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OBJECTIVE We examined temporal trends in risk of first-time ischemic stroke in patients with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and no prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using nationwide health registries, we identified all patients with incident T2DM without a prior hospital diagnosis of ASCVD from 1996 to 2015 in Denmark. Patients were assigned to 5-year periods based on the date of T2DM diagnosis and were followed for 5 years. Each patient was matched by sex and age with up to three individuals from the general population. Temporal trends in ischemic stroke were examined using Cox regression to compute hazard ratios (HRs). Temporal use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications was also assessed. RESULTS The study comprised 288,825 patients with incident T2DM and 782,232 general population individuals. From 1996–2000 to 2011–2015, the 5-year risk of first-time ischemic stroke was approximately halved in the T2DM cohort (5.2% vs. 2.7%; sex- and age-adjusted HR 0.52 [95% CI 0.49–0.55]). Patients diagnosed in 2011–2015 had increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with individuals in the general population; however, the risk difference narrowed over time (5.2% vs. 2.9% in 1996–1999 [difference 2.3%]; 2.7% vs. 2.0% in 2011–2015 [difference 0.7%]). Use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications increased markedly during the overall study period, especially use of statins (from 5% to 50%) and multiple antihypertensive drugs (from 18% to 33%). CONCLUSIONS From 1996 to 2015, the 5-year risk of first-time ischemic stroke was approximately halved in patients with incident T2DM and no prior ASCVD, coinciding with markedly increased use of prophylactic cardiovascular medications.

Objective Symptoms indicative of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) early in type 2 diabetes may act as a marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Research Design and Methods We linked data from two Danish type 2 diabetes cohorts, ADDITION-Denmark and DD2, to national healthcare registers. The Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq) was completed at diabetes diagnosis in ADDITION-Denmark and at a median of 4.6 years after diagnosis of diabetes in DD2. An MNSIq score ≥ 4 was considered as indicative of DPN. Using Poisson regressions, we computed incidence rate ratios of CVD and all-cause mortality comparing MNSIq scores ≥ 4 with scores < 4. Analyses were adjusted for a range of established CVD risk factors. Results In total, 1,445 (ADDITION-Denmark) and 5,028 (DD2) individuals were included in the study. Compared with MNSIq scores < 4, MNSIq scores ≥ 4 were associated with higher incidence rate of CVD, with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-2.31] in ADDITION-Denmark, 1.57 (CI: 1.27-1.94) in the DD2, and a combined IRR of 1.65 (CI: 1.41-1.95) in a fixed-effect meta-analysis. MNSIq scores ≥ 4 did not associate with mortality; combined mortality rate ratio 1.11 (CI: 0.83-1.48). Conclusions The MNSIq may be a tool to identify a subgroup within individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who has a high incidence rate of subsequent CVD. MNSIq scores ≥ 4, indicating DPN, were associated with a markedly higher incidence rate of CVD, beyond that conferred by established CVD risk factors.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association of metabolic and lifestyle factors with possible diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and neuropathic pain in patients with early type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We thoroughly characterized 6,726 patients with recently diagnosed diabetes. After a median of 2.8 years, we sent a detailed questionnaire on neuropathy, including the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq) to identify possible DPN (score ≥4) and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) questionnaire for possible associated neuropathic pain (MNSIq ≥4 + pain in both feet + DN4-score ≥3). RESULTS: Among 5,249 patients with data on both DPN and pain, 17.9% (n=938) had possible DPN, including 7.4% (n=386) with possible neuropathic pain. In regression analyses, central obesity (waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and waist-height ratio) was markedly associated with DPN. Other important metabolic factors associated with DPN included hypertriglyceridemia ≥1.7 mmol/L: adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.36 (1.17; 1.59), decreased HDL cholesterol CONCLUSIONS:Possible DPN was associated with metabolic syndrome factors, insulin resistance, inflammation, and modifiable lifestyle habits in early type 2 diabetes.