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Introduction Trends on glycemic control and diabetes complications are known for high-income countries, but comprehensive data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are lacking. Methods This is an expert opinion based on two retrospective studies. Here we examine the recent subset analysis of relevant data from the IDMPS Wave 7 (International Diabetes Management-Practices Study, 2015-2016) and the GOAL study conducted in multiple LMICs. Results Wave 7 sub-analysis was performed in 6113 people with type 2 diabetes from 24 LMIC. Poorly controlled diabetes (hemogloblin A1c [HbA1c] >= 7%) was found in 58.6, 73.0 and 78.3% of participants with diabetes duration of < 5, 5-12 and > 12 years, respectively (in association with a high prevalence of macro- and microvascular complications). Moreover, 37.7% of participants with diabetes duration of 5-12 years were treated only with oral antihyperglycemic drugs. The GOAL study investigated the efficacy of insulin in 2704 poorly controlled participants (mean HbA1c 9.7%; diabetes duration 10.1 +/- 6.7 years; 10 LMIC). A significant 2% reduction in mean HbA1c levels was observed after 12 months of treatment. Only 7.2% of participants experienced a symptomatic episode of hypoglycemia (nocturnal or severe hypoglycemia events were infrequent). Conclusion The rate of well-controlled participants (HbA1c < 7.0%) in the Wave 7 sub-analysis was lower than that observed in the USA (NHANES survey) or in European countries (GUIDANCE study), and the incidence of microvascular complications was higher. The GOAL study showed that insulin treatment improves glycemic control and reduces this gap. The Expert Panel recommends intensifying diabetes treatment as soon as possible, as well as patients' education and other preventive measures, initiatives which require modest costs compared to hospitalization and treatment of diabetes complications.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in East Asian population is characterized by phenotypes such as low body mass index, an index of β-cell dysfunction, and higher percentage of body fat, an index of insulin resistance. These phenotypes/pathologies may predispose people to early onset of diabetes with increased risk of stroke and renal disease. Less than 50% of patients with T2DM in East Asia achieve glycemic targets recommended by national or regional guidelines, which may be due to knowledge and/or implementation gaps. Herein, we review the latest evidence with special reference to East Asian patients with T2DM and present arguments for the need to use early combination therapy to intensify glycemic control. This strategy is supported by the 5-year worldwide VERIFY study, which has reported better glycemic durability in newly diagnosed patients with T2DM with a mean HbA1c of 6.9% treated with early combination therapy of vildagliptin plus metformin versus those treated with initial metformin monotherapy followed by addition of vildagliptin only with worsening glycemic control. This paradigm shift of early intensified treatment is now recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). In order to translate these evidence to practice, increased awareness and strengthening of the healthcare system are needed to diagnose and manage patients with T2DM early for combination therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: The recommended target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients has been lowered from 100 to 70 mg/dL in several clinical guidelines for secondary prevention. We aimed to assess whether initiating statin treatment in CAD patients with baseline LDL-C 70–100 mg/dL in Taiwan could be cost-effective. Methods: A Markov model was developed to simulate a hypothetical cohort of CAD patients with a baseline LDL-C level of 90 mg/dL. The incidence and recurrence of MI and stroke related to specific LDL-C levels as well as the statin effect, mortality rate, and health state utilities were obtained from the literature. The direct medical costs and rate of fatal events were derived from the national claims database. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was calculated, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Moderate-intensity statin use, a treatment regimen expected to achieve LDL

BACKGROUND: Adult patients cared for by cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists are highly vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are worsened by smoking. In the past, physicians of these three specialties at major hospitals in Taiwan always referred patients to family medicine and chest medicine departments for smoking cessation programs. However, the participation rate in these programs was unsatisfactory. OBJECTIVES: To encourage cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists to provide smoking cessation treatment services (SCTSs) to their patients through an annual contest. METHODS: Sequential expert meetings, group training, a contest to reward service quantity and abstinence rate, and an annual awards ceremony were held over the past 3 years. RESULTS: More than 350 cardiologists, neurologists, and diabetologists were certified to provide SCTSs, and in the second half of 2020, 3716 high CVD risk patients entered smoking cessation treatment programs, with an abstinence rate exceeding 30% at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy used in this study was effective in overcoming physician inertia to provide SCTSs and encourage high CVD risk smokers to quit smoking.

Background: We investigated the association between glucose excursions and the dawn phenomenon, and the effects of oral-glucose lowering drugs on the dawn phenomenon in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis using data from a previous randomized trial. Patients with T2D on metformin monotherapy were randomized to receive add-on acarbose or glibenclamide for 16 weeks. Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was conducted before randomization and at the end of the study. Using the CGM data, we assessed glucose excursions as indicated by mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). The magnitude of the dawn phenomenon was calculated as the difference between the nocturnal nadir (0:00 to 6:00 a.m.) and prebreakfast glucose level. Results: A total of 50 patients with T2D [mean age 53.5 ± 8.2 years, mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.4 ± 1.2%] were analyzed. There was an independent association between MAGE and the dawn phenomenon [β coefficient 0.199, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.074–0.325, p = 0.003]. HbA1c improved significantly after treatment with acarbose or glibenclamide. However, only treatment with acarbose significantly improved glucose excursions. The dawn phenomenon decreased significantly only in patients treated with acarbose (from 35.9 ± 15.7–28.3 ± 16.5 mg/dl, p = 0.037), but not in those treated with glibenclamide (from 35.9 ± 20.6–34.6 ± 17.0 mg/dl, p = 0.776). Conclusion: Glucose excursions were independently associated with the dawn phenomenon in patients with T2D on metformin monotherapy. Both glucose excursions and the dawn phenomenon improved after treatment with acarbose, but not after treatment with glibenclamide.

The benefits of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on glycemic control among type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients not receiving insulin remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the association between SMBG and glycemic control in these patients. This retrospective longitudinal study enrolled 4987 eligible patients from a medical center in Taiwan. Data were collected from electronic medical records at 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9, and 12 (end-point) months after enrollment. Patients were assigned to the early SMBG group or to the non-user group depending on whether they performed SMBG at baseline. Differences in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction between groups at each time-point were assessed using SMBG group-by-time interaction in generalized estimating equations models, which were established using backward elimination method for multivariate regression analysis. Subgroup analyses for patients using non-insulin and insulin secretagogues were performed additionally. The estimated maximal difference in HbA1c reduction between groups (early SMBG users vs. non-users) was 0.55% at 3 months. Subgroup analyses showed maximal differences of 0.61% and 0.52% at 3 months in the non-insulin and insulin secretagogues groups, respectively. SMBG group-by-time interaction was statistically significant at 3 months and lasted for 12 months. The finding suggests that performing SMBG at disease onset was positively associated with better glycemic control in newly diagnosed non-insulin-treated T2DM patients, regardless whether non-insulin secretagogues or insulin secretagogues were used.

Aims/Introduction To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who initiated dapagliflozin in real-world practice in Taiwan. Materials and Methods In this multicenter retrospective study, adult patients with T2DM who initiated dapagliflozin after May 1st 2016 either as add-on or switch therapy were included. Changes in clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Baseline factors associated with dapagliflozin response in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1,960 patients were eligible. At 6 months, significant changes were observed: HbA1c by −0.73% (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.80, −0.67), body weight was -1.61 kg (95% CI −1.79, −1.42), and systolic/diastolic blood pressure by −3.6/−1.4 mmHg. Add-on dapagliflozin showed significantly greater HbA1c reduction (−0.82%) than switched therapy (−0.66%) (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c Conclusions In this real-world study with the highest patient number of Chinese population to date, the use of dapagliflozin was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure in patients with T2DM. Initiating dapagliflozin as add-on therapy showed better glycemic control than as switch therapy.

Objectives Emerging evidence has indicated a role for pharmacologic agents in the primary prevention of osteoporotic fracture, but have not yet been systematically reviewed for meta-analysis. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions in reducing fracture risk and increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis but without prevalent fragility fracture. Method The Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to September 30, 2019. Only randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating postmenopausal women with −1.0 > bone mineral density (BMD) T-score > −2.5 (low bone mass) and those with BMD T-score ≤ −2.5 (osteoporosis) but without baseline fractures, who were receiving anti-osteoporotic agents, providing quantitative outcomes data and evaluating risk of vertebral and/or non-vertebral fragility fracture at follow-up. The PRISMA guidelines were followed, applying a random-effects model. The primary endpoint was the effect of anti-osteoporotic regimens in reducing the incidence of vertebral fractures. Secondary endpoints were percentage changes in baseline BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip at 1 and 2 years follow up. Results Full-text review of 144 articles yielded, 20 for meta-analysis. Bisphosphonates reduced the risk of vertebral fracture (pooled OR = 0.50, 95%CIs = 0.36–0.71) and significantly increased lumbar spine BMD after 1 year, by 4.42% vs placebo (95%CIs = 3.70%–5.14%). At the hip, this value was 2.94% (95%CIs = 2.13%–3.75%). Overall results of limited studies for non-bisphosphonate drugs showed increased BMD and raloxifene significantly decreases the risk of subsequent clinical vertebral fractures. Conclusion The bisphosphonates are efficacious and most evident for the primary prevention of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, reducing their incidence and improving BMD in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis., Highlights • Bisphosphonates reduced the risk of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis but without fracture. • Bisphosphonates increased BMD in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis but without fracture. • Limited studies for non-bisphosphonate drugs showed increased BMD in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis but without fracture. • Raloxifene decreased the risk of clinical vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis but without fracture.

Osteoporosis and its associated fragility fractures are becoming a severe burden in the healthcare system globally. In the Asian-Pacific (AP) region, the rapidly increasing in aging population is the main reason accounting for the burden. Moreover, the paucity of quality care for osteoporosis continues to be an ongoing challenge. The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a program promoted by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) with a goal to improve quality of postfracture care and prevention of secondary fractures. In this review article, we would like to introduce the Taiwan FLS network. The first 2 programs were initiated in 2014 at the National Taiwan University Hospital and its affiliated Bei-Hu branch. Since then, the Taiwan FLS program has continued to grow exponentially. Through FLS workshops promoted by the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association (TOA), program mentors have been able to share their valuable knowledge and clinical experience in order to promote establishments of additional programs. With 22 FLS sites including 11 successfully accredited on the best practice map, Taiwan remains as one of the highest FLS coverage countries in the AP region, and was also granted the IOF Best Secondary Fracture Prevention Promotion award in 2017. Despite challenges faced by the TOA, we strive to promote more FLS sites in Taiwan with a main goal of ameliorating further health burden in managing osteoporotic patients. Keywords: Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan, Fracture Liaison Service, Best Practice Framework, Osteoporosis

Background The prevalence of diabetes is growing, and diabetes is an independent risk factor for both atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. However, the relative effectiveness and safety of different oral anticoagulants for diabetic patients with non-valvular AF remain unclear. We aimed to compare thromboembolic events, bleeding and mortality in diabetic AF patients treated with rivaroxaban, dabigatran and warfarin. Methods and Results Diabetic AF patients taking dabigatran (n = 322), rivaroxaban (n = 320) or warfarin (n = 1,899) were identified from the nationwide diabetes pay-for-performance program (n = 814,465) in Taiwan. Outcomes and comorbidities were evaluated by linking with Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Propensity score weighting method was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed up until the first occurrence of any study outcome or the study end date. Compared with warfarin, dabigatran significantly decreased the risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.348, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.157–0.771) and gastrointestinal bleeding (HR = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.327–0.955). Relative effectiveness and safety outcomes between rivaroxaban and warfarin were comparable. Compared with rivaroxaban, dabigatran significantly decreased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.310, 95% CI = 0.121–0.798) and was associated with a borderline reduced risk for composite safety end points (HR = 0.670, 95% CI = 0.421–1.067). Conclusion In diabetic AF patients, dabigatran and rivaroxaban showed a superior or non-inferior effectiveness and safety profile compared with warfarin. Dabigatran was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality than rivaroxaban.

Background/Purpose: Even though the increasing clinical recognition of primary aldosteronism (PA) as a public health issue, its heightened risk profiles and the availability of targeted surgical/medical treatment being more understood, consensus in its diagnosis and management based on medical evidence, while recognizing the constraints of our real-world clinical practice in Taiwan, has not been reached. Methods: The Taiwan Society of Aldosteronism (TSA) Task Force acknowledges the above-mentioned issues and reached this Taiwan PA consensus at its inaugural meeting, in order to provide updated information of internationally acceptable standards, and also to incorporate our local disease characteristics into the management of PA. Results: When there is suspicion of PA, a plasma aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) should be obtained initially. Patients with abnormal ARR will undergo confirmatory laboratory and image tests. Subtype classification with adrenal venous sampling (AVS) or NP-59 nuclear imaging, if AVS not available, to lateralize PA is recommended when patients are considered for adrenalectomy. The strengths and weaknesses of the currently available identification methods are discussed, focusing especially on result interpretation. Conclusion: With this consensus we hope to raise more awareness of PA among medical professionals and hypertensive patients in Taiwan, and to facilitate reconciliation of better detection, identification and treatment of patients with PA. Index words: Primary aldosteronism, Guideline, TAIPAI, TSA

Background The glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) test, commonly used to diagnose autoimmune diabetes, is not cost-effective in areas of low prevalence. The aim of this study was to develop a convenient tool to discriminate adult-onset GADA-positive autoimmune diabetes from type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted at Changhua Christian Hospital in Taiwan, collected electronic medical record data from January 2009 to December 2018. Patients were divided into a case group (GADA+, n = 152) and a reference group (T2DM, n = 358). Variables that differed significantly between the groups were subjected to receiver operator characteristic analysis to establish cutoff values. Discriminant function analysis was then employed to discriminate the two groups. Results At the onset of diabetes, the GADA+ group was younger, with lower body mass index (BMI), higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and lower total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). Five major factors were identified to form the linear discriminant functions: BMI, age at onset, TG, HDL-C, and HbA1c. BMI < 23 kg/m2 was the most important factor, followed by TG < 98 mg/dL, HDL-C ≥ 46 mg/dL, age at onset < 30 years, and HbA1c ≥ 8.6%. The overall accuracy of the linear discriminant functions was 87.1%, with 84.2% sensitivity and 88.3% specificity. Conclusions Routine tests in diabetes care were used to establish a convenient, low-cost tool that may assist in the early identification of adult-onset GAD+ autoimmune diabetes in clinical practice.

Background: Odanacatib, a cathepsin K inhibitor, reduces bone resorption while maintaining bone formation. Previous work has shown that odanacatib increases bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of odanacatib to reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: The Long-term Odanacatib Fracture Trial (LOFT) was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven study at 388 outpatient clinics in 40 countries. Eligible participants were women aged at least 65 years who were postmenopausal for 5 years or more, with a femoral neck or total hip bone mineral density T-score between −2·5 and −4·0 if no previous radiographic vertebral fracture, or between −1·5 and −4·0 with a previous vertebral fracture. Women with a previous hip fracture, more than one vertebral fracture, or a T-score of less than −4·0 at the total hip or femoral neck were not eligible unless they were unable or unwilling to use approved osteoporosis treatment. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either oral odanacatib (50 mg once per week) or matching placebo. Randomisation was done using an interactive voice recognition system after stratification for previous radiographic vertebral fracture, and treatment was masked to study participants, investigators and their staff, and sponsor personnel. If the study completed before 5 years of double-blind treatment, consenting participants could enrol in a double-blind extension study (LOFT Extension), continuing their original treatment assignment for up to 5 years from randomisation. Primary endpoints were incidence of vertebral fractures as assessed using radiographs collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months, yearly, and at final study visit in participants for whom evaluable radiograph images were available at baseline and at least one other timepoint, and hip and non-vertebral fractures adjudicated as being a result of osteoporosis as assessed by clinical history and radiograph. Safety was assessed in participants who received at least one dose of study drug. The adjudicated cardiovascular safety endpoints were a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, and new-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter. Individual cardiovascular endpoints and death were also assessed. LOFT and LOFT Extension are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00529373) and the European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT number 2007-002693-66). Findings: Between Sept 14, 2007, and Nov 17, 2009, we randomly assigned 16 071 evaluable patients to treatment: 8043 to odanacatib and 8028 to placebo. After a median follow-up of 36·5 months (IQR 34·43–40·15) 4297 women assigned to odanacatib and 3960 assigned to placebo enrolled in LOFT Extension (total median follow-up 47·6 months, IQR 35·45–60·06). In LOFT, cumulative incidence of primary outcomes for odanacatib versus placebo were: radiographic vertebral fractures 3·7% (251/6770) versus 7·8% (542/6910), hazard ratio (HR) 0·46, 95% CI 0·40–0·53; hip fractures 0·8% (65/8043) versus 1·6% (125/8028), 0·53, 0·39–0·71; non-vertebral fractures 5·1% (412/8043) versus 6·7% (541/8028), 0·77, 0·68–0·87; all p

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2 and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 to ≤5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level α = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) leads to substantial morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Evidence suggests that antidiabetic drug dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may be able to attenuate albuminuria, whereas the influence of sulfonylureas on albuminuria remains unclear. This prospective open-label study investigated the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors and sulfonylureas on urinary albumin excretion, which is a marker of renal microvascular abnormality. A total of 101 participants with newly diagnosed T2DM were enrolled. In addition to metformin therapy, 45 patients were assigned to receive DPP-4 inhibitors and 56 to receive sulfonylureas. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was significantly reduced in recipients of DPP-4 inhibitors after 24 weeks (29.2 &micro, g/mg creatinine vs. 14.9 &micro, g/mg creatinine, P &lt, 0.001), whereas urinary ACR was not significantly changed by sulfonylureas (39.9 &micro, g/mg creatinine vs. 43.2 &micro, g/mg creatinine, P = 0.641). The effect on albuminuria occurred even though both treatment groups had a similar change in serum glycated hemoglobin A1c (&minus, 1.87 % vs.&minus, 2.40 %, P = 0.250). Therefore, in diabetic patients the addition of DPP-4 inhibitors lowered urinary albumin excretion compared to sulfonylureas, and attenuation of albuminuria may be a consideration when choosing between antidiabetic medications.

Background/Purpose: Diabetes mellitus has become a major cause of death worldwide. Many technologies have become available for managing diabetes and its complications. This study investigated the mortality trends in people with diabetes in Taiwan between 2005 and 2014. Methods: We used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, which is linked to the National Death Registry. Patients with at least three outpatient visits in 1 year or at least one hospital admission with the diagnosis of diabetes (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] 250.x) were defined as diabetic patients. The main causes of death were classified using ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM. Results: In 2005–2014, the number of diabetic patients increased from 1.3 to 2.2 million in Taiwan, and all-cause mortality in the patients decreased continuously across sexes and age groups (all, 3.45%–3.00%; women, 3.07%–2.70%; men, 3.82%–3.28%, all p

Background/Purpose: Several new antidiabetic drugs have been introduced in Taiwan. However, the trends in antidiabetic treatment remain unexamined. Methods: We studied data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database to identify outpatient prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs from 2005 to 2014. The patterns in antidiabetic treatment and the number of different classes of antidiabetic drugs were analyzed. The proportions of prescriptions of antidiabetic monotherapy, combination therapy, or insulin therapy were further analyzed. Results: The total and mean prescriptions gradually increased during the study period. Prescription of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) only or insulin-only therapy decreased slightly. Prescriptions of monotherapy and dual therapy decreased, whereas those of triple or higher order combinations increased. Prescriptions of sulfonylureas (SUs) decreased, whereas those of metformin and dipeptidyl peptidease-4 (DPP4) inhibitors increased. Insulin prescriptions increased but accounted for only 13.07% of prescriptions in 2014. Among monotherapy prescriptions, SU prescriptions decreased, but metformin and DPP4 inhibitor prescriptions increased. Among dual OAD prescriptions, those including SUs decreased, and those of metformin and DPP4 inhibitors increased. Although prescriptions of the metformin–SU combination decreased, they remained the most common among all dual OAD prescriptions, followed by the metformin–DPP4 inhibitor combination. Prescriptions of human insulin decreased and those of insulin analogs increased considerably; those of basal insulin increased, and those of mixed insulin decreased. However, mixed insulin was prescribed more than basal–bolus insulin. Conclusion: Antidiabetic treatment has become complex in Taiwan. Although combination therapy would become the major treatment strategy gradually, the underuse of insulin therapy must improve. Keywords: Antidiabetic drugs, Diabetes, Insulin, Oral antidiabetic drugs

Background The aim of the present study was to examine the association between glycemic excursions before treatment and HbA1c reduction after treatment intensification with acarbose or glibenclamide in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Patients receiving single or dual oral antidiabetic drug treatment with an HbA1c of 7.0–11.0 % (53–97 mmol/mol) were switched to metformin monotherapy (500 mg, t.i.d.) for 8 weeks, followed by randomization to either acarbose (100 mg, t.i.d.) or glibenclamide (5 mg, t.i.d.) as add-on treatment for 16 weeks. Glycemic excursions were assessed as mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) with 72-h ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring. Treatment efficacy was evaluated as relative HbA1c reduction (%), calculated as (baseline HbA1c – post-treatment HbA1c)/baseline HbA1c × 100. Results Fifty patients (mean [±SD] age 53.5 ± 8.2 years, 48 % men, mean baseline HbA1c 8.4 ± 1.2 %) were analyzed. Baseline MAGE was positively correlated with relative HbA1c reduction from baseline in patients treated with acarbose (r = 0.421, P = 0.029) but not glibenclamide (r = 0.052, P = 0.813). Linear regression analysis revealed that the association between baseline MAGE and relative HbA1c reduction from baseline (β = 0.125, P = 0.029) in patients treated with acarbose remained significant after adjustment for several confounders (P

Aims Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with newly-diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) and to determine its associated factors in an Asian population. Methods The data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database and included 9831 newly-diagnosed TB individuals in the period of 2000–2010. The data were divided into a DM group and a non-DM group. We measured the prevalence and the associated comorbidities of DM. Results During 2000–2010, the prevalence of DM progressively increased, with an average prevalence rate of 27.9%. The patients with ages of 55–64 years had the highest association of DM (OR = 3.53) compared with those under 45 years. TB patients with heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease were more likely to associate with DM (ORs = 1.27, 1.23, 1.30, 2.32, 3.26, 1.6, and 1.68, respectively) compared to those without the variables. Conclusions The prevalence of DM among TB patients in Taiwan was high and tended to increase in the past decade. Clinically, inquiring about DM history and screening routinely for those without DM history among TB patients should be carried out in Taiwan.

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the association between glycemic excursions and duration of hypoglycemia after treatment intensification in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Patients with T2D on oral anti-diabetes drug (OAD) with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.0–11.0% were switched to metformin monotherapy (500mg thrice daily) for 8 weeks, followed by randomization to either glibenclamide or acarbose as add-on treatment for 16 weeks. Glycemic excursions were assessed as mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) with 72-h ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) before randomization and at the end of study. Hypoglycemia was defined as sensor glucose level of less than 60mg/dl in two or more consecutive readings from CGM. Results A total of 50 patients (mean age 53.5±8.2 years, male 48%, mean baseline HbA1c 8.4±1.2%) were analyzed. Duration of hypoglycemia significantly increased after treatment with glibenclamide (from 5.5±13.8 to 18.8±35.8min/day, p =0.041), but not with acarbose (from 2.9±10.9 to 14.7±41.9min/day, p =0.114). Post treatment MAGE was positively associated with change from baseline in duration of hypoglycemia after treatment with either glibenclamide ( β coefficient 0.345, p =0.036) or acarbose ( β coefficient 0.674, p =0.046). The association remained significant after multivariate adjustment ( p Conclusions Post treatment glycemic excursions are associated with changes in duration of hypoglycemia after treatment intensification with OAD in patients with T2D. Glycemic excursions should be an important treatment target for T2D to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

Osteoporosis is a major health issue. By 2050, a greater than 2-fold increase in patients number with hip fractures will occur in Asia representing 50% of all hip fractures worldwide. For the Asia-Pacific (AP) region, more efforts on controlling osteoporosis and the subsequent fractures are crucial. Bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used to diagnose osteoporosis and monitor osteoporosis treatment. However, the inconvenience, cost, limited availability of DXA and the delay in detection of BMD changes after treatment initiation support an important role for bone turnover markers (BTMs), as short-term tools to monitor therapy. With regards to low adherence rates of medical treatment of osteoporosis, the experts reached consensus on the use of BTMs for both raising awareness and short-term monitoring of osteoporosis treatment in the AP region. The experts endorse the use of BTMs, especially serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and serum procollagen type 1 N propeptide (P1NP), as short-term monitoring tools to help clinicians assess the responses to osteoporosis therapies and appropriately adjust treatment regimens earlier than BMD. Either the absolute values or the degree of change from baseline in BTMs can be used to monitor the potential efficacy of osteoporosis therapies. The use of BTMs can be incorporated in osteoporosis care programs, such as fracture liaison service (FLS), to improve patient adherence and treatment outcomes. Encouraging sufficient reimbursement from health care systems may facilitate widespread use of BTMs in clinical practice in the AP region.

Aim: Addition of 1-3 dose of bolus insulin is recommended by ADA/EASD guidelines when basal insulin (BI) therapy becomes insufficient for T2DM patients to achieve HbA1c target of Method: 328 T2DM patients completed 48 weeks of stepwise intensification of PI + BI therapy (Main group). The primary objective of the study was to determine the mean change in HbA1c. Secondary objectives included; evaluation of change in FPG, 2h-PPG, PI and BI dose and the rate of HbA1c Result: Mean HbA1c was 9.16% in Main group at baseline. At week 48, significant difference in mean HbA1c change (-0.59 ± 1.16% vs. -0.07 ± 1.06%; p Conclusion: This study demonstrated the introduction of stepwise intensification of prandial insulin leads to greater improvements in HbA1c levels than basal insulin monotherapy in T2DM patients in Taiwan and this effect can be maintained during the study period of 48 weeks. Disclosure Y. Hung: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi. Y. Huang: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. H. Chen: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. R. Liu: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. N.C. Yu: None. H. Lam: None. C. Huang: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. C. Chen: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. P. Hsiao: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi. H. Chen: None. M. Chien: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. T. Lee: None. C.Y. Yang: None. C. Chen: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. S. Tu: None. H. Chen: None. W. Sheu: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi.

Background Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies have consistently identified dyslipidemia as an important risk factor for the development of macrovascular disease. The landmark United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study has shown that metformin therapy reduces cardiovascular events in overweight people with T2DM. This study investigates the effect of metformin monotherapy on serum lipid profile in statin-naïve individuals with newly diagnosed T2DM, and whether the effect, if any, is dosage-related. Methods This cohort study enrolled individuals exceeding 20 years of age, with recent onset T2DM, who received at least 12 months of metformin monotherapy and blood tests for serum lipid at 6-month intervals. Exclusion criteria involved people receiving any additional antidiabetic medication or lipid-lowering drug therapy. Lipid-modifying effect of metformin was recorded as levels of serum triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) measured at six month intervals. Results The study enrolled 155 participants with a mean age of 58.6 years and average glycosylated hemoglobin A1c of 8%. After initiating metformin therapy, LDL-C was significantly reduced from 111 mg/dl to 102 mg/dL at 6 months (P P = 0.046), and HDL-C increased from 45.1 mg/dL to 46.9 mg/dL at 12 months (P = 0.02). However, increasing the dosage of metformin yielded no significant effect on its lipid-lowering efficacy. Discussion Metformin monotherapy appreciably improves dyslipidemia in statin-naive people with T2DM. Its lipid-modifying effect may be attributable to insulin sensitization, reduction of irreversibly glycated LDL-C, and weight loss. In practice, people with dyslipidemia who are ineligible for lipid-lowering agents may benefit from metformin therapy. Moreover, previous studies report a synergistic effect between metformin and statin, which may further reduce cardiovascular events in at-risk individuals. Overall, metformin is a safe and efficacious approach to alleviate dyslipidemia in people with newly diagnosed T2DM.

Factors predicting success (glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C)7%) with insulin therapy in patients with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes need to be identified.A retrospective, multi-center, observational study was conducted for outpatients with oral antidiabetic drug (OAD)-treated type 2 diabetes whose A1C levels remained above 7%. Patients were begun on basal insulin between January 2005 and December 2006. Biochemical variables and demographic data were collected before and after 52 weeks of insulin therapy.A total of 565 patients (age, 60.4±11.9 years; A1C levels, 10.11 ±1.81%; duration of diabetes, 11.5±6.8 years) were studied. By study end, 63 patients (11.2%) had achieved the glycemic goal (A1C7%). The glycemic goal attainment rate was only 9.1% in patients with A1C8.8% and who were taking2 OADs at baseline. The highest rate (32.7%) of successful glycemic control was observed in the group of patients with A1C ≤ 8.8% and who used ≤ 2 OADs at baseline.Insulin-naïve diabetic patients with A1C8.8%, especially those who are taking2 OADs, have small chance to achieve good glycemic control with adding only basal insulin therapy.