Association of Antihyperglycemic Therapy with Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke in Diabetic Patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke are both forms of CVD that have major consequences in terms of disabilities and death among patients with diabetes; however, they are less present in the preoccupations of scientific researchers as a primary endpoint of clinical trials. Several publications have found DM to be associated with a higher risk for both AF and stroke; some of the main drugs used for glycemic control have been found to carry either increased, or decreased risks for AF or for stroke in DM patients. Given the risk for thromboembolic cerebrovascular events seen in AF patients, the question arises as to whether stroke and AF occurring with modified incidences in diabetic individuals under therapy with various classes of antihyperglycemic medications are interrelated and should be considered as a whole. At present, the medical literature lacks studies specifically designed to investigate a cause-effect relationship between the incidences of AF and stroke driven by different antidiabetic agents. In default of such proof, we reviewed the existing evidence correlating the major classes of glucose-controlling drugs with their associated risks for AF and stroke; however, supplementary proof is needed to explore a hypothetically causal relationship between these two, both of which display peculiar features in the setting of specific drug therapies for glycemic control.

Celiac Disease, Gluten-Free Diet and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing food by genetically predisposed individuals. Hence, treatment of CD consists of permanent avoidance of wheat, rye, barley, and other gluten-containing foods. Lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) improves the symptoms of CD, but recent evidence suggests it is also associated with a higher risk for hepatic steatosis and the coexistence or emergence of other cardiometabolic risk factors. Moreover, a higher risk for liver steatosis is also reported by some authors as a potential extraintestinal complication of the CD itself. Recent nomenclature changes designate the association between hepatic steatosis and at least one of five cardiometabolic risk factors as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). An extended network of potentially causative factors underlying the association between MAFLD and CD, before and after dietary therapy is implemented, was recently described. The individualized treatment of these patients is less supported by evidence, with most of the current recommendations relying on empiric clinical judgment. This review focuses on the causative associations between CD and hepatic injury, either as an extraintestinal manifestation of CD or a side effect of GFD, also referring to potential therapeutic strategies for these individuals.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Current Background, Hopes, and Perspectives.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, reaching one of the highest prevalences in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). For now, no specific pharmacologic therapies are approved to prevent or treat NAFLD. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are currently evaluated as potential candidates for NAFLD treatment in patients with T2DM. Some representatives of this class of antihyperglycemic agents emerged as potentially beneficial in patients with NAFLD after several research studies suggested they reduce hepatic steatosis, ameliorate lesions of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or delay the progression of fibrosis in this population. The aim of this review is to summarize the body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of GLP-1RA therapy in the management of T2DM complicated with NAFLD, describing the studies that evaluated the effects of these glucose-lowering agents in fatty liver disease and fibrosis, their possible mechanistic justification, current evidence-based recommendations, and the next steps to be developed in the field of pharmacological innovation.

Effects of Incretin-Based Treatment on the Diastolic (Dys)Function in Patients with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study with 1-Year Follow-Up.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is a subclinical cardiac abnormality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that can progress to heart failure (HF) and increase cardiovascular risk. This prospective study evaluated the DD in T2DM patients without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease after one year of incretin-based drugs added to standard treatment. Of the 138 enrolled patients (49.30% male, mean age 57.86 ± 8.82, mean T2DM history 5 years), 71 were started on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin/saxagliptin, 21 on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exenatide, and 46 formed the control group (metformin and sulphonylurea/acarbose). At baseline, 71 patients had grade 1 DD, another 12 had grade 2 and 3 DD, and 15 had indeterminate DD. After one year, DD was evidenced in 50 cases. Diastolic function improved in 9 cases, and 27 patients went from grade 1 to indeterminate DD. The active group benefited more, especially patients treated with exenatide; their metabolic and inflammation profiles also improved the most. An in-depth analysis of echocardiographic parameters and paraclinical results in the context of literature data justifies the conclusion that early assessment of diastolic function in T2DM patients is necessary and the benefits of affordable incretin-based treatment may extend to subclinical cardiovascular manifestations such as DD.

Ischemic Heart Disease in the Context of Different Comorbidities.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [...].

Real-world evidence on the use of a fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) in people with suboptimally controlled type 2 diabetes in Romania: a prospective cohort study (STAR.Ro).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) fixed-ratio combination on a cohort of Romanian adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). DESIGN: Open-label, 24-week, prospective cohort study. SETTING: 65 secondary care diabetes centres in Romania. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 901 adults with T2D suboptimally controlled with previous oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs)±basal insulin (BI) who initiated treatment with iGlarLixi upon the decision of the investigator. Major exclusion criteria were iGlarLixi contraindications and refusal to participate. 876 subjects received at least one dose of iGlarLixi (intention-to-treat/safety population). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 24 in the modified intention-to-treat population (study participants with HbA1c available at baseline and week 24). Secondary efficacy outcomes were percentage of participants reaching HbA1c targets and change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG). RESULTS: Mean baseline HbA1c was 9.2% (SD 1.4) and FPG was 10.8 mmol/L (2.9). Mean HbA1c change was -1.3% (95% CI: -1.4% to -1.2%, p<0.0001) at week 24. HbA1c levels ≤6.5%, <7% and<7.5% at week 24 were achieved by 72 (8.9%), 183 (22.6%) and 342 (42.3%) participants, respectively. Mean FPG change was -3.1 mmol/L (95% CI: -3.3 to -2.8, p<0.001) at week 24. Mean body weight change was -1.6 kg (95% CI: -1.9 to -1.3, p<0.001) at 24 weeks. Mean iGlarLixi dose increased from 19.5 U (SD 7.7) and 30.1 U (10.0) to 30.2 U (8.9) (ratio 2/1 pen) and 45.0 U (11.6) (ratio 3/1 pen). Adverse events (AEs) were reported by 43 (4.9%) participants (18 (2.1%) gastrointestinal) with 4 (0.5%) reporting serious AEs. 13 (1.5%) participants reported at least one event of symptomatic hypoglycaemia, with one episode of severe hypoglycaemia reported. CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world setting, 24-week treatment with iGlarLixi provided a significant reduction of HbA1c with body weight loss and low hypoglycaemia risk in T2D suboptimally controlled with OADs±BI treatment.

New Insights into Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Coronary Artery Disease: The Liver-Heart Axis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the hepatic expression of the metabolic syndrome and is the most prevalent liver disease. NAFLD is associated with liver-related and extrahepatic morbi-mortality. Among extrahepatic complications, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality in patients with NAFLD. The most frequent clinical expression of CVD is the coronary artery disease (CAD). Epidemiological data support a link between CAD and NAFLD, underlain by pathogenic factors, such as the exacerbation of insulin resistance, genetic phenotype, oxidative stress, atherogenic dyslipidemia, pro-inflammatory mediators, and gut microbiota. A thorough assessment of cardiovascular risk and identification of all forms of CVD, especially CAD, are needed in all patients with NAFLD regardless of their metabolic status. Therefore, this narrative review aims to examine the available data on CAD seen in patients with NAFLD, to outline the main directions undertaken by the CVD risk assessment and the multiple putative underlying mechanisms implicated in the relationship between CAD and NAFLD, and to raise awareness about this underestimated association between two major, frequent and severe diseases.

Ultrasound-Based Hepatic Elastography in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Focus on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease and is the hepatic expression of metabolic syndrome. The development of non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis in high-risk patients, especially those with type 2 diabetes mellitus, is highly needed to replace the invasive method of liver biopsy. Elastographic methods can bring significant added value to screening and diagnostic procedures for NAFLD in patients with diabetes, thus contributing to improved NAFLD management. Pharmacological development and forthcoming therapeutic measures that address NAFLD should also be based on new, non-invasive, and reliable tools that assess NAFLD in at-risk patients and be able to properly guide treatment in individuals with both diabetes and NAFLD. This is the first review aiming to outline and discuss recent studies on ultrasound-based hepatic elastography, focusing on NAFLD assessment in patients with diabetes.

Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Risk Factors, Mechanisms and Prevention.

According to new research, a possible association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been demonstrated, but this concern is still debatable. The purpose of this review is to investigate the link between IHD and IBD, as well as identify further research pathways that could help develop clinical recommendations for the management of IHD risk in IBD patients. There is growing evidence suggesting that disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier in IBD is associated with the translocation of microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and other endotoxins into the bloodstream, which might induce a pro-inflammatory cytokines response that can lead to endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and acute cardiovascular events. Therefore, it is considered that the long-term inflammation process in IBD patients, similar to other chronic inflammatory diseases, may lead to IHD risk. The main cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and obesity, should be checked in all patients with IBD, and followed by strategies to reduce and manage early aggression. IBD activity is an important risk factor for acute cardiovascular events, and optimizing therapy for IBD patients should be followed as recommended in current guidelines, especially during active flares. Large long-term prospective studies, new biomarkers and scores are warranted to an optimal management of IHD risk in IBD patients.

Association of Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers with Mitral Annular Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) contributes to cardiovascular disease and related mortality through the insidious effects of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is one such degenerative process promoted by T2DM. (2) Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis markers in T2DM patients without atherosclerotic manifestations, but with incidental echocardiographic detection of mild MAC. (3) Results: 138 consenting patients were 49.3% men, 57.86 years old, with a history of T2DM of 6.16 years and HbA1c 8.06%, of whom sixty had mild MAC (43.47%). The statistically significant differences between patients with/without MAC were higher HOMA C-peptide and C-peptide index for insulin resistance, higher TNF-α for inflammation, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was significantly associated with insulin resistance and the strength of the relationship was higher in the MAC group. Predictive of MAC were TNF-α, HOMA C-peptide, and especially hepatic steatosis and hypertension. (4) Conclusions: MAC was more prevalent than reported in the literature. Insulin resistance and inflammation were predictive of MAC, but significant markers differ across studies. Widely available routine tests and echocardiographic assessments are useful in the early identification of mitral annular calcifications in diabetes patients.

Self-Reported Satisfaction to Treatment, Quality of Life and General Health of Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Inadequate Glycemic Control from North-Eastern Romania.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undermines health and quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study surveyed 138 consenting T2DM patients from North-Eastern Romania with regard to their satisfaction with treatment, diabetes-related impact on QoL, and general health. The Romanian versions of Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ), Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19), and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires were used. Self-reports were analyzed in conjunction with clinical and metabolic profiling. The patients were 57.86 ± 8.82 years old, 49.3% men, treated with oral glucose-lowering drugs, presenting with inadequate glycemic control but without cardiovascular manifestations. The mean DTSQ and ADDQoL scores were 25.46 ± 0.61 and -2.22 ± 1.2, respectively. Freedom to eat, holidays, journeys, leisure, physical health, sex life, freedom to drink, and feelings about the future scored below average. The mean SF-36 physical and mental health scores were 47.78 ± 1.03 and 50.44 ± 1.38, respectively. The mean SF-6D score was 0.59 ± 0.04 (generated retrospectively using SF-36 data). Negative associations were significant between ADDQoL, age (r = -0.16), and body mass index (r = -0.23), p < 0.01. Overall scores did not correlate with diabetes duration (except DTSQ, r = -1.18, p = 0.02) or HbA1c. The results confirm other researchers' findings in Europe and nearby countries. Our patients seemed satisfied with treatment despite glycemic imbalance and viewed diabetes as a burden on QoL and especially freedom to eat.

Expert Opinion on the Therapeutic Use of the Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine 100 U/mL and Lixisenatide: a Central/Eastern European Perspective.

The fixed-ratio combination (FRC) of a basal insulin and a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) has proven to be an effective therapeutic approach. However, physicians face numerous practical questions that cannot be answered by recently published trial results, current guidelines and summaries of product characteristics. In April 2019, a scientific meeting was held with the participation of nine experts from four Central and Eastern European countries to provide expert consensus on the optimal daily use of the insulin glargine and lixisenatide FRC (iGlarLixi). Topics included the positioning and initiation of iGlarLixi and the management of treatment. This paper summarizes the outcomes of the meeting.

The Mediterranean Diet: From an Environment-Driven Food Culture to an Emerging Medical Prescription.

The Mediterranean diet originates in the food cultures of ancient civilizations which developed around the Mediterranean Basin and is based on the regular consumption of olive oil (as the main source of added fat), plant foods (cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, tree nuts, and seeds), the moderate consumption of fish, seafood, and dairy, and low-to-moderate alcohol (mostly red wine) intake, balanced by a comparatively limited use of red meat and other meat products. A few decades ago, the Mediterranean diet drew the attention of medical professionals by proving extended health benefits. The first reports ascertained cardiovascular protection, as multiple large-scale clinical studies, starting with Ancel Keys' Seven Countries Study, showed a marked reduction of atherosclerotic clinical events in populations with a Mediterranean dietary pattern. Ensuing trials confirmed favorable influences on the risk for metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. While its health benefits are universally recognized today by medical professionals, the present state of the Mediterranean diet is challenged by major difficulties in implementing this protective dietary pattern in other geographical and cultural areas and keeping it alive in traditional Mediterranean territories, also tainted by the unhealthy eating habits brought by worldwide acculturation.

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes-Progress and Perspectives.

In-depth understanding of early cardiovascular manifestations in diabetes is high on international research and prevention agendas given that cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death for diabetic patients. Our aim was to review recent developments in the echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) as a telltale pre-clinical disturbance preceding diabetic cardiomyopathy. We analyzed papers in which patients had been comprehensively assessed echocardiographically according to the latest LVDD guidelines (2016), and those affording comparisons with previous, widely used recommendations (2009). We found that the updated algorithm for LVDD is more effective in predicting adverse cardiovascular events in patients with established LVDD, and less specific in grading other patients (labelled "indeterminate"). This may prove instrumental for recruiting "indeterminate" LVDD cases among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in future screening programs. As an interesting consideration, the elevated values of the index E/e' can point to early diastolic impairment, foretelling diabetic cardiomyopathy. Identifying subclinical signs early makes clinical sense, but the complex nature of T2DM calls for further research. Specifically, longitudinal studies on rigorously selected cohorts of diabetic patients are needed to better understand and predict the subtle, slow onset of cardiac manifestations with T2DM as a complicating backdrop.

Bidirectional Relationship between Gastric Emptying and Plasma Glucose Control in Normoglycemic Individuals and Diabetic Patients.

Gastric emptying and glycemic control pathways are closely interrelated processes. Gastric chyme is transferred into the duodenum with velocities depending on its solid or liquid state, as well as on its caloric and nutritional composition. Once nutrients enter the intestine, the secretion of incretins (hormonal products of intestinal cells) is stimulated. Among incretins, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has multiple glycemic-regulatory effects that include delayed gastric emptying, thus triggering a feedback loop lowering postprandial serum glucose levels. Glycemic values also influence gastric emptying; hyperglycemia slows it down, and hypoglycemia accelerates it, both limiting glycemic fluctuations. Disordered gastric emptying in diabetes mellitus is understood today as a complex pathophysiological condition, with both irreversible and reversible components and high intra- and interindividual variability of time span and clinical features. While limited delays may be useful for reducing postprandial hyperglycemias, severely hindered gastric emptying may be associated with higher glycemic variability and worsened long-term glycemic control. Therapeutic approaches for both gastric emptying and glycemic control include dietary modifications of meal structure or content and drugs acting as GLP-1 receptor agonists. In the foreseeable future, we will probably witness a wider range of dietary interventions and more incretin-based medications used for restoring both gastric emptying and glycemic levels to nearly physiological levels.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in the adult Romanian population: PREDATORR study.

BACKGROUND: The PREDATORR (PREvalence of DiAbeTes mellitus, prediabetes, overweight, Obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease in Romania) study is the first national study analyzing the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes, and their association with cardiometabolic, sociodemographic, and lifestyle risk factors in the Romanian population aged 20-79 years. METHODS: This was an epidemiological study with a stratified, cross-sectional, cluster random sampling design. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anamnestic data were collected through self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires, and biochemical assays and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. RESULTS: In all, 2728 participants from 101 clinics of general practitioners were randomly selected, with a probability proportional to population size according to the 2002 Romanian Census. The participation rate was 99.6%. Impaired glucose regulation (prediabetes, known and unknown DM) was found in 28.1% of the study population. The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of DM was 11.6% (95% CI 9.6%-13.6%), of which 2.4% (95% CI 1.7%-3.1%) had unknown DM. The prevalence of DM increased with age and was higher in men than in women. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of prediabetes was 16.5% (95%CI 14.8%-18.2%), with the highest percentage in the 60-79 year age group and in women. Obesity, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, low education level, and a family history of diabetes were associated with glucose metabolism disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The PREDATORR study shows a high prevalence of impaired glucose regulation in the adult Romanian population, providing data on the prevalence of DM and prediabetes and their association with several risk factors.

Insulin resistance and adipokine levels correlate with early atherosclerosis - a study in prediabetic patients.

Cardiovascular risk of prediabetes is still subject to controversies. We analyzed the associations between insulin resistance, adipokines and incipient atherosclerosis estimated by intima-media thickness (IMT) in a cross-sectional study on 122 prediabetic subjects without clinical signs of atherosclerotic disease. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, calculated as fasting insulin × fasting plasma glucose / 22.5), adiponectin, leptin, leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, carotid and femoral IMT were evaluated. We also assessed other parameters related to insulin resistance and adipokines (HbA1c, anthropometric and lipid parameters), as they may also influence atherosclerosis. Carotid IMT was correlated to adiponectin and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (all p < 0.05), but not with HOMA-IR or leptin, while femoral IMT showed no relationship with these factors. After adjusting for leptin, leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, triglycerides-to-HDL ratio and HbA1c, IMT values became correlated with HOMA-IR. Adjustment for HOMA-IR induced the appearance of new correlations between adipokines and both IMT values. In conclusion, insulin resistance and adipokines seem related to IMT in prediabetic subjects without clinical signs of arterial obstruction.

Pathological aspects underlying pancreatogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia--report of three cases.

Pancreatogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (PHH) is a rare disorder determined by an abnormally high secretion of insulin in the pancreas, in the absence of other medical or pharmacological factors. Either ß-cell tumors (insulinomas) or ß-cell hyperplasia (nesidioblastosis) can determine this pathology. Most publications on insulinomas or nesidioblastosis approached these subjects from a clinical point of view. This paper aims to analyze pathological aspects underlying pancreatogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. We present two cases of insulinomas with unusual pancreatic localization and size, one of them showing amyloid deposits in the stroma. In both cases, immunohistochemistry confirmed the clinical and imagistic supposition. The third reported case refers to a 57-year-old patient with nesidioblastosis with isolated disposition of endocrine cells and areas of focal organization, both morphological aspects being extremely rare in adults. Although clinical and laboratory data are usually identical in the two forms of PHH, histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis is essential in differentiating insulinomas from nesidioblastosis, as the surgical management is different: enucleation for insulinomas and total or subtotal pancreatectomy for nesidioblastosis.