Backgrounds and aims: The Asian Young Diabetes (ASDIAB) project is a five-year prospective study on the clinical and immunological characterisation of diabetes in newly diagnosed young Asians. This paper aims at evaluating the aetiological classification of diabetes in these patients based on presence/absence of islet autoantibodies and beta cell function at disease presentation and one year.
Materials and methods: A total of 919 patients (from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore) with age at diagnosis 12-40 years and diabetes duration <12 months were recruited between 1997 and 1999. Complete information on autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and IA-2 and fasting C-peptide at baseline and 1 year were available in 633 patients. Antibody positivity (Ab+) was defined by presence of GADab and/or IA-2 abo Poor beta-cell function was defined with fasting C-peptide <0.3nM at one year. TlDM was identified in patients Ab+ at diagnosis (irregardless of p cell function status) and in those Ab- at diagnosis and I-year, but demonstrated poor beta-cell function at I-year. Patients who were Ab- at diagnosis and I-year but had good beta cell function (fasting C-peptide >=0.3nM) at I-year were classified as having type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Results: 139 patients (22%) were classified as having T1DM. Of these, 90 were Ab+ and 49 were Ab- and had poor beta cell function. The remainder 494 patients (78%) were classified as having T2DM. The ethnic distribution of T1DM patients (73% Chinese, 16% Indians and 11 % Malays) was similar to the T2DM. Compared to T2DM, T1DM patients were significantly younger at diagnosis (mean age 28.0 vs 32.9 yrs), leaner (mean BMI 21.5 kg/m' vs 25.9 kg/m' at diagnosis, 22.0 kg/m2 vs 26.1 kg/m2 at 1 year), and had significantly higher HbA1 , (11.8% vs 9.7% at diagnosis; 8.9% vs 8.0% at 1 year) . Median fasting C-peptides were significantly lower in T1DM than T2DM patients (0.2 vs 0.7 nM at diagnosis; 0.2 vs 0.8 nM at 1 year). T2DM were more insulin resistant than T1DM patients as assessed by HOMA index (median 5.8 vs 4.4 at diagnosis, 4.9 vs 3.4 at 1 year).
Conclusions: In Asians with young onset diabetes, assessment at diagnosis and one year for islet autoantibodies (GADab and lor IA-2Aab), together with estimation of p-cell function with fasting serum C-peptide levels, were useful for classifying patients as having T1DM and T2DM .
Grant from Novo Nordisk Asia Pacific, Singapore
40th EASD Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes : Munich, Germany, 5-9 September 2004
AIM: To describe the clinical, biochemical and immunological characteristics of young-onset diabetes in Asia.
METHODS: Clinical, biochemical and immunological variables were assessed in 919 newly diagnosed (duration less than 12 months) young onset Asian diabetic patients aged between 12 and 40 years. The subjects constituted 57% Chinese, 29% Indians and 14% Malays, recruited from diabetes centres in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
RESULTS: The mean age (+/- sd) was 31.6 +/- 7.2 years, with the majority (66%) in the 31-40 years age group. Mean body mass index (BMI) (+/- sd) was 25.3 +/- 5.0 kg/m2 with 47% exceeding the suggested Asian cut-off point for obesity (BMI > or = 25). Ethnic difference in clinical characteristics included BMI, blood pressure, mode of treatment and degree of insulin resistance. Most patients had a clinical presentation of Type 2 diabetes. About 10% had a classical combination of ketotic presentation, presence of autoimmune-markers and documented insulin deficiency indicative of Type 1 diabetes. Forty-eight percent were receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) while 31% were on diet only, 18% were receiving insulin and 2% were on a combination of insulin and OHA.
CONCLUSION: Young onset diabetes patients in Asia represent a heterogeneous group in terms of their clinical and biochemical characteristics and classical Type 1 diabetes is relatively uncommon. The 5-year follow up study will determine the progress of these patients and help to clarify the natural history.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/immunology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism
This study aimed to identify the relationship of health beliefs and complication prevention behaviors among Chinese individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia. A correlation study using the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework was undertaken with 128 Chinese subjects with Type 2 Diabetes of both gender, mean age 60.5 +/- 8.42 years from one urban hospital and four rural health centers. Research tool was a 60-item questionnaire with responses recorded on 5-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, Spearmen correlation and Mann-Whitney U-test. The majority of the subjects had less than 6 years of education. Seventy-two percent of them were aware of diabetes complications and its risk factors. However, few subjects practiced complication preventive measures because of lack of perceived seriousness of diabetes and lack of perceived susceptibility to diabetes complications. There were significant correlations between complication prevention behaviors and perceived severity (P < 0.05), perceived susceptibility (P < 0.05 ) and perceived barrier (P < 0.05 ); subjects' education level and perceived severity (P < 0.05), perceived susceptibility (P < 0.05) and complication prevention behavior (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between health beliefs and settings; genders; disease duration and treatment mode. In conclusion, poor complication preventive behavior among the subjects was associated with lack of perceived seriousness of diabetes and lack of perceived susceptibility to diabetes complications.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology*
BACKGROUND: Circulating antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADab) and tyrosine phosphatase-like molecule IA-2 (IA-2ab) are major indicators for auto-immune destruction of pancreatic islet cells. They identify a majority of Caucasians with type 1 diabetes and approximately 50% of Asians, providing evidence of an idiopathic aetiology in the latter. The present study investigated these autoantibodies in a mixed ethnic group.
METHODS: Hospital clinic patients with clinically defined type 1 (n = 93) and type 2 (n = 300) diabetes and representing Singapore's major ethnic groups--Chinese, Indians and Malays--were studied. GADab and IA-2ab frequencies, and association of autoimmunity status with clinical and biochemical profiles were analysed.
RESULTS: Radio-immunoprecipitation assays detected either or both antibodies (seropositivity) in 41.9% of subjects with type 1 diabetes. GADab was detected in 36.6% and IA-2ab in 23.7% of type 1 diabetics. Prevalence of IA-2ab showed a reduction in frequency with disease duration (P = 0.026). In clinical type 2 diabetics, seropositivity was 10.0% with higher frequency in Malays (17.5%) than Chinese (9.7%) and Indians (4.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that low fasting C-peptide was associated with seropositivity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04-0.58). A significant relationship (OR = 13.5; 95% CI = 5.0-36.7) between insulin requirement and duration (>5 years) was also revealed. In patients with type 2 diabetes there was a trend of gradual progression to insulin dependency. However, there was considerable variation in body mass index between ethnic subgroups of type 2 diabetics, particularly for Chinese (mean (SD) = 26.0 (4.7)) and Malays (mean (SD) = 29.2 (5.9); P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Presence of both antibodies in our mixed ethnic group of type 1 diabetes patients was much lower than in Caucasians. Significant numbers of patients were seronegative for antibodies. Influences due to ethnicity and adiposity would require further investigations.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/immunology
BACKGROUND: Comparisons of oxidative indices and total antioxidant status between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with or without diabetes is scant, especially in the Asian population.
METHOD: The assays were carried out according to known established protocols.
RESULT: The present study showed that ESRD patients with or without non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) did not have any significant differences in antioxidant enzyme activities, advanced glycated end products (AGE), advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), indicating that hyperglycemia does not exacerbate oxidative damage in ESRD. The regulation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase is also altered in ESRD. Elevated FRAP was observed in both ESRD groups (with and without NIDDM). The dialysis process did not alter the antioxidant enzyme activities but decreased AGEs and FRAP and increased AOPP levels.
CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is present in ESRD but this is not significantly exacerbated by hyperglycemia. The contribution of components in the pathology of renal failure towards oxidative stress exceeds that of hyperglycemia.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology*
A study was conducted at primary healthcare level in the Melaka Tengah district of Malaysia to determine whether hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were managed according to guidelines.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology
We present an interesting and rare case of a diabetic patient who developed extensive unilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) which was caused by fungal infection. The diagnosis was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen. Repeated urine cultures grew Candida albicans but no other organisms were isolated. The patient remained febrile and unwell despite parenteral broad spectrum antibiotics and antifungal treatment. She underwent nephrectomy and then made a good clinical recovery.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications*
OBJECTIVE AND STUDY DESIGN: A nonrandomized open labeled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Dianex (a poly herbal formulation developed by Apex Laboratories [PVT] Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) in type 2 diabetes mellitus was carried out during a 6-month period.
SETTING/LOCATION: This study was conducted in TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, South India.
SUBJECTS: A total of 40 patients were recruited for this study. Three patients dropped out of the study leaving a total of 37 patients (11 for monotherapy and 26 for add on therapy).
OUTCOME MEASURES: Eighteen (18) clinical variables were investigated, including liver enzymes, kidney function tests, hematologic parameters, blood glucose, and insulin and lipid profiles.
RESULTS: at the end of 12 weeks it was found that there was a significant decrease in the level of glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma insulin level, insulin resistance, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. At the end of 24 weeks results were similar to those at 12 weeks. Dianex did not alter the liver function tests, hematological parameters, or kidney function tests.
CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, Dainex is found to be an effective adjuvant drug with either oral antidiabetic agents or insulin that can be used in the control of blood sugars in diabetic patients. Dianex is a safe drug that does not cause any clinical, hematological or biochemical alteration in major organ systems.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*
To evaluate losartan and conventional antihypertensive therapy (CT) compared with CT alone on the cost associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications
Aims: Increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage are present in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative stress levels in the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and to study the association between glycaemic control and oxidant-antioxidant levels in these patients.
Methods: Oxidative indices and glycaemic control were assessed in 650 Type 2 DM patients and 280 healthy age-matched controls by known established methods.
Results: Type 2 DM patients had significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidant (FRAP) and increased levels of HbA(1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) when compared with control subjects. Markers of oxidative stress were more apparent in Indian patients compared with Malay and Chinese patients. Correlation analysis of oxidant-antioxidant parameters as a function of HbA(1c) in each ethnic group revealed a strong association of HbA(1c) with oxidative indices.
Conclusions: The present study provides evidence for the possible contribution of XO to oxidative stress and the pathophysiology of diabetes. HbA(1c) remains an important marker of glycaemic control for the management of Type 2 DM, but other confounding factors that predispose or lead to oxidative stress should also be taken into consideration.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 517 patients with diabetes mellitus at all health centres in Melaka Tengah District to examine whether these patients and their associated cardiovascular risk factors were managed according to current guidelines. All patients had Type 2 diabetes mellitus with mean age of 57.9 +/- 10.5 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 7.2 +/- 6.0 years. The glycaemic control was poor with 53.6% of the patients having HbAlc above 8% (mean = 8.5%) and 24% of them had microalbuminuria. Among these patients with poor glycaemic control, about 47.6% of them were on monotherapy. Three hundred and fifty (67.7%) patients had hypertension but only 11 (3.1%) achieved target blood pressure of less than 130/80 mmHg. Only 18.3% of the diabetics with hypertension were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and 0.3% with angiotensin receptor blockers. Nearly two-third of them had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol greater than 2.6 mmol/l (mean = 3.4 mmol/l) but only 6.8% were prescribed lipid-lowering agents. Aspirin was prescribed to 8.2% of diabetics aged above 40 years. Sixteen percent of the patients smoked, 53% did not do any exercise, and the mean BMI was 26.8 kg/mn. The management of diabetes mellitus and its associated cardiovascular risk factors was suboptimal on the basis of current clinical guidelines. A greater effort in educating doctors in the health centres about these management and adherence to the guidelines is important in reducing patients' risk of cardiovascular disease and its associated morbidity and mortality.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy*
The hypertensive patient with type 2 diabetes is especially at risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) studies suggested that treatment to a lower target blood pressure resulted in better prevention of clinical disease in these patients. Most trials comparing antihypertensive drugs have shown only minimal differences between the various agents. The evidence from the trials suggests that diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and the angiotensin-receptor antagonists (ARBs) will all successfully reduce adverse clinical events. The largest of the comparative hypertensive drug trials, the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), demonstrated that a diuretic has a better hypotensive effect, and was more successful in preventing many aspects of cardiovascular disease compared with CCBs and ACE inhibitors. The importance of good blood pressure control and the general equivalence of antihypertensive drugs were again shown in the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial, which compared an ARB with a CCB. Choice of antihypertensive agent should be individualized and guided by the presence of concomitant clinical disease and the need to protect any specific target organ system in the diabetic hypertensive. Diuretics, being potent hypotensive drugs with clearly demonstrated clinical benefit, should form part of the antihypertensive regimen of most diabetic hypertensives. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are especially useful in preventing nephropathy. Most patients will require a combination of antihypertensive drugs to achieve tight blood pressure control of under 130/80 mm Hg in the diabetic hypertensive. The clinician should concentrate on seeking this lower target blood pressure rather than be excessively concerned about which is the best antihypertensive agent.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*
This study was conducted to compare the treatment efficacy between a prandial glucose regulator, repaglinide and a new sulphonylurea, glimepiride in Muslim Type 2 diabetic patients who practice Ramadan fasting. Forty-one patients, previously treated with a sulphonylurea or metformin, were divided to receive either repaglinide (n=20, preprandially three-times daily) or glimepiride (n=21, preprandially once daily) 3 months before the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, patients modified their eating pattern to two meals daily, and the triple doses of repaglinide were redistributed to two preprandial doses. Four point blood glucose monitoring were performed weekly during the month of Ramadan and the subsequent month. Measurements of the 4-point blood glucose were significantly lower in the glimepiride group compared to the repaglinide group both during and after Ramadan. The glycaemic excursion was better in the morning for the repaglinide group and better in the afternoon and evening for the glimepiride group during the Ramadan period. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of hypoglycaemia between the two groups during and after Ramadan. There was no difference in the glycaemic excursion post-Ramadan. The longer duration of action of glimepiride may offer an advantage over repaglinide during the 13.5 hours of fast in Ramadan for diabetic patients.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*
This study was done to determine the correlation between glucose monitoring by fasting blood glucose or 2 hours postprandial blood glucose with HbA1c and fructosamine in type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 82 patients from the Primary Care Clinic were enrolled in the study. Fasting blood was drawn for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine. Two hours after a standard breakfast, blood was again drawn for prandial plasma glucose (PPG). Both PPG and FPG significantly correlated with both HbA1c and fructosamine but PPG showed better correlation to HbA1c than FPG (r= 0.604 vs.0.575) whereas that of FPG and PPG were equally correlated to fructosamine (r= 0.566 vs. 0.551). In predicting good glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.0%), the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of PPG were 75.0%, 80.6% and 82.5% whereas FPG were 81.8%, 58.3% and 70.6% respectively. These results show that PPG correlated better than FPG to HbA1c and both equally correlated to fructosamine levels. Thus, PPG predicted overall glycaemic control better than FPG. Compared to HbA1c, fructosamine correlated least well with mean glucose profiles. Hence, using HbAlc in monitoring overall glycaemic control is better than fructosamine.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
Surgery induces a 'stress' state leading to post-operative hyperglycaemia. To investigate this effect on patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, we reviewed the records of 50 diabetic patients who underwent surgery without intraoperative insulin. Demographic features together with pre-operative and post-operative blood glucose readings were noted. 27.3% of patients with well controlled pre-operative blood glucose levels developed post-operative hyperglycaemia. In contrast, 84.6% of patients with poorly controlled levels developed the same. Poor control of blood glucose and duration of operation were the only significant predictors of post-operative hyperglycaemia.
We studied the efficacy of four different treatment regimens (sulphonylurea and metformin+/-acarbose versus glimepiride and rosiglitazone versus glimepiride and bedtime NPH insulin versus multiple actrapid and NPH insulin injections) in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes subjects on hs-CRP, VCAM-1 and AGE at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Multiple insulin injections rapidly improved HbA(1c) by 0.6+/-0.9% (p<0.005), 1.2+/-1.3% (p<0.0005) and 1.3+/-1.4% (p<0.0005) at week 4, at week 8 and week 12, respectively. Subjects who continued their existing combination treatment of sulphonylurea, metformin+/-acarbose also showed a significant reduction in HbA(1c) (p<0.05). Although effective in reducing glycemic parameters, there was no reduction in CRP levels in either treatment group. The treatment regimen consisting of rosiglitazone and glimepiride significantly lowered hs-CRP by -2.6 (3.9) mg/L (p<0.05) at week 12 in spite of no improvement in blood glucose. AGE improved in all groups irrespective of type of treatment, glycaemic control and CRP levels. Our data indicate rapid glycaemic control alone does not necessarily result in improvement in markers of inflammation in type 2 diabetes patients.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy
OBJECTIVE: To describe the glycaemic control, diabetes care and prevalence of complications in youth with type 2 diabetes from the Western Pacific Region.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, clinic-based audit of 331 patients aged < 18 years from 56 centres in Australia, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, China-Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Clinical and management data were recorded along with glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), lipids and complication rates.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic control, complications, diabetes management.
RESULTS: Median age was 14.9 years (interquartile range 13.2-16.4 years) and median diabetes duration 2.3 years (1.4-3.6 years). Median HbA(1c) was 7% (5.9-9.9%) and HbA(1c) was > 7.5% in 40% of patients. In multiple regression analysis, glycaemic control varied significantly between countries (p = 0.02); higher HbA(1c) was associated with fewer home blood glucose measurements (p = 0.005) and higher insulin dose/kg (p < 0.0001). Blood glucose monitoring was performed by 65% of patients (range 33-96% by country). In 25% of patients, management consisted of diet alone or no treatment (range 0-53% by country); oral anti-diabetic drugs alone were used in 49%, insulin alone in 11% and both in 15%. Microalbuminuria was found in 8% and hypertension in 24%. The risk of hypertension increased with higher BMI (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.24, p < 0.0001); antihypertensive agents were used in 4% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The management of type 2 diabetes in youth from the Western Pacific Region varies widely. Hypertension and microalbuminuria were frequent, but not commonly treated. Further investigation into the natural history and risk factors for complications in youth with type 2 diabetes is required to assist in developing evidence based management guidelines.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology*
In Japan, much attention has been paid to NASH and NAFLD for the past several years and the prevalence of this disease entity has been estimated, and NASH is thought to be present in 10% of those who have fatty liver diseases. Other points out the prevalence of NASH in Japan as 6 to 8 hundred thousand patients. The last two or three decades have seen the evolution of Western-style life of near complete inactivity, energy-dense food choices and liberal fiscal resources to obtain them and other means to avoid physical activity. Moreover, what is increasingly apparent is that NASH and NAFLD is not a Western disease and many population groups in the Asia-Pacific region are particularly prone to type 2 diabetes. Thus, it is not surprising that NASH has increasingly been diagnosed in several regions in Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and India.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology
There is very little data regarding the factors related to intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in normal individuals in those with non-insulin diabetes mellitus and perimenopausal women in Southeast Asian countries. Ultrasound imaging evaluating the carotid artery IMT in those with diabetes and those on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was performed beginning in August 2000 for a period of nearly two years at the Department of Radiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 153 participants were included. Significant differences between the women on HRT and not on HRT were IMT and systolic blood pressure. When comparing those with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and normal individuals, the significant differences were IMT, total cholesterol level, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. IMT was high in those with NIDDM but not in those on HRT. Both those with NIDDM and those on HRT had associated dyslipidemia and systolic hypertension.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology*
Only unbiased estimates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) incidence and trends are useful for disease control-identification of risk factors and measuring the effect of intervention.
Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology