS in women that were triggered by ALA. RESULTS: Both cases are associated with HLA-DRB1*04:03 and confirm the evidence that HLA-DRB1*04:03 rather than HLA-DRB1*04:06 is specifically related to IAS susceptibility in Europeans. CONCLUSIONS: Case reports of ALA-induced hypoglycemic episodes highlight the need for greater care in prescribing ALA supplementation as well as the identification of specific and personalized therapeutic targets.

Cost calculation for a flash glucose monitoring system for UK adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus receiving intensive insulin treatment.

AIMS: To estimate the costs associated with a flash glucose monitoring system as a replacement for routine self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using intensive insulin, from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. METHODS: The base-case cost calculation was created using the maximum frequency of glucose monitoring recommended by the 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines (4-10 tests per day). Scenario analyses considered SMBG at the frequency observed in the IMPACT clinical trial (5.6 tests per day) and at the frequency of flash monitoring observed in a real-world analysis (16 tests per day). A further scenario included potential costs associated with severe hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: In the base case, the annual cost per patient using flash monitoring was £234 (19%) lower compared with routine SMBG (10 tests per day). In scenario analyses, the annual cost per patient of flash monitoring compared with 5.6 and 16 SMBG tests per day was £296 higher and £957 lower, respectively. The annual cost of severe hypoglycaemia for flash monitoring users was estimated to be £221 per patient, compared with £428 for routine SMBG users (based on 5.6 tests/day), corresponding to a reduction in costs of £207. CONCLUSIONS: The flash monitoring system has a modest impact on glucose monitoring costs for the UK NHS for patients with T1DM using intensive insulin. For people requiring frequent tests, flash monitoring may be cost saving, especially when taking into account potential reductions in the rate of severe hypoglycaemia.

Sleep and quality of life of patients with glycogen storage disease on standard and modified uncooked cornstarch.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control in hepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) relies on specific nutritional recommendations, including strict avoidance of a fasting period. Uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) is an important therapeutic component. A new modified UCCS, Glycosade™, was created with the objective of prolonging euglycemia. We aimed to determine the length of euglycemia on Glycosade™ using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and to evaluate whether longer euglycemia and thus less nighttime interruptions would improve sleep and quality of life (QoL) after the introduction of the modified cornstarch. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess quality and quantity of sleep and quality of life (QoL) in patients with GSDs on standard UCCS and after the introduction of Glycosade™. Sleep and QoL evaluation was done for patients using validated questionnaires, a standardized sleep diary and actigraphy. Length of fast and glucose variability were determined with CGM. RESULTS: Nine adults with GSD Ia took part in the study. Glycosade™ introduction was done under close supervision during a hospital admission. Comparison of sleep in 9 patients showed sleep disturbances on standard UCCS that were improved with Glycosade™. QoL was normal both pre and post Glycosade™. The CGM confirmed maintenance of a longer fasting period with Glycosade™ at home. CONCLUSION: Glycosade™ represents an alternative option for GSD patients. We showed possible benefits in terms of sleep quality. We also confirmed the longer length of fast on Glycosade™. SYNOPSIS: A new modified form of uncooked starch for patients with glycogen storage disease represents an alternative option as it showed a longer length of fast and improvements in sleep quality.

Glycemic Variability and Insulin Needs in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Supplemented with Vitamin D: A Pilot Study Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that glycemic variability could influence the risk of complications in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). There are no data about the action of Vitamin D (VD) on glycemic variability. Our pilot study aims to evaluate glycemic variability and insulin needs in patients with T1DM supplemented with VD. METHODS: 22 Patients received doses of 4000 and 10000 IU/day of cholecalciferol for 12 weeks, according to the patient's baseline VD levels and underwent continuous glucose monitoring system. RESULTS: Correlations were found between percentage variation (Δ) of glycemia standard deviation (ΔSDG), calculated using continuous glucose monitoring, with Δ of basal (r = 0.6; p <0.01) and total insulin dose (r = 0.6; p <0.01). Correlations between VD status after supplementation and Δ of prandial (r = 0.5; p <0.05) and total insulin dose (r = 0.4; p <0.05) were found, suggesting that the dose of insulin needed by patients is lower when VD status is better. We divided patients in two subgroups: SDG improved (subgroup 1; N = 12 (55%)) and SDG worsened (subgroup 2; N = 10 (45%)). Group 1, compared to subgroup 2, required a lower insulin dose (Δbasal insulin dose = -8.0 vs. 6.3%; p <0.05) and had a lower frequency of hypoglycemia (27% vs. 64%, hypoglycemias/days evaluated; p <0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a relation between VD supplementation, improved glycemic variability, lower insulin needs and lower frequency of hypoglycemia in patients with T1DM.

Hypothalamic Glucose Transport in Humans During Experimentally Induced Hypoglycemia-Associated Autonomic Failure.

Context: Upregulated brain glucose transport in response to recurrent hypoglycemia may contribute to the development of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia. Whether recurrent hypoglycemia alters glucose transport in the hypothalamus is unknown. Objective: To test the hypothesis that hypothalamic glucose transport will increase in healthy volunteers preconditioned with recurrent hypoglycemia to induce HAAF. Setting: University medical center. Design and Participants: Thirteen healthy subjects underwent paired euglycemic and hypoglycemic preconditioning studies separated by at least 1 month. Following preconditioning, hypothalamic glucose transport was measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the afternoon on day 2 of each preconditioning protocol. Outcome Measure: The ratio of maximal transport rate to cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (Tmax/CMRglc), obtained from MRS-measured glucose in the hypothalamus as a function of plasma glucose. Results: HAAF was successfully induced based on lower epinephrine, glucagon, and cortisol during the third vs first hypoglycemic preconditioning clamp (P ≤ 0.01). Hypothalamic glucose transport was not different following recurrent euglycemia vs hypoglycemia (Tmax/CMRglc 1.62 ± 0.09 after euglycemia preconditioning and 1.75 ± 0.14 after hypoglycemia preconditioning; P was not significant). Hypothalamic glucose concentrations measured by MRS were not different following the two preconditioning protocols. Conclusions: Glucose transport kinetics in the hypothalamus of healthy humans with experimentally induced HAAF were not different from those measured without HAAF. Future studies of patients with diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia will be necessary to determine if the existence of the diabetes state is required for this adaptation to hypoglycemia to occur.

Natural Health Products and Diabetes: A Practical Review.

The prevalence of natural health product (NHP) use in Canada is extensive. Patients with chronic diseases, including diabetes, use NHPs at a higher rate than the general population. Many NHPs exert hypoglycemic effects, among other effects relevant to diabetes management. To provide a practical, clinical review of NHPs with such effects targeted to pharmacists, a literature search was performed to collect data on the efficacy and safety profiles of 10 commonly used NHPs that exert antidiabetic properties. The following NHPs are included in this clinical review: alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, magnesium, bitter melon, cinnamon, fenugreek, gymnema, milk thistle, Reishi mushroom and white mulberry. Given the potential of NHPs to additively cause hypoglycemia when used concurrently with conventional medications, pharmacists should be up to date with current evidence around NHPs that may affect diabetes care to prevent adverse reactions and interactions. In addition, effective and respectful communication with patients around NHP use and collaboration with various health-care providers are essential in the patient care process.

Retrospective Evaluation of Glycemic Control With Basal-Bolus or Neutral Protamine Hagedorn Insulin Regimens in Patients Receiving Continuous Enteral Nutrition Therapy in Medicine Wards.

Reasonable glycemic control is difficult to achieve in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) receiving continuous enteral nutrition therapy (CENT). There are no solid evidence-based medicine guidelines regarding this issue in these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a basal-bolus insulin regimen is more effective than neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin alone in controlling blood glucose in non-critically ill patients with DM receiving CENT. We performed a retrospective, records-based review comparing basal-bolus with NPH insulin regimen in these patients, hospitalized in the internal medicine wards in our hospital. Number of hypoglycemic episodes, mean blood glucose, and time-to-target (time needed to reach 3 successive glucose readings in the appropriate target of 140-180 mg/dL) were evaluated in each regimen. Mean blood glucose was 199.22 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], 179.8-218.5 mg/dL) in the basal-bolus vs 190.73 mg/dL (95% CI, 172.1-209.2 mg/dL) in the NPH insulin regimen ( P = .538). Time-to-target was an average of 3.65 ± 1.75 days in the basal-bolus group and 4.33 ± 2.42 days in the NPH group ( P = .364). There were no statistically significant differences in frequency of hypoglycemia ( P = .364). Rate of death was high (around 40%) in both groups. We conclude that hospitalized hyperglycemic patients receiving CENT can be treated by either basal-bolus or NPH insulin regimens. However, the overall glucose levels remain elevated during hospitalization irrespective of the insulin therapy. There is an urgent need to define glucose targets in this population of patients and to evaluate prospectively head-to-head different insulin protocols.

Risk factors for unstable blood glucose level: integrative review of the risk factors related to the nursing diagnosis.

Objective: to identify evidence in the literature on the possible risk factors for the risk of unstable blood glucose diagnosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to compare them with the risk factors described by NANDA International. Method: an integrative literature review guided by the question: what are the risk factors for unstable blood glucose level in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus? Primary studies were included whose outcomes were variations in glycemic levels, published in English, Portuguese or Spanish, in PubMed or CINAHL between 2010 and 2015. Results: altered levels of glycated hemoglobin, body mass index>31 kg/m2, previous history of hypoglycemia, cognitive deficit/dementia, autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy, comorbidities and weight loss corresponded to risk factors described in NANDA International. Other risk factors identified were: advanced age, black skin color, longer length of diabetes diagnosis, daytime sleepiness, macroalbuminuria, genetic polymorphisms, insulin therapy, use of oral antidiabetics, and use of metoclopramide, inadequate physical activity and low fasting glycemia. Conclusions: risk factors for the diagnosis, risk for unstable blood glucose level, for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified, and 42% of them corresponded to those of NANDA International. These findings may contribute to the practice of clinical nurses in preventing the deleterious effects of glycemic variation.

MD-Logic overnight type 1 diabetes control in home settings: A multicentre, multinational, single blind randomized trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and need for remote monitoring of the MD-Logic closed-loop system during short-term overnight use at home. METHODS: Seventy-five patients (38 male; aged 10-54 years; average A1c, 7.8% ± 0.7%, 61.8 ± 7.2 mmol/mol) were enrolled from 3 clinical sites. Patients were randomly assigned to participate in 2 overnight crossover periods, each including 4 consecutive nights, 1 under closed-loop control and 1 under sensor-augmented pump (SAP) therapy in the patient's home. Both study arms were supervised using a remote-monitoring system in a blinded manner. Primary endpoints were time spent with glucose levels below 70 mg/dL and percentage of nights in which mean overnight glucose levels were within 90 to 140 mg/dL. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] percentage of time spent in hypoglycaemia was significantly lower on nights when MD-Logic was used, compared to SAP therapy (2.07 [0, 4.78] and 2.6 [0, 10.34], respectively; P = .004) and the percentage of individual nights with a mean overnight glucose level in target was significantly greater (75 [42, 75] and 50 [25,75], respectively; P = .008). The time spent in target range was increased by a median of 28% (P = .001), with the same amount of insulin (10.69 [7.28, 13.94] and 10.41[6.9, 14.07], respectively; P = .087). The remote monitoring triggered calls for hypoglycaemia at twice the rate during SAP therapy compared to closed-loop control (62 and 29, respectively; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The MD-Logic system demonstrated a safe and efficient profile during overnight use by children, adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes and, therefore, provides an effective means of mitigating the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

Hyperglycemia and subsequent torsades de pointes with marked QT prolongation during refeeding.

OBJECTIVE: A fatal cardiac complication can occasionally present in malnourished patients during refeeding; this is known as refeeding syndrome. However, to our knowledge, hyperglycemia preceding torsades de pointes with QT prolongation during refeeding has not been reported. In the present study, we present a case in which hyperglycemia preceded torsades de pointes with QT prolongation during refeeding. The aim of this study was to determine the possible mechanism underlying QT prolongation during refeeding and indicate how to prevent it. METHODS: A 32-y-old severely malnourished woman (body mass index 14.57 kg/m2) was admitted to the intensive care unit of our institution after resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. She was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Although no obvious electrolyte abnormalities were observed, her blood glucose level was 11 mg/dL. A 12-lead electrocardiogram at admission showed sinus rhythm with normal QT interval (QTc 0.448). RESULTS: Forty mL of 50% glucose (containing 20 g of glucose) was intravenously injected, followed by a drip infusion of glucose to maintain blood glucose level within normal range. After 9 h, the patient's blood glucose level increased to 569 mg/dL. However, after 38 h, an episode of marked QT prolongation (QTc 0.931) followed by torsades de pointes developed. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia during refeeding can present with QT prolongation; consequently, monitoring blood glucose levels may be useful in avoiding hyperglycemia, which can result in QT prolongation. Furthermore, additional monitoring of QT intervals using a 12-lead electrocardiogram should allow the early detection of QT prolongation when glucose solution is administered to a malnourished patient with (severe) hypoglycemia.

Glargine Insulin Use Versus Continuous Regular Insulin in Diabetic Surgical Noncritically Ill Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a major complication of parenteral nutrition (PN). Guidelines for hyperglycemia management in noncritically ill patients cite basal insulin administration but do not recommend a regimen. The GLUCOSE-in-PN study aimed to compare the efficacy of glargine insulin versus continuously infused regular insulin in PN (RI-in-PN) to achieve glycemic control in noncritically ill surgical patients with diabetes who were receiving PN. METHODS: This prospective randomized open-label study was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Noncritically ill surgical patients with diabetes who were receiving PN were randomized to receive basal glargine insulin or RI-in-PN on day 4 of PN support. Mean blood glucose levels were compared on study days 5-9. The percentages of blood glucose measurements at goal were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sixty-seven PN treatment episodes were analyzed. There were no statistically significant differences in mean glucose levels between groups on any study day ( P > .1). Overall glycemic control rates were 52.24% (glargine insulin) and 47.76% (RI-in-PN; P = .06). A significantly higher percentage of hyperglycemia was observed on day 5 for glargine insulin versus RI-in-PN (22.39% vs 5.97%, P = .0059). Blood glucose measurements indicated 6 hypoglycemic events: 2 for glargine insulin (5.7%) and 4 for RI-in-PN (11.4%; P > .1). CONCLUSION: Both glargine insulin and RI-in-PN are effective basal insulin modalities for blood glucose control in noncritically ill surgical patients with diabetes who are receiving PN. Uncontrolled hyperglycemic events occurred more frequently with glargine insulin, and the rate of hypoglycemia was acceptable for both regimens.

Risk factors for unstable blood glucose level: integrative review of the risk factors related to the nursing diagnosis / Risco de glicemia instável: revisão integrativa dos fatores de risco do diagnóstico de enfermagem / Riesgo de nivel de glucemia inestable: revisión integradora de los factores de riesgo del diagnóstico de enfermeira

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify evidence in the literature on the possible risk factors for the risk of unstable blood glucose diagnosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to compare them with the risk factors described by NANDA International. Method: an integrative literature review guided by the question: what are the risk factors for unstable blood glucose level in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus? Primary studies were included whose outcomes were variations in glycemic levels, published in English, Portuguese or Spanish, in PubMed or CINAHL between 2010 and 2015. Results: altered levels of glycated hemoglobin, body mass index>31 kg/m2, previous history of hypoglycemia, cognitive deficit/dementia, autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy, comorbidities and weight loss corresponded to risk factors described in NANDA International. Other risk factors identified were: advanced age, black skin color, longer length of diabetes diagnosis, daytime sleepiness, macroalbuminuria, genetic polymorphisms, insulin therapy, use of oral antidiabetics, and use of metoclopramide, inadequate physical activity and low fasting glycemia. Conclusions: risk factors for the diagnosis, risk for unstable blood glucose level, for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified, and 42% of them corresponded to those of NANDA International. These findings may contribute to the practice of clinical nurses in preventing the deleterious effects of glycemic variation.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar evidências na literatura acerca de possíveis fatores de risco do diagnóstico risco de glicemia instável para pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e compará-los com os fatores de risco descritos pela NANDA International . Método: revisão integrativa norteada pela pergunta: quais são os fatores de risco de glicemia instável em pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2? Incluíram-se estudos primários cujos desfechos eram variações nos níveis glicêmicos, publicados em inglês, português ou espanhol no PubMed ou CINAHL entre 2010 e 2015. Resultados: observou-se que alteração nos níveis de hemoglobina glicada, índice de massa corpórea>31 Kg/m2, história prévia de hipoglicemia, déficit cognitivo/demência, neuropatia autonômica cardiovascular, comorbidades e perda de peso correspondiam a fatores de risco descritos pela NANDA International . Outros fatores de risco identificados foram: idade avançada, raça negra, maior tempo de diagnóstico de diabetes, sonolência diurna, macroalbuminúria, polimorfismos genéticos, insulinoterapia, uso de antidiabéticos orais, uso de metoclopramida, atividade física inadequada e glicemia de jejum baixa. Conclusões: identificaram-se fatores de risco do diagnóstico risco de glicemia instável para pessoas com diabetes mellitus tipo 2, dos quais 42% correspondiam àqueles da NANDA International . Esses achados podem contribuir para a prática de enfermeiros clínicos na prevenção dos efeitos deletérios da variação glicêmica.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar evidencias en la literatura acerca de posibles factores de riesgo del diagnóstico "riesgo de nivel de glucemia inestable" para personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y compararlos con los factores de riesgo descritos por la NANDA International . Método: revisión integradora orientada por la pregunta: ¿Cuáles son los factores de riesgo de nivel de glucemia inestable en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2? Se incluyeron estudios primarios cuyos resultados eran variaciones en los niveles glucémicos, publicados en inglés, portugués o español en el PubMed o CINAHL entre 2010 y 2015. Resultados: se observó que una alteración en los niveles de: hemoglobina glucosilada, índice de masa corporal >31 Kg/m2, historia previa de hipoglucemia, déficit cognitivo/demencia, neuropatía autonómica cardiovascular, comorbilidades y pérdida de peso, correspondían a factores de riesgo descritos por la NANDA International . Otros factores de riesgo identificados fueron: edad avanzada, raza negra, mayor tiempo de diagnóstico de diabetes, somnolencia diurna, macroalbuminuria, polimorfismos genéticos, insulinoterapia, uso de antidiabéticos orales, uso de metoclopramida, actividad física inadecuada y glucemia de ayuno baja. Conclusiones: se identificaron factores de riesgo del diagnóstico riesgo de nivel de glucemia inestable para personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2, de los cuales 42% correspondían a los de la NANDA International . Esos hallazgos pueden contribuir para la práctica de enfermeros clínicos en la prevención de los efectos deletéreos de la variación glucémica.

Hypoglycemia Alert Dogs: A Novel, Cost-effective Approach for Diabetes Monitoring?

The recent publication of the results of 3 small trials, and as many as 5 case reports on dogs producing clear and intelligible alerts in the presence of their owners' hypoglycemia, opens an intriguing clinical scenario for management of diabetes. The skill seems attributable to the ability of dogs to identify patterns in skin and breath odors as well as to understand and interpret visual cues from humans during hypoglycemia. Provided that further trials can confirm the findings, the use of diabetes alert dogs that are trained to detect the onset of hypoglycemia can be regarded as a fast, versatile, reliable, and cost-effective approach for safeguarding the health of individuals with diabetes.

Concurrent Therapy with a Low-carbohydrate Diet and Miglitol Remarkably Improved the Postprandial Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels in a Patient with Reactive Hypoglycemia due to Late Dumping Syndrome.

Reactive hypoglycemia induced by late dumping syndrome is often observed after gastrectomy. However, no effective therapy has yet been fully established. We herein describe a case in which concurrent therapy with a low-carbohydrate diet using low-glycemic-index food and an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, miglitol, very effectively ameliorated the postprandial fluctuations in the blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in a patient with reactive hypoglycemia due to late dumping syndrome following total gastrectomy. The administration of miglitol under a low-carbohydrate diet using low-glycemic-index food may therefore be an ideal treatment for reactive hypoglycemia due to late dumping syndrome.