Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Graves' Disease: Smoking and Age as Predictive Factors.

OBJECTIVES: Hypermetabolic state in Graves' disease (GD) has a great impact on heart homeostasis, acting directly on the heart muscle and modulating the autonomic nervous system. To characterize cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) as a possible complication in patients with GD. METHODS: We evaluated euthyroid GD patients and a control group of healthy euthyroid people. CAN was assessed using autonomic tests of cardiovascular reflex and heart rate variability: respiratory, Valsalva, orthostatic and orthostatic hypotension tests, high frequency, low frequency, and very low-frequency bands. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in GD patients. RESULTS: Sixty GD patients and 50 people in control group were assessed. CAN was diagnosed in 20% of GD and 14% in the control group. Among GD, 13.3% presented incipient, and 6.7% established CAN, while in the control group, it was verified incipient in 8% and established in 6% (P = .7479). All GD patients with CAN presented an alteration in the deep breathing test. Age and smoking were evidenced as factors associated with the presence of CAN, while higher TRAb values at diagnosis decreased the chance of CAN. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAN in euthyroid GD patients was 20%. Changes in the cardiac autonomic nervous system were identified, pointing to the importance of evaluating this complication in these patients. Smoking was a predictive factor for CAN, increasing its relationship with conditions that aggravate GD.

Impact of age on tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes in pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: There is a tendency to use data generated for adults in the management of pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, neglecting the clinical peculiarities of this condition in childhood. This study aimed to assess and compare the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and their significance in the evolution of thyroid carcinoma diagnosed in childhood across different age groups. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients diagnosed with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC) up to 21 years old were selected and divided into different age groups: up to 10 years, 11 to 18 years, and 19 to 21 years old. Clinical-epidemiological data and their influence in the disease progression were analyzed and compared across age groups. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed below 10 years of age were associated with tumors showing extrathyroidal extension, metastasis in regional lymph nodes, higher levels of stimulated thyroglobulin in the diagnostic iodine-131 whole-body scan (WBS), and under TSH suppression in the last assessment. Additionally, pulmonary metastasis were associated in both diagnostic and post-radioiodine dose WBSs in these younger patients. Analysis of findings in the post-radioiodine therapy WBS revealed significant differences between all age groups (p = 0.0029). The time of diagnosis was identified as a factor associated with an excellent response in subgroups up to 18 years and up to 21 years. No factors associated with dynamic responses over the 1st, 3rd and 5th years of follow-up and the persistence/recurrence of the disease were identified in the subgroup up to 18 years. In the subgroup up to 21 years, having an incomplete structural response in the 3rd year of follow-up increased the chances of recurrent or persistent response by 5.5 times, and by 32.6 times if found in the 5th year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients exhibited more aggressive tumor characteristics and underwent more rigorous treatment. However, treatment response and disease status in the last assessment, whether free or recurrent/persistence, were similar when comparing the age groups of 11 to 18 and 19 to 21 years. Nonetheless, responses obtained in the 3rd and 5th years post-treatment emerged as factors associated with the persistence/recurrence of the disease in the last assessment in the age group up to 21 years but not in patients diagnosed up to 18 years, a relevant distinction considering the tumor behavior in defining the pediatric age range in thyroid cancer.

Semblance of a physician: medical students' experiences during Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus clinic simulation / Com o semblante de médico: experiências de estudantes de medicina durante a simulação clínica em Diabetes tipo 2 / Con el semblante de médico: experiencias de estudiantes de medicina durante la simulación clínica en Diabetes tipo 2

This qualitative research aimed to understand the experiences of a fourth-year medical class during two clinical simulation scenarios of type 2 diabetes management in Primary Care. Ten simulated students were interviewed. The results describe the symbolic conception of diabetes and its treatment as anguish, damage, condemnation and an unpleasant sentence that affects the appropriation and performance of the medical role by students. Considering Medical Psychology, we suggest that such subjective factors should be addressed in teaching-learning in addition to commonly cognitive aspects mentioned in the medical education literature in order for students to develop the work profile to cope with diabetes in Primary Care. Clinical simulation facilitates the subjective approach through its group support component to promote reflection, insights and self-awareness.(AU)

Esta pesquisa qualitativa objetivou compreender as experiências de estudantes de um quarto ano médico durante dois cenários de simulação clínica do manejo do diabetes tipo 2 na Atenção Primária. Dez estudantes simulados foram entrevistados. Os resultados descrevem a concepção simbólica do diabetes e seu tratamento como angústia, dano, condenação e uma sentença desagradável que afeta a apropriação e o desempenho do papel médico pelos estudantes. Considerando a Psicologia Médica, sugerimos que os fatores subjetivos apontados devem ser abordados no ensino-aprendizado além de aspectos cognitivos mais comuns na literatura de educação médica para que os estudantes desenvolvam o perfil de trabalho ao enfrentamento do diabetes na Atenção Primária. A simulação clínica permite esta abordagem subjetiva por seu componente de suporte grupal promovendo reflexão, insights e autoconsciência.(AU)

Esta encuesta cualitativa tuvo el objetivo de comprender las experiencias de estudiantes del cuarto año de medicina durante dos escenarios de simulación clínica del manejo de la diabetes tipo 2 en la Atención Primaria. Fueron entrevistados 10 estudiantes simulados. Los resultados describen la concepción simbólica de la diabetes y su tratamiento, tales como angustia, daño, condenación y una sentencia desagradable que afecta la apropiación y el desempeño del papel médico por parte de los estudiantes. Considerando la Psicología Médica, sugerimos que los factores subjetivos señalados deben abordarse en la enseñanza-aprendizaje, más allá de aspectos cognitivos más comunes en la literatura de educación médica para que los estudiantes desarrollen el perfil de trabajo para el enfrentamiento de la diabetes en la Atención Primaria. La simulación clínica permite este abordaje subjetivo por su componente de soporte grupal promoviendo reflexión, insights y autoconciencia.(AU)

Higher systemic inflammatory status and cardiovascular risk associated with Charcot arthropathy unrelated to infection or extremity amputation.

Purpose: People with diabetes and Charcot arthropathy have higher mortality than people with diabetes without this complication. Are the causes of this higher mortality exclusively infectious or of a cardiovascular origin? We aimed to study aspects related to cardiovascular risk and inflammation in a population of people with type 2 diabetes with and without Charcot arthropathy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in people with diabetes and Charcot Eickenholtz III arthropathy, matched for sex and age, with two groups of people with diabetes without Charcot arthropathy with and without peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy, in the absence of active infection. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation at the time of the interview, and their cardiovascular risk was calculated according to the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) calculator. Results: We evaluated 69 people with type 2 diabetes (21 with Charcot arthropathy, 24 with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 24 without this neuropathy), with a mean age between 57 and 61 years and with a diabetes duration of more than 10 years. Patients with Charcot arthropathy had a longer duration of diabetes; more frequency of dyslipidemia; and higher levels of uric acid, microalbuminuria and C-reactive protein than the other two groups. A total of 73.9% of the people evaluated had high or very high cardiovascular risk according to the UKPDS score. Conclusion: The people with type 2 diabetes presenting Charcot arthropathy had greater values of systemic inflammatory parameters, even in the chronic phase of the complication, with a higher risk of mortality unrelated to infections.

TEACHING STRATEGIES OF CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF DM2 IN MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW / ESTRATEGIAS DE ENSEÑANZA DEL MANEJO CLÍNICO DEL DM2 EN LA LICENCIATURA DE MEDICINA DE PREGRADO: REVISIÓN INTEGRATVA / ESTRATÉGIAS DE ENSINO AO MANEJO CLÍNICO DO DIABETES TIPO 2 NA GRADUAÇÃO MÉDICA: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

This review integrated studies about the teaching-learning that takes place in medical schools for the development of skills in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). We obtained primary sources from the following databases: BVS, Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science using appropriate descriptors, and selected the period between 2007 and 2021 for inclusion of studies. We grouped 26 studies into four categories that integrate the forms of teaching-learning, curriculum content, and skills development targets. The categories: Immersion in Service Training Programs; Electronic Games and Multimedia Strategies; Interests, Instruments and Ways of Assessing Clinical Skills and Attitudes; and Curriculum Models and Analyses. Teaching activities blend traditional and active methodologies, they incorporate didactic, psychological, and technological resources and concepts to optimize teaching-learning and the available structure. The development of clinical competencies begins in the basic undergraduate cycle, with the concern to anchor them in the best evidence. It is desired to achieve the formation of a generalist profile directed to the performance in Primary Health Care that encompasses competencies to manage people, resources and health, enabled by technical and humanistic apparatus in order to prevent and treat DM2 and its consequences, reduce its risks and impacts on health and community, promoting education and empowerment of those affected to self-management.

Esta revisión incluyó estudios sobre la enseñanza-aprendizaje que tiene lugar en las escuelas de medicina para el desarrollo de habilidades para el manejo de la Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 (DM2). Se obtuvieron fuentes primarias de las siguientes bases de datos: BVS, Embase, Pubmed, Scopus y Web of Science utilizando los descriptores adecuados, y se seleccionó el período comprendido entre 2007 y 2021 para la inclusión de los estudios. Agrupamos 26 estudios en cuatro categorías que integran las formas de enseñanza-aprendizaje, el contenido del plan de estudios y los objetivos de desarrollo de competencias. Las categorías son: Inmersión en programas de formación de servicios; Juegos electrónicos y estrategias multimedia; Intereses, instrumentos y formas de evaluar las habilidades y actitudes clínicas; y Modelos y análisis curriculares. Las actividades docentes mezclan metodologías tradicionales y activas, incorporan recursos y conceptos didácticos, psicológicos y tecnológicos para optimizar la enseñanza-aprendizaje y la estructura disponible. El desarrollo de las competencias clínicas comienza desde el ciclo básico de la carrera, con la preocupación de anclarlas en las mejores evidencias. Se desea lograr la formación de un perfil generalista dirigido al desempeño en Atención Primaria de Salud que abarque habilidades a las personas, recursos y gestión de la salud, habilitadas por aparatos técnicos y humanísticos con el fin de prevenir y tratar la DM2 y sus consecuencias, reducir sus riesgos e impactos en la salud y la comunidad, promoviendo la educación y el empoderamiento de los afectados para su autogestión.

Essa revisão integrou estudos acerca do ensino-aprendizado que acontece nas graduações médicas para o desenvolvimento de habilidades ao manejo do Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 (DM2). Obtivemos as fontes primárias nas bases de dados: BVS, Embase, Pubmed, Scopus e Web Of Science por meio de descritores apropriados, e selecionamos o período entre 2007 e 2021 para inclusão dos estudos. Agrupamos 26 estudos em quatro categorias que integram as formas de ensino-aprendizado, os conteúdos curriculares, e as habilidades alvos ao desenvolvimento. As categorias são: a Imersão em Programas de Treinamento em Serviços; as Estratégias Eletrônicas de Games e Multimídias; os Interesses, Instrumentos e Maneiras de Avaliação de Competências e Atitudes Clínicas; e os Modelos e Análises Curriculares. As atividades de ensino mesclam metodologias tradicionais e ativas, incorporam recursos e conceitos didáticos, psicológicos e tecnológicos para otimizar o ensino-aprendizado e a estrutura disponível. O desenvolvimento de competências clínicas inicia-se desde o ciclo básico da graduação, com a preocupação de ancorá-las nas melhores evidências. Deseja-se alcançar a formação de um perfil do generalista direcionado à atuação na Atenção Primária em Saúde que englobe competências à gestão de pessoas, dos recursos e da saúde, habilitado por aparato técnico e humanístico a fim de prevenir e tratar o DM2 e suas consequências, reduzir seus riscos e impactos na saúde e na comunidade, promovendo a educação e o empoderamento dos acometidos ao automanejo.

Full Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing and Pain Relief Based on Platelet-Rich-Plasma gel Formulation Treatment and the Involved Pathways.

Diabetic foot ulcer is a severe Diabetic Mellitus-associated complication. It is induced by poor glycemic control, which leads to peripheral neuropathy and vascular diseases. Platelet-rich plasma could be beneficial for healing processes due to its active biomolecules that promotes immunomodulation, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and analgesia.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Long-Term Type 2 Diabetes: Role of rs738409 PNPLA3 and rs499765 FGF21 Polymorphisms and Serum Biomarkers.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) signaling and genetic factors are involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. However, these factors have rarely been studied in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients from admixed populations such as in those of Brazil. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate rs738409 patanin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein (PNPLA3) and rs499765 FGF21 polymorphisms in T2D, and their association with NAFLD, liver fibrosis, and serum biomarkers (FGF21 and cytokeratin 18 levels). A total of 158 patients were included, and the frequency of NAFLD was 88.6%, which was independently associated with elevated body mass index. Significant liver fibrosis (≥F2) was detected by transient elastography (TE) in 26.8% of NAFLD patients, and was independently associated with obesity, low density lipoprotein, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). PNPLA3 GG genotype and GGT were independently associated with cirrhosis. PNPLA3 GG genotype patients had higher GGT and AST levels; PNPLA3 GG carriers had higher TE values than CG patients, and FGF21 CG genotype patients showed lower gamma-GT values than CC patients. No differences were found in serum values of FGF21 and CK18 in relation to the presence of NAFLD or liver fibrosis. The proportion of NAFLD patients with liver fibrosis was relevant in the present admixed T2D population, and was associated with PNPLA3 polymorphisms.

Cardiovascular Autonomic Reflex Tests and 7 Heart Rate Variability Indices for Early Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common complication of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2D), and prevalence varies according to the methodology used. CAN should be diagnosed in the subclinical stage when an intensive treatment of T2D could avoid the progression to irreversible phases. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of early involvement (EI) of CAN in T2D individuals comparing two methodologies. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included 183 T2D individuals who were monitored in a Tertiary centre. The diagnosis of CAN was based on the results of four cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs: expiration-inspiration index, Valsalva maneuver, orthostatic test, and changes in blood pressure after standing) and of seven heart rate variability (7HRV) indices (CARTs plus the spectral analysis). The findings were validated in an independent cohort comprised of 562 T2D individuals followed in a Primary care setting. RESULTS: With the use of 7HRV, 30.6% and 77.8% of individuals in the Tertiary and in the Primary centers, respectively, were classified as without CAN; 25.1% and 15.3% as EI and 44.3% and 6.9% as definitive CAN, respectively. The use of CARTs decreased the proportion of individuals without CAN in both centers (7.1% and 47%) and increased the frequency of EI (30.6% and 36.6%) and definitive CAN (62.3% and 16.4%), respectively. The concordance between both evaluated methodologies was weak. CONCLUSION: Higher proportions of T2D individuals were diagnosed with EI and with definitive CAN with the use of CARTs.

Influence of thyroid hormone in the expression of the marker pro-apoptosis BID, in spite of the predominance of anti-apoptosis activation in intratiroidal lymphocytic infiltration in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Cell destruction in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) involves autoantibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Thyrocytes maintenance occurs by pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and cell proliferation balance. OBJECTIVES: To characterize factors related to the mechanisms of apoptosis and cell proliferation in thyroid cells and intrathyroid lymphocytic infiltrate in HT. METHODS: We assessed lymphocytic infiltrate and thyroid cells from HT and normal thyroid by immunohistochemical analysis of cell proliferation (Ki-67), antiproliferation (p27Kip1), pro-apoptosis (Fas, Fas-ligand, BID) and anti-apoptosis (MCL-1, BCL2) markers. RESULTS: Lymphocytic infiltrate presented BCL2 and MCL-1 higher expression, Ki-67 and p27kip1 balance. Thyrocytes exhibited Fas and FasL balance, higher BID expression; MCL-1, BCL-2, Ki-67 similar to the normal thyroid. T4 and higher lymphocytes BID expression were associated. CONCLUSIONS: In lymphocytic infiltrate predominated anti-apoptosis in relation to pro-apoptosis except for BID. Thyrocytes presented pro-apoptosis and anti-apoptosis balance and cell proliferation similar to normal thyroid. T4-associated BID expression in HT lymphocytes suggests the influence of thyroid hormone as a signal to up-regulate the BID pro-apoptotic protein and thus increase lymphocytic apoptosis rates.

Ocular Manifestations and Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With Charcot Arthropathy.

Objective: Diabetes can affect the eye in many ways beyond retinopathy. This study sought to evaluate ocular disease and determine any associations with peripheral neuropathy (PN) or cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Charcot arthropathy (CA) patients. Design: A total of 60 participants were included, 16 of whom were individuals with T2D/CA, 21 of whom were individuals with T2D who did not have CA, and 23 of whom were healthy controls. Ocular surface evaluations were performed, and cases of dry eye disease (DED) were determined using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, ocular surface staining, Schirmer test, and Oculus Keratograph 5M exams. All variables were used to classify DED and ocular surface disorders such as aqueous deficiency, lipid deficiency, inflammation, and ocular surface damage. Pupillary and retinal nerve fiber measurements were added to the protocol in order to broaden the scope of the neurosensory ocular evaluation. PN and CAN were ascertained by clinical examinations involving the Neuropathy Disability Score (for PN) and Ewing's battery (for CAN). Results: Most ocular variables evaluated herein differed significantly between T2D patients and controls. When the controls were respectively compared to patients with T2D and to patients with both T2D and CA, they differed substantially in terms of visual acuity (0.92 ± 0.11, 0.73 ± 0.27, and 0.47 ± 0.26, p=0.001), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (96.83 ± 6.91, 89.25 ± 10.44, and 80.37 ± 11.67 µm, p=0.03), pupillometry results (4.10 ± 0.61, 3.48 ± 0.88, and 2.75 ± 0.81 mm, p=0.0001), and dry eye symptoms (9.19 ± 11.71, 19.83 ± 19.08, and 24.82 ± 24.40, p=0.03). DED and ocular surface damage also differed between individuals with and without CA, and were associated with PN and CAN. Conclusion: CA was found to be significantly associated with the severity of ocular findings. DED in cases of CA was also associated with PN and CAN. These findings suggest that intrinsic and complex neurosensory impairment in the eyes, peripheral sensory nerves, and the autonomic nervous system are somehow connected. Thus, a thorough ocular evaluation may be useful to highlight neurological complications and the impact of diabetes on ocular and systemic functions and structures.

Digital educational technology for care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet.

OBJECTIVE: to develop and validate a distance learning course aimed at the pillars of care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet. METHOD: a technological production research using Moodle Virtual Learning Environment, based on Andragogy, Constructionism and Instructional Design. Content is based on consensus guidelines on diabetic foot. Validation was carried out by distance education, diabetes and/or diabetic foot experts. RESULTS: the course's content is based on diabetic foot guidelines, and is structured in units with didactic material, videos, forums and questionnaires to assess the participants' learning. The judges considered it appropriate to meet nurses' needs in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: the virtual learning course has been validated, being a promising strategy for training nurses on care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet.

Digital educational technology for care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet / Tecnología educativa digital para el manejo del cuidado de los pies de personas con diabetes mellitus / Tecnologia educacional digital para a gestão de cuidados dos pés de pessoas com diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective: to develop and validate a distance learning course aimed at the pillars of care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet. Method: a technological production research using Moodle Virtual Learning Environment, based on Andragogy, Constructionism and Instructional Design. Content is based on consensus guidelines on diabetic foot. Validation was carried out by distance education, diabetes and/or diabetic foot experts. Results: the course's content is based on diabetic foot guidelines, and is structured in units with didactic material, videos, forums and questionnaires to assess the participants' learning. The judges considered it appropriate to meet nurses' needs in clinical practice. Conclusion: the virtual learning course has been validated, being a promising strategy for training nurses on care management of diabetes mellitus people's feet.

RESUMEN Objetivos: desarrollar y validar un curso, en la modalidad a distancia, dirigido a los pilares del manejo del cuidado del pie de personas con diabetes mellitus. Método: investigación de producción tecnológica utilizando el Entorno Virtual de Aprendizaje Moodle, basado en Andragogía, Construccionismo y Modelo de Diseño Instruccional. El contenido se basa en las directrices de Consenso sobre el pie diabético. La validación fue realizada por jueces expertos en el campo de la educación a distancia, diabetes y/o pie diabético. Resultados: el contenido del curso se basa en las directrices sobre pie diabético, estando estructurado en unidades con material didáctico, videos, foros y cuestionarios para evaluar el aprendizaje de los participantes. Los jueces lo consideraron adecuado para satisfacer las necesidades de las enfermeras en la práctica clínica. Conclusión: se ha validado el curso virtual de aprendizaje, siendo una estrategia prometedora para la capacitación de enfermeros en la gestión del cuidado del pie para personas con diabetes

RESUMO Objetivos: desenvolver e validar um curso, na modalidade a distância, voltado para os pilares da gestão dos cuidados com os pés das pessoas com diabetes mellitus. Método: pesquisa de produção tecnológica utilizando o Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem Moodle, fundamentado na Andragogia, Construcionismo e Modelo de Design Instrucional. O conteúdo é baseado nas diretrizes do Consenso sobre o pé diabético. A validação foi realizada por juízes especialistas no campo da educação a distância, diabetes e/ou pé diabético. Resultados: o conteúdo do curso é baseado nas diretrizes sobre o pé diabético, sendo estruturado em unidades com material didático, vídeos, fóruns e questionários para avaliar a aprendizagem dos participantes. Os juízes consideraram adequado para atender às necessidades dos enfermeiros na prática clínica. Conclusão: o curso virtual de aprendizagem foi validado, sendo uma estratégia promissora para a qualificação de enfermeiros sobre gerenciamento dos cuidados com os pés de pessoas com diabetes.

Distal Symmetric and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathies in Brazilian Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Followed in a Primary Health Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The paucity of epidemiological data regarding diabetes complications in Brazil motivated us to evaluate the prevalence rates of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) and of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) followed in a primary care unit. A total of 551 individuals (59.3% women, 65 years old; diabetes duration of 10 years; HbA1c of 7.2%, medians) were included in this cross-sectional study. DSP was diagnosed by sum of the Neuropathy Symptoms Score (NSS) and Modified Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) and by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament. CAN was diagnosed by cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests combined with spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The prevalence rates of DSP were 6.3% and 14.3%, as evaluated by the sum of NSS and NDS and by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, respectively. Those with DSP diagnosed by monofilament presented longer diabetes duration, worse glycemic control and a higher stature. The prevalence rates of incipient and definitive CAN were 12.5% and 10%, respectively. Individuals with definitive CAN presented a higher frequency of hypercholesterolemia and of arterial hypertension. The higher prevalence rate of DSP with the use of the monofilament suggests that it may be a more appropriate tool to diagnose DSP in the primary care setting in Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the challenge of using technology for medical education in low and middle income countries.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The current use of technology for medical education in low and middle income countries (LMIC) during the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet reaching its potential. We provide recommendations for LMIC that has focus on a systematic framework that considers both faculty development and developing the skills of students. An enormous challenge for all medical educators, but especially in LMIC, continues to be how to maintain clinical teaching in these extraordinary times.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus associated or not with primary hypothyroidism and women's fertility.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of infertility and other reproductive parameters in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) with and without primary hypothyroidism (PH). This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Division of Endocrinology. We evaluated 110 female, aged over 18 years, 79 had DM1 and 31 had DM1 plus PH. They were interviewed to obtain data on their gynecological and obstetric history; medical charts were reviewed to determine the characteristics of the diseases and to assess clinical/laboratory data. Infertility was defined as 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse without conception. We used the chi-square and Mann-Whitney's tests, and logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of infertility in the total sample was 24.5%, no differences were found between groups regarding obstetric outcomes and gynecologic variables. Factors associated with infertility were microvascular complication (OR: 11.36; 95% CI: 2.488-52.632; p = .029), polycystic ovary syndrome (OR: 9.80; 95% CI: 2.247-43.478; p = .016), PH (OR: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.078-10.638; p = .047), and older age at onset of DM1 (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.029-1.215; p = .019). The presence of PH in women with DM1 was a predictive factor for infertility. Women with DM1 showed poorer reproductive outcomes compared to the general population.

Ambivalence about the selection of cardiovascular risk stratification tools: Evidence in a type 1 diabetes population.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death among people with diabetes, however, despite the increasing incidence of CVD, there are few tools for evaluating Cardiovascular Risk (CVR) in the population of patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), with the existing ones diverging in the stratification of risk and in the suggestions for therapeutic conduct. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 104 participants diagnosed with T1D, aged 18-40, attending specialized services. The Steno Type 1 Risk Engine and the Cardiovascular Risk Stratification Calculator (CRSC) were used to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event over a 10-year period. FINDINGS: Of the total sample selected, 62% were female, with a median age of 32 years (IQ 24; 43). There was a large difference between the stratification of CVR between the calculators, and 65.82% of the patients classified as low risk for CVD according to the Steno were identified as intermediate (30, 38.00%) and high risk (35.44%) by the CRSC. The analysis also highlighted a great difference in eligibility for statin use according to the risk stratification of the tools. CONCLUSION: The CRSC and Steno tools evaluated and stratified the CVR of the same population with T1D, with there being divergence of the results. It was found that the CRSC tool classified the majority of the sample as high risk. Due to this result, the eligibility to use statins, which is one of the applications of these tools, showed great differences, with the Steno tool presenting less aggressive provisions regarding the prescription of statins in patients with type 1 DM.

Glutathione peroxidase 4 functional variant rs713041 modulates the risk for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a neglected diabetic chronic complication for which genetic predictors are rarely reported. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications, and glutathione peroxidase 4 is involved in the detoxification of peroxides and of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the association of a functional variant in the gene encoding glutathione peroxidase 4 (rs713041) with this diabetic complication was investigated in 341 individuals with type 1 diabetes evaluated for cardiac autonomic neuropathy status (61.7% women, 34 [27-42] years old; diabetes duration: 21 [15-27] years; HbA1c: 8.3% [7.4-9.4]; as median [interquartile interval]). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was present in 29% of the participants. There was an inverse association of the minor T allele of rs713041 with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (odds ratio = 0.39; 95% confidence interval = 0.17-0.90; p = 0.0271) after adjustment for potential confounders. The functional glutathione peroxidase 4 variant rs713041 modulated the risk for cardiac autonomic neuropathy in the studied population with type 1 diabetes.

Identification and performance of multiple clinical and laboratorial risk factors for diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 1 diabetes patients.

PURPOSE: The incidence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is frequently underestimated. Individuals with T1D and CAN have an increased mortality risk, mainly from cardiovascular causes. The objectives of the present study were to assess the clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with CAN in patients with T1D and verify the ability of multiple clinical factors to help identify patients with this condition. METHODS: 102 patients with T1D were evaluated for CAN using standardized cardiovascular reflex testing. Clinical characteristics were used to compute a numerical score for CAN diagnosis and a ROC curve elaborated for assessment of the best cutoff to predict CAN. This score was then applied to the second sample of 120 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of CAN was around 35% in the first sample of patients and just below 20% in the second sample. Hypertension, total cholesterol, triglycerides, postprandial sweating, diastolic blood pressure, abnormal right and left 10 g monofilament, retinopathy, and nephropathy were considered independent predictors of CAN. The CAN-score cut-off was 16.88. This yielded a sensitivity of 50%, specificity 73.8%, positive predictive value 22.9%, and negative predictive value 90.5%. CONCLUSION: The use of a subset of clinical and laboratory characteristics can be more accessible than the cardiac reflex tests and more accurate than a single isolated characteristic.

Genetic variants in DNMT1 and the risk of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in women with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Epigenetics participate in the pathogenesis of metabolic memory, a situation in which hyperglycemia exerts prolonged deleterious effects even after its normalization. We tested the hypothesis that genetic variants in an epigenetic gene could predispose to diabetes complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed the frequency of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding deoxyribonucleic acid methytransferase 1 (DNMT1; rs8112895, rs7254567, rs11085721, rs17291414 and rs10854076), and their associations with diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, distal polyneuropathy and autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy in 359 individuals with long-term type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: None of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms studied was significantly associated with the presence of chronic complications in the overall population. However, after sex stratification, the minor allele C of rs11085721 conferred risk for cardiovascular neuropathy in women after adjustment for confounding variables (odds ratio 2.32; 95% confidence interval 1.26-4.33; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that heterozygous mutations in DNMT1 are associated with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy provides plausibility to the present finding. If confirmed in independent samples, it suggests that genetic variants in epigenetic genes might predispose to more or fewer epigenetic changes in the face of similar metabolic derangements triggered by hyperglycemia, constituting the "genetics of epigenetics" for microvascular diabetes complications.