The impact of COVID-19 on people with diabetes in Brazil.

The present study aims at identifying main barriers faced by people living with diabetes in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In a convenience sampling study, data were collected from 1701 individuals, aged 18 or above; 75.54% female participants; 60.73% T1D and 30.75% T2D, between April 22nd and May 4th, using an anonymous and untraceable survey containing 20 multiple choice questions (socio-demographic; health status and habits of life during COVID-19 pandemic). Relationship between variables was established using the multiple correspondence analysis technique. RESULTS: 95.1% of respondents reduced their frequency of going outside of their homes; among those who monitored blood glucose at home during the pandemic (91.5%), the majority (59.4%) experienced an increase, a decrease or a higher variability in glucose levels; 38.4% postponed their medical appointments and/or routine examinations; and 59.5% reduced their physical activity. T1D, the youngest group, was more susceptible to presenting COVID-19 symptoms despite not being testing; whilst the T2D group had higher frequency of comorbidities that are additional risk factors for COVID-19 severity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a first hand revelation of the severity of COVID-19 on individuals with diabetes in Brazil. Their habits were altered, which impacted their glycemia, potentially increasing the risk of poor outcomes and mortality if infected by SARS-CoV-2, and of acute and chronic diabetes complications.

Insulin Injection Technique Questionnaire: results of an international study comparing Brazil, Latin America and World data.

BACKGROUND: In 2014-2015, the largest international survey of insulin injection technique in patients with diabetes taking insulin was conducted in 42 countries, totaling 13,289 participants. In Brazil, patients from five public health centers were included. This study aims to evaluate insulin injection technique in Brazilian patients and compare results with Latin America (LatAm) and World data. METHODS: The insulin Injection Technique Questionnaire (ITQ) survey consisted of an initial patient section (questions applied by an experienced nurse), followed by observation of injection technique and examination of the injection sites by the health care professional. RESULTS: In Brazil, 255 patients were evaluated: 25% had type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 75% had T2DM. In this study, 79% of patients injected less than 4 times a day, and 17.3% used insulin pens, compared to 28% in LatAm and 86% worldwide. Syringes were used by 78% of patients in Brazil, compared to 65% in LatAm and 10% globally. Differences in needle length were substantial-nearly 64% in Brazil inject with 8 mm length needle compared to 48% in LatAm and 27% worldwide. Additionally, 48% of patients in Brazil skip doses, 80% reuse pen needles and 57% reuse syringes with 27% having lipohypertrophy by exam. CONCLUSION: Brazilian patients use syringes more and pens less, inject with larger needles and have more lipohypertrophy when compared to Latin America and World data. Their re-use of needles and syringes is also high. This study showed that in Brazil, teaching of proper injection technique has to be more widespread, and more intensive during diabetes educational sessions, and the type of delivered supplies must be updated to smaller, shorter needles preferred by patients, in order to facilitate adherence to treatment. From the ITQ, we conclude that there are many aspects of insulin injection technique that may be improved in Brazil.

Resultados do estudo ORIGIN: implicações práticas para cardiologistas / Results of the study ORIGIN: pratical approach for cardiologists

Há grande debate em relação aos potenciais efeitos cardiovasculares da insulinoterapia concentrado em duas hipóteses conflitantes: seriam eles resultantes da administração exógena da insulina ou da própria condição de insulinorresistência que justificou o tratamento insulínico? O estudo ORIGIN testou a hipótese de que a normalização da glicemia, utilizando insulina exógena suficiente, reduziria eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com pré-diabetes ou com diabetes tipo 2 recém-diagnosticado e, também, portadores de outro fator de risco cardiovascular. Este estudo incluiu 12.537 participantes com pré-diabetes ou DM2 de início recente, com idade média de 63,5 anos, portadores de fatores de risco cardiovascular, seguidos por sete anos. Os pacientes do grupo tratado receberam insulina glargina titulada para uma meta glicêmica de <95 mmg/dL, enquanto o grupo-controle recebeu tratamento convencional. Os resultados do estudo mostraram redução significativa da glicemia de jejum e, também, da hemoglobina glicada. A incidência de efeitos cardiovasculares foi semelhante entre os dois grupos. Houve redução significativa da conversão para o diabetes no grupo pré-diabético tratado com glargina. Um aumento da frequência de hipoglicemia foi detectado no grupo da insulina glargina, embora tenha atingido apenas 1,0 episódio/100 pacientes/ano. Não houve qualquer diferença estatística entre os dois grupos em relação à incidência de câncer. No subestudo ORIGIN-GRACE se observou que o tratamento insulínico promoveu modesta redução na velocidade de progressão do espessamento da camada média íntima dos segmentos proximais da carótida.

Diabetes guidelines may delay timely adjustments during treatment and might contribute to clinical inertia.

Clinical inertia and poor knowledge by many physicians play an important role in delaying diabetes control. Among other guidelines, the Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes on Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes is a respected guideline with high impact on this subject in terms of influencing physicians in the definition of strategic approach to overcome poor glycemic control. But, on the other hand, it carries a recommendation that might contribute to clinical inertia because it can delay the needed implementation of more vigorous, intensive, and effective strategies to overcome poor glycemic control within a reasonable time frame during the evolution of the disease. The same is true with other respected algorithms from different diabetes associations. Together with pharmacological interventions, diabetes education and more intensive blood glucose monitoring in the initial phases after the diagnosis are key strategies for the effective control of diabetes. The main reason why a faster glycemic control should be implemented in an effective and safe way is to boost the confidence and the compliance of the patient to the recommendations of the diabetes care team. Better and faster results in glycemic control can only be safely achieved with educational strategies, structured self-monitoring of blood glucose, and adequate pharmacological therapy in the majority of cases.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: from evidence to clinical practice - position statement 2014 of Brazilian Diabetes Society.

There is a very well known correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular disease but many health care professionals are just concerned with glycemic control, ignoring the paramount importance of controlling other risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of serious cardiovascular diseases. This Position Statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society was developed to promote increased awareness in relation to six crucial topics dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Glicemic Control, Cardiovascular Risk Stratification and Screening Coronary Artery Disease, Treatment of Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Antiplatelet Therapy and Myocardial Revascularization. The issue of what would be the best algorithm for the use of statins in diabetic patients received a special attention and a new Brazilian algorithm was developed by our editorial committee. This document contains 38 recommendations which were classified by their levels of evidence (A, B, C and D). The Editorial Committee included 22 specialists with recognized expertise in diabetes and cardiology.

[Importance of nutritional counseling and dietary fiber content on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients under intensive educational intervention]. / Importância da orientação nutricional e do teor de fibras da dieta no controle glicêmico de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 sob intervenção educacional intensiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of nutritional counseling within a set of multidisciplinary interventions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia (A1C ≥ 8%), treated conventionally (n = 19, GC) or intensively in six weekly visits (n = 28, GI) were analyzed. We evaluated mean weekly blood glucose (MWG) at baseline and after 6 weeks in both groups. RESULTS: GI reduced caloric (p = 0.001), carbohydrate (p = 0.004), and fat (p = 0.001) intake, and increased fiber consumption, while GC reduced fiber intake (p = 0.018). Glycemic control (MWG ≤ 150 mg/dL) occurred in 75% of GI patients and in 31.6% of CG patients (p = 0.003), with negative correlation between changes in fiber intake and MWG values (r =-0.309; P = 0.035). Results were maintained after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Educational short-term intensive intervention was more effective than conventional treatment to achieve glycemic control. Our results also indicate that a more appropriate fiber content in the diet contributes for better blood glucose control in these patients.

Importância da orientação nutricional e do teor de fibras da dieta no controle glicêmico de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 sob intervenção educacional intensiva / Importance of nutritional counseling and dietary fiber content on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients under intensive educational intervention

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a orientação nutricional dentro de um conjunto de intervenções multidisciplinares. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta e sete pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, hiperglicêmicos, tratados de forma convencional (n = 19) ou intensiva (n = 28) e avaliados pela glicemia média semanal (GMS) no início e após 6 semanas. RESULTADOS: GI reduziu o consumo de calorias (p = 0,001), carboidratos (p = 0,004), lipídios (p = 0,001) e aumentou o de fibras, enquanto o GC reduziu o consumo de fibras (p = 0,018). Controle glicêmico (GMS < 150 mg/dL) ocorreu em 75% do GI e, em 31,6% do GC (p = 0,003), houve correlação negativa entre as variações do consumo de fibras e a GMS (r =-0,309; p = 0,035). Os resultados mantiveram-se por 12 semanas. CONCLUSÃO: A intervenção educacional intensiva de curto prazo mostrou-se mais eficaz que o tratamento convencional para a obtenção do controle glicêmico. Nossos resultados ainda indicam que um consumo mais adequado de fibras na alimentação contribui para a obtenção de um melhor controle da glicemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of nutritional counseling within a set of multidisciplinary interventions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia (A1C > 8%), treated conventionally (n = 19, GC) or intensively in six weekly visits (n = 28, GI) were analyzed. We evaluated mean weekly blood glucose (MWG) at baseline and after 6 weeks in both groups. RESULTS: GI reduced caloric (p = 0.001), carbohydrate (p = 0.004), and fat (p = 0.001) intake, and increased fiber consumption, while GC reduced fiber intake (p = 0.018). Glycemic control (MWG < 150 mg/dL) occurred in 75% of GI patients and in 31.6% of CG patients (p = 0.003), with negative correlation between changes in fiber intake and MWG values (r =-0.309; P = 0.035). Results were maintained after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Educational short-term intensive intervention was more effective than conventional treatment to achieve glycemic control. Our results also indicate that a more appropriate fiber content in the diet contributes for better blood glucose control in these patients.

Rapid improvement of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes using weekly intensive multifactorial interventions: structured glucose monitoring, patient education, and adjustment of therapy-a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated intensive intervention in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus involving weekly clinic visits and adjustment of therapy with analysis of three seven-point glucose profiles and intervention from an interdisciplinary staff. METHODS: Sixty-three patients were randomized to an intensive treatment group that obtained self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) profiles (six or seven values per day, 3 days/week) and were seen in the clinic at Weeks 1-6 and 12. SMBG results were downloaded, analyzed using Accu-Chek(®) 360° software (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN), and used to adjust therapy. Control group subjects obtained glucose profiles and had clinic visits only at Weeks 0, 6, and 12. RESULTS: There were highly statistically significant improvements in the intensive treatment group compared with the control group between Weeks 0 and 6 with greater reductions in weekly mean glycemia (WMG) (-76.7±8.9 mg/dL vs. -20.5±8.1 mg/dL), glycemic variability (SD) (-16.3±3.1 mg/dL vs. -5.0±3.1 mg/dL), and glycated hemoglobin (-1.82±0.16% vs. -0.66±0.22%) without significant changes in frequency of hypoglycemia or weight. Improvements were sustained in the intensive treatment group through Week 12. A minimal but statistically significant degree of improvement was seen in the control group at Week 12. CONCLUSIONS: This short-term pilot study of an intensive monitoring, educational, and pharmacological interventions program resulted in dramatic improvement of glycemic control within 6 weeks, and these effects are sustained through Week 12. SMBG glucose profiles, calculation of WMG and SD, and graphical displays of glucose data can improve the effectiveness of adjustment of therapy at weekly clinic visits when combined with intensive support from a multidisciplinary team.

Algorithm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a position statement of Brazilian Diabetes Society.

The Brazilian Diabetes Society is starting an innovative project of quantitative assessment of medical arguments of and implementing a new way of elaborating SBD Position Statements. The final aim of this particular project is to propose a new Brazilian algorithm for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, based on the opinions of endocrinologists surveyed from a poll conducted on the Brazilian Diabetes Society website regarding the latest algorithm proposed by American Diabetes Association /European Association for the Study of Diabetes, published in January 2009.An additional source used, as a basis for the new algorithm, was to assess the acceptability of controversial arguments published in international literature, through a panel of renowned Brazilian specialists. Thirty controversial arguments in diabetes have been selected with their respective references, where each argument was assessed and scored according to its acceptability level and personal conviction of each member of the evaluation panel.This methodology was adapted using a similar approach to the one adopted in the recent position statement by the American College of Cardiology on coronary revascularization, of which not only cardiologists took part, but also specialists of other related areas.