Diabetes workshops for providers improve glucose control in coronary artery bypass grafting patients.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative hyperglycemia occurs in up to 80% of cardiac surgery patients and is associated with poor outcomes. We sought to determine if case-based diabetes workshops for providers would improve postoperative glycemic control and outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting  (CABG). METHODS: Healthcare providers taking care of patients in the cardiothoracic step-down unit underwent 30-min weekly case-based diabetes workshops over 6 months. Workshops focused on initiation of insulin treatment, titration of insulin dosing, and transitioning from insulin drips to subcutaneous insulin. Isolated-CABG patients were recorded during 29-month periods before (Jan 2013-June 2015) and after training (Jan 2016-June 2018). Glycemic control and outcomes were compared between groups balanced for preoperative risk factors using inverse probability treatment weights. RESULTS: A total of 938 and 1032 patients were included in pre- and posttraining groups, respectively. Compared to the pretraining period, the posttraining period had a lower median of mean patient day glucose levels (151 vs. 144 mg/dl, p < .001) and percentage of patient days with a glucose level >250 mg/dl (20% vs. 14%, p < .001). The percentage of patient days with mean glucose values in the target range (80-180 mg/dl) increased from 71% to 77% (p < .001). The incidence of hypoglycemic events did not significantly change after training (p = .15). The incidence of sepsis was significantly lower in the posttraining period (1.7% vs. 0.2%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly diabetes workshops for healthcare providers were associated with improved glycemic control and reduced postoperative sepsis among isolated CABG patients.

C-Peptide Levels in Subjects Followed Longitudinally Before and After Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis in TrialNet.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin secretion declines rapidly after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, followed by a slower rate of change. Previous studies have demonstrated that the C-peptide decline begins before the clinical diagnosis. Changes in insulin secretion in the same individuals studied from preclinical stages through and after clinical diagnosis have not been previously reported. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Antibody-positive relatives undergo sequential oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) as part of TrialNet's Pathway to Prevention study and continue both OGTT and mixed-meal tolerance testing (MMTT) as part of the Long-term Investigational Follow-up in TrialNet study if they develop type 1 diabetes. We analyzed glucose and C-peptide data obtained from 80 TrialNet subjects who had OGTT before and after clinical diagnosis. Separately, we compared C-peptide response to OGTT and MMTT in 127 participants after diagnosis. RESULTS: C-peptide did not change significantly until 6 months before the clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and continued to decline postdiagnosis, and the rates of decline for the first 6 months postdiagnosis were similar to the 6 months prediagnosis. There were no significant differences in MMTT and OGTT C-peptide responses in paired tests postdiagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first analysis of C-peptide levels in longitudinally monitored patients with type 1 diabetes studied from before diagnosis and continuing to the postdiagnosis period. These data highlight the discordant timing between accelerated ß-cell dysfunction and the current glucose thresholds for clinical diagnosis. To preserve ß-cell function, disease-modifying therapy should start at or before the acute decline in C-peptide.

Inpatient management of diabetes and hyperglycemia.

Illness, particularly when severe, leads to increased concentrations of counter-regulatory factors which induce insulin resistance and predispose patients to stress hyperglycemia. Elevated glucose concentrations are common in hospitalized patients, both those with as well as without recognized diabetes. Substantial data has emerged over the past decade that quality glucose management in these individuals actually improves clinical outcomes. Controlling glucose in this setting is challenging, given the phenotypic variability amongst patients, with fluctuating courses of acute illnesses and unpredictable nutritional schedules. We review the evidence basis that has informed national standards and glucose targets in both critically and non-critically ill patients. In the intensive care setting, insulin infusions are now widely endorsed to quickly achieve and maintain glucose control. On the hospital wards, physiological subcutaneous insulin therapy, incorporating both basal and nutritional components, is emerging as the optimal treatment strategy. The transition to outpatient care is another important aspect of any hospital glycemic management program.