British Journal of Diabetes
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd
BJD is published for general practitioners with an interest in diabetes, hospital diabetologists, general physicians and surgeons with an interest in vascular diseases.ABCD (Diabetes Care) Ltden-USBritish Journal of Diabetes2397-6233<p><a href="https://abcd.care/sites/abcd.care/files/site_uploads/files/Consent-To-Publish.pdf"><strong>Publish & Transfer of Copyright Agreement</strong></a><br />For the mutual benefit and protection of the Author and the Journal Owner/Publisher it is necessary that the Author provides formal written <em>Consent to Publish</em> and <em>Transfer of Copyright</em> before publication of the Work.<strong><br /></strong></p>The association of dietary acid-base load with psychological disorders, sleep and circadian rhythm among obese and overweight women: a cross-sectional study
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1115
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Epidemiological studies have reported that dietary acid load is associated with psychological disorders through different pathways. We aimed to examine the association of dietary acid-base load with psychological disorders, sleep and circadian rhythm.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was performed on 404 female subjects aged 18 years and above. We evaluated potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) score by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Iran which contained 147 items. To assess psychological disorders, an Iranian validated version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) was used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and morning-evening questionnaire (MEQ) were applied to evaluate sleep quality and circadian rhythm status, respectively.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>After adjustment for a wide range of confounding variables, a significant positive association was observed between dietary acid-base load and severe depression (OR<sub>PRAL</sub>=1.10, 95% CI=1.01-1.19, p=0.02 and OR<sub>NEAP</sub>=2.46, 95% CI=1.41-14.61, p=0.02). Women in the high dietary acid base load category had higher anxiety (OR<sub>PRAL</sub>=1.12, 95% CI=1.02-1.23, p=0.01 and OR<sub>NEAP</sub>=1.80,95% CI=1.12-10.72, p=0.01). There was a strong positive relationship between dietary acid-base load and sleep disturbance (p<0.05). Additionally, circadian rhythm assessment showed that those with greater commitment to PRAL had 23% higher risk of being completely evening type, while the odds of being completely morning type were decreased by 15% and 12% across higher adherence to PRAL and NEAP.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Women with higher dietary acid-base load score had greater odds for depression, anxiety, psychological distress, sleep disturbance and evening-type circadian rhythm compared to lower ones.</p>Atieh Mirzababaei Sanaz MehranfarFarideh ShirasebFaezeh AbajSara HajishizariCain C.T. ClarkKhadijeh Mirzaei
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232869310.15277/bjd.2023.425The factors predicting glucose and weight response to injectable semaglutide (Ozempic): real-world data from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists’ audit programme
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1155
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous randomised controlled trials have observed individual differences in response to Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RA) according to baseline characteristics such as glycated haemoglobin (HbA<sub>1c</sub>) and weight. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) launched a nationwide UK audit in January 2019 to assess the clinical utility, efficacy and safety of injectable semaglutide in routine practice. The aim of this analysis was to investigate associations between baseline characteristics and HbA<sub>1c</sub> and weight reductions with semaglutide in real-world use.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were extracted from the secure online tool and individuals who had baseline and follow-up data available within a defined 6 (3-9) month window were included. Variables were assessed as both continuous variables and categorical variables in a multivariate regression model. Missing data were multiply imputed.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 620 individuals were included. Baseline characteristics: (mean±SD) age was 58.7±10.7 years, HbA<sub>1c</sub> 81.6±18.5 mmol/mol (9.5±1.7%), weight 108.2±24.2 kg and body mass index (BMI) 37.6±7.6 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. Median diabetes duration was 11.2 years (IQR 6.6-16) and 50.5% (313/620) of subjects were male. The median follow-up time was 0.5 years. HbA<sub>1c</sub> reduced by 14.9 mmol/mol (95% CI 13.5, 16.1) [-1.4% (95% CI - 1.2, -1.5)]; p<0.001; and weight reduced by 4.2kg (95% CI 3.6, 4.8; p<0.001). Higher HbA<sub>1c</sub>, younger age and GLP1RA naïvety were associated with larger HbA<sub>1c</sub> reduction. Higher baseline weight/BMI and GP1RA naïvety were associated with larger weight reduction.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> In this real-world study, baseline HbA<sub>1c</sub> and weightwere important predictors of HbA<sub>1c</sub> and weight reduction outcomes following initiation of semaglutide in routine clinical practice. Our data mirror existing randomised controlled trial data, but further evidence is being collected over a longer follow-up period.</p>Tom CrabtreeKaren AdamsonAlex BickertonAlison EvansSuzanne PhillipsAlison GallagherNiels LarsenDennis BarnesKetan DhatariyaBenjamin CT FieldIskander IdrisRobert EJ Ryder
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-182329410010.15277/bjd.2023.418Neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers in the elderly: clinical outcomes and healing
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/997
<p>There is little evidence on healing outcomes of neuropathic foot ulcers in elderly patients.</p> <p><strong>Aims:</strong> To determine the healing rates of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers at 12 and 24 weeks achieved by standard care provided at an established multidisciplinary diabetes foot clinic in patients aged 65 years and above. Data on the incidence of falls and hypoglycaemia were also collected due to their perceived clinical risk in the group studied.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a retrospective observational study looking at clinical outcomes of neuropathic foot ulcers. Patients aged 65 years or more presenting with a non-infected neuropathic ulcer at the time of their initial review were identified and classified into two groups: Group E patients were aged above 80 years and Group Y patients 65-80 years.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 97 patients, presenting with 106 ulcer episodes, were identified. Mean HbA<sub>1c</sub> was 60 mmol/mol in Group Y and 55 mmol/mol in Group E. Healing rates of all ulcers at 12 and 24 weeks in the elderly group lagged behind rates in the younger group (67.6% at 12 weeks and 73% at 24 weeks in Group E vs. 78.2% at both intervals in Group Y).</p> <p>The elderly group had more falls, 11% vs. 2% in Group Y. In all, 50% of the falls in Group E were attributed to their prescribed pressure relief (off-loading) devices.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> With standard foot care given in a multi- disciplinary foot service, neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers can heal in the elderly despite their age-related skin changes.</p> <p>The rate of healing of neuropathic ulcers noted in our study provides a benchmark for healing outcomes and enables comparison with other age groups and centres. Our study identifies a risk of falls associated with off-loading devices and highlights the need for structured falls risk and mobility assessments in this group.</p>Peter LamontHelena MeallyEmma DrydonDavid A RussellAnjali Santhakumar
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823210110410.15277/bjd.2023.414Snippets from EASD 2023
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/895
Caroline Day
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823212612710.15277/bjd.2023.427A glimpse at the 83rd Scientific Sessions of the ADA
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1001
Caroline Day
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823212812810.15277/bjd.2023.428ABCD 2023 winning poster
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/881
Scott C MacKenzie
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823213713710.15277/bjd.2023.423ABCD conference abstracts
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/889
Online Publication
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232OnlyOnly10.15277/bjd.2023.424PCSK9 inhibitor therapy: delayed-onset cutaneous reactions
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1119
Shahid BukhariAikaterini TheodorakiEmily WardEdson NogueiraMichael Feher
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823211411510.15277/bjd.2023.419Congenital hyperinsulinism: a family case report
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1105
Amy Elizabeth MorrisonDabean FarajMarie-France Kong
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823211611910.15277/bjd.2023.422Fibrates: past history or renaissance?
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1111
<p>Fibrates have been in use to modify serum lipids since the 1960s. This review seeks to ascertain their present place in lipid-modifying therapy and prevention of cardiovascular disease, particularly in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).</p>Robert Elkeles
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232656810.15277/bjd.2023.415Type 2 diabetes management in the homeless population: health inequality and the Housing First approach
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1131
<p>Homelessness is a significant public health concern, with a substantial homeless population in England. Homeless individuals face unique challenges, including a heightened risk of violence, inadequate nutrition, limited healthcare access and increased prevalence of co-morbidities. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is notably more prevalent among homeless individuals compared to the general population, leading to higher rates of diabetes-related emergency department visits and hospitalisations.</p> <p>There is limited research examining diabetes management specifically in homeless populations, and a comprehensive review addressing the barriers and targeted interventions for this vulnerable group is currently lacking. This article aims to explore the health inequalities experienced by homeless individuals in relation to T2DM management, and to evaluate the Housing First approach as a potential intervention. Housing First, which provides immediate access to permanent housing, has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing housing stability and healthcare behaviours among homeless populations. Moreover, the available evidence suggests that Housing First programmes may improve diabetes-related outcomes, including HbA<sub>1c</sub> testing and medication adherence, and may lead to fewer hospitalisations.</p>Fee Benz
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232697610.15277/bjd.2023.421Equity and local health systems: a qualitative evaluation of the experiences of local health service leads during the first two years of the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme pilot
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1145
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) can both profoundly impact health and wellbeing. Their prevalence largely follows a social gradient. The National Health Service Low Calorie Diet programme in England aims to support people to achieve T2DM remission while also reducing health inequalities. We aimed to explore the experiences of local health service leads and identify barriers and facilitators in relation to the equitable mobilisation of the Low Calorie Diet programme.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty semi-structured interviews were completed with 24 locality leads across the first two years of the Low Calorie Diet programme. Interviewees were purposively sampled from the 10 localities who undertook the Low Calorie Diet programme pilot. Each interview explored a number of topics of interest, including referrals, training, communication, incentivisation, governance and engagement, before being subjected to a thematic analysis.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>From the data, seven core themes were identified: COVID-19 and primary care capacity and engagement; methods of communication; approaches to training; approaches to incentivisation; approaches to referrals; barriers to referrals; and the importance of collaboration. COVID-19 presented a specific challenge to the mobilisation and delivery of the Low Calorie Diet programme; however, our findings demonstrate the large variation and differences in the approaches taken when delivering the programme across 10 geographically and demographically distinct pilot sites. We also identified a lack of a recognised approach or strategy to mobilisation and delivery support for the Low Calorie Diet programme, such as proportionate universalism, which is a social policy response to tackling health inequalities by ensuring that service delivery is equitable.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Health inequalities remain a significant challenge, and health service leads have the potential to adopt an equity perspective from the start of programme mobilisation. In doing so, resources at their disposal can be managed equitably and can therefore contribute to efforts to reduce the potential occurrence of intervention-generated inequalities.</p>Kevin DrewCatherine HomerDuncan RadleyCharlotte FreemanKarina KinsellaMaria MaynardChirag BakhaiLouisa Ells
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232778510.15277/bjd.2023.416When is HbA1c useful and what do the numbers mean – do they help or hinder?
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1097
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Glycated haemoglobin (HbA<sub>1c</sub>) measurement is used for diagnosis, management and remission of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), with measurements comparable worldwide and the World Health Organization listing medical conditions that affect its accuracy. Admission glucose is in the ‘diabetes’ range in 5% of emergency hospital admissions without prior diagnosis, with literature searches indicating inconsistent practice on using HbA<sub>1c</sub> to confirm diagnosis. As oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance was issued by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on using HbA<sub>1c</sub> for gestational diabetes mellitus.</p> <p><strong>Aims:</strong> This study explores use of HbA<sub>1c</sub> at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, a large university hospital serving a multi- ethnic adult population.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Information is presented on comparability, clinical audits, research studies and current practice, and is illustrated by case reports.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Data from the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program show comparability of laboratoryHbA1c and point-of-care testing methods from 1993 to 2023. Although HbA<sub>1c</sub> was used to diagnose gestational diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have reverted to OGTT post pandemic. In contrast, HbA<sub>1c</sub> is now being used to assess T2DM remission. Case reports illustrate these scenarios and highlight the complexity of decision-making when the accuracy of the HbA<sub>1c</sub> reading is affected by multiple co- morbidities.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This wider use of HbA<sub>1c</sub> includes remission of T2DM but the diagnosis of gestational diabetes has reverted to OGTT post pandemic. A pictorial representation of HbA<sub>1c</sub> range is presented to aid understanding of this test. It is suitable for diagnosis of diabetes in most people except those with some variant haemoglobins or abnormal red blood cell turnover.</p>Susan E ManleySamiul MostafaJonathan WebberKavitha D GanapathyRoy TaylorRandie R LittleRajeev P RaghavanCraig WebsterAlison BarrattRachel A RoundIrene M StrattonAndreas KarwathJohn A WilliamsGeorgios V GkoutosGraham A RobertsSandip Ghosh
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823210511310.15277/bjd.2023.417ABCD News
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/459
Ketan DatariyaUmesh DashoraRebecca ReeveAlistair LumbTom Crabtree
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823212913410.15277/bjd.2023.429Hybrid closed-loop therapy: the calm before the storm
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1187
Tom Crabtree
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-18232636410.15277/bjd.2023.426The Rowan Hillson Inpatient Safety Award 2023: a new online patient flagging system for effective and safe diabetes patients’ follow-up when discharged from hospital
https://bjd-abcd.com/index.php/bjd/article/view/1147
<p>One of the biggest challenges in improving patient safety is identifying them promptly when discharging them from hospital to allow effective planning of follow-ups. Previously, our diabetes team had to undergo a manually laborious pathway to achieve this, thereby risking delays and patient safety, and making poor use of time. When our hospital adopted the new software NerveCentre, we took this as an opportunity to make changes within the system to improve this aspect of diabetes care. NerveCentre initially had minimal diabetes care features. By working closely and meticulously with the company and hospital IT department, we developed a new diabetes ‘dashboard’ in the software that allows all diabetes inpatients to be flagged up effectively to the diabetes team, both upon admission and upon discharge. The dashboard could also hold all the important diabetes information relevant to the patient. This initiative was made possible with a great team understanding of the available resources and which aspects of inpatient diabetes care needed to be improved. We now have a safer and more efficient pathway for following up on diabetes patients upon discharge. This is also evident in our 3-month data: they show a 100% follow-up rate, timely telephone follow-up when required, and that fewer outpatient face-to-face clinic appointments are needed. We received positive feedback from healthcare members and patients. In addition, our initiatives are also easily translatable to other electronic software or adaptable by other hospitals. We are grateful to be winners of the prestigious Rowan Hillson Inpatient Safety Award 2023, and we hope that this will serve as a platform to allow greater exposure of this project idea to other healthcare professionals.</p>Shiu-Ching SooJocelyn GarchitorenaVilma RamosChung Thong Lim
Copyright (c) 2023 British Journal of Diabetes
2023-12-182023-12-1823212012510.15277/bjd.2023.420