The quest for wellness: How to optimise self-care strategies for diabetic foot management?

Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is common and highly recurrent, negatively impacting the individuals' quality of life. The 2023 guidelines of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot emphasise that adherence to foot self-care recommendations is one of the most important factors in DFU prevention. These guidelines also briefly mention that depression and other psychosocial problems can hamper treatment and ulcer healing. Moreover, a new clinical question was added on psychological interventions for ulcer prevention, although the evidence regarding the role of psychological and social factors is still limited. To help the field progress, this narrative overview discusses how a stronger focus on psychological factors by both researchers and clinicians could improve the care for people at high DFU risk. The review starts with a testimony of a person living with DFU, explaining that for him, the absence of shared decision-making has been a key barrier to successful foot self-care implementation. Intervention studies that address patient-reported barriers are still scarce, and are therefore urgently needed. Furthermore, the key elements of psychological interventions found to be successful in managing diabetes are yet to be implemented in DFU risk management. Importantly, research evidence indicates that commonly advocated foot self-care recommendations may be insufficient in preventing DFU recurrence, whereas digital technology appears to effectively reduce recurrent DFU. More research is therefore needed to identify determinants of patient acceptance of digital technology.

A cognitive behavioural model of the bidirectional relationship between disordered eating and diabetes self care in adult men with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: This qualitative study aimed to develop the first cognitive behavioural (CBT) model outlining the development and maintenance of disordered eating in adult men living with Type 1 diabetes to improve on previous theoretical models of Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating and to draw comparisons to women with Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. METHODS: Twenty-seven men (n = 16 with Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating, n = 11 with Type 1 diabetes without disordered eating) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and individual CBT formulations were developed for each participant to inform the model. RESULTS: Men with Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating experience negative thoughts about food, insulin, weight/shape and diabetes itself, which cause negative emotions such as fear and vulnerability and difficulties with diabetes self care such as problems with hyper and hypoglycaemia and problems accessing structured education and technology result in men feeling more dissatisfied about their body weight/shape. CONCLUSIONS: This CBT model of disordered eating in men with Type 1 diabetes can guide new interventions.

Protocol for the STEADY intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating: Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY.

This paper describes the protocol to test the feasibility of the Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY) intervention. STEADY is a novel complex intervention for people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) of mild to moderate severity. The STEADY intervention integrates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with diabetes education, and was developed using Experience-Based Co-Design. METHODS: The feasibility of STEADY will be tested using a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Forty adults with T1DE will be recruited and randomised into the STEADY intervention or treatment as usual control group. We will collect demographic, biomedical and psychometric data, routine glucose metrics and conduct the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5. Participants randomised to the STEADY intervention will receive 12 STEADY therapy sessions with a diabetes specialist nurse trained in CBT, delivered via videoconference and an optional smartphone app. The main outcome at 6 months will be the feasibility of STEADY (recruitment, dropout rates, feasibility of delivery). The secondary outcomes are biomedical (HbA1c and glucose time in range) and psychological (person-reported outcome measures in disordered eating, diabetes distress, depression and anxiety). A process evaluation will evaluate the fidelity, feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of STEADY, and participant experiences. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol was approved by the East of England-Essex Research Ethics Committee (21/EE/0235). Study findings will be shared with study participants and disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Discussions About Binge Eating and Type 2 Diabetes in a Facebook Group: A Qualitative Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating has adverse health effects and may be 10 times more common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than in the general population. Still, binge eating is not consistently addressed in diabetes treatment. People with T2D and binge eating may, therefore, seek guidance on the topic on social media. The study objective was to explore discussions about binge eating among members of a T2D-specific Facebook group. METHOD: Interactions among members of the Facebook group were observed over 8 months and supplemented by keyword searches within group content. The data were imported into NVivo12 and analyzed using Interpretive Description. RESULTS: The overarching theme described how group members exchanged guidance concerning co-existing T2D and binge eating based on personal experiences while trying to resolve co-members' misapprehensions regarding binge eating. Two subthemes were generated, describing frequently discussed topics relating to binge eating triggers and inhibitors. Triggers were confusion about the health impacts of carbohydrates and encounters with unsupportive clinicians, while inhibitors included the possibility of speaking openly about binge eating with peers and hunger cues being suppressed by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. DISCUSSION: Social media may constitute an important source of support for people with T2D and binge eating, as the topic is typically not addressed in routine care. Besides being aware of the extent of binge eating in people with T2D and the health risks involved, clinicians should keep in mind that people with both conditions may seek information on social media that can affect diabetes management.

"I Haven't Told Anyone but You": Experiences and Biopsychosocial Support Needs of People With Type 2 Diabetes and Binge Eating.

Up to 25% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may binge eat which is almost 10 times as many as in the general population. Binge eating is associated with depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Moreover, binge eating may increase the risk of obesity and high blood glucose levels, both of which can accelerate the onset of complications to diabetes and death in people with T2D. Still, little is known about the experiences, needs, and preferences of people with T2D and binge eating that can inform and develop current and future treatment efforts. The aim of the study was therefore to gain in-depth insights into the experiences and biopsychosocial support needs of women and men with T2D and binge eating. Twenty semi-structured individual interviews (65% with females) were conducted and analyzed according to the methodology of Interpretive Description. Four themes were identified: (a) T2D and binge eating: Feeling trapped in a vicious circle; (b) Unwanted outcasts: Responding to continuous criticism; (c) Biomedical relief: Blaming and adjusting the body; and, (d) Silent struggles: Wanting to cease the secrecy. Pertinent to all themes were the guilt, shame, and worries about developing complications that the participants experienced when binge eating despite having T2D. Although binge eating triggered emotional distress, binge eating was at the same time a way of coping with such distress. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed, including the need to systematically assess and address binge eating in routine T2D care.

Dietary intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns in a sample with established psychosis and associations with mental health symptomatology.

BACKGROUND: People with psychosis experience cardiometabolic comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease and diabetes. These physical comorbidities have been linked to diet, inactivity and the effects of the illness itself, including disorganisation, impairments in global function and amotivation associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia or co-morbid depression. METHODS: We aimed to describe the dietary intake, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour patterns of a sample of patients with established psychosis participating in the Improving Physical Health and Reducing Substance Use in Severe Mental Illness (IMPaCT) randomised controlled trial, and to explore the relationship between these lifestyle factors and mental health symptomatology. RESULTS: A majority of participants had poor dietary quality, low in fruit and vegetables and high in discretionary foods. Only 29.3% completed ⩾150 min of moderate and/or vigorous activity per week and 72.2% spent ⩾6 h per day sitting. Cross-sectional associations between negative symptoms, global function, and PA and sedentary behaviour were observed. Additionally, those with more negative symptoms receiving IMPaCT therapy had fewer positive changes in PA from baseline to 12-month follow-up than those with fewer negative symptoms at baseline. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the need for the development of multidisciplinary lifestyle and exercise interventions to target eating habits, PA and sedentary behaviour, and the need for further research on how to adapt lifestyle interventions to baseline mental status. Negative symptoms in particular may reduce patient's responses to lifestyle interventions.

Healthcare professionals' experiences in identifying and supporting mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study.

AIMS: To explore perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals in the identification and support provision of mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Using a qualitative research design, 15 healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom were individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified relating to barriers: time, knowledge, relationship between services and stigma. Three themes were identified relating to facilitators: education, communication and appropriate tools and services. CONCLUSIONS: This research emphasises the need for educational tools to improve the skills and competency of healthcare professionals in identifying mental health problems in people with type 1 diabetes, highlighting practical and theoretical implications for healthcare improvements and the necessity for additional research to design care pathways that better support this population, in which all healthcare professionals are aware of.

A thematic analysis of YouTube comments on a television documentary titled 'Diabulimia: The World's most dangerous eating disorder'.

AIM: Omitting insulin for fear of weight gain is a type of disordered eating (also labelled as diabulimia) common in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is associated with a worse biomedical prognosis but is not a formally recognised condition. This research explored the public's opinion of diabulimia as a condition as presented in a television documentary. METHODS: We conducted a coding reliability thematic analysis using NVivo software of the original comments to a YouTube documentary 'Diabulimia: The World's Most Dangerous Eating Disorder' between 24 September 2017 and 16 June 2020. RESULTS: Of 1424 original comments, 1264 were eligible and uploaded into NVivo 12. The commenters were people with T1D, family and friends, health care professionals, and the wider public who collectively had questions, personal stories and/or opinions. Three main themes were discerned: lack of awareness of diabulimia as a condition; the importance of support; diabulimia as a psychiatric condition in the diabetes setting. CONCLUSION: This analysis of social media comments found that there is a lack of awareness of diabulimia amongst patients, their families and friends, and healthcare professionals and that there were many commenters who had the experience of disordered eating with T1D. This study has reported on themes that suggest there may be an eating disorder specifically in people with T1D and that further work is needed to understand the diagnostic criteria for diabulimia in order to develop effective treatments.

The impact of gestational diabetes mellitus on perceived mother-infant bonding: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rapidly increasing. It is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes for women and their babies. Mother-infant bonding is important for maternal health and infant development, but the effect of GDM on mother-infant bonding has not been examined. OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe the impact of GDM on perceived mother infant-bonding in the antenatal and postnatal period. METHODS: Qualitative, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 women from diverse backgrounds with current or previous GDM. Data were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were generated from the analysis: 1) Concern for baby's health and its impact on bonding; 2) GDM management, the pregnancy experience, and bonding; 3) Continuity and discontinuity of the impact on bonding between the antenatal and postnatal periods. CONCLUSION: It was found that GDM can have both positive and negative impacts on perceived mother-infant bonding, which appear to change over the course of the perinatal period. Further observational research is needed to assist in understanding the impact of GDM on mother-infant bonding and the potential mediating effect of mental disorders, including depression.

The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is an established risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease (PD), but its effect on disease progression is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of T2DM on aspects of disease progression in PD. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Tracking Parkinson's study to examine the effects of comorbid T2DM on PD progression and quality of life by comparing symptom severity scores assessing a range of motor and nonmotor symptoms. RESULTS: We identified 167 (8.7%) patients with PD and T2DM (PD + T2DM) and 1763 (91.3%) patients with PD without T2DM (PD). After controlling for confounders, patients with T2DM had more severe motor symptoms, as assessed by Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III (25.8 [0.9] vs. 22.5 [0.3] P = 0.002), and nonmotor symptoms, as assessed by Non-Motor Symptoms Scale total (38.4 [2.5] vs. 31.8 [0.7] P < 0.001), and were significantly more likely to report loss of independence (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-3.25; P = 0.001) and depression (odds ratio, 1.62; CI: 1.10-2.39; P = 0.015). Furthermore, over time, patients with T2DM had significantly faster motor symptom progression (P = 0.012), developed worse mood symptoms (P = 0.041), and were more likely to develop substantial gait impairment (hazard ratio, 1.55; CI: 1.07-2.23; P = 0.020) and mild cognitive impairment (hazard ratio, 1.7; CI: 1.24-2.51; P = 0.002) compared with the PD group. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date, T2DM is associated with faster disease progression in Parkinson's, highlighting an interaction between these two diseases. Because it is a potentially modifiable metabolic state, with multiple peripheral and central targets for intervention, it may represent a target for alleviating parkinsonian symptoms and slowing progression to disability and dementia. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased COVID-19 severity. Little is understood about the needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: To examine the lived experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This qualitative study recruited people with type 2 diabetes from the SOUth-London Diabetes (SOUL-D) cohort. Semi-structured interviews via telephone were conducted between September 2020 and January 2021. Deductive thematic analysis derived themes from the data to explore needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Twenty-nine people with type 2 diabetes were interviewed. Three themes with subthemes were outlined: (1) information needs of people with type 2 diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic, (2) concerns about Covid-19 from people with type 2 diabetes and (3) diabetes self management and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: During a pandemic, there is a need for consistent, diabetes-specific, messaging from healthcare professionals for people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes need support to access digital resources to aid remote communication. Future research could help develop recourses to prevent social isolation and loneliness for people with type 2 diabetes during a pandemic.

Eliciting the mechanisms of action of care navigators in the management of type 2 diabetes in people with severe mental illness: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: People with severe mental illness and type 2 diabetes have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. One factor that contributes to this is the inability to provide optimal management, as the two conditions are typically managed by separate physical and mental health systems. The role of care navigators in coordinating diabetes care in people with severe mental illness may provide a solution to better management. AIM: To explore the views of clinicians and people with severe mental illness and type 2 diabetes on an integrated health service model with a focus on the care navigator to identify potential mechanisms of action. DESIGN: Qualitative one-to-one semi-structured interviews and part of a wider pilot intervention study. SETTING: Community Mental Health Unit in South London. METHOD: Topic guides explored the perspectives and experiences of both clinicians and people with severe mental illness and diabetes. Data analysis was conducted using Thematic Analysis. RESULTS: From the analysis of 19 participants, five main themes emerged regarding the care navigator role: administrative service; signposting to local services; adhering to lifestyle changes and medication; engaging in social activities; further skills and training needed. The key findings from this study emphasise the benefits that the role of a care navigator has in helping people with severe mental illness to better manage their diabetes i.e. through diet, exercise medication and attending essential health check-ups. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that having a care navigator in place empowers those with severe mental illness to improve the management of their diabetes. Future research should focus on the extent to which care navigators are effective in improving specific outcomes.

Developing a novel intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating using a participatory action design process: Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY).

AIMS: To develop a cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention for people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating using Experience-Based Co-Design as part of the Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY). METHODS: Fifteen people with type 1 diabetes and experience of disordered eating (33 ± 11 years old, 22 ± 12 years diabetes duration) and 25 healthcare professionals working in type 1 diabetes or eating disorders (44 ± 9 years old; 14 ± 10 years of professional experience) attended six Experience-Based Co-Design workshops from July 2019 to March 2020 to collaboratively develop intervention content. RESULTS: We developed a cognitive behaviour therapy intervention 'toolkit' that can be tailored for individual patient needs. Participants designed and revised toolkit materials to ensure acceptability and relevance for people with diabetes and disordered eating by engaging in guided discussion, brainstorming, and rapid testing to review toolkit prototypes in an iterative process. Workshop themes were 'Insulin titration'; 'Hypoglycaemia'; 'Coming to terms with diabetes'; 'Fear of weight gain'; 'Toolkit revision'; and 'Practical elements of STEADY therapy'. The intervention is focussed on improving diabetes self-care and embedded in a multidisciplinary healthcare approach. The intervention will be delivered in 12 sessions by a diabetes specialist nurse trained in cognitive behavioural therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Through an iterative co-design process, people with type 1 diabetes and healthcare professionals collaboratively developed a novel intervention toolkit that can be used with a wide range of disordered eating presentations. The intervention will be tested in the STEADY feasibility randomised controlled trial.

SITAgliptin for Depressive Symptoms in Type 2 Diabetes: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the feasibility of using sitagliptin-a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor-for depressive symptoms in type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: In a feasibility, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, we recruited people aged 18 to 75 years with T2D (glycated hemoglobin A1c levels ≥53 and ≤86 mmol/mol prescribed oral hypoglycemic therapy) and comorbid depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10) from family practices in South London. Eligible patients were randomized to sitagliptin 100 mg per day or matched placebo for 12 weeks. The primary feasibility outcomes were participation rates, attrition rates, and adverse events. The primary clinical outcomes were depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology scores) at 12 weeks as assessed using analyses of covariance. Ranges of treatment effects were estimated using Cohen d and associated 95% confidence intervals, where negative values favored sitagliptin over placebo. RESULTS: Of 153 people screened across 32 practices, 44 were randomized (22 to each arm). The mean (standard deviation) age was 58.8 (8.3) years, 46% were female, and 52% were of non-white ethnicity. Of those treated, 1 patient (4.5%) in each arm withdrew, and there were no group differences in adverse events. Despite improving 12-week glycated hemoglobin A1c (d = -1.19 [95% confidence interval = -1.90 to -0.48), improvement in 12-week Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology score with sitagliptin was inferior to placebo across the range of estimated treatment effects (d = 0.71 [0.13 to 1.30]). Effects of sitagliptin on inflammation were inconsistent (d = -0.32 [-0.81 to 0.17] for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). CONCLUSIONS: Repositioning of oral hypoglycemic therapy for depressive symptoms in T2D is feasible. However, in this unpowered feasibility study, we did not detect evidence of superiority of sitagliptin over placebo. The results are cautioned by the small sample size and limited treatment duration.Trial Registration: EudraCT: 2015-004527-32.

The psychopathology of recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Despite its poor prognosis, the psychological factors associated with recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis are poorly understood. In people with type 1 diabetes, we assessed for psychopathology in those with and without recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). METHOD: The design was a case-control study. Cases were defined as people with two or more DKA episodes in a 12-month period (recurrent DKA). Cases and controls were matched for gender and age. We compared groups for scores on Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck's Depression Inventory II, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Standardised Assessment of Personality-Abbreviated Scale (SAPAS), Interpersonal Problem Inventory, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) using unpaired t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for parametric and non-parametric data, respectively. Correction was made for multiple testing. RESULTS: In all, 23 cases and 23 controls were recruited with mean age 31.0 (11.4) years and 65.2% were men. Cases had higher HbA1c levels than controls (101.1 (23.2) vs. 85.7 (21.7) mmol/mol, (p = 0.02)). Compared to controls, people with recurrent DKA had higher scores on the BAI (p = 0.004), PAID (p = 0.004), DERS (p = 0.001) and SAPAS (p < 0.001). Sixteen of 23 (69.6%) cases screened positive for a personality disorder compared to 6 of 23 (26.1%) controls. CONCLUSIONS: People with recurrent DKA have elevated levels of anxiety and diabetes distress, greater difficulty with emotion regulation and personality dysfunction compared to matched controls.

A cognitive behavioural model of the bidirectional relationship between disordered eating and diabetes self care in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: This qualitative study aimed to develop the first cognitive behavioural therapy model outlining the development and maintenance of disordered eating in type 1 diabetes and report on recovery strategies and resilience factors to improve previous theoretical models of type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. METHODS: Twenty-three women (n = 9 with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating, n = 5 with type 1 diabetes recovering from disordered eating, and n = 9 with type 1 diabetes without disordered eating) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using grounded theory and individual cognitive-behavioural formulations were developed for each participant to inform the development/maintenance and resilience models. RESULTS: The development/maintenance model summarises commonly experienced vicious cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviours in type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. The resilience model summarises strategies and knowledge acquired by those with type 1 diabetes in recovery from disordered eating and individuals with type 1 diabetes who did not develop disordered eating. Early adverse life events, past psychiatric history, perfectionist personality traits, difficult experiences around type 1 diabetes diagnosis and its relentless daily management sensitise individuals to eating, weight and shape cues. Alongside physical symptoms/complications, unhelpful interpersonal reactions and inadequate healthcare, vicious cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviours develop. 'Good enough' psychological adaptation to type 1 diabetes, integrating type 1 diabetes into one's identity, self care and compassion around eating, weight and shape were key protective/post-traumatic resilience factors. CONCLUSIONS: This first cognitive behavioural therapy model of type 1 diabetes and disordered eating informed by personal experience will inform an intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating.

Disordered eating in women with type 1 diabetes: Continuous glucose monitoring reveals the complex interactions of glycaemia, self-care behaviour and emotion.

OBJECTIVES: Glycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating is not well characterised. We explored the glycaemia, self-care behaviour and emotional state of women with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In all, 13 women with and 10 without disordered eating and type 1 diabetes participated in this case-control study. We used a mixed-methods approach with a 7-day blinded continuous glucose monitoring and real-time record of non-prompted capillary glucose (CG), emotion, activity and physical symptoms on a diabetes diary using a smartphone application (mySugr®). We compared groups using Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. We conducted thematic analyses of free-text diary entries (NVivo®) and quantitative analysis of emotion/symptom tags. RESULTS: People with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating spent longer time above range in level 2 hyperglycaemia (>13.9 mmol/L, Median [interquartile range]: 21% [16,60] vs 5% [2,17], p = 0.015). They had lower time in range and similar time below range compared to those without disordered eating. The standard deviation of CG was significantly higher in the disordered eating group (4.7 mmol/L [4.5, 6.1] vs 3 [2.8, 3.2], p = 0.018). The median of the percentage of rising sensor glucose trends was three times higher in the disordered eating group. They also had higher negative emotional and physical symptoms associated with high blood glucose (>15 mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating has a significant impact on the glycaemia and emotion of a person with type 1 diabetes.

Genetic Overlap Between Type 2 Diabetes and Depression in a Sri Lankan Population Twin Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Results from twin studies examining the genetic overlap between type 2 diabetes and depression are currently inconclusive. This question has not been addressed in non-Western populations. We aimed to examine whether there are common genetic factors between type 2 diabetes and depression in a Sri Lankan population using genetic model-fitting analysis. METHOD: The Colombo Twin and Singleton Study-Phase 2 consists of 2019 singletons, and 842 monozygotic and 578 dizygotic twin pairs. The primary outcomes were self-reported type 2 diabetes diagnosis and Beck Depression Inventory scores. Standard bivariate twin models were fitted to estimate the genetic and environmental (co)variance of type 2 diabetes and depression. RESULTS: In the best-fitting model, the phenotypic correlation between type 2 diabetes and depression was significant in female individuals only (r = 0.15 [0.08-0.21]). This association was primarily attributed to a significant genetic correlation between the traits (rA = 0.53 [0.19-0.98]). CONCLUSIONS: In female individuals, but not male individuals, we found a significant genetic overlap between type 2 diabetes and depression in the context of a modest phenotypic correlation.

The Association Between Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Glycemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: Individual studies have reported conflicting effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on glycemia. We systematically reviewed the effects of SSRIs on glycemia and whether metabolic and psychological factors moderated these effects. METHODS: We systematically searched for placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of SSRIs on glycemia (fasting blood glucose or HbA1c) as a primary or secondary outcome. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted to compute an overall treatment effect. Meta-regression tested whether depression, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, treatment duration, and weight loss moderated treatment effects. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials (n = 835) were included and glycemia was usually a secondary outcome. Overall, SSRIs improved glycemia versus placebo (pooled effect size (ES) = -0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.48 to -0.21; p < .001, I = 0%). Individually, fluoxetine (ES = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.54 to -0.05; p = .018) and escitalopram/citalopram (ES = -0.33, 95% CI = -0.59 to -0.07; p = .012) outperformed placebo, but paroxetine (ES = -0.19, 95% CI = -0.58 to 0.19; p = .33) did not. Results were similar in populations selected for depression as those not. Across studies, baseline insulin resistance (p = .46), treatment duration (p = .47), diabetes status (p = .41), and weight loss (p = .93) did not moderate changes. Heterogeneity for all analyses was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: SSRIs seem to have an association with improvement in glycemia, which is not moderated by depression status, diabetes status, or change in weight across studies. Future powered trials with longer treatment duration are needed to confirm these findings. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD4201809239.

Effect of lifestyle, medication and ethnicity on cardiometabolic risk in the year following the first episode of psychosis: prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The first episode of psychosis is a critical period in the emergence of cardiometabolic risk. AIMS: We set out to explore the influence of individual and lifestyle factors on cardiometabolic outcomes in early psychosis. METHOD: This was a prospective cohort study of 293 UK adults presenting with first-episode psychosis investigating the influence of sociodemographics, lifestyle (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, nutrition, smoking, alcohol, substance use) and medication on cardiometabolic outcomes over the following 12 months. RESULTS: Rates of obesity and glucose dysregulation rose from 17.8% and 12%, respectively, at baseline to 23.7% and 23.7% at 1 year. Little change was seen over time in the 76.8% tobacco smoking rate or the quarter who were sedentary for over 10 h daily. We found no association between lifestyle at baseline or type of antipsychotic medication prescribed with either baseline or 1-year cardiometabolic outcomes. Median haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) rose by 3.3 mmol/mol in participants from Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, with little change observed in their White counterparts. At 12 months, one-third of those with BME heritage exceeded the threshold for prediabetes (HbA1c >39 mmol/mol). CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy lifestyle choices are prevalent in early psychosis and cardiometabolic risk worsens over the next year, creating an important window for prevention. We found no evidence, however, that preventative strategies should be preferentially directed based on lifestyle habits. Further work is needed to determine whether clinical strategies should allow for differential patterns of emergence of cardiometabolic risk in people of different ethnicities.