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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread worldwide. The fatality rate for COVID19 has been estimated to be 0.5-1.0%. The presence of diabetes mellitus and the individual degree of hyperglycaemia seem to be independently associated with COVID-19 severity and increased mortality. Furthermore, the presence of typical complications of diabetes mellitus (heart failure and chronic kidney disease) increases COVID-19 mortality. During a relatively short time of pandemic several guides have been developed concerning diabetic care during COVID-19 pandemic in the world. According to the UK NHS clinical guide, there is a need of virtual clinics and remote consultations, with as many contacts as possible performed via telephone, email, and video conferencing to target the diabetes adequate care. It is mentioned, that, except the urgent situations, the services which should be continued, as long as pragmatic and possible, comprise diabetes patients who are pregnant and those with diabetic foot problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professionals’ level of engagement in diabetes care and their perceptions of challenges to effective diabetes care are key indicators impacting diabetes management. This study investigated diabetes-related healthcare services provided in Nepal, and explored healthcare professionals’ opinions of the barriers to, and strategies for, effective diabetes care. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with thirty healthcare professionals providing healthcare or medication-related services to patients with type 2 diabetes within Kathmandu Valley. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Participants were physicians, dieticians, nurses and pharmacy staff. Diabetes care services varied between healthcare institutions, between healthcare professionals and between patients, with the overall patient-care model reported as sub-optimal. Diabetes related services were mostly limited to physician-patient consultations. Only a few hospitals or clinics provided additional diabetes education classes, and individual dietician or nurse consultations. Limited collaboration, large patient-load and workforce shortages (particularly lack of diabetes educators) were reported as major issues affecting diabetes care. Regulatory measures to address healthcare system barriers were identified as potential facilitators for effective diabetes management. Whilst the findings are specific to Nepal, there are lessons to be learnt for other healthcare settings as the fundamental barriers to optimal diabetes care appear to be similar worldwide.

Background The goal of diabetes control should be feasible in order to minimize the risk of its adverse events and to reduce its burden and cost on patients. The current study aimed to assess the status of glycemic control in male and female patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Kerman, Iran. Methods In the present study, 500 T2DM (300 women and 200 men) from the Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Study (KERCADRS), a population-based study from 2009 to 2011, were selected. Patients were >18 years old, had Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) higher than 126 mg/dl, and had been through treatment for their diagnosed disease. All participants underwent Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) analysis. HbA1c less than 7% was considered as good glucose control. Other metabolic indices based on American Diabetes Association (ADA) target recommendations were considered. Results The mean level of HbA1c in total subjects was 8.56 ± 4.72% that only 31.66% of men and 26.00% of women had controlled level of HbA1c. Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl was reported in 64.50% of men and 44.00% of women, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) more than 40 mg/dl was revealed in 20.50% of men and 34.67% of women, and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) less than 100 mg/dl was reported in 41.50% of men and 25.33% of women. In multivariate logistic regression model, longer duration of disease and higher Waist Circumference (WC) were positively associated with uncontrolled diabetes status. Conclusion The findings of the present study revealed that diabetes control in T2DM was inadequate. Changing the policy of treatment in individual patient and establishing better diabetes clinic to decrease the frequency of uncontrolled T2DM are crucial. Paying attention to other affecting metabolic components such as WC in the process of T2DM management is important.

Aims: Understanding the national trends in cardiovascular risk factors control of individuals with prediabetes and diabetes is critical for diabetes prevention and management. Our study aims to estimate how cardiovascular risk factors changed in US adults with different glycemic statuses between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018., Methods and Results: This was a serial cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018 cycle). Non-pregnant American participants aged 20 years or older were included. Cardiovascular risk factors including weight, blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, and smoking by glycemic statuses were estimated. A total of 33 040 American adults were included. From 2007-2008 to 2017-2018, the age-adjusted proportions of individuals who reached weight control (body mass index <30 kg/m2) of both normoglycemia group and prediabetes group had a significant decrease over the study period, while the trend in participants with diabetes was not significant (mean difference: -5.34%, 95% confidence interval: -15.28%, 4.59%; P for trend = 0.298). The age-adjusted means of total cholesterol of all three groups decreased during the study decade (P for trend < 0.010), with participants with diabetes maintaining the lowest level. Individuals with high total cholesterol were more likely to receive statin therapy in the diabetes group. Notably, prediabetes participants had the highest level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and were less likely to achieve lipid control with statin therapy. Sensitivity analysis with the second definition of prediabetes and diabetes resulted in a consistent trend., Conclusions: In this nationally representative cross-sectional study, we systematically estimated the cardiovascular risk factors control in American adults and found poor weight control in the normoglycemia and prediabetes group. Despite the significant decrease trend of plasma total cholesterol in all groups, the high cholesterol level in the prediabetes group deserves special concern., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None of the authors has any relevant disclosures related to this manuscript., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: The quality of diabetes care varies from region to region. The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of care in different hospitals in Spain through a specific survey assessing different aspects of care for both children and adults., Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational voluntary survey study, sent to the heads of the Endocrinology and Pediatric Endocrinology Departments or Units in public hospitals with more than 150 beds, during the first semester of 2021. A total of 105 responses were obtained, 55.5% of the 189 requested, which corresponded to a population served of 31,782,409 people, representing almost 80% of the total population served., Results: Patients with diabetes under 15 years of age are cared for by Pediatric Departments, but only 58% of them have a specific Diabetes Education Unit for children, and in 72% of the cases, there is one single nurse dedicated to these tasks, and not always full-time. Those over 15 years of age are attended by specialists in Endocrinology and Nutrition in 94.3 % of hospitals. There are Therapeutic Education Units in Diabetes in practically all hospitals (94.3%). However, Diabetes Day Hospitals exist in only 32 centres and cover 40.3% of the population, since in 22 provinces there are none. Virtual and telematic consultations, as well as retinography, are available in more than 70% of cases, but access to a Diabetic Foot Unit only in 54% of centres. Monographic technological consultations on diabetes have become widespread, but access to mental health specialists with diabetes training remains limited (24% of centres), and interdisciplinary (32%) or interlevel (12%) committees are very scarce., Conclusion: Diabetes care in Spain shows great variability from one region to another, and some deficiencies have been detected that affect a large part of the population, such as access to Diabetic Foot Units, as well as mental health specialists with specific training. The presence of multidisciplinary and mixed committees between levels of care remains scarce., (Copyright © 2023 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Around the world, over half of the global population experiences noncommunicable diseases, resulting in premature death. Health care providers (HCPs) can deliver medical treatment from a distance by using digital advancements such as telemedicine. However, there is a limited understanding of the difficulties and opportunities of implementing telemedicine solutions in different socioeconomic and cultural environments, including Kuwait., Objective: The purpose of this study is to (1) examine the obstacles and benefits of telemedicine in the context of diabetes treatment and management, as perceived by both HCPs and patients with diabetes; (2) investigate the nonfunctional requirements for telemedicine applications used in diabetes care and management; and (3) provide suggestions to enhance the integration and adoption of telemedicine in Kuwait's health care system for diabetes care and management., Methods: The research used a qualitative and exploratory design, with semistructured interviews as the main data collection method. Participants were recruited on the internet through social media platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis and the Framework Method. The "diffusion of innovation" model was used as a perspective to interpret the findings., Results: A total of 20 participants were included in this study-10 HCPs and 10 patients with diabetes-all of whom supported telemedicine. The HCPs reported that many diabetes cases could be managed through telemedicine, with only a few requiring in-person visits. Patients with diabetes noted the convenience and time-saving aspect of telemedicine. Both groups recommended the creation of a secure and user-friendly telemedicine system similar to popular social media platforms. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of telemedicine during the pandemic as a way to prioritize patient safety., Conclusions: The results of this study provide valuable insights into the needs and preferences of both HCPs and patients with diabetes in a resource-rich country like Kuwait to embrace telemedicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way medical care is provided and has pushed both groups to consider digital solutions for ongoing diabetes management and treatment., (©Rabab Altabtabaei, Dari Alhuwail. Originally published in JMIR Human Factors (https://humanfactors.jmir.org), 07.09.2023.)

Interprofessional collaborative care (IPCC) can improve the quality of care in patients with chronic diseases in primary care settings. In Malaysia, many medical and healthcare universities have adopted the concept of the interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) framework by the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented interprofessional learning (IPL) in their curriculum to prepare fresh graduates for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in the health workforce albeit in various degrees. However, there are potential challenges in putting what they have learned into practice, especially in managing chronic diseases due to the complexity of behavior changes required. Diabetes care is a classic example of such chronic disease management. This article presents a qualitative research protocol exploring the processes and challenges of fresh graduates attempting to practice IPC when managing diabetes mellitus (DM) in primary care clinics. A grounded theory (GT) approach will be adopted., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Num, Aizuddin, Tong and Mohamed Said.)

Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality; prevalence of diabetes is especially high in the southeastern United States among minority populations and those from lower socioeconomic sectors without access to health care services. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the clinical and financial outcomes of a nurse-led, interprofessional collaborative practice model that provides care coordination and transitional care for uninsured patients with diabetes. Data for this study were collected and evaluated from medical records of patients seen at the Providing Access to Health Care (PATH) Clinic between August 1, 2015, through May 30, 2017. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by comparing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values before and after referral to the PATH Clinic. Cost savings to the academic medical center were evaluated by comparing costs associated with inpatient or emergency department encounters before and after referral to the PATH Clinic. A significant decrease in HbA1c (P < .0005) was noted for patients attending the PATH Clinic. In addition, financial analyses revealed a 55% decrease in pre to post PATH Clinic patients' direct costs. Similarly, a 42% decrease in the pre to post PATH Clinic patients' direct cost per encounter was noted. Average length of stay also was reduced when these patients were readmitted to the academic medical center. Results from this study support the effectiveness of the PATH Clinic model in caring for uninsured patients with clinically complex medical and social needs, often with behavioral health problems, who incur high health care spending and are often readmitted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization has ranked the Middle East (ME) as the second most prevalent region globally for type 2 diabetes. Currently, treatment options initiated by physicians focus mainly on pharmaceuticals; however, lifestyle factors also have a tremendous impact on a patient’s wellness or illness. A potential solution to this issue is to use an interprofessional team approach when caring for this patient population. The purpose of this systematic review is to look at the present literature involving the use of an interprofessional team approach to the care and maintenance of people with type 2 diabetes in the ME. A PRISMA flow diagram demonstrates the authors’ literature search and screening process. The systematic review includes nine studies with mixed-methodologies performed in the Middle Eastern region in an outpatient or primary care setting, and demonstrates the use of interprofessional collaboration when providing care for type 2 diabetic patients. A meta-analysis was not included due to the heterogeneity of the studies; however, data analysis is discussed and results are demonstrated through an extraction tool developed by the authors based on The Cochrane Collaboration’s data collection form. The aim of this review is to construct meaning surrounding the use and effectiveness of this collaborative approach with the adult and geriatric Middle Eastern diabetic patient population. Recommendations include continued support from multiple healthcare professions, involving nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and physicians to promote holistic and patient-centred-care leading to fewer type 2 diabetes complications and hospital admissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To adapt the Family Involvement and Alienation Questionnaire (FIAQ) for use in the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care and to evaluate its validity and reliability. Background: Involvement in the professional care has proven to be important for family members. However, they have described feelings of alienation in relation to how they experienced the professionals’ approach. To explore this issue, a broad instrument that can be used in different care contexts is needed. Design: A psychometric evaluation study, with a cross‐sectional design. Method: The content validity of the FIAQ was evaluated during 2014 by cognitive interviews with 15 family members to adults in different care contexts. Psychometric evaluation was then conducted (2015–2016). A sample of 325 family members participated, 103 of whom in a test–retest evaluation. Both parametric and non‐parametric methods were used. Results: The content validity revealed that the questionnaire was generally understood and considered to be relevant and retrievable by family members in the contexts of the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care. Furthermore, the FIAQ (Revised), demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of data quality, homogeneity, unidimensionality (factor structure), internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that the FIAQ (Revised) is reliable and valid for use in further research and in quality assessment in the contexts of the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years, there is a growing interest in the usability of software applications for medical care. A typical category of patients that need support for the self-management of medication and life style are the diabetics. This paper aims to present an empirical study of usability evaluation of three mobile-based applications for diabetes care and a comparative analysis of the identified usability problems. The evaluation results revealed several usability problems that are mainly related to the user guidance, user support and user effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The local enhanced service (LES) is a popular commissioning tool to boost the quality of health care. Primary care providers are invited to participate in the LES and are offered financial incentives. There are many LESs for diabetes across the UK, creating opportunities for comparing their variation in content and determining best practice. However, little is known about the individual LESs and their outcomes. Calling on mostly unpublished documents from eleven LESs in the UK, this article discusses the current practice in diabetes LESs and highlights a need for their systematic evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nepal is facing an increasing burden of diabetes and relies almost entirely on insulin imported through India. Methods: We employed a modified version of the WHO/Health Action International standard survey to assess insulin availability and prices, along with qualitative interviews with insulin retailers (pharmacists) and wholesalers in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Results: The mean availability of the two human insulins listed on the 2011 Nepal Essential Medicine List were 14.3% and 42.85% in the surveyed private- and public-sector pharmacies, respectively, compared with the WHO target of 80% availability. The median consumer price of human insulin cartridges, analogue insulin cartridges and pens was, respectively, 2.1, 4.6 and 5.3 times that of human insulin vials (US$5.54). The insulin cartridges made in India were less expensive (p<0.001) than those made elsewhere. The lowest-paid worker would need to spend between 3 and 17 days' wages to purchase a monthly insulin supply out of pocket. Conclusion: Insulin access is limited in Kathmandu owing to low availability and the highly unaffordable price. Insulin access could improve with the government exploring additional suppliers, pooling insulin tenders, auditing insulin utilization and developing independent prescribing guidelines. Furthermore, there is a need to educate physicians and develop a consensus statement on insulin initiation to curb the growing analogue use and promote rational use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Managing type 1 diabetes mellitus requires efficient cognitive and executive skills, and adolescents who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may face specific challenges. This study explored young people's experiences of diabetes treatment and care.Method: In a population-based study, comprising 175 patients aged 5-16 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus in two Swedish counties, we found that eight also met criteria for ADHD. Six of these, aged 14.5-16 years, participated 2013-2014 in interviews that targeted aspects of their diabetes treatment. Conducted by two psychologists, these used the inductive qualitative, semi-structured interview format.Results: The two boys and four girls all reported difficulties in creating routines for their diabetes treatment and that problems were aggravated during stress. They had been criticised by their parents and the diabetes team when their blood levels indicated inadequate diabetes control. They requested ongoing information, involvement of their friends, group meetings and easy access to the healthcare system during difficult times.Conclusion: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and concomitant ADHD faced problems with their diabetes management, especially during stressful situations. Diabetes care provision should pay particular attention to patients with co-existing neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's autonomy includes, as far as possible, self-determination, bodily integrity and the right to influence outcomes. Limits to bodily integrity, which involves no touching without the child's consent or tacit agreement, are discussed. The clinical, legal and ethics literature tends to agree that children may give valid consent to major recommended treatment from around 12 years but may not refuse it until they are legal adults. Research shows that young children are more aware of their bodily integrity and autonomy, of morality and decision making, than was assumed in the past. Adults therefore need to inform children and respect their initially instinctive efforts to protect their bodily integrity. Unlike assent, consent involves patients being adequately informed and being able to accept or refuse proposed treatment. Reasons are given for adults’ need to consult with children when determining their best interests. Beyond words, giving or withholding consent also involves emotions of fear, trust and courage, besides embodied reactions of cooperating with treatment or resisting it, in which young children actively engage. Some clinicians work with the informed cooperation of young children who need lifesaving treatment, and at times accept their refusal. Reasons for differences between mainstream experts’ views and clinical practices are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS Implementing the Chronic Care Model (CCM) via involvement of specially trained practice nurses improves cardiovascular risk profiles and perception of care among type 2 diabetes patients in small primary care practices (PCPs) in the short term. Little is known about the long-term effects of this intervention. METHODS Cross-sectional survey among the participants of the cluster randomised controlled CARAT trial (30 PCPs, 303 diabetes patients), 3 years after its completion. OUTCOMES Proportion of patients still treated according to the CCM, possible reasons for discontinuation, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and accordance with CCM (assessed by means of PACIC [Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care]). RESULTS Overall, 40.9% of practices (40.7% of patients) continued using the CCM. PCPs originally randomised to the intervention group were significantly more likely to be still using the CCM (11 PCPs / 88 patients vs 11 PCPs / 94 patients, p

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is recognized as a public health problem and increasingly prevalent illness. Key elements of the guideline for diabetes care are based on evidence-based medicine approach and apply for population, not individuals. However, individualized care can improve diabetes management. Personalized medicine is otherwise called precision medicine tries to find better prediction, prevention, and intervention for T2DM individuals. Precision medicine in diabetes refers to the utility of genomics data of a patient with diabetes to provide the most effective diagnosis strategies and treatment plans. Over 100 genetic loci influence susceptibility to T2DM. Genomics data together with the potential of other “Omics” and clinical evidence-based data will lead to diabetes care improvement in the context of personalized medicine in the near future. Breakthrough of technologies enables much greater improvements in the understanding of individual variations that may alter the T2DM outcome. This article represents a comprehensive review of current knowledge on the impact of personalized medicine in T2DM.

An unprecedented rise in diabetes prevalence in India is the outcome of lifestyle changes in the background of genetic predisposition. Moreover, there is a substantial regional variation in diabetes prevalence and management. The highest prevalence of DM was observed in southern region (Ernakulum, Kerala) and lowest prevalence was observed in North Eastern region (Manipur). Similarly large variations have been evident in overall awareness and diabetes care across the geographies within India. The regional challenges are largely affected by poor disease awareness, socioeconomic disparity and underutilization of the public health-care services. Though government has taken initiatives to address this issue, overall situation demands a collaborative effort from patients, health care professionals and the state. This article reviews the regional disparity of diabetes epidemiology, current management practices and government policies for T2DM in India, identifies policy and research gaps, and suggests corrective measures to address the lacunae in diabetes care.