Differential changes in maternal proinflammatory IL6 plasmalevels as a putatively surrogate marker of candidacy andclinical utility during mid- and late pregnancy hyperglycemia:interventional impact of clinical pharmacist on maternal andneonatal outcomes in a randomized clinical trial / Cambios diferenciales en los niveles plasmáticos de IL6 proinflamatoria materna como un marcador supuestamente sustituto de candidatura y utilidad clínica durante la hiperglucemia a mitad y final del embarazo: impacto intervencionista del farmacéutico clínico en los resultados maternos y neonatales en un ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Background/methods: The impact of clinical pharmacist on undiagnosed pregnancy hyperglycemia (PHG) in mid- and late- pregnancy as a major preventable cause of maternal and neonatal (M/N) complications is investigated. This longitudinal randomized controlled study of changes in plasma levels of predictive/prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers of oxytocin, thrombospondin, MCP1, IL6, MIF, insulin and LAR and undesirable M/N pregnancy outcomes in women with/out PHG (pregnancy normoglycemia; PNG) following the implementation of clinical pharmacist interventions were investigated. Results: A total of 68 PHG (36 intervention vs. 32 non-intervention) vs. 21 PNG participants were enrolled at 20–28 weeks and followed up till delivery. BMI of intervention PHG (unlike non-intervention) was greater (p=0.036) compared to PNG’s. LAR and insulin, oxytocin, thrombospondin1, adiponectin and MCP1 plasma levels and their differences between 2nd and 3rd pregnancy trimesters lacked discrepancies in participants. Both PHG groups in mid pregnancy had substantially greater HbA1c %, FPG and IL6 levels vs. PNG, while PHG non-intervention’ leptin was greater than PNG’s. In late pregnancy, greater SBP, IL6 and MIF levels between either PHG groups vs. PNG’s were observed. Unlike PHG non-intervention and PNG; IL6 level in PHG intervention group decreased (-2.54±6.61; vs. non-intervention PHG’s 4.26±5.28; p<0.001 and vs. PNG’s 2.30±4.27; p=0.023). None of the assessed M/N outcomes was found of differential significance between any of the three study groups. Conclusions: Proinflammatory IL6 as a robust and generalizable cardiometabolic risk-based and related pharmacotherapy biomarker in mid and late hyperglycemic pregnancy with likely implications of novel therapeutic targets was delineated by clinical pharmacist interventions.(AU)

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Toenail Onychomycosis Among Patients with Diabetes in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Toenail onychomycosis is common in patients with diabetes and it can increase the risk of secondary infections and foot complications. Despite several studies investigating the prevalence and associated factors of toenail onychomycosis from different parts of the world, there are no data from Jordan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and the associated factors of toenail onychomycosis among patients with diabetes in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 375 patients with diabetes at the National Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics in Amman, Jordan. Several socio-demographic and health-independent variables including foot self-care practices were collected. Toenail onychomycosis was assessed by a specimen culture and microscopic examinations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of toenail onychomycosis was 57.6% (n=216). Multiple logistic regression revealed four significant associated factors; the presence of neuropathy (ß=1.87, p=0.02), being an ex-smoker (ß=2.69, p=0.01), being treated by both insulin and oral hypoglycemics drugs (ß=1.32, p=0.03), and using antibiotics in the last year (ß=1.78, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of toenail onychomycosis among patients with diabetes in Jordan is high. Regular foot screening and podiatric care are recommended especially among patients with diabetic neuropathy, current treatment by insulin and oral hypoglycemics drugs, previous history of smoking, and previous use of antibiotics.

Degenerative lumbar changes have a statistically significant but small effect on trabecular bone score (TBS)-adjusted fracture risk (FRAX).

Trabecular bone score (TBS) assesses trabecular microarchitecture at the lumbar spine and was shown to improve fracture risk prediction compared to bone mineral density (BMD) alone. We investigated whether lumbar degenerative changes (DC) affect TBS and TBS-adjusted 10-year fracture risk assessment (tool) (FRAX) estimates. All patients who underwent BMD and TBS measurements via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at our institution between 1/7/2020 and 1/10/2020 were retrospectively evaluated. We identified all patients who had DC in 1 or 2 vertebrae (out of L1-L4) with a BMD T score > 1 unit higher than the remaining 2 to 3 adjacent vertebrae. TBS and BMD were compared between the vertebrae with and without DC. Change in TBS as well as FRAX estimates for major osteoporotic (MOP) and hip fractures after exclusion of the degenerative vertebrae were also determined. Of the 356 eligible patients, 94 met the inclusion criteria. The mean TBS of vertebrae without DC was not significantly different from that of L1 to L4 (1.31 ± 0.12 vs 1.32 ± 0.12, respectively, P = .11). The FRAX estimates after exclusion of the degenerative vertebrae were statistically significantly higher than for L1 to L4 for both MOP and hip fractures (P = .04 and P = .01, respectively). However, the differences were very small. The mean 10-year MOP FRAX estimate after exclusion of degenerative vertebrae was 7.67% ± 4.50% versus 7.55% ± 4.36% for L1 to L4 and the mean 10-year hip FRAX estimate after exclusion of degenerative vertebrae was 2.06% ± 2.01% versus 2.02% ± 1.98% for L1 to L4. Lumbar DC have a statistically significant but only small effect on TBS-adjusted FRAX making it unnecessary to exclude the degenerative vertebrae when computing TBS.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome among healthcare workers in Jordan.

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome covers a wide range of new, recurring or ongoing health conditions, which can occur in anyone who has recovered from COVID-19. The condition may affect multiple systems and organs. Aims: To evaluate the frequency and nature of persistent COVID-19 symptoms among healthcare providers in Jordan. Methods: Post-COVID-19 syndrome refers to symptoms extending beyond 4-12 weeks. We conducted a historical cohort study among 140 healthcare staff employed at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, Jordan. All of them had been infected with COVID-19 virus during March 2020 to February 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results: Some 59.3% of the study population reported more than 1 persisting COVID-19 symptom, and among them 97.5%, 62.6% and 40.9% reported more than 1 COVID-19 symptom at 1-3, 3-6 and 6-12 months, respectively, after the acute phase of the infection. Post-COVID-19 syndrome was more prevalent among females than males (79.5% vs 20.5%) (P = 0.006). The most frequent reported symptom was fatigue. Females scored higher on the Fatigue Assessment Scale than males [23.26, standard deviation (SD) 8.00 vs 17.53, SD 5.40] (P < 0.001). No significant cognitive impairment was detected using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales. Conclusion: More than half (59.3%) of the healthcare workers in our study reported post-COVID-19 syndrome. Further studies are needed to better understand the frequency and severity of the syndrome among different population groups.

Effect of Insulin Injection Techniques on Glycemic Control Among Patients with Diabetes.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that healthcare professionals rarely instruct patients about proper insulin injection techniques. This study aimed to assess the practices of insulin injection techniques among patients with diabetes treated and assess the effect of these practices on glycemic control. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021. A random systematic sampling technique was used to recruit study subjects at specialist outpatient clinics. Subjects with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who had been using insulin injections for at least a year were included in this study. Results: A total of 298 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 553 with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. The mean age of patients with type 1 diabetes was 20.1 ± 10.4 years. The mean age of patients with type 2 diabetes was 58.6 ± 9.5 years. The median type 1 diabetes duration was 6.0 years, and median type 2 diabetes duration was 15.0 years. About 66.8% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 69.4% of patients with type 2 diabetes were rotating insulin injection sites. Almost 36.6% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 50.5% of patients with type 2 diabetes reported using the same insulin needle more than three times. The prevalence of lipohypertrophy was 57.0% among patients with type 1 diabetes and 55.5% among patients with type 2 diabetes. The absence of lipohypertrophy, rotation of insulin injection site, and total daily insulin dose ≤50 units were all independently significantly associated with better glycemic control. Conclusion: Insulin injection techniques were suboptimal among significant proportion of patients with diabetes in Jordan. Improper insulin injection technique, especially the rotation of injection sites and lipohypertrophy formation, was associated with uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Educational interventions that focus on insulin injection techniques among Jordanian patients with diabetes are strongly recommended.

Dyslipidemia among patients with type 2 diabetes in Jordan: Prevalence, pattern, and associated factors.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia and its associated risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the NCDEG in Amman, Jordan. A total of 971 patients with type 2 diabetes were included during the period September- December 2021. The socio-demographic data were collected through face-to-face interview questionnaire and anthropometric and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. The last three readings of lipid profile and HbA1C were abstracted from the medical records. Results: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia among type 2 diabetic patients was 95.4%. The most common type of dyslipidemia was combined dyslipidemia (37.1%), with high triglycerides and low HDL-c (19.0%) being the most frequent type. Factors associated with hypercholesterolemia were diabetes duration ≤ 10 years, poor compliance to a statin, and HbA1c level (7-8%) (P-values: 0.008, 0.001, 0.021, respectively). Moreover, smoking and poor compliance with statin therapy were associated with high LDL-c level (P-values: 0.046 and 0.001, respectively). The presence of hypertension, high waist circumference, HbA1c level >8%, and diabetes duration ≤ 10 years were all associated with high triglyceride level (P-values: 0.008, 0.016, 0.011, and 0.018, respectively). Hypertension and HbA1c level >8% were associated with low HDL-c level (P-values: 0.010 and 0.011, respectively). Conclusion: The combination of high triglyceride and low HDL-c is the commonest lipid abnormality detected in patients with type 2 diabetes. An educational program that emphasizes the importance of adherence to a healthy lifestyle is strongly recommended. Further studies are needed to capture a wide range of factors that might influence dyslipidemia and glycemic control.

Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Jordan.

Background: Previous studies showed variable estimate of the prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The prevalence of hyperuricemia and associated risk factors in Jordanian patients with T2DM is largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its associated factors in Jordanian patients with T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 655 patients with T2DM. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. In addition, records of the study subjects were reviewed to obtain other clinical data. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Lipid profile, serum uric acid and glycated haemoglobin were analysed. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. An informed written consent was obtained from each participant. The confidentiality of the information was assured and only used for scientific purposes. Results: Overall, the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 28.1%. Female gender (OR: 2.37; 95%, CI: 1.63-3.45), intake of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) (OR: 1.68; 95%, CI: 1.12-2.50), intake of ß-blockers (OR: 2.20; 95%, CI: 1.51-3.22), increased waist circumference (OR: 3.17; 95%, CI: 1.39-7.22) and family history of hyperuricemia (OR: 2.56; 95%, CI: 1.57-4.16) were associated with increased odds of hyperuricemia. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia was high among type 2 diabetic patients, and screening test will be useful for those patients.

Statin Induced Myopathy Among Patients Attending the National Center for Diabetes, endocrinology, & genetics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: myopathy is a major side effect of statins that leads to statin intolerance and discontinuation. In this prospective cohort study, the main objective was to estimate the incidence of myopathy in patients receiving statins. In addition, we identified some risk factors associated with statin induced myopathy. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics [NCDEG] in Jordan from October 1, 2018 to January 31, 2021. All subjects who initiated statin therapy followed up during that period. Data was collected at time 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after enrollment. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. Muscular symptoms were collected by conducting face-to-face interviews to all patients using a pre-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall incidence of myopathy among patients taking statins was 27.8%, 31.4% in males and 22.6% in females, the incidence of myopathy was higher in older people, being highest in patients ≥60 years (34%). Bivariate analyses showed no significant association between myopathy and hypothyroidism, diabetes or medications that are known to interact with statins. The incidence of myopathy was highest with Simvastatin 40 mg (50%) and lowest with Fluvastatin XL 80 mg (8%) and Rosuvastatin 10 mg (10.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of myopathy in patients taking statins was 27.8%. Myopathy was directly related to dose and type of statin used. The use of Fluvastatin XL 80 mg and Rosuvastatin 10 mg showed less incidence of myopathy compared with other statins.

SLCO1B1 Gene Polymorphisms (rs2306283 and rs4149056) and Statin-Induced Myopathy in Jordanian Diabetics.

BACKGROUND: The use of statins to lower high serum cholesterol levels may be associated with a number of adverse reactions, including severe myopathy. The solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene, which encodes the organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP1B1, is related to the intracellular transport of statins. The aim of this research was to study the association of rs2306283 and rs4149056 genetic polymorphism of the SLCO1B1 gene with the development of statin-induced myopathy in Jordanian diabetics receiving statins. METHODS: We included 413 patients attending the Diabetes Clinics of the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, Jordan. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of NCDEG. Myopathy was defined as the elevation of creatine kinase more than 3 times the upper limit of normal. Every subject signed an informed consent form and donated 3-5 mL of venous blood. Genome DNA was extracted from lymphocytes of peripheral blood. Genotypes were identified using the Tetra Amplification Refractory Mutation System of SLCO1B1. RESULTS: The minor allele frequencies of rs2306283 [G] and rs4149056 [C] were 0.38 and 0.23, respectively. The two SNPs followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The development of SIM was significantly associated with the homozygous and heterozygous minor allele genotype of rs4149056 (CC and CT), and the homozygous wild type allele genotype of rs2306283 (AA). There was no linkage disequilibrium between the two SNPs in the studied subgroups. CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphism in the SLCO1B1 Gene is a risk factor for the development of SIM in Jordanian patients.

A Novel Syndrome With Short Stature, Mandibular Hypoplasia, and Osteoporosis May Be Associated With a PRRT3 Variant.

CONTEXT: Despite considerable progress in elucidating the molecular basis of various progeroid syndromes, some rare patients remain unexplained. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate molecular genetic basis of a novel autosomal recessive progeroid syndrome. PARTICIPANTS: A 24-year-old male and his 18-year-old sister with short stature, mandibular hypoplasia, pointed nose, shrill voice, severe osteoporosis, and short eyebrows and their unaffected siblings and parents belonging to a consanguineous Arab family. RESULTS: Using exome and Sanger sequencing, we report a novel homozygous p.Glu394Lys disease-causing variant in proline-rich transmembrane protein 3 (PRRT3). PRRT3 belongs to the family of proline-rich proteins containing several repeats of a short proline-rich sequence, but its function remains to be determined. Preliminary observations showing colocalization of Prrt3 and synaptophysin support its role in vesicle exocytosis. Consistent with the highest messenger ribonucleic acid expression of PRRT3 in the pituitary, both the patients had mild growth hormone deficiency but had near normal reproductive development. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the homozygous p.Glu394Lys variant in PRRT3 may be associated with a novel autosomal recessive, progeroid syndrome with short stature, mandibular hypoplasia, osteoporosis, short eyebrows, and mild growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Our findings extend the spectrum of progeroid syndromes and elucidate important functions of PRRT3 in human biology, including secretion of GH from the pituitary.

Sleep Quality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the sleep quality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to assess the relevance of other factors to sleep quality. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics (NCDEG) in Amman, Jordan, during the period from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. A total of 1,211 (540 male and 671 female) patients with T2DM were recruited. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) to assess the sleep quality with a cutoff point of PSQI ≥ 8. Participants' demographic background data were also recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 58.8 ± 9.74 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.67 ± 6.1 kg/m2, and mean duration of diabetes was 10.3 ± 7.38 years. The mean PSQI score was 10.2 ± 3.10. In the present study, poor sleep quality was reported in 81% of participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with high HbA1c, female gender, smoking, unemployment, and insulin use. The study showed that subjective sleep quality and quantity, night sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction were risk factors for poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, patients with T2DM (81%) have poor sleep quality. Females, smokers, unemployed individuals, insulin users and patients with uncontrolled diabetes seem to be significantly at higher risk of poor sleep quality.

Vitamin D deficiency and associated factors in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: In Jordan, many studies reported various rates of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among different groups. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of low vitamin D level among Jordanian adults and determine its association with selected variables. METHODS: The vitamin D level was assessed in a national representative sample of 4056 subjects aged >17 years. The study involved face-to-face interviews with the subjects and measurement of serum 25(OH)D. Low vitamin D level was defined as 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL. Deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, and insufficiency was defined as 25(OH)D level of 20-30 ng/mL. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of low vitamin D status (25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL) was 89.7%, with higher prevalence in males (92.4%) than in females (88.6%). Vitamin D was sufficient in 7.6% of males, insufficient in 38.4% of males, and deficient in 54% of males. Among females, vitamin D was insufficient in 10.1% and deficient in 78.5%. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was much higher in females than in males (p = 0.001). The only variables that were significantly associated with low level of vitamin D were gender, age, obesity, and employment. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low vitamin D level is extremely high in Jordan. Age, gender, obesity, and unemployment were associated with low levels of vitamin D. Health authorities in Jordan need to increase the level of awareness about vitamin D deficiency and its prevention, particularly among women.

The Prevalence of Dyslipidemia among Jordanians.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is one of the major modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes mellitus. Knowing the current prevalence of dyslipidemia is an important step for increasing awareness of the problem and for proper planning of health programs for prevention of its negative clinical effects. METHODS: A national population based household sample was selected from north, middle, and south regions of Jordan in 2017. A total sample of 4,056 aged between 18 and 90 years were included. Selected individuals were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high LDL, and low HDL were 44.3%, 41.9% 75.9%, and 59.5%, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia in Jordan almost doubled from 23.0% in 1994 to 44.3% in 2017, and hypertriglyceridemia increased from 23.8% in 1994 to 41.9% in 2017. All lipid abnormalities decreased after the age of 60 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were all independently associated with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study show that dyslipidemia is a widely prevalent health problem among adult Jordanian population and that the problem has substantially increased since 1994. Encouraging healthy lifestyle and healthy diet are the basis for prevention of dyslipidemia.

Anxiety and Depression Among Adult Patients With Diabetic Foot: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus with subsequent disturbances in the daily life of the patients. The co-existence of depression and anxiety among diabetic foot patients is a common phenomenon and the role of each of them in perpetuating the other is highlighted in the literature. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence rates of anxiety and depression, and to examine the associated risk factors among diabetic foot patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 260 diabetic foot patients in the Diabetic Foot Clinic at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics (NCDEG), Amman, Jordan, participated in the study. Sociodemographic and health data were gathered through review of medical charts and a structured questionnaire. Depression and anxiety status were also assessed. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to screen for anxiety and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depression. A cutoff of ≥ 10 was used for each scale to identify those who tested positive for anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Prevalence rate of anxiety was 37.7% and that of depression was 39.6%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety is positively associated with duration of diabetes of < 10 years (P = 0.01), with ≥ three comorbid diseases (P = 0.00), and HbA1c level of > 7% (P = 0.03). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that depression is positively associated with patients of < 50 years of age (P = 0.03), females (P = 0.01), current smokers (P = 0.01), patients with foot ulcer duration ≥ 7 months (P = 0.00), with ≥ three comorbid diseases (P = 0.00) than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression are widely prevalent among diabetic foot patients. Mental health status of those patients gets even worse among those suffering other comorbid diseases, which was a finding that requires special attention in the management of patients with diabetic foot.

Assessment of segmental left ventricular thickening in diabetic type II obese patients with normal myocardial perfusion scan.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether gated single photo emission tomography (gSPET) can be used to detect subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in obese diabetic type II patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed gSPET images of 190 patients with diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) (137 females and 53 males) with normal myocardial perfusion and normal ejection fraction (EF). Standardized twenty segment polar maps of thickening and motion were generated. Correlation between body mass index (BMI) and thickening for each segment was performed. RESULTS: Statistically significant results were reported in female patients including: negative correlation between BMI and EF (-0.19, P=0.03). End diastolic volume (EDV) also significantly increased with increasing BMI (0.25, P<0.01). There was also statistically significant negative correlation between septal thickening and BMI segment 15 (-0.19, P=0.02), segment 16 (-0.22, P=0.01), segment 18 (-0.20, P=0.01), segment 19 (-0.25, P=0.003), segment 20 (-0.2, P=0.02)]. No statistical significant correlation was found between thickening and BMI in male patients. CONCLUSION: This is the first time where thickening as measured by gSPET has been used to demonstrate subclinical LVSD in DM II obese patients. The relationship between gender and obesity on cardiovascular function and structure needs further investigations.

Prevalence of lipohypertrophy and associated risk factors in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Secondary failure of oral hypoglycemic agents is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); thus, patients often need insulin therapy. The most common complication of insulin treatment is lipohypertrophy (LH). OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of LH among insulin-treated patients with Patients with T2DM, to identify the risk factors for the development of LH, and to examine the association between LH and glycemic control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1090 patients with T2DM aged 20 to 89 years, who attended the diabetes clinics at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG, Amman, Jordan) between October 2011 and January 2012, were enrolled. The presence of LH was examined by inspection and palpation of insulin injection sites at the time of the visit as relevant clinical and laboratory data were obtained. The LH was defined as a local tumor-like swelling of subcutaneous fatty tissue at the site of repeated insulin injections. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of LH was 37.3% (27.4% grade 1, 9.7% grade 2, and 0.2% grade 3). The LH was significantly associated with the duration of diabetes, needle length, duration of insulin therapy, lack of systematic rotation of insulin injection sites, and poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: The LH is a common problem in insulin-treated Jordanian patients with T2DM. More efforts are needed to educate patients and health workers on simple interventions such as using shorter needles and frequent rotation of the insulin injection sites to avoid LH and improve glycemic control.

Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) is a rare heterogeneous form of diabetes that develops within the first 6 months of life. The objective of this study is to define the genetic etiology and incidence of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus in Jordan. METHODS: This study was conducted in Jordan at the National Center of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, between 2006 and 2012. The study included 22 cases diagnosed with diabetes within the first year of life. RESULTS: The incidence of PNDM in Jordan was calculated as one case for every 203,221 live births. Mutations were found in six out of ten cases diagnosed before 6 months and included one homozygous ABCC8 p.R826W mutation, three cases with a heterozygous KCNJ11 p.R201C mutation, and two cases with a homozygous EIF2AK3 splicing mutation. CONCLUSION: The genetic etiology of PNDM in Jordan is different from that seen in European countries and more similar to other Arab countries.

N-acetyltransferase-2 genotypes among Jordanian patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: There are inconsistent reports concerning N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes in diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to explore any association between NAT2 genotypes and Type 1 and Type 2 DM in Jordanians. METHODS: 106 Type 1 and 110 Type 2 DM patients attending the "National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics", Amman, Jordan, were included in the study. DNA was extracted from venous blood using a commercial DNA extraction kit. NAT2 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: The frequency of the genotype that encodes rapid acetylation (the wild-type genotype NAT2*4/4) was similar in the two types of diabetes mellitus. Those which encode intermediate acetylation (NAT2*4/5, NAT2*4/6, and NAT2*4/7) were higher in Type 2 diabetes (0.482) compared to Type 1 diabetes (0.339), while the frequency of genotypes which encode slow acetylation (NAT2*5/5, NAT2*5/6, NAT2*5/7, NAT2*6/6, NAT2*6/7, and NAT2*7/7) were higher in Type 1 diabetes (0.547) compared to Type 2 diabetes (0.418). CONCLUSION: There is excess of genotypes encoding intermediate acetylation in Type 2 DM and an excess of slow acetylator genotypes in Type 1 DM. Furthermore, NAT2*4/6 genotype (which encodes intermediate acetylation) was more prevalent in Type 2 DM. Type 1 DM behaved similar to non-diabetic controls in regard to acetylation status.

Diabetic retinopathy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jordan: prevalence and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jordan, as well as the factors associated with DR. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 127 consecutive newly diagnosed (within the past 6 months) patients with T2DM attending one of two diabetic care centers. Complete ocular examinations were performed by an ophthalmologist and relevant data were collected. A fundus examination was performed using slit lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy after pupillary dilation with 1% tropicamide drops, with DR defined and classified according to the scale developed by the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Project Group. RESULTS: Of all the patients examined, 7.9% had DR. Of those with DR, 40% already had clinically significant macular edema necessitating laser photocoagulation or intravitreal injections. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and HbA1c were significantly associated with DR. The odds of DR increased by 11% for each 1 year increase in age (odds ratio [OR] 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.20). For each 1% increase in HbA1c, the odds of DR increased by 43% (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.09-1.88). CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than one-tenth of newly diagnosed Jordanian patients with T2DM had DR, but more than one-third of these patients had significant maculopathy. Therefore, early screening is strongly recommended for all newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Increased age and HbA1c values are associated with increased odds of DR. A study with a larger sample size is needed to elucidate the risk factors for DR in newly diagnosed T2DM.

Contribution of radioiodine uptake measurement and thyroid scintigraphy to the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis.

Both clinical and subclinical thyrotoxicosis can result from a wide range of disorders. Establishing the correct etiology underlying thyrotoxicosis is essential to direct treatment towards its specific pathophysiologic process. Based on clinical experience and guideline recommendations, radioiodine iodine uptake (RAIU) measurement and scintigraphy are often requested as the first-line investigation in thyrotoxic patients; however, their specific individual contribution to the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis has not been previously investigated. In our study we aimed at evaluating the diagnostic role of RAIU measurement and scintigraphy in the management of thyrotoxicosis. A total of 108 patients with clinical and 42 patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis were included in this retrospective study. All patients had RAIU measured at 24 hours after (131)I-iodide administration, followed by thyroid scintigraphy. Based on the combination of RAIU and scintigraphy, patients were classified as having diffuse toxic goiter (DTG) in 44% (the most common diagnosis), toxic adenoma in 15.9%, thyroiditis in 14%, and toxic multinodular goiter in 2.7%, while the pattern was inconclusive in 22.7% of all patients. When considering only patients with clinical thyrotoxicosis, the scan was inconclusive in 12.9% of patients whereas it was inconclusive in 47.6% of patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis. There was a highly significant association between thyrotoxic status and scan result, with a statistically significant better performance of RAIU and scintigraphy in patients with clinical thyrotoxicosis when compared to patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis considered as a whole (P<0.001). Instead, no statistically significant difference was observed between patients with subclinical thyrotoxicosis and TSH <0.1 mU/L and patients with TSH between 0.1 mU/L and 0.4 mU/L (P=0.191). In conclusion, we confirm the key role of RAIU and scintigraphy in the management of thyrotoxicosis and document its better performance in patients with clinical thyrotoxic status.