Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide, estimated to affect 1 in every 11 adults; among them, 90–95% of cases are type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is partly attributed to the surge in the prevalence of obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions since 2008. In these patients, cardiovascular (CV) risk stands as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems due to the potential for macrovascular and microvascular complications. In this context, leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays a fundamental role. This hormone is essential for regulating the cellular metabolism and energy balance, controlling inflammatory responses, and maintaining CV system homeostasis. Thus, leptin resistance not only contributes to weight gain but may also lead to increased cardiac inflammation, greater fibrosis, hypertension, and impairment of the cardiac metabolism. Understanding the relationship between leptin resistance and CV risk in obese individuals with type 2 DM (T2DM) could improve the management and prevention of this complication. Therefore, in this narrative review, we will discuss the evidence linking leptin with the presence, severity, and/or prognosis of obesity and T2DM regarding CV disease, aiming to shed light on the potential implications for better management and preventive strategies.
Objective. To assess factors associated with adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. A cross-sectional multicenter study based on a two-round Delphi survey was designed. A total of 98 endocrinologists (mean age 45 years) involved in the care of T2DM patients completed a 43-item questionnaire assessing different aspects of adherence related to CPGs. Results. Most participants worked in tertiary care public hospitals. All participants used CPGs, with ADA/EASD as the most common (99). The lack of time, establishment of an individualized management of patients, insufficient human resources, and therapeutic inertia were scored as the main reasons for not following CPGs recommendations. Participants agreed that insufficient material resources and limitations established by the healthcare system prevent adherence to CPGs. The risk of hypoglycemia was considered to be limiting factor for the patients integral control. Also, there was consensus on the need to have the support of nursing personnel with specific training in diabetes as well as dietitians and podiatrists. There was disagreement regarding the influence on adherence to CPGs of patients characteristics not matching those of CPGs, patients preferences, tolerability of the action recommended, concomitant comorbidities, or pluripathological conditions. Differences according to the participants age (40 years vs. 40 years) were not found. Therapeutic inertia and lack of time did not show a significant correlation. Conclusions. Nonadherence to CPGs on T2DM is a multifactorial problem but the existence multiple CPGs, the lack of time, the therapeutic inertia, and insufficient human resources have been identified as factors limiting adherence. Hypoglycemia continues to be a barrier for achievement of targets recommended by CPGs.
31 October 2006 in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Our aim was to assess the usefulness of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) to predict the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a prospective cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical end-point was mortality rate. GFR was measured in ml/min/1.73 m2 and stratified in 3 categories (≥60; 45-59; 300). Mortality rates were reported per 1000 patient-years. Cox regression models were used to predict mortality risk associated with combined GFR and UAE. The predictive power was estimated with C-Harrell statistic. A total of 453 patients (39.3% males), aged 64.9 (SD 9.3) years were included; mean diabetes duration was 10.4 (SD 7.5) years. Median follow-up was 13 years. Total mortality rate was 39.5/1000. The progressive increase in mortality in the successive categories of GFR and UAE was statistically significant (P<.001). In a multivariable analysis, UAE (HR30-300=1.02 and HR>300=2.83; X2=11.6; P =.003) and GFR (HR45-59=1.34 and HR<45=1.84; X2=6.4; P =.041) were independent predictors for mortality, with no significant interaction. Simultaneous inclusion of GFR and UAE improved the predictive power of models (C-Harrell 0.741 vs. 0.726; P =.045). GFR and UAE are independent predictors for mortality in type 2 diabetic patients and do not show a statistically significant interaction.