OBJECTIVE

To determine the pupillary parameters of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using the Reflex PLR© mobile application and to correlate these parameters with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels.

This was a single-center, prospective, observational, cross-sectional study conducted at Ospital ng Makati from June to August 2024. Study participants were patients with type 2 DM without diabetic retinopathy and non-diabetics who served as the control group. Participants underwent blood chemistry testing and pupillometry using the Reflex PLR© mobile app. The study outcomes were maximum and minimum pupillary diameters, amplitude, and latency.

There were 44 study participants: 26 non-diabetics and 18 diabetic patients. The two groups had similar pupillary baseline diameters (p = 0.72; p = 0.30), maximum pupillary diameters (p = 0.82; p = 0.89), minimum pupillary diameters (p = 0.85; p = 0.89), pupillary amplitudes (p = 0.88; p = 0.55), and pupillary latencies (p = 0.53; p = 0.47) for the right and left eyes, respectively. The relationship between pupillary parameters and HbA1C levels showed no significant variations in baseline diameter (p = 0.21; p = 0.45), maximum diameter (p = 0.65 for the right eye; p = 0.46 for the left eye), minimum diameter (p = 0.77; p = 0.46), amplitude (p = 0.89; p = 0.83), and latency (p = 0.31; p = 0.22).

The study did not demonstrate any significant correlation between pupillary parameters and HbA1C levels. Pupillary changes in diabetes may have been more dependent on factors such as disease duration and the presence of complications rather than glycemic control alone.

Objectives: The study aimed to identify whether pre-operative glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) can be used as markers for the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the immediate post-operative period of type 2 diabetic patients after elective abdominal surgery.

Methods: This retrospective cohort pilot study included seventy-four diabetic patients who underwent elective abdominal surgery from 2015 to 2018. HbA1c and FBS, demographic data, comorbidities, type and indication of surgery, and treatment history were correlated with the development of AKI using logistic regression analysis.

Results: In this cohort, 12% of subjects developed AKI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, however, showed that neither HbA1c and FBS nor other studied factors were predictive for the occurrence of AKI (OR 2.55, p= 0.26 and OR 0.64, p= 0.72 respectively).

Conclusion: Pre-operative HbA1c and one-time FBS values in diabetic patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery procedures were not statistically predictive of AKI in the present data. However, the observed trend towards the risk of AKI among the elevated HbA1c subset of patients should drive further studies with a greater sample size and of a prospective nature looking at other metabolic factors contributing to AKI.

hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) is a key biomarker for the monitoring of glycemic balance in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new system, the Tosoh HLC-723 G11 analyzer (Tosoh Corporation, Japan), compared to that of two routine diagnostic testing systems, Tosoh G8 (Tosoh Corporation) and Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Sebia, France).METHODS: Tosoh G11 was evaluated for precision, linearity, and carry-over, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute's guidelines. Test results from clinical samples were compared between Tosoh G11 and the routine testing systems, Tosoh G8 and Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing.RESULTS: With respect to the precision of Tosoh G11, the test results for low- and high-concentration controls showed a coefficient of variation of less than 1.1%. Furthermore, the new device exhibited good linearity for HbA(1c) values ranging from 3.4% to 18.8%, and carry-over was not observed. HbA(1c) results for Tosoh G11 (N=143) correlated well with those for Tosoh G8 (r=0.9971) and Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (r=0.9918).CONCLUSIONS: Tosoh G11 demonstrated reliable analytical performance with good precision and linearity, and no carry-over results. In addition, its results were comparable to those of the existing instruments. Thus, the results of this evaluation suggest that Tosoh G11 is suitable for the routine diagnostic testing of HbA(1c) levels in clinical chemistry laboratories.]]>
Chemistry, Clinical ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans

BACKGROUND: We assessed the frequency and severity of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with sulfonylurea monotherapy or sulfonylurea+metformin. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study in 2011 and 2012 including patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged ≥30 years who were treated with ≥6 months of sulfonylurea monotherapy or sulfonylurea+metformin at 20 university-affiliated hospitals in Korea. At enrollment, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was assessed; participants completed self-reported questionnaires describing hypoglycemia incidents over the past 6 months. A review of medical records up to 12 months before enrollment provided data on demographics, disease history, comorbidities, laboratory results, and drug usage. RESULTS: Of 726 enrolled patients, 719 were included (55.6% male); 31.7% and 68.3% were on sulfonylurea monotherapy and sulfonylurea+metformin, respectively. Mean±standard deviation age was 65.9±10.0 years; mean HbA1c level was 7.0%±1.0%; 77.8% of patients had hypertension (89.4% used antihypertensive medication); 60.5% had lipid disorders (72.5% used lipid-lowering medication); and 52.0% had one or more micro- or macrovascular diseases. Among patients with A1c measurement (n=717), 56.4% achieved therapeutic goals (HbA1c <7.0%); 42.4% (305/719) experienced hypoglycemia within 6 months of enrollment; and 38.8%, 12.9%, 12.7%, and 3.9% of patients experienced mild, moderate, severe, and very severe hypoglycemia symptoms, respectively. Several reported hypoglycemia frequency as 1–2 times over the last 6 months. The mean number of very severe hypoglycemia episodes was 3.5±5.5. CONCLUSION: Among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with sulfonylurea-based regimens, glycemic levels were relatively well controlled but hypoglycemia remained a prevalent side effect.
Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypoglycemia ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Metformin ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Early detection of vascular change may improve prediction of subclinical stage of cardiovascular disease, allowing intervention to prevent overt vascular damage. High heart rate is known to increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rate in the general population and in individuals with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate the association between resting heart rate (RHR) measured using electrocardiogram (ECG) and arterial stiffness measured using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in men. METHODS: Data were collected from 5,629 men aged between 20 and 78 years who visited a single-site health promotion center. RHR was measured in a supine posture after resting for 10 minutes using an ECG. Arterial stiffness was measured using the CAVI. The cutoff value for high CAVI was ≥9.0. RESULTS: RHR was one of the major determinants of high CAVI after adjusting for age, waist circumference, mean arterial pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin level, triglyceride level, white blood cell count, and lifestyle factors. When RHR groups were defined according to the RHR quartiles, the odds ratio of group with RHR ≥70 bpm, for high CAVI was 3.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.21–5.91) after adjusting for age and lifestyle factors. This association was not changed after adjusting for all other covariates (odds ratio, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.36–4.19). CONCLUSIONS: RHR measured using ECG is significantly associated with arterial stiffness in men not taking medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes. These findings suggest that RHR may be useful in assessing cardiovascular risk in men.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteriosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Dyslipidemias ; Electrocardiography ; Health Promotion ; Heart Rate ; Heart ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Leukocyte Count ; Life Style ; Male ; Mortality ; Odds Ratio ; Posture ; Risk Assessment ; Triglycerides ; Vascular Stiffness ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have reported that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are vulnerable to infection. However, the mechanism underlying this remains unclear. We hypothesized that preoperative blood glucose levels in patients with DM may be a risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI). We aimed to investigate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level and SSI incidence following single-level spinal fusion surgery. METHODS: Patients with DM who underwent single-level lumbar posterior fusion surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Ninety-two patients were included and classified into the SSI and SSI-free groups. Clinical data with demographic findings were obtained and compared. The HbA1c cut-off value was defined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses, which showed a significantly increased SSI risk. Potential variables were verified using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 24 had SSI and 68 did not within 1 year. The preoperative HbA1c level was higher in patients with SSI (6.8%) than in the non-infected patients (6.0%; p=0.008). ROC analysis showed that if the HbA1c level is higher than 6.9%, the risk of SSI significantly increases (p=0.003; AUC, 0.708; sensitivity, 62.5%; specificity, 70.6%). The preoperative HbA1c level was significantly correlated with SSI incidence, after adjusting for potential variables (p=0.008; odds ratio, 4.500; 95% confidence interval, 1.486–13.624). CONCLUSION: The HbA1c level, indicating glycemic control, in patients with DM may be a risk factor for SSI in single-level lumbar spine posterior fusion.
Area Under Curve ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine ; Surgical Wound Infection

PURPOSE: To investigate the foveal avascular zone (AVZ), superficial and deep foveal and parafoveal vessel density (VD) changes related to diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Forty-nine type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 45 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The demographic data (age and sex), disease duration, and level of glycated hemoglobin were collected. Superficial VD (%), superficial AVZ area (mm2), deep VD (%) and deep AVZ area (mm2) were evaluated via optic coherence tomography angiography. RESULTS: Superficial AVZ was 0.438 ± 0.05 mm2 in the DM group, 0.246 ± 0.022 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Deep AVZ was 0.732 ± 0.06 mm2 in the DM group, and 0.342 ± 0.022 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Superficial foveal VD was 29.45 ± 0.76 mm2 in the DM group, and 34.86 ± 0.75 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Deep foveal VD was 24.85 ± 1.08 mm2 in the DM group, and 33.47 ± 0.56 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated an enlargement in the foveal AVZ along with a reduction in the vascular density of the superficial and deep capillary network in the foveal and parafoveal area using optic coherence tomography angiography in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. This technique can be used to monitor the progression of the disease and to evaluate the response to treatment.
Angiography ; Capillaries ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of periodontal and prosthodontic therapy on glycated hemoglobin A(HbA1c) level in patients with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 70 patients suffering from diabetes who visited the Kyungpook National University Hospital between January 2016 and May 2018. Patients underwent medical evaluation for their routine check-up, which includes laboratory test for HbA1c levels. Among the 70 patients, 35 patients also visited Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital during the same period to receive periodontal and prosthodontic therapy, while the other 35 patients did not receive such therapy. The HbA1c levels were compared before and after periodontal and prosthodontic therapy. Comparisons between groups and within groups were performed using independent t-test. RESULTS: The HbA1c levels in the group who have received periodontal and prosthodontic therapy decreased from 7.2 to 6.7 (P=.001). The HbA1c levels in the control group decreased from 7.2 to 7.1 (P=.580). The difference in changes between the two patient groups was statistically significant (P=.011). CONCLUSION: Periodontal and prosthodontic therapy can be effective on glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Periodontal Diseases ; Prosthodontics ; Retrospective Studies

The present article demonstrates an unusual case of bilateral lower extremity edema caused by neurogenic areflexic bladder as the first physical symptom of diabetes. A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of massive edema of his lower limbs. The edema had been present for 2 weeks, was symmetrical, and was progressively covering the lower limbs up to the inguinal area, scrotal bag, and penis and was accompanied by dysuria and an interrupted urine stream. Laboratory findings revealed a serum glucose level of 657 mg/dL and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 15.6%. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed marked enlargement of the bladder with bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter. In addition, CT demonstrated bilateral compression of the iliac veins caused by the enlarged bladder. This case highlights the importance of a broad differential diagnosis for patients with diabetes and extensive peripheral edema. Neurogenic bladder should be considered in the differential diagnosis, even in newly diagnosed diabetic patients.
Abdomen ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysuria ; Edema ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Iliac Vein ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; Penis ; Rivers ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic

BACKGROUND: Insulin therapy is the treatment of choice in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who are not achieving glycemic goals despite triple oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) combination therapy. However, there is still no additional treatment option for patients who cannot afford insulin therapy or who have various clinical limitations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of four OHA combination therapy in poorly controlled T2DM patients who could not afford insulin therapy. METHODS: Forty-seven T2DM patients were enrolled according to the following criteria: 1) glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] > 8.5%, 2) ongoing treatment with 3 OHA combination therapy (metformin, sulfonylurea, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor), or 3) combined limitations for applying insulin therapy. Patients were given the fourth OHA (pioglitazone) in addition to their previous treatment for 12 months. We evaluated changes in HbA1c, body weight, hypoglycemic events, and side effects. RESULTS: At study completion, mean HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose were significantly reduced from 9.6% to 8.04% and from 198.4 mg/dL to 161.5 mg/dL, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean body weight was significantly increased from 66.7 kg to 69.3 kg. Hypoglycemia and side effects were observed 18 times and only 3 cases showed abnormal liver function tests or edema. In addition, subjects with higher initial HbA1c levels and HOMA-beta showed an independent association with a greater reduction in HbA1c. CONCLUSION: The 4 OHA combination therapy is effective and safe when insulin is not feasible.
Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Drug Therapy ; Edema ; Fasting ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Insulin ; Liver Function Tests ; Treatment Outcome