Sex differences in risk factors for end-stage kidney disease and death in type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the sex differences in the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and mortality, as well as the effect modification of sex on associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This multicenter observational cohort study included 4328 patients with type 2 diabetes. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of sex for ESKD and death were estimated using Cox proportional regression with adjustment for baseline covariates. For assessing risk modification, HRs and incidence rates for ESKD and death were compared between sexes across patient characteristics using Cox proportional and Poisson regression models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 7 years, 276 patients (70% men) developed ESKD, and 241 patients (68% men) died. Men had higher risks of ESKD (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02-1.75; p = .034) and death (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.24-2.16; p = .001) versus women after adjusting for multiple covariates. Among patients with microalbuminuria, men had a substantially higher risk of ESKD versus women, compared to those with normo- and macroalbuminuria (p for interaction .04). Incidence rates were also increased in men versus women with albuminuria of around 300 mg/g. No differences were detected in the association of sex and death across baseline patient subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In type 2 diabetes, men had an increased risk of ESKD and death versus women. Moderately increased albuminuria was strongly associated with sex difference in developing ESKD.

Clinical practice of diabetic foot, nephropathy, and retinopathy in Japan: cross-sectional study using local and nationwide questionnaire surveys.

Aims/introduction: It is a reality that there are still many diabetic subjects who suffer from serious complications, but there are few statistics of severe eye complications such as vitrectomy or blindness and diabetic foot including amputations in Japan. Materials and methods: To determine the status of medical examination, consultation, and the actual practice for diabetic foot, retinopathy, and nephropathy, we conducted two surveys on diabetic subjects under treatment by the local physicians in Asahikawa area or in the nationwide diabetes-specialized facilities, respectively. Results: A total of 3649 diabetic subjects responded to the questionnaire from 35 clinics/hospitals in Asahikawa area. Sixty-five percent of the subjects had a routine eye examination at least once a year, but 29% of them interrupted or never attended eye examination. Besides, only 37.2% of subjects had received ankle-brachial index (ABI) test as a useful screening for diabetic foot. The nationwide survey found that 1,273,103 diabetic subjects were undergoing treatment in 472 diabetes-specialized facilities. There, lower extremity amputations accounted for 0.23% and revascularization accounted for 0.64% of the subjects. However, outpatient foot care and dialysis preventive outpatient services were offered only in 77.3% and 66.5% of the facilities, respectively. Furthermore, we found a lower availability of ophthalmologic treatments even in some of the specialized facilities. Conclusion: We considered that interruption and non-attendance of eye examinations were a barrier to prevent severe retinopathy. Our results also suggested that some of the specialized facilities may be inadequate in their efforts to detect and prevent these complications.

Extracellular RNA transfer from non-malignant human cholangiocytes can promote cholangiocarcinoma growth.

Extracellular vesicles (EV) within the cellular secretome are emerging as modulators of pathological processes involved in tumor growth through their ability to transfer donor-derived RNA into recipient cells. While the effects of tumor and stromal cell EVs within the tumor microenvironment have been studied, less is known about the contributions of normal, nontransformed cells. We examined the impact of EVs within the cellular secretome from nonmalignant cells on transformed cell growth and behavior in cholangiocarcinoma cells. These effects were enhanced in the presence of the pro-fibrogenic mediator TGF-ß. We identified miR-195 as a TGF-ß responsive miRNA in normal cells that can be transferred via EV to tumor cells and regulate cell growth, invasion, and migration. The effects of miR-195 involve modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through direct effects on the transcription factor Snail. These studies provide in vitro and in vivo evidence for the impact of normal cellular secretome on transformed cell growth, show the importance of EV RNA transfer, and identify mechanisms of EV-mediated transfer of miRNA as a contributor to tumor development, which may provide new therapeutic opportunities for targeting human cholangiocarcinoma.

Combined changes in albuminuria and kidney function and subsequent risk for kidney failure in type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in albuminuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be used as a surrogate endpoint of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in people with type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether the combined changes in albuminuria and eGFR are more strongly associated with future risk of ESKD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using data from a multicenter observational cohort study of people with type 2 diabetes, we evaluated the association of percentage change in urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and/or annual change in eGFR over 2 years with subsequent ESKD risk. RESULTS: Among 1417 patients with repeated albuminuria and eGFR over 2 years, 129 (9.1%) developed ESKD. Patients with >30% UACR decline had lower ESKD risk (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.77), whereas those with >30% UACR increase had higher ESKD risk (HR 2.31; 95% CI 1.52 to 3.51), compared with those with minor UACR change. Patients with greater eGFR decline had an increased ESKD risk than those with minor eGFR change (a decline of <2.5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year): HR 4.19 (95% CI 1.87 to 9.38) and 2.89 (95% CI 1.32 to 6.33) for those with a decline of >5 and 2.5-5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, respectively. When the combined changes in UACR and eGFR were used, the highest ESKD risk (HR 5.60; 95% CI 2.08 to 15.09) was observed among patients with >30% UACR increase and an eGFR decline of >5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year compared with those with a minor change in UACR and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Combined changes in albuminuria and eGFR over 2 years were strongly associated with future risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Randomized trial of an intensified, multifactorial intervention in patients with advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease: Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETT-Japan).

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the efficacy of multifactorial intensive treatment (IT) on renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETT-Japan) is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial with a 5-year follow-up period. We randomly assigned 164 patients with advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥300 mg/g creatinine, serum creatinine level 1.2-2.5 mg/dL in men and 1.0-2.5 mg/dL in women) to receive either IT or conventional treatment. The primary composite outcome was end-stage kidney failure, doubling of serum creatinine or death from any cause, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: The IT tended to reduce the risk of primary end-points as compared with conventional treatment, but the difference between treatment groups did not reach the statistically significant level (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.43-1.11; P = 0.13). Meanwhile, the decrease in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and the use of statin were significantly associated with the decrease in primary outcome (hazard ratio 1.14; 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.23, P < 0.001 and hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.998, P < 0.05, respectively). The incidence of adverse events was not different between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of kidney events tended to decrease by IT, although it was not statistically significant. Lipid control using statin was associated with a lower risk of adverse kidney events. Further follow-up study might show the effect of IT in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease.

A Low-Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glucose Metabolism in Lean Insulinopenic Akita Mice Along With Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor.

Objective: A low-carbohydrate diet (LC) can be beneficial to obese subjects with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) presents prompt glucose-lowering effects in subjects with T2DM. We investigated how LC and SGLT2i could similarly or differently influence on the metabolic changes, including glucose, lipid, and ketone metabolism in lean insulinopenic Akita mice. We also examined the impacts of the combination. Methods: Male Akita mice were fed ad libitum normal-carbohydrate diet (NC) as a control or low-carbohydrate diet (LC) as an intervention for 8 weeks with or without SGLT2i treatment. Body weight and casual bold glucose levels were monitored during the study, in addition to measuring TG, NEFA, and ketone levels. We quantified gene expressions involved in gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism and ketogenesis in the liver and the kidney. We also investigated the immunostaining analysis of pancreatic islets to assess the effect of islet protection. Results: Both LC and SGLT2i treatment reduced chronic hyperglycemia. Moreover, the combination therapy additionally ameliorated glycemic levels and preserved the islet morphology in part. LC but not SGLT2i increased body weight accompanied by epididymal fat accumulation. In contrast, SGLT2i, not LC potentiated four-fold ketone production with higher ketogenic gene expression, in comparison with the non-treated Akita mice. Besides, the combination did not enhance further ketone production compared to the SGLT2i alone. Conclusions: Our results indicated that both LC and SGLT2i reduced chronic hyperglycemia, and the combination presented synergistic favorable effects concomitantly with amelioration of islet morphology, while the combination did not enhance further ketosis in Akita mice.

Receptor-Mediated Bioassay Reflects Dynamic Change of Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide by Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor Treatment in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: We recently observed a greater increase in plasma levels of bioactive glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) than glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) using the receptor-mediated bioassays in the subjects with normal glycemic tolerance (NGT) treated with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which may be unappreciated using conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) during oral glucose tolerance test. Thus, we determined incretin levels in addition to glucagon level using the bioassays in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects with or without treatment of DPP-4 inhibitor, to evaluate whether these assays can accurately measure bioactivity of these peptides. Methods: We performed single meal tolerance test (MTT) by using a cookie meal (carbohydrate 75.0 g, protein 8.0 g, fat 28.5 g) in the subjects with NGT (n = 9), the subjects with T2DM treated without DPP-4 inhibitor (n = 7) and the subjects with T2DM treated with DPP-4 inhibitor (n = 10). All subjects fasted for 10-12 h before the MTT, and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min. We used the cell lines stably cotransfected with human-form GIP, GLP-1 or glucagon receptor, and a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-inducible luciferase expression construct for the bioassays. We measured active GIP, active GLP-1, and glucagon by the bioassays. To evaluate the efficacy of bioassay, we measured identical samples via ELISA kits. Results: During the single MTT study, postprandial active GIP bioassay levels of T2DM with DPP-4 inhibitor treatment were drastically higher than those of NGT and T2DM without DPP-4 inhibitor, although the DPP-4 inhibitor-treated group showed moderate increase of active GIPELISA and active GLP-1 bioassay , while active GLP-1 bioassay levels of T2DM subjects without DPP-4 inhibitor were comparable to those of NGT subjects. During the serial MTT, administration of DPP-4 inhibitor significantly increased active GIP bioassay levels, but not active GLP-1 bioassay . Conclusions: In comparison to conventional ELISA, receptor-mediated bioassay reflects dynamic change of GIP polypeptide by DPP-4 inhibitor treatment in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Establishment of novel specific assay for short-form glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and evaluation of its secretion in nondiabetic subjects.

The short-form glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) (1-30) is released from islet alpha cells and promotes insulin secretion in a paracrine manner in vitro. However, it is not well elucidated how GIP (1-30) is involved in glucose metabolism in vivo, since a specific assay system for GIP (1-30) has not yet been established. We first developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for GIP (1-30) by combining a novel antibody specific to the GIP (1-30) C terminus with the common antibody against GIP N terminus. Then, we explored cross-reactivities with incretins and glucagon-related peptides in this ELISA. GIP (1-30) amide, but not GIP (1-42), GLP-1, or glucagon increased absorbance in a dose-dependent manner. We next measured plasma GIP (1-30) concentrations in nondiabetic participants (ND) during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test or cookie meal test (carbohydrates 75 g, lipids 28.5 g, proteins 8.5 g). Both glucose and cookie load increased GIP (1-30) concentrations in ND, but the increases were much lower than those of GIP (1-42). Furthermore, the DPP-4 inhibitor significantly increased GIP (1-30) concentrations similarly to GIP (1-42) in ND. In conclusion, we for the first time developed an ELISA specific for GIP (1-30) and revealed its secretion in ND.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Teneligliptin in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Subgroup Analysis of a 3-Year Post-Marketing Surveillance in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Teneligliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan in 2012. However, clinical trials of teneligliptin involved limited numbers of elderly patients. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of teneligliptin in elderly patients with T2DM. METHODS: This 3-year follow-up RUBY surveillance registered patients with T2DM who started treatment with teneligliptin between May 2013 and February 2015 in Japan. Collected data included demographics, treatments, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and laboratory variables. Data were analysed for patients in three age subgroups (< 65, ≥ 65 to < 75, or ≥ 75 years old). Safety was assessed as the incidence of ADRs and efficacy was assessed in terms of glycaemic control, for up to 3 years. RESULTS: The ADRs and serious ADRs occurred in 3.35% and 0.65% of 4596 patients aged < 65 years, in 4.42% and 1.22% of 3371 patients aged ≥ 65 to < 75 years, and in 3.99% and 1.69% of 2729 patients aged ≥ 75 years. The most common ADRs in patients aged ≥ 65 to < 75 years and ≥ 75 years were gastrointestinal disorders, but the incidence of these ADRs did not show an age-dependent increase. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 0.24%, 0.56%, and 0.29% of patients in each age subgroup, respectively. The least-squares mean changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) adjusted for baseline were - 0.66 ± 0.02% (n = 2177), - 0.72 ± 0.02% (n = 1689), and - 0.77 ± 0.03% (n = 1161) at 3 years. CONCLUSION: There was no clear difference in the number of ADRs among the three age subgroups, although the incidence of serious ADRs was higher in elderly patients than in patients aged < 65 years. We found no additional safety or efficacy concerns among elderly patients beyond those already described in the package insert. The present results support the use of teneligliptin in elderly patients with T2DM in real-world clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japic Clinical Trials Information identifier, Japic CTI-153047.

Teneligliptin is an oral drug taken once daily to manage blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A number of studies of teneligliptin have investigated its safety and efficacy, but these studies included limited numbers of elderly people, aged 75 years or older. Following the approval of teneligliptin in Japan, post-marketing surveillance was started to monitor its safety and efficacy when prescribed by doctors to people in actual clinical practice. We analysed data from the surveillance to check if the safety and efficacy of teneligliptin differ in younger and older people separately. We found that there was no clear difference in the number of adverse drug reactions among three age subgroups: < 65 years, ≥ 65 to < 75 years, or ≥ 75 years, although the incidence of serious adverse drug reactions was higher in elderly patients than in patients aged < 65 years. Treatment with teneligliptin also lowered blood glucose levels in all three age subgroups, and the changes were maintained for up to 3 years in many individuals in each age subgroup. We found no additional safety or efficacy concerns among elderly patients beyond those already described in the package insert. The present results support the use of teneligliptin for the treatment of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in real-world clinical practice.

Correction to: Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13340-018-0345-3.].

Prospective study on clinical characteristics of Japanese diabetic patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia presenting Fontaine stage IV.

The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to reveal clinical characteristics of Japanese diabetic patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) presenting ischemic unhealed ulcer/gangrene (Fontaine stage IV) in the real-world settings. The present study included 132 Japanese diabetic patients who underwent endovascular therapy for CLTI presenting Fontaine stage IV. The prevalence of diabetes-related complications, as well as prior history of ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement before CLTI onset, was evaluated adopting multiple imputation (50 times). Duration of diabetes was referred to as time from diagnosis. The patients were aged 70 ± 10 years, with duration of diabetes 23 ± 12 years. The diabetes-related complications were so common that only 17% (95% confidence interval: 11-24%) and 25% (17-33%) of the population were free from advanced micro- and macroangiopathies, respectively. The clustering of advanced macroangiopathies was not significantly associated with duration of diabetes (P = 0.62). On the other hand, that of advanced microangiopathies was significantly positively associated with duration of diabetes (P = 0.004). However, even in patients with duration of diabetes < 10 years, as many as 63% (38-87%) of patients had at least one advanced microangiopathy. Only 31% (22-39%) of the patients had prior history of ABI measurement before CLTI onset. The history was inversely associated with age (P = 0.005). In conclusion, the advanced diabetes-related complications were highly prevalent, even in those whose diabetes was diagnosed less than a decade before. In addition, only a few patients had ever undergone ABI measurement before CLTI onset.

Long-Term, Real-World Safety and Efficacy of Teneligliptin: A Post-Marketing Surveillance of More Than 10,000 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Teneligliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor that was approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan in 2012. We performed a long-term post-marketing surveillance (RUBY) to obtain real-world evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of teneligliptin in Japan. METHODS: This 3-year follow-up RUBY surveillance registered patients with T2DM who started treatment with teneligliptin between May 2013 and February 2015 in Japan. Collected data included demographics, treatments, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and laboratory variables. Data were evaluated in all patients and in patients divided according to baseline renal function across categories of estimated glomerular filtration rate (G1-G5) and dialysis. Safety was assessed as the incidence of ADRs and efficacy was assessed in terms of glycaemic control, for up to 3 years. RESULTS: Of 11,677 patients registered, 10,696 and 10,249 were evaluable for safety and efficacy analyses, respectively. The median duration of exposure was 1096 days. ADRs occurred in 412 patients (3.85%) and were serious in 117 patients (1.09%). The most frequent ADR class was gastrointestinal disorders (0.68%), which included constipation. There were no new ADRs warranting attention beyond those already described in teneligliptin's package insert. ADRs and serious ADRs in renal function subgroups occurred in 3.24-7.14% and 0.65-5.36% in G1-G5, and 4.49% and 1.92% in patients on dialysis, respectively. Reduction in HbA1c was sustained for 3 years after starting teneligliptin (- 0.70% ± 1.36%, p < 0.001 at 3 years). The least-squares mean changes in HbA1c adjusted for baseline were - 0.76% to - 0.66% in G1-G5 at 3 years. Glycated albumin levels decreased in patients on dialysis (- 2.92% ± 4.78% at 3 years). CONCLUSION: There were no new safety or efficacy concerns about teneligliptin used in long-term, real-world, clinical settings in patients with T2DM with any stages of renal impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center clinical trials database identifier: Japic CTI-153047. Plain language summary available for this article.

Circulating extracellular vesicle-encapsulated HULC is a potential biomarker for human pancreatic cancer.

The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unclear. Some lncRNAs can be transferred by extracellular vesicles (EVs) and have potential as biomarkers. Here, we identify an lncRNA that could serve as a biomarker for PDAC and show the functional roles of the lncRNA. Expression profiling of lncRNAs revealed that highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) was highly expressed, and induced, by transforming growth factor-ß in PDAC cells and their EVs. Knockdown of HULC decreased PDAC cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the EMT. Thus, HULC could be transferred by EVs, and promote EMT, invasion, and migration in recipient PDAC cells. To assess the roles of HULC, PDAC cell xenografts in nude mice were established. Knockdown of HULC in PDAC cells implanted in mice inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, microRNA-133b suppressed PDAC cell invasion and migration by inhibiting the EMT through targeting HULC. Furthermore, serum samples were obtained from 20 PDAC and 22 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) patients, as well as 21 healthy individuals. Analysis of serum EV HULC expression by digital PCR showed that HULC expression was significantly increased in PDAC patients compared to healthy individuals or IPMN patients. Additionally, HULC showed good predictive performance for discriminating PDAC, suggesting that the analysis of EV-encapsulated HULC would contribute to the diagnosis for human PDAC. Extracellular vesicle-transported HULC promotes cell invasion and migration by inducing the EMT, and microRNA-133b suppresses the EMT by targeting HULC. Extracellular vesicle-encapsulated HULC could be a potential circulating biomarker for human PDAC.

Increment of plasma glucose by exogenous glucagon is associated with present and future renal function in type 2 diabetes:a retrospective study from glucagon stimulation test.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon stimulation test (GST) is often employed to assess the insulin reserve of the pancreatic beta cells in diabetic subjects. The clinical significance of the increment of plasma glucose (Δglucose) by exogenous glucagon during GST has not been elucidated. We investigated the relationship between Δglucose and clinical parameters including the liver and renal function in type 2 diabetic subjects, since we hypothesized that Δglucose is associated with the liver and renal function reflecting the capacity for gluconeogenesis in the organs. METHODS: A total of 209 subjects with type 2 diabetes who underwent GST during admission were included in this cross-sectional study. We defined the difference between plasma glucose at fasting and 6 min after intravenous injection of 1 mg glucagon as Δglucose. We assessed correlations between Δglucose and clinical parameters such as diabetic duration, BMI, HbA1c, beta cell function, serum free fatty acids (FFA) which is known to stimulate gluconeogenesis, liver function, the indices of liver function, renal function, and urinary albumin excretion (UAE). RESULTS: In correlation analysis, Δglucose positively correlated to FFA and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but inversely to serum creatinine and cystatin C, although Δglucose showed no correlation with both liver function and the indices of residual liver function. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Δglucose was an independent determinant for the eGFR after 1 year, equally BMI, HbA1c, serum lipids, and UAE, which are known as the predictors for the development of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Δglucose during GST might be related to gluconeogenesis in the kidney and could be the determinant of future renal function in type 2 diabetes.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Empagliflozin in Japan Based on Results From the Asian subpopulation in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Trial.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin in Japan based on the Asian subpopulation in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. METHODS: The trial has shown a reduction in the risk for cardiovascular (CV) and renal events with empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established CV disease. A cost-effectiveness analysis based on the overall population of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial was reported previously by using a lifetime discrete event simulation model. The same modeling frame was adapted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatment with empagliflozin added to standard of care (SoC) compared with SoC alone in Japan. The time to relevant clinical events and the hazard ratios were derived from an Asian subpopulation in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. The costs for each event were estimated from a Japanese medical claims database. Direct medical costs, life expectancy, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated from the public health care perspective. FINDINGS: Treatment with empagliflozin was estimated to increase life expectancy by 6.2 years and 2.7 QALYs, whereas total cost increased by 1,115,475 yen compared with treatment with SoC alone. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 415,849 yen/QALY. In the sensitivity analysis, there was no case that was in excess of the reference value of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in the pilot introduction for price revision in Japan (ie, 5 million yen/QALY). IMPLICATIONS: Based on the Asian subpopulation in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, our results suggest that empagliflozin added to SoC is highly cost-effective compared with SoC alone in Japan.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia presenting Fontaine stage IV.

The aim of the current study was to reveal the clinical characteristics of Japanese diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) presenting ischemic unhealed ulcer/gangrene (Fontaine stage IV) in the real-world settings. The current retrospective cross-sectional study included consecutive 282 Japanese diabetic patients who underwent endovascular therapy for CLI presenting Fontaine stage IV. The prevalence of diabetes-related complications was estimated adopting multiple imputation (50 times). The patients were aged 70 ± 10 years. Median duration of diabetes was 21 (interquartile range 12-31) years. The prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, end-stage renal disease on regular dialysis, stroke, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure was estimated at 48% (95% confidence interval 39-56%), 52% (46-58%), 34% (28-39%), 48% (42-54%), and 35% (29-41%), respectively. The prevalence of stroke, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure was not significantly associated with the duration of diabetes (all p > 0.05). On the other hand, the prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and end-stage renal disease on regular dialysis was significantly positively associated with the duration of diabetes (both p < 0.05). However, these prevalences reached as high as ~ 30% even in patients with duration of diabetes < 10 years. In conclusion, the advanced stage of diabetes-related complications was prevalent in patients with CLI presenting Fontaine stage IV.

N-Acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline is a potential biomarker of renal function in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients with eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2.

BACKGROUND: A biomarker, by which we can predict alterations of renal function in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients, is not available. Here, we report that endogenous anti-fibrotic peptide N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (AcSDKP) represents a potential biomarker to predict alterations in eGFR in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. METHODS: We analyzed 21 normoalbuminuric diabetic patients with eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and measured AcSDKP levels in first morning void urine. We divided patients into two groups based on the median values: low or high urinary AcSDKP groups (uAcSDKP/Crlow or uAcSDKP/Crhigh). At baseline, no significant differences in sex, age, HbA1c, BMI, serum creatinine levels, etc., were observed between the two groups. RESULTS: During ~ 4 years, the alteration in eGFR [ΔeGFRop (ΔeGFR observational periods)] was significantly stable in uAcSDKP/Crhigh group compared with uAcSDKP/Crlow group over time (P = 0.003, χ2 = 8.58). We also evaluated urine kidney injury molecule-1 (uKim-1) levels and found that ΔeGFRop was also stable in low uKim-1 group compared with high uKim-1 group over time (P = 0.004, χ2 = 8.38). Patients who fulfilled the criteria for both uAcSDKP/Crhigh and uKim-1low exhibited stable ΔeGFRop (P < 0.001, χ2 = 30.4) when compared to the remaining patients. Plasma AcSDKP (P = 0.015, χ2 = 5.94) and urine ß2-microglobulin (P = 0.038, χ2 = 4.31) also display weak but significant predictor of ΔeGFRop as well. CONCLUSION: AcSDKP represents a potentially useful biomarker to predict alterations in the renal function of patients with diabetes presenting normoalbuminuria.

Correction to: Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13340-018-0345-3.].

Amplified Association Between Blood Pressure and Albuminuria in Overweight Patients With Biopsy-Proven Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: An overweight person is at high risk for hypertensive renal damage. The effect of weight on the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and albuminuria remains unknown in patients with histologically diagnosed hypertensive nephrosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with biopsy-confirmed hypertensive nephrosclerosis were recruited from 13 centers throughout Japan. We examined the relationship between SBP and proteinuria among those who were overweight, which is defined as a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and those who were not. We examined the interaction of weight and SBP with albuminuria at baseline and with the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during the observational period. RESULTS: Our results included mean age (54 years old), blood pressure (138/80), eGFR (53 ml/min/1.73 m2), and urine albumin levels (0.2 g/day). SBP was significantly correlated with log-transformed urine albumin levels (r = 0.4, P = 0.01) in patients who were overweight (n = 38) compared with patients who were not overweight (n = 59). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the interaction between being overweight and SBP with respect to albuminuria was significantly correlated with the log-transformed urine albumin level (ß = 0.39, P = 0.047) and was independent of age, sex, and potential confounding factors. The interaction between weight and SBP ≥140 mm Hg was significantly associated with a greater decrease in eGFR in the following 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Being overweight may enhance susceptibility to hypertensive glomerular damage and may eventually lead to renal progression in patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

Secular changes in clinical manifestations of kidney disease among Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes from 1996 to 2014.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Diabetic kidney disease is characterized by increased albuminuria and/or a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We analyzed secular changes in the prevalence of albuminuria and reduced estimated GFR (eGFR) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, and identified factors associated with these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2014 cohort data from the Japanese serial cross-sectional studies conducted at Shiga University of Medical Science, secular changes in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (albuminuria and/or reduced eGFR), patient characteristics and their associations were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria decreased over time, whereas the prevalence of moderately reduced eGFR (30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) and severely reduced eGFR (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) increased. Severely reduced eGFR was observed mainly in the patients with macroalbuminuria, regardless of year. Conversely, the prevalence of moderately reduced eGFR increased in the patients without macroalbuminuria. Both macroalbuminuria and moderately reduced eGFR without macroalbuminuria in the 2014 cohort were refractory to the recently recommended intensive therapy. Finally, we showed that obesity accompanied by vascular dysfunction was a risk factor for the development of albuminuria, and that age-dependent arterial stiffness was associated with reduced eGFR without macroalbuminuria in the 2014 cohort. CONCLUSIONS: During the past 20 years in Japan, the prevalence of albuminuria declined, whereas that of reduced eGFR increased. Additionally, obesity- and high age-related vascular damage seems to be associated with macroalbuminuria and reduced eGFR without macroalbuminuria, respectively.