René Rodríguez-Gutiérrez

Glycemic Control for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Our Evolving Faith in the Face of Evidence

Background—We sought to determine the concordance between the accumulating evidence about the impact of tight versus less tight glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus since the publication of UKPDS (UK Prospective Diabetes Study) in 1998 until 2015 with the views about that evidence published in journal articles and practice guidelines. Methods and Results—We searched in top general medicine and specialty journals for articles referring to glycemic control appearing between 2006 and 2015 and identified the latest practice guidelines. To summarize the evidence, we included all published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of contemporary randomized trials of glycemic control measuring patient-important microvascular and macrovascular outcomes, and completed a meta-analysis of their follow-up extensions. We identified 16 guidelines and 328 statements. The body of evidence produced estimates warranting moderate confidence. This evidence reported no significant impact of tight glycemic control on the risk of dialysis/transplantation/renal death, blindness, or neuropathy. In the past decade, however, most published statements (77%–100%) and guidelines (95%) unequivocally endorsed benefit. There is also no significant effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or stroke; however, there is a consistent 15% relative-risk reduction of nonfatal myocardial infarction. Between 2006 and 2008, most statements (47%–83%) endorsed the benefit; after 2008 (ACCORD), only a minority (21%–36%) did. Conclusions—Discordance exists between the research evidence and academic and clinical policy statements about the value of tight glycemic control to reduce micro- and macrovascular complications. This discordance may distort priorities in the research and practice agendas designed to improve the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Takayasu's arteritis and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case-based review

Autoimmune vasculitides can have diverse neurological manifestations, including posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Takayasus arteritis (TA) is an uncommon vasculitis rarely associated with PRES. Common clinical features of TA include hypertension, audible arterial bruits, absence of peripheral pulses, claudication of the extremities, reduced blood pressure in one or both arms, and angiographic abnormalities. PRES has been mostly associated with severe hypertension, endothelial injury, and conditions such as renal disease, immunosuppressive medication use, and rheumatologic diseases. Headaches, seizures, and altered mental status are the main clinical features as well as characteristic findings in magnetic resonance imaging. TA frequently presents with hypertension and is associated with endothelial injury, making this entity an ideal setting for the development of PRES. We report the case of a 17-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with severe hypertension, headache, and seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were suggestive of PRES. She had absent pulses in the right upper extremity, abdominal bruits, and angiographic findings included subclavian and renal artery stenoses. The diagnosis of TA was made, and she responded well to treatment. We found ten additional cases of TA and PRES in the literature. All patients were females under the age of 40, had renovascular hypertension, and presented with headaches and seizures. Current literature relevant to this rare association is presented and discussed.

Steroid hyperglycemia: Prevalence, early detection and therapeutic recommendations: A narrative review

Steroids are drugs that have been used extensively in a variety of conditions. Although widely prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, glucocorticoids have several side effects, being hyperglycemia one of the most common and representative. In the present review, we discuss the main epidemiologic characteristics associated with steroid use, with emphasis on the identification of high risk populations. Additionally we present the pathophysiology of corticosteroid induced hyperglycemia as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics associated with steroid use. We propose a treatment strategy based on previous reports and the understanding of the mechanism of action of both, the different types of glucocorticoids and the treatment options, in both the ambulatory and the hospital setting. Finally, we present some of the recent scientific advances as well as some options for future use of glucocorticoids.

Clinical presentation and management in acute toluene intoxication: a case series.

Context: Toluene inhalation is a common form of drug abuse throughout the world. Acute toluene toxicity causes neurological changes as well as various metabolic alterations. Hypokalemic paralysis and renal failure are life-threatening complications. Objective: To identify the clinical and metabolic alterations associated with toluene intoxication. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 22 patients that were admitted to a single center’s emergency department from 2006 to 2012 with clinical and metabolic alterations due to toluene inhalation. Results: Of the 22 patients, 77% were male and mean age was 23.5 years (range: 17–30). The main clinical presentation was weakness associated to severe hypokalemia. Severe metabolic acidosis was found in 20 patients. Renal tubular acidosis was diagnosed in five patients. The patients responded to supportive measures and aggressive potassium repletion. Prognosis was generally good. Conclusion: Toluene inhalation is associated with various severe metabolic alterations. Treatment guidelines are needed considering the frequency of toluene inhalation in the population.

Clinical Features and Outcome of Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis (MCM) is a life-threatening infection that carries high mortality rates despite recent advances in its diagnosis and treatment. The objective was to report 14 cases of mucormycosis infection and review the relevant literature. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical data of 14 consecutive patients that presented with MCM in a tertiary-care teaching hospital in northern Mexico. The mean age of the patients was 39.9 (range 5–65). Nine of the patients were male. Ten patients had diabetes mellitus as the underlying disease, and 6 patients had a hematological malignancy (acute leukemia). Of the diabetic patients, 3 had chronic renal failure and 4 presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. All patients had rhinocerebral involvement. In-hospital mortality was 50%. All patients received medical therapy with polyene antifungals and 11 patients underwent surgical therapy. Survivors were significantly younger and less likely to have diabetes than nonsurvivors, and had higher levels of serum albumin on admission. The clinical outcome of patients with MCM is poor. Uncontrolled diabetes and age are negative prognostic factors.

Sex Steroids and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Transgender Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Transgender individuals receive cross‐sex hormonal therapy to induce desired secondary sexual characteristics despite limited data regarding its effects on cardiovascular health. Methods: A comprehensive search of several databases up to 7 April 2015 was conducted for studies evaluating the effect of sex steroid use on lipids, myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and mortality in transgender individuals. Pairs of reviewers selected and appraised the studies. A random‐effects model was used to pool weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We found 29 eligible studies with moderate risk of bias. In female‐to‐male (FTM) individuals, sex steroid therapy was associated with statistically significant increases in serum triglyceride (TG) levels at 3 to 6 months and at ≥24 months (21.4 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.14 to 42.6) and in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels at 12 months and ≥24 months (17.8 mg/dL; 95% CI: 3.5 to 32.1). High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels decreased significantly across all follow‐up periods (highest at ≥24 months, −8.5 mg/dL; 95% CI: −13.0 to −3.9). In male‐to‐female (MTF) individuals, serum TG levels were significantly higher at ≥24 months (31.9 mg/dL; 95% CI: 3.9 to 59.9) without any changes in other parameters. Few myocardial infarction, stroke, VTE, and death events were reported (more frequently in MTF individuals). Conclusions: Low‐quality evidence suggests that sex steroid therapy may increase LDL‐C and TG levels and decrease HDL‐C level in FTM individuals, whereas oral estrogens may increase TG levels in MTF individuals. Data about important patient outcomes remain sparse.

A systematic review of shared decision making interventions in chronic conditions: a review protocol

BackgroundChronic conditions are a major source of morbidity, mortality and cost worldwide. Shared decision making is one way to improve care for patients with chronic conditions. Although it has been widely studied, the effect of shared decision making in the context of chronic conditions is unknown.Methods/DesignWe will perform a systematic review with the objective of determining the effectiveness of shared decision making interventions for persons diagnosed with chronic conditions. We will search the following databases for relevant articles: PubMed, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid EBM Reviews CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Ovid PsycInfo. We will also search clinical trial registries and contact experts in the field to identify additional studies. We will include randomized controlled trials studying shared decision making interventions in patients with chronic conditions who are facing an actual decision. Shared decision making interventions will be defined as any intervention aiming to facilitate or improve patient and/or clinician engagement in a decision making process. We will describe all studies and assess their quality. After adjusting for missing data, we will analyze the effect of shared decision making interventions on outcomes in chronic conditions overall and stratified by condition. We will evaluate outcomes according to an importance ranking informed by a variety of stakeholders. We will perform several exploratory analyses including the effect of author contact on the estimates of effect.DiscussionWe anticipate that this systematic review may have some limitations such as heterogeneity and imprecision; however, the results will contribute to improving the quality of care for individuals with chronic conditions and facilitate a process that allows decision making that is most consistent with their own values and preferences.Trial registrationPROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42013005784

Impact of an exercise program on acylcarnitines in obesity: a prospective controlled study.

BackgroundAcylcarnitine (AC) transport dysfunction into the mitochondrial matrix is one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The effect of an aerobic exercise (AE) program on this condition in obese subjects without DM is unclear.MethodsA prospective, randomized, longitudinal, interventional study in a University Research Center involved a 10-week AE program in 32 women without DM and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m2. (Cases n = 17; Controls n = 15). The primary objective was to evaluate the influence of a controlled AE program on beta-oxidation according to modifications in short, medium, and long-chain ACs. Secondary objectives were to define the behavior of amino acids, and the correlation between these modifications with metabolic and anthropometric markers.ResultsThe proportion of dropouts was 17% and 6% in controls and cases, respectively. In cases there was a significant reduction in total carnitine (30.40 [95% CI 28.2 to 35.6]) vs. (29.4 [CI 95% 25.1 to 31.7]) p = 0.0008 and long-chain AC C14 (0.06 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.08]) vs. (0.05 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.09]) p = 0.005 and in C18 (0.31 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.45]) vs. (0.28 [95% CI 0.22 to 0.32]) p = 0.03. Free fatty acid levels remained without change during the study in both groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, a controlled 10-week AE program improved beta-oxidation by reducing long-chain ACs. This finding highlights the importance that AE might have in avoiding or reverting lipotoxicity, and in consequence, improving insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell functional reserve.

Gastrointestinal disorders associated with migraine: A comprehensive review

Migraine is a recurrent and commonly disabling primary headache disorder that affects over 17% of women and 5%-8% of men. Migraine susceptibility is multifactorial with genetic, hormonal and environmental factors all playing an important role. The physiopathology of migraine is complex and still not fully understood. Many different neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and brain pathways have been implicated. In connection with the myriad mechanisms and pathways implicated in migraine, a variety of multisystemic comorbidities (e.g., cardiovascular, psychiatric and other neurological conditions) have been found to be closely associated with migraine. Recent reports demonstrate an increased frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in patients with migraine compared with the general population. Helicobacter pylori infection, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, hepatobiliary disorders, celiac disease and alterations in the microbiota have been linked to the occurrence of migraine. Several mechanisms involving the gut-brain axis, such as a chronic inflammatory response with inflammatory and vasoactive mediators passing to the circulatory system, intestinal microbiota modulation of the enteric immunological milieu and dysfunction of the autonomic and enteric nervous system, have been postulated to explain these associations. However, the precise mechanisms and pathways related to the gut-brain axis in migraine need to be fully elucidated. In this review, we survey the available literature linking migraine with GI disorders. We discuss the possible physiopathological mechanisms, and clinical implications as well as several future areas of interest for research.

Myths and Misconceptions about Insulin Therapy among Latinos/ Hispanics with Diabetes: A Fresh Look at an Old Problem

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to identify the frequency and impact of myths and misconceptions about insulin therapy among Latino patients with diabetes. Myths are part of any culture, but can represent a strong barrier in day-to-day diabetes management. Methods: Articles from the last 22 years (1992-2014) were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Proquest and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Publications for this review included those that studied Latino or Hispanic patients with diabetes and were related to myths and/or misconceptions about insulin therapy. Results: Twelve articles about misconceptions and myths related to insulin therapy in Latinos or Hispanics with diabetes met the inclusion criteria. All of them evaluated misconceptions about insulin therapy using different types of interviews and questionnaires. Negative attitudes about insulin therapy were highly prevalent among Latino patients. Many considered that insulin therapy was related to a negative life-style. Most patients feared to initiate insulin therapy and believed insulin was associated with a more advanced stage of diabetes. Blindness, amputation and dialysis were frequently considered a consequence of starting insulin therapy. Conclusion: Misconceptions and myths about insulin therapy prevail in a large number of Latino/Hispanic patients with diabetes. They constitute important barriers when planning to start insulin therapy and may potentially jeopardize their health. Comprehensive educational programs for Latino patients with diabetes must include sessions to identify and address the presence of these misconceptions. At the same time, all health care providers caring for Latino patients with diabetes must be aware of the high prevalence of these well embedded cultural beliefs