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Amongst elderly people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) over prescribing can result in emergency ambulance call-outs, falls and fractures and increased mortality, particularly in frail patients. Current clinical guidelines, however, remain focused on medication intensification rather than deintensification where appropriate. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic decision-support system and training for the deintensification of potentially inappropriate medications amongst older frail people with T2D, when compared to 'usual' care at 12-months. This study is an open-label, multi-site, two-armed pragmatic cluster-randomised trial. GP practices randomised to the 'enhanced care' group have an electronic decision support system installed and receive training on the tool and de-intensification of diabetes medications. The system flags eligible patients for possible deintensification of diabetes medications, linking the health care professional to a clinical algorithm. The primary outcome will be the number of patients at 12-months who have had potentially inappropriate diabetes medications de-intensified. Study recruitment commenced in June 2022. Data collection commenced in January 2023. Baseline data have been extracted from 40 practices (3145 patients). Digital technology, involving computer decision systems, may have the potential to reduce inappropriate medications and aid the process of de-intensification. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN53221378. Available at: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN53221378. • Overprescribing of diabetes medications causes hypoglycaemia, falls. • Problem in older, frail patients, yet limited guidance for deprescribing. • Limited long-term benefit of tight glycaemic control in older patients. • Electronic decision support and training may guide deprescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), and the potential impact of n-3PUFA supplementation, in the treatment and management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unclear and controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of daily high-dose-bolus n-3PUFA supplementation on vascular health, glycaemic control, and metabolic parameters in subjects with T1D. Methods: Twenty-seven adults with T1D were recruited to a 6-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received either 3.3 g/day of encapsulated n-3PUFA or encapsulated 3.0 g/day corn oil placebo (PLA) for 6-months, with follow-up at 9-months after 3-month washout. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was determined via gas chromatography. Endpoints included inflammation-associated endothelial biomarkers (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], E-selectin, P-selectin, pentraxin-3, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]), and their mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα] analysed via immunoassay, vascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT]) and function (brachial artery flow mediated dilation [FMD]) determined via ultrasound technique, blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial metabolism. Results: Twenty subjects completed the trial in full. In the n-3PUFA group, the mean ± SD baseline n-3PUFA index of 4.93 ± 0.94% increased to 7.67 ± 1.86% (P < 0.001) after 3-months, and 8.29 ± 1.45% (P < 0.001) after 6-months. Total exposure to n-3PUFA over the 6-months (area under the curve) was 14.27 ± 3.05% per month under n-3PUFA, and 9.11 ± 2.74% per month under PLA (P < 0.001). VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, pentraxin-3, VEGF, TNFα, CIMT, FMD, blood pressure, HbA1c, FPG, and postprandial metabolism did not differ between or within groups after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates that daily high-dose-bolus of n-3PUFA supplementation for 6-months does not improve vascular health, glucose homeostasis, or metabolic parameters in subjects with T1D. The findings from this preliminary RCT do not support the use of therapeutic n-3PUFA supplementation in the treatment and management of T1D and its associated complications. Trial Registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN40811115. Registered 27 June 2017, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN40811115. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods Results Conclusions Research in diabetes‐related foot conditions (DRFC) often focuses on ulcer‐related care, whilst the patient experience and influence of sociodemographic factors are under‐researched. This systematic review investigated patient‐reported outcomes and experience in people with DRFC.Multiple databases were searched from inception to 16 August 2023. All original articles that assessed any patient‐reported outcome or experience in DRFC and reported participant ethnicity were included. Data were synthesized using a sequential contingent approach. Study quality was assessed using study design‐specific tools.Twenty‐three studies were included (11 qualitative, 11 quantitative and one mixed‐methods). DRFC had a largely negative impact on various life dimensions, including social and daily life, work, emotional and psychological well‐being, necessitating dependence on others in the form of emotional, social and/or religious support, which were experienced differently by different groups. Patient DRFC knowledge and self‐care habits were typically suboptimal, and levels of hope and feeling of control over their condition varied between groups. Outcomes varied slightly between ethnicities across studies, with some ethnicity‐specific themes identified such as beliefs about disease cause and footwear habits. Quantitative and qualitative findings were mostly congruent.DRFC profoundly and negatively impacts patient‐reported outcomes and experience, with limited evidence suggesting an influence of ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) may favourably modify cardiometabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Previous meta-analyses are limited by insufficient sample sizes and omission of meta-regression techniques, and a large number of RCTs have subsequently been published since the last comprehensive meta-analysis. Updated information regarding the impact of dosage, duration or an interaction between these two factors is therefore warranted. The objective was to comprehensively assess the effect of n-3PUFAs supplementation on cardiometabolic biomarkers including lipid profiles, inflammatory parameters, blood pressure, and indices of glycaemic control, in people with T2DM, and identify whether treatment dosage, duration or an interaction thereof modify these effects. Methods: Databases including PubMed and MEDLINE were searched until 13th July 2017 for RCTs investigating the effect of n-3PUFAs supplementation on lipid profiles, inflammatory parameters, blood pressure, and indices of glycaemic control. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis and presented as standardised mean difference (Hedges g) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Meta-regression analysis was performed to investigate the effects of duration of supplementation and total dosage of n-3PUFAs as moderator variables where appropriate. Results: A total of 45 RCTs were identified, involving 2674 people with T2DM. n-3PUFAs supplementation was associated with significant reductions in LDL [ES: − 0.10, (95% CI − 0.17, − 0.03); p = 0.007], VLDL (ES: − 0.26 (− 0.51, − 0.01); p = 0.044], triglycerides (ES: − 0.39 (− 0.55, − 0.24; p ≤ 0.001] and HbA1c (ES: − 0.27 (− 0.48, − 0.06); p = 0.010]. Moreover, n-3PUFAs supplementation was associated with reduction in plasma levels of TNF-α [ES: − 0.59 (− 1.17, − 0.01); p = 0.045] and IL-6 (ES: − 1.67 (− 3.14, − 0.20); p = 0.026]. All other lipid markers, indices of glycaemic control, inflammatory parameters, and blood pressure remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Conclusions: n-3PUFAs supplementation produces favourable hypolipidemic effects, a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and improvement in glycaemia. Neither duration nor dosage appear to explain the observed heterogeneity in response to n-3PUFAs. Trial registration This trial was registered at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk as CRD42016050802 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethnic minority populations experience significant health and social care disparities; despite experiencing a greater burden of diseases, these groups are underrepresented in health and social care research. Consequently, related research can be less applicable to these population groups. The REPRESENT study aims to explore the health and social care experiences of ethnic minorities and other minoritised populations, their research interests and appropriate research practices., Methods: Focus groups and semistructured interviews were conducted between May and September 2022 with members of a number of ethnic minority communities in England. Data were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically coded using NVivo 12. Rigour was determined through extensive sampling, iterative data collection and analysis., Findings: Fifty-two ethnic minority members were engaged in group interviews and one-to-one interviews. Participants included representatives of the following groups: African Caribbean, Eastern European, Gypsy Travellers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual+, Refugee/Asylum Seekers, Somali and South Asian communities. Interviews were also conducted with ethnic minority healthcare providers and researchers. Three overarching categories were identified: health information, medical service experiences, health and social care concerns and health research. Health and social care services challenges were mostly attributed to discrimination, delayed services, poor cultural relevance and language and cultural barriers. The most influential information sources were local community organisations and word-of-mouth. The main health and social care concerns were chronic long-term health conditions, mental health, maternal health and child development. Recommendations for research involved understanding the motivations for participation, improving communication and empowering communities. Top research priorities were long-term health conditions, health promotion and education, early care interventions and understanding community needs., Interpretation: Discrimination and bias in health and social care provision have severe implications for worsening ethnic health inequalities. Healthcare commissioning authorities and policymakers can leverage the preference of ethnic minority groups for pharmacy services and community organisations to improve access to care. Improving research interest and engagement requires understanding individual community needs, community sensitivity, research relevance and cultural appropriateness., Patient or Public Contribution: Members of ethnic minority Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group and Community Advisory Board supported the REPRESENT study design, conceptualisation and report development., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically synthesise the global evidence on the prevalence of persistent symptoms in a general post COVID-19 population., Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases (MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, and medRxiv) until January 2022. Studies with at least 100 people with confirmed or self-reported COVID-19 symptoms at ≥28 days following infection onset were included. Patient-reported outcome measures and clinical investigations were both assessed. Results were analysed descriptively, and meta-analyses were conducted to derive prevalence estimates. This study was pre-registered (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42021238247)., Findings: 194 studies totalling 735,006 participants were included, with five studies conducted in those <18 years of age. Most studies were conducted in Europe (n = 106) or Asia (n = 49), and the time to follow-up ranged from ≥28 days to 387 days. 122 studies reported data on hospitalised patients, 18 on non-hospitalised, and 54 on hospitalised and non-hospitalised combined (mixed). On average, at least 45% of COVID-19 survivors, regardless of hospitalisation status, went on to experience at least one unresolved symptom (mean follow-up 126 days). Fatigue was frequently reported across hospitalised (28.4%; 95% CI 24.7%-32.5%), non-hospitalised (34.8%; 95% CI 17.6%-57.2%), and mixed (25.2%; 95% CI 17.7%-34.6%) cohorts. Amongst the hospitalised cohort, abnormal CT patterns/x-rays were frequently reported (45.3%; 95% CI 35.3%-55.7%), alongside ground glass opacification (41.1%; 95% CI 25.7%-58.5%), and impaired diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (31.7%; 95% CI 25.8%-3.2%)., Interpretation: Our work shows that 45% of COVID-19 survivors, regardless of hospitalisation status, were experiencing a range of unresolved symptoms at ∼ 4 months. Current understanding is limited by heterogeneous study design, follow-up durations, and measurement methods. Definition of subtypes of Long Covid is unclear, subsequently hampering effective treatment/management strategies., Funding: No funding., Competing Interests: This work was supported by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) ARC East Midlands. AB is PI of the NIHR funded STIMULATE-ICP study (COV-LT2-0043) and has also received other research funding from Astra Zeneca, NIHR, BMA, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and EU. MC is Director of the Birmingham Health Partners Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation, Director of the Centre for the Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research and is a NIHR Senior Investigator. MC receives funding from the NIHR, UKRI, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, NIHR ARC West Midlands, UK SPINE, European Regional Development Fund–Demand Hub and Health Data Research UK at the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Innovate UK (part of UKRI), Macmillan Cancer Support, UCB Pharma, Janssen, GSK and Gilead. She is senior author of the Symptom Burden Questionnaire™ for Long COVID. MC has received personal fees from Aparito Ltd, CIS Oncology, Takeda, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, Glaukos, GSK and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) outside the submitted work. In addition, a family member owns shares in GSK. TS and RS receive funding from the NIHR, and by the UKRI who have awarded funding grant number COVLT0022. All research at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health is made possible by the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. HW is an NIHR Senior Investigator Award, and acknowledges support from the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Health Data Research UK, NIHR Applied Research Collaborative North West London, and the Wellcome Trust. KK is Chair of the Ethnicity Subgroup of the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and Member of SAGE and also Chair of the National Long Covid working group which reports to the Chief Medical Officer. TW receives funding from the NIHR, the views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. JS receives funding from the NIHR and UKRI., (© 2022 The Author(s).)