Hugo Roberto Kurtz Lisboa

Aggregation of features of the metabolic syndrome is associated with increased prevalence of chronic complications in Type 2 diabetes.

Aims  To investigate the association of features of the metabolic syndrome with the prevalence of chronic complications.

Prevalência de complicações micro e macrovasculares e de seus fatores de risco em pacientes com diabetes melito do tipo 2 em atendimento ambulatorial

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (DM2) has been related to the development of macroangiopatic [coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and stroke] and microangiopatic [retinopathy, nephropathy, and distal sensory neuropathy (DSN)] complications. The aims of this study were to analyze prevalence of complications in DM2 patients and to estimate their associated risk factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, including 927 out patients with DM2 from three medical centers in Rio Grande do Sul: Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (n = 475), Grupo Hospitalar Conceicao (n = 229) and Hospital Sao Vicente de Paula (n = 223). Of the patients 42% were male, mean age was 59 ± 10 years and the median known duration of DM2 was 11 (5 - 43) years. Retinopathy was identified by direct fundoscopy; CHD by WHO questionnaire and/or abnormal ECG and/or perfusion abnormalities on myocardial scintigraphy; DSN by compatible symptoms and absent sensation on 10 g monofilament and/or tune fork; PVD by the presence of claudication and absent foot pulses; stroke by presence of sequels and history; and nephropathy by the urinary albumin excretion rate (>20 µg/min). Hypertension was defined by blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg) and/or use of antihypertensive drugs. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. RESULTS: CHD was present in 36% and PVD in 33% of the patients. Among the microvascular, 37% had nephropathy (12% with macroalbuminuria); 48% retinopathy (15% proliferative retinopathy). DSN was present in 36%. Seventy three percent of the patients presented arterial hypertension. Cholesterol levels were >200 mg/dl in 64% and BMI > 30 kg/m2 in 36%. Twenty two percent of patients were smokers and 21% ex-smokers. CONCLUSION: Diabetic complications are frequent among out patients referring to general hospitals. Almost all patients presented at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, justifying the efforts for identification and adequate control.

Clinical examination is not an accurate method of defining the presence of goitre in schoolchildren

OBJECTIVE There are few published data on thyroid size and body size variables in children. We aimed to develop an index for normal thyroid size in schoolchildren using ultrasonography and to evaluate the accuracy of clinical examination in the diagnosis of goitre.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Passo Fundo, South of Brazil

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and associated characteristics among type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM2) patients in Passo Fundo, a city on Southern Brazil. BASIC PROCEDURES A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Tests were performed to evaluate vibration (tuning fork), light touch (10-g monofilament), temperature, and pain (pinprick) sensations, as well as ankle reflexes and heel walking. The condition was classified as peripheral diabetic neuropathy when results in at least three of these tests were negative. The electrically induced Hoffmann reflex test was performed in a group of patients to define the criterion standard used in the assessment of clinical examination sensibility in the diagnosis of neuropathy. Sensitivity was 83%, specificity, 91%, positive predictive value, 63%, and negative predictive value, 90%. The monofilament, pinprick and deep tendon reflex were the most accurate tests in the diagnosis of neuropathy. MAIN FINDINGS Seventy-five patients (22.1%) had peripheral diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy in 29.5% and retinopathy in 28.8%. CONCLUSIONS Logistic regression revealed that only duration of diabetes, creatinine and glycated hemoglobin concentrations were significantly associated with neuropathy.

Incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

To establish the incidence of type 1 diabetes among children (infants to 14 years of age) in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (population under 15 years = 50,098), during the period of January to December 1996, a retrospective and prospective population-based registry was established, using physician reports of newly diagnosed patients under 15 years of age with type 1 diabetes as the primary source of case identification. Primary and nursery schools and a general call through the media (newspapers, radio and television) was the secondary source. Data were calculated according to the methods recommended by the WHO (1990). Six new cases were identified. Case ascertainment was estimated at 100%. The incidence of type 1 diabetes in the year 1996 was 12/100,000 inhabitants. These data indicate that the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in a subtropical region in the Southern part of Brazil was similar to that observed in developed countries throughout the world. The inability to demonstrate the North-South gradient is probably due to the European origin of inhabitants of the city.

The presence of allele D of angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism is associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with less than 10 years duration of Type 2 diabetes

Aim  To investigate the association between angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) taking into consideration the known duration of DM.

Daily birth numbers in Passo Fundo, South Brazil, 1997-1999: trends and periodicities

Between October 6, 1997 and April 30, 1999, 5011 births (mean: 8.76 per day) were registered in the city of Passo Fundo, South Brazil. The sequence of 572 daily birth numbers was not random (iteration test). Neyman distribution (m = yen ) showed the best fit. Clusters of days with higher birth numbers alternated with days with low numbers of births. Periodogram analysis revealed a significant periodicity of 6.98 days. The cosinor regression, testing 10 a priori supposed period lengths, found significant seasonality peaking in August-September and significantly highest birth numbers on Thursdays. Among the lunar and solar rotation cycles, the tropic lunar cycle and its 4th harmonic were most pronounced, in agreement with results concerning natality in Germany obtained by Svante Arrhenius in the 19th century. These findings confirm Derer-Halbergs concept of multiseptans. In addition to cycling, a significantly increasing linear trend with a daily increase of 0.0045 births was encountered. This documents a growth of the population in agreement with national statistical data.

Ultrasonographic determination of goiter prevalence in southern Brazilian schoolchildren

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of goiter in schoolchildren in a formerly iodine-deficient region in southern Brazil by assessing the relationship between body surface area (m2 ) and thyroid volume (ml) measured by ultrasonography. A population-based sample of 1,094 randomly selected schoolchildren (6 to 14 years; 556 boys and 538 girls) underwent clinical evaluation. A total of 119 (10.9%) children were diagnosed with goiter upon clinical examination according to WHO criteria (grade Ia: 65, grade Ib: 24, grade II: 29, grade III: 1). Of these, 85 underwent ultrasonography. In order to ascertain the absence of goiter in the 975 schoolchildren with a negative result upon clinical examination, one of ten children was randomly selected for ultrasonography. Sixty-two children agreed to be submitted to the exam. Thus, 147 schoolchildren were evaluated by ultrasonography (7.5-MHz transducer). Goiter was considered to be present when the thyroid volume:body surface area index was >6.2 ml/m . The estimated prevalence of goiter if all schoolchildren had been submitted to thyroid volume measurement by ultrasound was 7.2%; it was higher in the lower socioeconomic class (8.2%) than in the upper (7.8%) and middle classes (6.5%). In conclusion, the prevalence of goiter in schoolchildren of this region was higher than in other iodine-sufficient areas, especially in lower socioeconomic classes. Goiter in this region may be associated with naturally occurring goitrogens that operate more intensively among less privileged individuals.

Effect of diacerein on renal function and inflammatory cytokines in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: A randomized controlled trial

Diacerein seems to improve metabolic control and reduce inflammatory marker levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), but for participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) its effect is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diacerein vs. placebo on urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and inflammatory cytokines in type 2 DM participants with CKD. Blood pressure (BP) and metabolic control were secondary outcomes. This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial of adjuvant treatment of type 2 DM with diacerein enrolled seventy-two participants with CKD, aged 30–80 years, with glycated hemoglobin levels from 53–97 mmol/mol (7.0–11.0%), receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers and antidiabetic agents. Participants randomized to diacerein or placebo were followed-up up to 90 days. Both groups had a marked reduction in ACR, but there was no effect on glomerular filtration rate. While the diacerein group had reduced TNF-α levels at the 75th percentile with a borderline significance (P = 0.05), there were no changes in the IL levels at the 75th percentile. Diacerein prevented the increase in blood glucose to the level observed in the placebo group (P = 0.04), improving metabolic control by 74%, reducing 24-hour diastolic BP, nighttime systolic and diastolic BP compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, among patients with type 2 DM and CKD, diacerein does not have an effect on ACR or GFR, but slows metabolic control deterioration and is associated with lower nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos; ReBeC) U1111-1156-0255

Prevalência de hiperglicemia não diagnosticada nos pacientes internados nos hospitais de Passo Fundo, RS

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil amongst individuals between 30 and 69 years old is 7.6%. It was estimated that 46.4% of the cases are undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to detect hyper-glycemia (fasting glucose >126mg/dl) amongst individuals hospitalized in Passo Fundo, RS. All patients over 39 years admitted to a hospital between September 1997 and February 1998 were eligible. Diabetics, patients using corticosteroids, in acute phase of ischemic circulatory disease or in the early post surgical convalescence period were excluded. Data on personal and family history were obtained. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and the waist to hip ratio (WHR), respectively. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was obtained using Glucotide® sticks and read by Glucometer 4® reflectometer. Hyperglycemia was diagnosed if fasting glucose level was higher than 126mg/dl. Amongst 147 individuals eligible for the study 6 (4.1%) were found to have hyperglycemia. The prevalence was similar in the four hospitals. Using a bivariate analysis it was found that hyperglycemic patients had WHR higher than non-hyperglycemics (F= 4.2; p= 0.04). Using multiple logistic regression no significant association was found in hyperglycemic patients, but the age (p= 0.36) and the BMI (p= 0.20) may indicate a possible association if more patients were included. The prevalence of 4.1% of undiagnosed hyperglycemia amongst inpatients was considered high and probably these patients had type 2 DM. Possibly, hospitalized individuals with higher BMI, WHR and older, could have an increased risk of having undiagnosed hyperglycemia in Passo Fundo.