Nelly Pitteloud

Chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients followed-up by primary care physicians in Switzerland: prevalence and prescription of antidiabetic drugs

QUESTION UNDER STUDYnThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among type 2 diabetic patients in primary care settings in Switzerland, and to analyse the prescription of antidiabetic drugs in CKD according to the prevailing recommendations.nnnMETHODSnIn this cross-sectional study, each participating physician was asked to introduce anonymously in a web database the data from up to 15 consecutive diabetic patients attending her/his office between December 2013 and June 2014. Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were analysed. CKD was classified with the KDIGO nomenclature based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio.nnnRESULTSnA total of 1u2009359 patients (mean age 66.5 ± 12.4 years) were included by 109 primary care physicians. CKD stages 3a, 3b and 4 were present in 13.9%, 6.1%, and 2.4% of patients, respectively. Only 30.6% of patients had an entry for urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. Among them, 35.6% were in CKD stage A2, and 4.1% in stage A3. Despite prevailing limitations, metformin and sulfonylureas were prescribed in 53.9% and 16.5%, respectively, of patients with advanced CKD (eGFR <30 ml/min). More than a third of patients were on a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor across all CKD stages. Insulin use increased progressively from 26.8% in CKD stage 1-2 to 50% in stage 4.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCKD is frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes attending Swiss primary care practices, with CKD stage 3 and 4 affecting 22.4% of cases. This emphasizes the importance of routine screening of diabetic nephropathy based on both eGFR and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, the latter being largely underused by primary care physicians. A careful individual drug risk/benefit balance assessment is mandatory to avoid the frequently observed inappropriate prescription of antidiabetic drugs in CKD patients.

Transition of Care from Childhood to Adulthood: Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

Passage from childhood to adult life involves biological changes culminating in full reproductive capacity as well as psychosocial development. For patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), this can be an emotionally challenging time as their pubertal failure results in striking physical differences from their peers. CHH is difficult to differentiate from common disorders of puberty such as constitutional delay of growth and puberty. As such, delays in diagnosis are frequent, and it is a common source of stress and frustration for these adolescents. While effective treatments are available for inducing puberty and attaining fertility is possible in most cases, patients may find it difficult to cope with living with CHH. A critical issue for adolescents with CHH is the risk for being lost to follow-up during the transition from pediatric-centered care to adult care. This article will review the state of the art in diagnosis and treatment of patients with CHH with a particular focus on supporting an effective transition from pediatric-centered care to adult-oriented endocrine services. A synthesis of best practices is offered to help guide clinicians in supporting patients and families during this challenging period of care.

Glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid goal attainment and chronic kidney disease stage of type 2 diabetic patients treated in primary care practices

INTRODUCTIONnThe prevalence of chronic kidney disease and diabetes is rising in Europe. These patients are at high cardiovascular and renal risk and need a challenging multifactorial therapeutic approach.nnnMETHODnThe goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine the treatment and attainments of goals related to cardiovascular risk factors within chronic kidney disease stages in type 2 diabetic patients followed up by primary care physicians in Switzerland. Each participating physician entered into a web database the anonymised data of up to 15 consecutive diabetic patients attending her/his office between December 2013 and June 2014. Diabetes, hypertension and lipid lowering therapies were analysed, as well as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and goal attainments by KDIGO chronic kidney disease stage 1 to 4.nnnRESULTSnA total of 1359 patients (mean age 66.5±12.4 years) were included by 109 primary care physicians. Chronic kidney disease stages 0-2, 3a, 3 b and 4 were present in 77.6%, 13.9%, 6.1%, and 2.4%, respectively. Average HbA1c was independent of chronic kidney disease stage and close to 7%; more than half of the patients reached the HbA1c goal. Eighty-four percent of patients were hypertensive and only 18.2% reached the then current Swiss or American Diabetes Association 2013 blood pressure goals. Despite loosening of blood pressure goals in 2015, only half of the patients reached them and most needed multiple therapies. Increased body mass index and advanced chronic kidney disease stage decreased the chance of reaching blood pressure goals. Lipid lowering therapy was prescribed in 62.1% of cases, with average LDL-c levels similar across chronic kidney disease stages. Only 42% of patients reached the LDL-c goal of <2.5 mmol/l in primary prevention and 32% reached <1.8 mmol/l in secondary prevention. Younger patients were treated significantly less aggressively than older patients (≥68 years, median age) for HbA1c, LDL-c and diastolic blood pressure control.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis cross-sectional study demonstrates that blood pressure and lipid goals are less often achieved than blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients followed up by primary care physicians in Switzerland. Goal attainments for HbA1c and LDL-c were not influenced by chronic kidney disease stages, in contrast to blood pressure. Reaching all three goals was rare (2.2%). There is a need for improvement in blood pressure control in advanced chronic kidney disease, whereas HbA1c goals may be loosened in the elderly and in advanced chronic kidney disease.

Niereninsuffizienz und Diabetes: vorausschauend handeln

Etwa 30% der Diabetiker haben eine eingeschrankte Nierenfunktion. Bei jedem Patienten mit Diabetes sollte mindestens einmal jahrlich eine Bewertung der Nierenfunktion mit Schatzung der glomerularen Filtrationsrate und Bestimmung des Albumin-Kreatinin-Quotienten aus dem Spontanurin vorgenommen werden.