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The progression of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of inflammatory markers in former GDM patients with and without MetS. Medical records were screened retrospectively for patients who were diagnosed with GDM 10 (±2) years ago. Former GDM patients were invited to the hospital for an assessment of their current health status. Of 52 women with former GDM, 27 (52%) had MetS. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were significantly higher in the MetS group while adiponectin was significantly lower (

Aim: Study aims to assess amylase, lipase of patients with Type 2 diabetes under different types of treatments. Materials & methods: Patients’ treatment modalities including insulin, metformin, pioglitazone, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, insulin secretagogues, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists were compared. Results: There was no difference in amylase and lipase levels between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor users and non-users (p = 0.2, p = 0.3, respectively) and glucagon like peptide-1 analog users and non-users (p = 0.1, p = 0.7, respectively). Patients who use insulin secretagogues had significantly higher amylase, lipase (77.2 ± 39.8 vs 69.5 ± 33.0, p = 0.038 and 47.2 ± 33.2 vs 39.6 ± 26.8, p = 0.01, respectively) and patients on basal insulin had lower amylase levels (69.9 ± 37.7 vs 77.2 ± 33.7, p = 0.014). Conclusion: Incretin-based therapies showed no difference in amylase and lipase levels whereas there was increase with secretagogues and decrease with basal insulin.

Background/aim To determine risk factors associated with the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients 10 years after giving birth. Materials and methods Medical records of patients with former GDM were screened. Eligible patients were invited to the hospital to obtain information about their present health status. Patients with pregestational diabetes and patients with multiple pregnancies were excluded. A total of 67 women formed the study group. American Diabetes Association (ADA) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to define T2DM and MetS, respectively. Results A total of 27 patients developed diabetes (40.3%) and 35 patients (52%) developed MetS. T2DM developed, on average, 4.8 years after delivery. There was a significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in terms of insulin use during pregnancy (P < 0.001). Women who developed diabetes within 10 years after giving birth were observed to have significantly higher fasting plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test during their pregnancy (P = 0.007). Current and pregestational body mass indices had a significant effect on the development of MetS (P = 0.003 and P = 0.027, respectively). Conclusion In this long-term study, we found that patients with high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and insulin requirement during pregnancy are at an increased risk of developing T2DM, while pregestational obesity is predictive of progression to MetS. Identifying and targeting high-risk individuals may delay and possibly prevent T2DM and MetS.

This expert panel of diabetes specialists aimed to provide guidance to healthcare providers on the best practice in the use of innovative continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) techniques through a practical and implementable document that specifically addresses the rationale for and also analysis and interpretation of the new standardized glucose reporting system based on standardized CGM metrics and visual ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) data. This guidance document presents recommendations and a useful algorithm for the use of a standardized glucose reporting system in the routine diabetes care setting.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the frequency of measuring blood glucose levels and the complications and regulation of diabetes in patients under follow-up due to diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Method: This study was conducted via retrospective evaluation of patient files of 951 diabetics (90 with type 1 diabetes and 861 with type 2 diabetes). Patient information including age, gender, height, weight, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, treatment of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value, presence of neuropathy, presence of nephropathy, presence of diabetic foot, presence of hypertension, and frequency of measuring blood glucose levels were recorded. Patients were divided into 3 groups by the frequency of measuring blood glucose levels, where those who measured blood glucose levels a total of 8 times for at least two days a week were assigned to group 1, those who measured blood glucose levels less than 8 times for less than two days a week were assigned to group 2, and those who measured blood glucose levels 8 times in the 2 days prior to the control visit, who had previously measured blood glucose levels in an irregular manner were assigned to group 3. Results: Of the patients, 548 were females and 403 were males, with a mean age of 58.12±13.17 years. There was a significant difference in the parameters of HbA1c (p

The goals of Type 2 diabetes treatment are to eliminate the hyperglycemia resulting from insulin insufficiency and/or insulin resistance, delay beta cell damage/depletion, and prevent other metabolic co-morbidities and complications. In the current treatment algorithms, lifestyle changes (medical nutrition therapy, physical exercise) and oral anti-diabetics are followed by insulin therapy, which is considered a replacement therapy for Type 2 diabetes. Pre-mixed insulin preparations, which are an option for patients with poor blood glucose level control under oral anti-diabetics treatment, have been developed to meet both basal and prandial insulin needs by simulating the physiological changes in insulin levels. The consensus on the necessity of individualizing insulin therapy requires physicians to have a detailed knowledge of the various uses of insulin. Therefore, this comprehensive consensus statement has been prepared by a panel of expert endocrinologists from different regions of Turkey to help physicians use biphasic insulin aspart 30 in suitable patients at the right time. In this statement, expert panel opinions on (a) Recommendations for the appropriate initiation, titration, and intensification of insulin treatment, and (b) The treatment algorithms in initiation, titration, and intensification of biphasic insulin aspart 30 treatment and special conditions specific to changing treatment regimen are presented.

AIMS: The treatment preferences in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are affected by multiple factors. This survey aims to find out the profiles of the utilization of antidiabetics and their determinants. METHODS: The nationwide, multicenter TEMD survey consecutively enrolled patients with T2DM (n = 4678). Medications including oral antidiabetics (OAD) and injectable regimens were recorded. Multiple injectable regimens with or without OADs were defined as complex treatments. RESULTS: A total of 4678 patients with T2DM (mean age: 58.5 ± 10.4 years, 59% female) were enrolled. More than half of patients (n = 2372; 50.7%) were using injectable regimens with or without OADs, and others (n = 2306, 49.3%) were using only OADs. The most common OADs were metformin (93.5%), secretagogues (40.1%), and DPP-4 inhibitors (37.2%). The rates of the use of basal, basal-bolus and premix insulin were 26.5%, 39.5% and 22.4%, respectively. Patients using OADs achieved better glycemia, blood pressure and weight control (pÂ

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Subjects and Setting: The sample was drawn from community-dwelling women in the province of Istanbul who were cared for in the diabetes outpatient clinic of Istanbul Medical School between January and June 2012. Two hundred forty-nine women with DM were compared to 255 women without DM cared for in the obstetrics and gynecology department of the same university hospital. The mean ages of the groups were 55.1 and 53.7 years, respectively. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire that queried sociodemographic and clinical characteristics; the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms-Short Form (BFLUTS-SF) was used to evaluate LUTS. The questionnaire required 10 to 15 minutes to complete; participants completed the questionnaire in a private room of each of the respective outpatient clinics. Results: No statistically significant differences were found when groups (women with and without DM) were compared based on age and cigarette smoking (P > .05). In contrast, BMI scores were significantly higher in the women with DM (P < .001). The cumulative BFLUTS scores and the filling and incontinence symptoms subscale sores (P < .001) were significantly higher in women with DM. No differences were observed in voiding symptoms (P = .347), sexual function (P = .380), and health-related quality of life (P = .142) subscale scores. The prevalence of storage symptoms nocturia, voiding frequency, urge incontinence, stress incontinence, frequency of incontinent episodes were higher among women with DM. In addition, women with DM were more likely to report the need to change clothing because of urinary leakage, effect of incontinence on daily tasks, and overall interference with daily activities of living. Conclusions: Women with type 2 DM are more likely to experience LUTS as compared to women without DM. Women with type 2 DM should routinely be assessed for LUTS.

We aimed to assess the utility of DN4 questionnaire (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions) to define the frequency and severity of neuropathic pain (NP) and also its clinical correlation to daily clinical practice.We included 1357 patients with diabetes (56.5% women, 90.4% type 2 diabetes) who were followed up in our diabetes outpatient clinic. Presence of NP was evaluated by performing simultaneous DN4 questionnaires and physical examination. Those who had a DN4 score ≥4 were considered to have NP.The mean age was 58.2±12.1 years, mean duration was 12.5±7.5; (min-max: 1-45) years, mean HbA1c level was 7.8±1.6% (min-max: 5-16.2%), (61.7±6.0mmol/mol; min-max: 31.1-153.6mmol/mol). Three hundred thirteen patients (23%) were diagnosed with NP using the DN4 tool. Male gender (p=0.01), receiving antihypertensive treatment (p=0.01), presence of retinopathy (p0.001), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (p=0.01) and previously diagnosed neuropathy (p0.001) were significantly associated with higher NP scores. Those who had increased DN4 scores were more likely to be on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA)+insulin combinations (p0.001), had longer diabetes duration (p0.001) and higher HbA1c levels (p=0.001). Logistic regression model revealed that diabetes duration (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04, p=0.007), elevated HbA1c levels (1.11, 1.02-1.21, 0.015), presence of retinopathy (1.41, 1.20-1.64,0.001), management with at least one OHA (1.47; 1.12-1.92; 0.004) or any insulin regimen (1.62; 1.16-2.27; 0.005) (compared with diet only-regimens) were significantly associated with NP.Utilization of DN4 questionnaire in daily clinical practice is an effective tool in the identification of pain related with peripheral diabetic polyneuropathy.

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) have been used to diagnose new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) in order to simplify the diagnostic tests compared with the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 2-hPG). We aimed to identify optimal cut-off points of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in new-onset DM people based on FPG, 2-hPG, or HbA1c methods. Data derived from recent population-based survey in Turkey (TURDEP-II). The study included 26,499 adult people (63% women, response rate 85%). The mean serum concentration of hs-CRP in women was higher than in men (p<0.001). The people with new-onset DM based on HbA1c had higher mean hs-CRP level than FPG based and 2-hPG based DM cases. In HbA1c, 2-hPG, and FPG based new-onset DM people, cut-off levels of hs-CRP in women were 2.9, 2.1, and 2.5 mg/L [27.5, 19.7, and 23.5 nmol/L] and corresponding values in men were 2.0, 1.8, and 1.8 mg/L (19.0, 16.9, and 16.9 nmol/L), respectively (sensitivity 60–65% and specificity 54–64%). Our results revealed that hs-CRP may not further strengthen the diagnosis of new-onset DM. Nevertheless, the highest hs-CRP level observed in new-onset DM people diagnosed with HbA1c criterion supports the general assumption that this method might recognize people in more advanced diabetic stage compared with other diagnostic methods.

Objectives Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is carried in plasma by the HDL particles and albumin. It mediates several protective functions of HDL. Because of its barrier-enhancing effect, it has attracted attention in diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. We examined the impact of circulating levels of S1P in diabetic nephropathy together with apoprotein M, a S1P-binding protein in HDL. Plasma levels of dimethylarginines were evaluated in this context. Design and methods Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to daily albumin excretion: normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria (n = 30 in each). In addition to routine analysis, S1P and apo M in plasma were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and l -arginine were determined by HPLC. Tukey's or Mann–Whitney U-test was used for the statistics. Results Plasma S1P levels showed a significant decline in parallel to kidney dysfunction. The highest significance was detected in the macroalbuminuric group. Although a significant increase in plasma SDMA in albuminuric groups was observed, apo M, l -arginine and ADMA levels were similar between the groups. Conclusion Low plasma levels of S1P seemed to be associated with diabetic nephropathy. The main reason for the decreased S1P levels in our patients seems to be severe urinary albumin loss due to nephropathy. Low levels of S1P in patients with nephropathy may adversely affect the endothelial integrity and barrier function, thus causing a vicious circle.

Tutuncu, Neslihan Bascil/0000-0002-1816-3903; Gonen, Mustafa Sait/0000-0002-1089-623X; CORAPCIOGLU, DEMET/0000-0003-0940-9147; Satman, Ilhan/0000-0001-8613-1797; nuhoglu, irfan/0000-0003-0650-3242; Sahin, Ibrahim/0000-0002-6231-0034; Demirci, Ibrahim/0000-0003-0498-3115; Altuntas, Seher Cetinkaya/0000-0002-9733-9443; Yildiz, Bulent O./0000-0003-1797-7662; BALCI, Mustafa Kemal/0000-0002-6494-3249; Araz, Mustafa/0000-0001-6741-7474; Saydam, Basak Ozgen/0000-0001-9457-8919; Bozkus, Yusuf/0000-0002-6976-6659; Sabuncu, Tevfik/0000-0001-6504-5355; SELEK, ALEV/0000-0002-0646-8697; Ozturk, Feyza Yener/0000-0001-5584-4954; Salman, Serpil/0000-0003-4867-3725; AKBAS, EMIN MURAT/0000-0002-3033-0073; KIRIK, Ali Murat/0000-0002-5771-4843; Sonmez, Alper/0000-0002-9309-7715; Cesur, Fazil Mustafa/0000-0002-1029-2604, WOS:000452704800016, PubMed: 30244051, Aims: Turkey has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe. It is therefore essential to know the overall cardiovascular risk and reveal the predictors of metabolic control in Turkish adults with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A nationwide, multicenter survey consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow up for at least a year. Optimal control was defined as HbA1c, Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The TEMD study has been funded by the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Automated blood pressure monitors were provided by Sanovel A/S. The funding agencies had no role in the design and conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; or the preparation, review or approval of the manuscript.

Background: It has been shown that the synthesis and secretion of cytokines is influenced by the imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant status. In this study, the relation between the circulating levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and proinflammatory cytokines was searched in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients in order to evaluate the possible role of oxidative stress in ongoing proinflammatory condition and impaired glucose homeostasis. Methods and findings: 33 pregnant women with GDM and 20 pregnant free of any maternal or fetal disorders were included in the study. Visfatin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and anti-ox-LDL levels were determined by ELISA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total antioxidant status (TOS) were measured spectrophotometrically. In the GDM group, MDA levels were significantly elevated (p=0.001), while the increment in TOS showed a borderline significance (p=0.05) as compared to the control group. Anti-ox-LDL of both groups remained unchanged. Serum IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly high (p=0.039, and p=0.04) in the GDM group, visfatin and IL-10 were similar in both groups. Slight but no significant increases in TNF-α levels were observed. TNF-α was associated with anti-ox-LDL (r=0.307, p=0.038) and HbA1c (r=0.352, p=0.05), MDA were correlated with TNF-α (r=0.420, p=0.004), TNF-α /IL-1β ratio (r=0.421, p=0.018), and with HbA1c (r=442, p=0.013). Anti-ox-LDL was correlated with TNF-α /IL-10 ratio (r=-0.361, p=0.046). Conclusion: Our results indicated that MDA and TOS levels are elevated in close association with hyperglycemia and some proinflammatory cytokines in GDM patients. According to our study, reestablishment of the oxidant/antioxidant balance should be considered as one of the main therapeutic targets in order to establish normoglycemia as well as to outweigh the inflammatory state in GDM.

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether HDL-C levels of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic Turks are as low as those of non-diabetic Turks reported in Turkish Heart Study (THS) and Turkish Adult Risk Factor Sudy (TEKHARF).

Determination of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in diabetic women with and without urinary incontinence (UI) and its related factors is significant to define essential measures associated with prevention. The aim of this study is to compare the features of diabetes mellitus (DM) in diabetic women with and without UI, and to investigate LUTS and its related factors. Applying to the Diabetes Department of Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University (IMFIU) between May and December 2011, 77 diabetic women with the complaint of UI and 88 diabetic continent women were enrolled into the descriptive study. Data were collected via a questionnaire defining socio-demographic and clinical features, and The Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS-SF) after obtaining an approval from the ethical board of the institution. It was found that diabetic continent women and those with UI showed no statistically significant difference regarding age, BMI and duration of DM (p > 0·05). Among women with UI, levels of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were significantly higher (p

In this split-mouth clinical trial, we evaluated the clinical benefits of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).The impaired wound healing seen in diabetic patients may affect the results of periodontal treatment and may require an additional approach.In total, 22 chronic periodontitis patients with type 2 DM were included. Applying a split-mouth design, two quadrants were treated with only scaling and root planing (SRP) as the control and those in the other two were treated with SRP + LLLT as the test sites in each patient. An 808 nm GaAlAs diode laser was performed in the test sites at the energy density of 4.46 J/cmTest sites showed significant improvement in PI and BOP in deep pockets at the 1-month follow-up period (p 0.001 and0.001, respectively), whereas no difference was found between the control and the test sites in other periodontal parameters.LLLT during periodontal treatment offered minimal short-term additional benefit in deep pocket healing in patients with type 2 DM.

There is concern about an emerging diabetes epidemic in Turkey. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and their 12-year trends and to identify risk factors for diabetes in the adult Turkish population. A cross-sectional, population-based survey, ‘TURDEP-II’ included 26,499 randomly sampled adults aged ≥ 20 years (response rate: 87 %). Fasting glucose and biochemical parameters were measured in all; then a OGTT was performed to identify diabetes and prediabetes in eligible participants. The prevalence of diabetes was 16.5 % (new 7.5 %), translating to 6.5 million adults with diabetes in Turkey. It was higher in women than men (p = 0.008). The age-standardized prevalence to the TURDEP-I population (performed in 1997–98) was 13.7 % (if same diagnostic definition was applied diabetes prevalence is calculated 11.4 %). The prevalence of isolated-IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and combined prediabetes was 14.7, 7.9, and 8.2 %, respectively; and that of obesity 36 % and hypertension 31.4 %. Compared to TURDEP-I; the rate of increase for diabetes: 90 %, IGT: 106 %, obesity: 40 % and central obesity: 35 %, but hypertension decreased by 11 % during the last 12 years. In women age, waist, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, low education, and living environment; in men age, BMI, and hypertension were independently associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes. In women current smoking, and in men being single were associated with a reduced risk. These results from one of the largest nationally representative surveys carried out so far show that diabetes has rapidly become a major public health challenge in Turkey. The figures are alarming and underscore the urgent need for national programs to prevent diabetes, to manage the illness and thus prevent complications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9771-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We tested the relationship between plasma levels of dimethylarginines (ADMA and SDMA) and glycaemic control in 43 type 2 diabetic patients. Type 2 diabetics with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c>6.5) had significantly lower SDMA and higher ADMA concentrations than those with well-controlled glycaemia (HbA1c

The essential therapy of diabetes mellitus includes medical nutrition therapy (MNT), exercise and medical therapy. Exercise, besides its metabolic effects, has positive influence on the immune system, but some forms of exercise may cause trauma for muscle and skeletal systems, they may also support negative effects on the immune system. Nineteen type 1 diabetic patients (mean age 22.1 +/- 2.8 yrs), followed by Diabetes Outpatient Clinic and twenty age matched male control subjects were included into the study, to demonstrate the effects of maximal, acute exercise on the immune system. The exercise test was performed according to Bruce protocol on treadmill. In diabetic subjects, increased CD19 and CD23 expressions were observed before exercise. In both groups (diabetic/control) CD3, CD4 expressions and CD4/CD8 ratio were decreased following the exercise, however expression of natural killer (NK) cells increased. Compared to type 1 diabetic patients healthy subjects had longer acute exercise that caused the increased level of CD8 expression, however type 1 diabetic patients did not show any difference. These results indicate that submaximal aerobic exercise might be recommended for type 1 diabetics without any complications because of its positive reflection on metabolic control and no negative effects on the immune system.

The aim of this study was to determine whether detectable periodontal destruction and alterations in the salivary status were present with duration of diabetes in children with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) as compared to healthy controls.Sixteen newly diagnosed children with DM (group 1), 16 children with type 1 DM of long duration (group 2), and 16 healthy children (group 3) participated in the study. Periodontal health was assessed by plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, and periodontal probing depths. The flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and peroxidase activities of stimulated saliva were determined. The data were analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis, Student t test, and Pearson's correlation analysis.The mean values for fasting blood glucose levels for the diabetic groups were significantly higher than for the controls. The mean values for salivary buffering capacities and salivary pH from the diabetic groups were significantly lower than for the controls. The plaque index values for the diabetic groups were significantly higher than for the controls. The mean gingival index value for group 1 was significantly lower than for group 2. The mean periodontal probing depths for group 1 were similar to those of the non-DM controls, but the mean periodontal probing depths for group 2 were significantly greater than for both the non-DM controls and group 1. Group 1 had significantly greater bleeding on probing scores than did the other groups (P0.05).The glycemic status of the diabetic subjects affects the periodontal probing depths, salivary pH, buffering capacity, and peroxidase activity.

OBJECTIVES—To investigate for the first time the prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) nationwide in Turkey; to assess regional variations and relationships between glucose intolerance and lifestyle and physical risk factors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The Turkish Diabetes Epidemiology Study (TURDEP) is a cross-sectional, population-based survey that included 24,788 subjects (age ≥20 years, women 55%, response 85%). Glucose tolerance was classified according to World Health Organization recommendations on the basis of 2-h blood glucose values. RESULTS—Crude prevalence of diabetes was 7.2% (previously undiagnosed, 2.3%) and of IGT, 6.7% (age-standardized to world and European populations, 7.9 and 7.0%). Both were more frequent in women than men (P < 0.0001) and in those living in urban rather than rural communities (P < 0.001). Prevalence rates of hypertension and obesity were 29 and 22%, respectively. Both were more common among women than men (P < 0.0001). Prevalence of diabetes and IGT increased with rising BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist girth (P < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, BMI, WHR, familial diabetes, and hypertension were independently associated with diabetes, age, BMI, WHR, familial diabetes, and hypertension with IGT (except for familial diabetes in women with IGT). Education was related to diabetes in men but was protective for diabetes and IGT in women. Socioeconomic status appeared to decrease the risk of IGT in men while it increased the risk in women. Smoking had a protective effect for IGT in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS—Diabetes and IGT are moderately common in Turkey by international standards. Associations with obesity and hypertension have been confirmed. Other lifestyle factors had a variable relationship with glucose tolerance.

Alstrom syndrome is a rare cause of diabetes mellitus. We studied two generations of a Turkish family in whom four members were affected by Alstrom syndrome. The natural course of the syndrome in three sisters was followed for 13 yr. The three sisters had short stature and truncal obesity, and developed complete blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa at 10, 5 and 13 yr of age. Two had sensorineural hearing loss and mild mental retardation, while the other developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at 14 yr and was treated with insulin from onset of diabetes. In the second case, diagnosis of diabetes was made by an OGTT at age 20 yr, and controlled with diet alone for 11 yr, then with a sulphonylurea for 2.5 yr, then with insulin. The third case developed acute hyperglycaemia at 20 yr, and required insulin from onset. Moreover, transitional features of impaired carbohydrate and fat metabolism (severe hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance progressing to islet β cell failure, and hypertriglyceridaemia with fatty liver) were demonstrated, in accord with the literature. Previously unreported findings characteristic of nephro-uropathy with early-onset hypertension were also detected, and included in all cases proteinuria, glomerulopathy, and abnormal locations of the kidneys, narrowed uretero–renal junctions and dilated ureters.

This prospective pilot study was undertaken to test the efficacy of oral methyl-prednisolone (MP) therapy at spontaneous remission phase of type 1 diabetes in intervening the course of the disease. Twenty-five type 1 diabetic patients who were classified as having a spontaneous remission (honeymoon) were divided into treatment and non-treatment groups on voluntary basis. Fifteen patients thus making up the treatment group (13 males and 2 females, mean age 23.8 +/- 6.2 years) received 0.7-1.0 mg/kg/day of MP p.o. for 2 weeks. The dose of the drug was then gradually diminished every week until 5 mg/day (approx. 0.1 mg/kg/day) and discontinued at 10 +/- 2 weeks. In case of hyperglycemia occurring in 12 of 15 patients due to the administration of steroid, insulin was used to normalize blood glucose levels (average 0.47 +/- 0.21 IU/kg/day). The non-treatment group (8 males and 2 females, mean age 21.8 +/- 8.9) did not receive any special medication or placebo except for insulin whenever necessary to regulate glycemia. Upon completion of protocol, all patients in treatment group displayed clinical remission with 10 still in non-insulin requiring remission for follow-up periods ranging between 16 and 91 months. The remaining 5 patients relapsed within 3-15 months of therapy. Other metabolic (including basal and stimulated C-peptide levels) and immunological indices that have spontaneously ameliorated with the occurrence of honeymoon were also maintained within normal range in the NIR patients. Meanwhile, natural remission in the non-MP-treated group terminated at 3.4 +/- 0.6 months with deterioration of all metabolic and immunological markers as well as increasing requirements for insulin. In conclusion, the spontaneous remission of the patients could be prolonged significantly by MP therapy as opposed to no therapy (P0.001). These results suggest that the spontaneous remission phase may be a crucial point of intervention in immunotherapy of type 1 diabetes and that randomized trials with MP at this particular phase would be worthwhile.

In this study, salivary peroxidase activity was measured in a group of 10 patients with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who had a tendency towards periodontitis. In healthy subjects (N : 10), mean salivary peroxidase activity was 0.0025 +/- 0.001 IU/ml, while in this group of type I diabetic patients it was 0.051 +/- 0.015 IU/ml, a significantly higher level (p < 0.001). Approximal plaque index (API), modified sulcus bleeding index (mod SBI) and pocket depths were assessed clinically. The values for mod SBI and API were 60% and 68% respectively for the diabetic patients while for the control group mod SBI was measured 0.0% and the value for API was 10.67% (p < 0.001). The administration of this simple and practical test may provide an early marker of a tendency towards periodontitis in IDDM patients.

Alstrom syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by early obesity, loss of central vision, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss and short stature. Previous studies, have reported no information regarding oral findings. This article describes oral findings in two cases of Alstrom syndrome. In both cases, gingivitis was present and also light yellowbrown discolored enamel bands were observed on the anterior teeth. This staining may have resulted from discoloration of the preexisting slight band-like enamel hypoplasia. The gingiva was examined histologically by light and transmission electron microscopy. Irregular thickness of the basal lamina and delamination of the myelin sheath were detected by transmission electron microscopy. There is no information about pathological odontogenesis in Alstrom syndrome in previous reports. Oral present findings may contribute further information about the clinical manifestations of Alstrom syndrome. (J. Oral Sci. 43, 221-224, 2001)

To compare the effect of acarbose and gliclazide on clinical findings, biochemical parameters and safety in type 2 diabetic patients insufficiently controlled with medical nutrition therapy (MNT).Seventy-two patients (age 35-70 years, BMIor = 35 kg/m2), who had not taken any oral antidiabetic drug previously, were randomised into two groups after a four-week placebo period, and treated for 24 weeks with acarbose (100 mg two to three times daily) and gliclazide (40-80 mg twice daily). The study was open and 57 patients (33 males and 24 females) completed it. MNT was provided for each patient based on personal requirements as defined by a dietitian. The effect of treatment was evaluated by fasting and postprandial (PP) metabolic parameters (blood glucose, insulin and C peptide levels), HbA1c and plasma lipid levels. In addition, side-effects were recorded and clinical examinations performed.Both drugs were effective in reducing of HbA1c, fasting and PP blood glucose levels. However, PP serum insulin levels in the gliclazide group increased more than those in the group treated with acarbose (p = 0.007). Moreover, a small weight reduction was obtained with acarbose treatment but not with gliclazide. Lipid levels were favourably affected by both drugs. Total cholesterol levels decreased in both groups, the decrease only reaching significance in the acarbose group (p = 0.013). However, serum levels of LDL cholesterol decreased in both groups (acarbose and gliclazide, p = 0.033 and p = 0.023, respectively), but the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol increased in the acarbose group only (p = 0.045). Both treatments were generally well tolerated. Common complaints in the acarbose group were flatulence and meteorism (29.6%). However, 10.0% of the patients in the gliclazide group reported at least one mild hypoglycaemic episode.The results of the study demonstrate that acarbose and gliclazide were reasonably effective in improving metabolic control in patients insufficiently controlled with diet alone, and both treatments were well tolerated. Because of its effects on weight reduction and PP hyperinsulinaemia, acarbose may be preferred as a first-line drug, particularly in the treatment of overweight type 2 diabetic patients.

People with impaired glucose tolerance are considered to be prone to diabetes. To evaluate their visual function we investigated colour vision with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue test and contrast sensitivity with Arden's grating cards in people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and others with type II diabetes (NIDDM). Eyes with low vision or any anterior or posterior segment abnormalities were excluded. Contrast sensitivity and color vision differed significantly between the groups (p

The parameters of the functional evaluation of the penile arterial system in sexually active males are based on a minimal number of volunteers and impotent patients of neurogenic origin who are expected to have a normal vascular system. In order to investigate these parameters in 23 sexually active diabetic and nondiabetic males, penile arterial systems were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography. Parameters obtained from the cavernous arteries were arterial diameter (pre- and postpapaverine), diameter increase rate and systolic peak blood flow velocity. Systolic peak blood flow velocities in papaverine-induced erection were 36.75 (+/- 9.99) and 37.50 (+/- 13.18) cm/s for right and left cavernosal arteries, respectively, in nondiabetic 16 men. The mean cavernosal artery diameter changes were 89.23 and 77.93% for right and left cavernosal arteries. Systolic peak blood flow velocities were 24.57 (+/- 7.44) and 25.42 (+/- 9.45) cm/s and diameter increase rates were 78.57 and 37.50% for right and left cavernosal arteries in diabetic sexually active men. Sexually active diabetics have a significantly lower cavernosal artery peak blood flow velocity and diameter increase rate than nondiabetics (p < 0.01). Thus a subclinic dysfunction of erection might be introduced in diabetic males. In conclusion, each investigator should determine his own standards on sexually active subjects and on those with different etiologies such as diabetics mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, contributing to erectile dysfunction.