Rajeev Chawla

Microvasular and macrovascular complications in diabetes mellitus: Distinct or continuum?

Diabetes and related complications are associated with long-term damage and failure of various organ systems. The line of demarcation between the pathogenic mechanisms of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes and differing responses to therapeutic interventions is blurred. Diabetes induces changes in the microvasculature, causing extracellular matrix protein synthesis, and capillary basement membrane thickening which are the pathognomic features of diabetic microangiopathy. These changes in conjunction with advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, low grade inflammation, and neovascularization of vasa vasorum can lead to macrovascular complications. Hyperglycemia is the principal cause of microvasculopathy but also appears to play an important role in causation of macrovasculopathy. There is thought to be an intersection between micro and macro vascular complications, but the two disorders seem to be strongly interconnected, with micro vascular diseases promoting atherosclerosis through processes such as hypoxia and changes in vasa vasorum. It is thus imperative to understand whether microvascular complications distinctly precede macrovascular complications or do both of them progress simultaneously as a continuum. This will allow re-focusing on the clinical issues with a unifying perspective which can improve type 2 diabetes mellitus outcomes.

The dirty dozen of diabetes.

The term “Dirty Dozen” was coined at a convention held in Stockholm in 1995 to describe 12 important persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which were thought to be toxic to human (and animal) health. These POPs were characterized by four features: Persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long‐range environmental impact and toxicity.[1] A later convention ratified this list, adding more to it. However, the term “Dirty Dozen” has struck to the concept of POPs.

Unproven Therapies for Diabetes and Their Implications

Diabetes is a chronic disease and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Being an ancient disease, many individuals follow complementary and alternative medicinal (CAM) therapies for either the cure or prevention of the disease. The popularity of these practices among the general public is in no way a testimony to their safety and efficacy. Due to the possibility of undesirable interactions with conventional medicines, it is imperative that patients are asked about CAM use during patient assessment. Patient- and physician-targeted awareness programs on various aspects of CAM use must be initiated to create a better understanding of evidence-based use of these practices. In addition, there should be guidelines in place based on clinical trial outcomes, and stricter regulations need to be enforced on CAM practices to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Fasts, feasts and festivals in diabetes-1: Glycemic management during Hindu fasts.

This communication is the first of a series on South Asian fasts, festivals, and diabetes, designed to spread awareness and stimulate research on this aspect of diabetes and metabolic care. It describes the various fasts observed as part of Hindu religion and offers a classification scheme for them, labeling them as infrequent and frequent. The infrequent fasts are further sub-classified as brief and prolonged, to facilitate a scientific approach to glycemic management during these fasts. Pre-fast counseling, non-pharmacological therapy, pharmacological modification, and post-fast debriefing are discussed in detail. All available drug classes and molecules are covered in this article, which provides guidance about necessary changes in dosage and timing of administration. While in no way exhaustive, the brief review offers a basic framework which diabetes care professionals can use to counsel and manage persons in their care who wish to observe various Hindu fasts.

Diabetes care: Inspiration from Sikhism

Religion has been proposed as a means of enhancing patient and community acceptance of diabetes and cultural specific motivational strategies to improve diabetes care. Sikhism is a young and vibrant religion, spread across the world and the Holy Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) is regarded as the living Guru by all Sikhs. The three key pillars of Sikhism are Kirat Karni (honest living), Vand Chakna (sharing with others) and Naam Japna (focus on God). They can help encourage the diabetes care provider, patient and community to engage in lifestyle modification, shared responsibility, positive thinking and stress management. The verses (Sabads) from the SGGS, with their timeless relevance, span the entire spectrum of diabetes care, from primordial and primary, to secondary and tertiary prevention. They can provide us with guidance towards a holistic approach towards health and lifestyle related diseases as diabetes. The SGGS suggests that good actions are based on ones body and highlights the relevance of mind-body interactions and entraining the mind to cultivate healthy living habits. The ethics of sharing, community and inclusiveness all lay emphasis on the need for global and unified efforts to manage and reduce the burden of the diabetes pandemic.

Recommendations for in-clinic PoCT for diabetes management in India

A panel of expert diabetologist clinicians developed consensus standards to address the quality gaps inclinic point of care testing (PoCT) especially pertaining to diabetes care and management in India. The following summarized principles were established- 1. PoCT definition, 2. Advantages and critical aspects of PoCT including guideline recommendations and accreditations, analytical factors (pre &post analytical included) and consensus reached for an ideal PoC analyzer and 3. Key recommendations on in-clinic PoCT implementation by the panel. The experts suggested next steps that included key comparative (PoCT vs NGSP accredited lab) and patient benefit studies on PoCT.

Diabetes and Employment

Uncomplicated diabetes does not require any adjustment regarding employment, but those with complications should undergo detailed assessment to determine safety and effectiveness to perform duties. Though there is no such guidance in India, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) adopted a position statement that any person with diabetes, whether insulin treated or non-insulin treated, should be eligible for any employment for which he/she is otherwise qualified. Patients suffering from diabetes should be assessed individually, and after reviewing medical and treatment history, medical fitness to the job should be assigned. Maintenance of proper medical documentation and use of screening guidelines are a must. For this to be implemented properly, one needs state and national laws. A health care professional (HCP) treating the employee though preferred should have expertise in treating diabetes. If there is a disagreement between the opinions of physicians, an independent opinion from a HCP with clinical expertise in diabetes should be taken. An employer should not enquire about an employee’s condition till a job has been offered and can only do so if it is not safe or poses a threat to his health and also if expert opinion and medical documentation suggest so. Screening guidelines, though not used in India but regularly used in Western countries, can be used in evaluation. Safety risks should be assessed individually—recurrent hypoglycemia, not a single episode, may pose a risk whereas hyperglycemia and chronic complications though may not pose immediate risk should be assessed separately. Periodic safety assessments should be done. Jobs requiring operating firearms or running dangerous machinery may have safety concerns with patients having severe hypoglycemia or those on insulin or secretagogues. Hypoglycemia usually can be effectively prevented or self-treated by ingestion of glucose. Severe hypoglycemia requiring assistance may pose a risk; even if it is a single incidence, one has to be followed up properly and investigated to find out its cause. In recurrent severe hypoglycemia, as episodes cannot be explained, it is a risk for the employee himself as well as the public. Hyperglycemia leading to chronic complications is only relevant when it interferes with the performance in actual jobs. Self-monitored blood glucose measurements over a period of time give actual information and should be evaluated by a HCP with expertise in diabetes. Multiple incidents of severe hypoglycemia may pose a problem in high-risk occupations, and the factors responsible should be properly evaluated. Hypoglycemia unawareness increases the risk of a sudden episode of severe hypoglycemia and should be treated with changes in diabetes management. Chronic complications may pose a risk in some jobs, but if not present, possible future development should not be taken into consideration. The tools that do not accurately reflect the current state of diabetes like urine glucose and HbA1C should not be used. The term uncontrolled diabetes should also not be used as it is not well defined. A few accommodations are required at a job for diabetes patients to be able to perform their work responsibilities effectively and safely: testing blood glucose at regular intervals, administering insulin as and when required with proper storage facilities, access to snacks, and a flexible work schedule to accommodate needs and modifications if required for chronic complications.

Correction to: RSSDI clinical practice recommendations for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus 2017

The aim of this erratum is to acknowledge that the original version of this article contained a mistake in the author group. The names of the numerous authors got missed, and instead were added as members of the steering committee.

RSSDI consensus on self-monitoring of blood glucose in types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus in India

Maintaining a good glycemic control is crucial in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) as it is associated with the reduction in both macro and microvascular complications of the disease. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which provides the day-to-day blood glucose levels, is a simple and practical tool for maintaining a good glycemic control. Although SMBG is widely practiced in other countries, its use in India is very limited. Even when used, it is not carried out is a structured manner. There seems to be a lack of education about the purpose of SMBG and the correct process and schedule to be followed. This highlights the unmet need for country-specific SMBG recommendations. In order to fulfil this need, a panel of expert endocrinologists/ diabetologists came together under the aegis of Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI). They reviewed the current literature, combined the evidences with their clinical knowledge and expertise, and developed consensus recommendations for SMBG practice in India. This document provides a comprehensive review of the current literature on SMBG and presents the recommendations made by the expert panel.

Glycemic management during Jain fasts

This review describes the various fasts observed by adherents of the Jain religion. It attempts to classify them according to their suitability for people with diabetes and suggests appropriate regime and dose modification for those observing these fasts. The review is an endeavor to encourage rational and evidence-based management in this field of diabetology.