Inflow control may safely reduce blood loss in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy of liver

A recent study scrutinized various inflow control methods used during laparoscopic subsegmentectomy in liver resections to determine their impact on patient outcomes. This study was published in BMC Surgery by Wang and colleagues. The study offers clinicians substantial evidence that both the half-Pringle and Pringle maneuvers are safe and effective methods for inflow control during laparoscopic liver resections. Conducted between October 2010 and December 2020, the study evaluated 133 patients who underwent laparoscopic subsegmentectomy under the care of a single surgeon at a specific institute. The study aimed to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes associated with three different inflow control techniques.

The 133 patients were categorized into three groups based on the inflow control method used: no inflow control (49 patients), half-Pringle maneuver (46 patients), and Pringle maneuver (38 patients). Analysis revealed differences among the groups, notably a lower proportion of patients with cirrhosis in the half-Pringle maneuver group, fewer previous abdominal or liver surgeries in the same group, and more anterolateral segment tumors in the no inflow control group.

  • Cirrhosis Rates: Half-Pringle group: Lower proportion (P = .02).
  • Previous Surgeries: Fewer abdominal and liver surgeries in the half-Pringle group (P = .01 and P = .02 respectively).
  • Tumor Location: More tumors in anterolateral segments in the no inflow control group (P = .001).
  • Operative Outcomes: Shorter operation time in the no inflow control group (P < .001). Less blood loss observed in the no inflow control group (P = .03).
  • Postoperative Measures: No significant differences in the need for blood transfusion, morbidity, or hospital stay among the three groups.
  • Long-Term Survival: Overall survival did not significantly differ among the groups (P = .89).

The study reported that the operation time was shorter and blood loss was less in the no inflow control group compared to the other groups. However, there were no significant differences among the groups regarding the need for blood transfusion, postoperative complications, or length of hospital stay. Additionally, the overall survival rates did not differ significantly among the three groups. The findings suggest that both the half-Pringle and Pringle maneuvers showed comparable perioperative and long-term outcomes in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy.

Reference:

Wang, H.-P., Hou, T.-Y., Li, W.-F., & Yong, C.-C. Inflow control can be safely used in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy of the liver: a single-center 10-year experience. BMC Surgery,2023;23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-023-02282-2

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Lower HDL-C, total cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels encountered in multiple myeloma

Cyprus: A recent study published in Atherosclerosis Plus has reported a significant reduction in HDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) levels in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Hence, the researchers suggest considering lipid profile parameters when assessing such patients.

Multiple myeloma, also called plasma cell myeloma, is the second most common haematological malignancy, characterized by uncontrolled monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, variations are seen in several laboratory and clinical parameters, including those in lipid profiles, particularly in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

HDL have many protective properties, including anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. HDL and their major constituent, apolipoprotein A-I, inhibit hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell proliferation. Consequently, low levels of apoA-I and/or HDL-C are associated with an increased risk of haematological cancers like MM, while they may also promote resistance to therapy and cancer aggression.

To date, the association between hypoalphalipoproteinemia and MM has not been studied well, despite relevant supportive evidence. Therefore, Anastasios Makris, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, and colleagues performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the value of HDL-C and other lipid parameters as biomarkers in multiple myeloma disease.

For this purpose, the researchers searched online databases for studies with evidence on HDL-C in MM patients. A qualitative synthesis was performed of published retrospective and prospective studies for the role of HDL-C and other lipid profile parameters in MM. Additionally, a meta-analysis was performed on HDL-C mean differences (MD) between MM cases and controls.

The study led to the following findings:

  • Fourteen studies (3 prospective, 11 retrospective) comprising 895 MM patients were eligible for the systematic review.
  • Ten studies compared HDL-C levels in MM patients with healthy controls. In these ten studies (n = 17,213), pooled analyses showed that MM patients had significantly lower HDL-C levels compared to healthy controls (MD: −13.07 mg/dl).
  • Regarding secondary endpoints, total cholesterol (MD: −22.19 mg/dl) and apolipoprotein A-I (−40.20 mg/dl) demonstrated significant decreases, while differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD: −11.33 mg/dl) and triglycerides (MD: 9.93 mg/dl) were not significant.

The meta-analysis provides clarity that HDL-C and, apoA-I and total cholesterol do not only reflect cardiovascular risk but also represent important features in MM.

“Our findings point towards a need for implementing larger clinical studies that will provide more robust data on the clinical significance of the association between HDL-C and MM, and clinical value of lipid panel addition in assessing MM patients,” the researchers wrote.

“Finally, future research perspectives in multiple myeloma include investigating the role of lipids as potential biomarkers of treatment response and disease burden,” they concluded.

Reference:

Makris, A., Pagkali, A., Nikolousis, E., Filippatos, T. D., & Agouridis, A. P. (2023). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and multiple myeloma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis Plus, 54, 7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athplu.2023.09.003

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High-dose vitamin D During pregnancy Fails to Reduce Autism and ADHD risk in kids

Denmark: Researchers from the University of Copenhagen reported in their original research article that their study revealed a reduced risk of autism, a lower load of autistic symptoms, and a decreased risk of ADHD diagnosis for mothers with higher levels of 25(OH)D before starting the intervention. However, high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy had no impact on the risk of autism or ADHD.

This investigation is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

During pregnancy, a deficiency of vitamin D may lead to a higher likelihood of developing autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy on the risk of developing autism and ADHD.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted as part of the COPSYCH project, which is nested within the COPSAC2010 cohort, a population-based sample of 700 healthy mother-child pairs (enrolled at week 24 of pregnancy). The maternal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured, and 623 mothers were randomly assigned to receive either high-dose (2800 IU/d) or standard-dose (400 IU/d) vitamin D3 until one week after giving birth (315 received high-dose, 308 received standard-dose). When the children reached the age of 10, the diagnoses and symptom load of autism and ADHD were assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL).

Key summary points are:

At ten years of age, a total of 591 children completed the psychopathological evaluation.

2.7 % (16 children) were diagnosed with autism.

11 % (65 children) were diagnosed with ADHD.

Of the 496 children in the vitamin D3 trial, 246 received high doses, and 250 received standard doses. Twelve children with autism and 58 with ADHD were diagnosed among them.

Higher maternal pre-intervention 25(OH)D levels were linked to lower risk of autism (OR per 10 nmol/L 0.76), reduced autistic symptom load (β per 10 nmol/L -0.03), and reduced ADHD diagnosis risk (OR per 10 nmol/L 0.88).

There was no association between High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation and autism or ADHD risk.

They said that higher maternal pre-intervention 25(OH)D reduces autism risk, ADHD diagnosis and autistic symptom load, but high-dose vitamin D3 does not affect these outcomes in pregnancy.

Lundbeck Foundation, the Ministry of Health, and the Danish Council for Strategic Research funded the study.

Reference:

Aagaard, K et al. High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the children at age 10 – A randomized clinical trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Transcranial direct current stimulation may boost mental processes in patients wit Alzheimer’s disease: Study

USA: Findings from a small clinical trial showed that twice-daily non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain may boost mental processes (cognitive function) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings were published online in the journal General Psychiatry.

The technology, known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS for short, may help to fire up the brain’s plasticity, enabling ‘rewiring’ through the formation of new neural networks, the findings suggest.

tDCS comes in the form of a device with two electrodes, placed over specific areas of a person’s head, which deliver a constant low intensity electrical current. It is starting to be used in many areas of medicine, including for the treatment of depression.

The researchers wanted to find out if tDCS might improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease, and if so, whether this might be linked to their recovering some level of cortical plasticity–the brain’s capacity to form new neural networks.

Some 140 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease from four different hospitals were randomly allocated to receive either 2 daily sessions of active (constant low intensity 1-2 mA current) or sham tDCS, for 5 days of the week for a maximum period of 6 weeks.

The currents were applied to the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain involved in higher order activities, such as planning, decision-making, working memory, moderating social behaviours, and controlling certain aspects of speech and language.

Participants were all aged over 65, had had their disease for more than 6 months, and had all scored below 26 on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). A score of 24 is regarded as abnormal and indicative of cognitive impairment. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and educational attainment.

The MMSE and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) Test, which focuses on language and memory, were used to evaluate cognitive performance at the start of the trial, after 2 weeks, and again after 6 weeks.

Readings of electrical signalling through the motor pathways of the nervous system, known as motor evoked potential or MEP, were used to indicate changes in neural plasticity.

In all, 133 patients completed the 2-week intervention and 124 completed the 6-week intervention. Reasons for withdrawal varied, but no one withdrew because of discomfort.

The results showed that after 2 weeks there was no change in either group, but compared with baseline, 30 daily 20-minute sessions of tDCS significantly improved the cognitive function of those in the tCDS group, particularly their word recall, recall of test instructions, and word recognition. No such improvements were seen in the sham group.

The results also showed that in people with Alzheimer’s disease cortical plasticity is impaired, but that this improved after 6 weeks of tDCS.

In tandem with a decrease in MEP, word recall and word recognition got better among those in the tDCS group, but not among those in the sham group, suggesting that the improvement in cortical plasticity may reflect the degree of cognitive improvement, say the researchers.

But it’s still not clear how tDCS might exert its effects, they add, citing previous research, indicating that the technology may alter ion activity, neurotransmitter release, and electrical activity in various areas of the brain.

The researchers acknowledge various limitations to their findings, including the small study size, the lack of MRI or electroencephalography scans to chart changes in brain structure, and the absence of cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples to monitor neurotransmitter changes.

But they nevertheless conclude: “The results of this study strongly indicate that tDCS treatment is a significant and promising intervention for improving cognitive function in [Alzheimer’s disease]. In addition, plasticity plays a vital role in cognitive change.”

Reference:

Li X, Chen L, Yu K, et alImpact of twice-a-day transcranial direct current stimulation intervention on cognitive function and motor cortex plasticity in patients with Alzheimer’s diseaseGeneral Psychiatry 2023;36:e101166. doi: 10.1136/gpsych-2023-101166.

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Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state higher among type 1 diabetes patients compared to type 2 diabetes patients

Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state is  higher among patients with type 1 diabetes compared with type 2 diabetes suggests a new study published in the Diabetes Care

The hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a rare and life-threatening complication of diabetes. We aimed to estimate the incidence of HHS and describe the clinical and biomarker profiles of patients with HHS, including subgroups with acidosis and acute kidney injury.

This nationwide, descriptive cohort study used Danish registry data during years 2016–2018 to identify acutely admitted patients fulfilling the hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity criteria of HHS (glucose ≥33 mmol/L and osmolarity [2 × sodium + glucose] ≥320 mmol/L).

RESULTS

They identified 634 patients (median age, 69 years (first quartile; third quartile: 58; 79) who met the criteria of HHS among 4.80 million inhabitants aged ≥18 years. The incidence rates were 16.5 and 3.9 per 10,000 person-years among people with known type 1 (n = 24,196) and type 2 (n = 251,357) diabetes, respectively. Thirty-two percent of patients with HHS were not previously diagnosed with diabetes. Patients were categorized as pure HHS (n = 394) and combined HHS and diabetic ketoacidosis (HHS-DKA; n = 240). The in-hospital mortality rate for pure HHS was 17% and 9% for HHS-DKA.

The incidence of HHS was higher among patients with type 1 diabetes compared with type 2 diabetes. HHS is a spectrum of hyperglycemic crises and can be divided in pure HHS and HHS-DKA. In one-third of patients, HHS was the debut of their diabetes diagnosis.

Reference:

Emilie V. Rosager, Amalia Lærke K. Heltø, Cathrine U. Fox Maule, Lennart Friis-Hansen, Janne Petersen, Finn E. Nielsen, Steen B. Haugaard, Rasmus Gregersen; Incidence and Characteristics of the Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State: A Danish Cohort Study. Diabetes Care 2023; dc230988. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-0988

Keywords:

Hyperosmolar, hyperglycaemic, state, higher, among, patients, type 1, diabetes, compared, type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Care, Emilie V. Rosager, Amalia Lærke K. Heltø, Cathrine U. Fox Maule, Lennart Friis-Hansen, Janne Petersen, Finn E. Nielsen, Steen B. Haugaard, Rasmus

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Breakthrough Treatment with finerenone for Advanced Kidney Disease and Diabetes Cost-Effective

In the Netherlands, where the healthcare system grapples with the staggering burden of over one million patients combating type 2 diabetes (T2D), a significant breakthrough has emerged. A study evaluating the cost-effectiveness of integrating finerenone, a promising therapeutic addition to standard care, offers hope for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and T2D. The study results were published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology. 

T2D often brings along the ominous companion of CKD, affecting approximately 36% of patients in the Netherlands. The annual medical costs associated with T2D and CKD are a considerable financial strain, totaling around €1.3 billion and €805 million, respectively. The FIDELIO-DKD trial, a landmark investigation, showcased that the inclusion of finerenone in the standard of care (SoC) regimen significantly reduces the risk of CKD progression and cardiovascular (CV) events in patients dealing with CKD stages 2–4 linked to T2D.

Also Read: Indoco Remedies Canagliflozin Tablets for type 2 diabetes adults get USFDA tentative okay

To delve deeper into the potential impact of finerenone on healthcare economics, the study employed the validated FINE-CKD model. This Markov cohort model simulates the lifelong journey of patients, focusing on outcomes related to CV events and renal replacement therapy. The researchers tailored the model to reflect the Dutch societal perspective, considering both clinical effectiveness and economic implications.

Findings: 

  • Results from the study paint a promising picture. When finerenone is integrated into the SoC, patients experience an extension in the time free from CV events and renal replacement therapy, translating to 0.20 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
  • Perhaps even more compelling is the cost-saving aspect: finerenone led to a €6136 decrease in total lifetime costs per patient compared to SoC alone.
  • This financial benefit stems from the significant reduction in renal and CV events, showcasing finerenone as a dominant treatment option.
  • The study found that finerenone, when added to SoC, has an 83% probability of being a dominant strategy and a 93% probability of being cost-effective, particularly at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €20,000.
Also Read: Stem cell-based treatment for type 1 diabetes can control blood sugar and reduce need for insulin injections: Study

The implications of this study are groundbreaking, not just for patients facing the challenging intersection of T2D and advanced CKD but also for the broader healthcare system. By demonstrating that the integration of finerenone not only improves patient outcomes but also yields substantial cost savings, this research paves the way for more widespread adoption of this innovative treatment approach. In essence, the study offers a glimmer of hope for those navigating the complexities of diabetes and advanced kidney disease, showcasing that cutting-edge treatments can not only enhance lives but also contribute to the economic sustainability of healthcare systems. 

Further reading: 

Quist, S.W., van Schoonhoven, A.V., Bakker, S.J.L. et al. Cost-effectiveness of finerenone in chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes in The Netherlands. Cardiovasc Diabetol 22, 328 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-023-02053-6

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SGLT2 inhibitors may slow progression of diabetic retinopathy: JAMA

SGLT2 inhibitors may lower risk of diabetic nephropathy and cut progression of diabetic retinopathy suggests a new study published in the JAMA.

Diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy share many similarities in pathophysiological processes. Preclinical studies have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have a protective role in the risk of diabetic retinopathy.

A study was done to compare the risk of sight-threatening retinopathy associated with SGLT2is and other second-line glucose-lowering medications (including pioglitazone, sulfonylureas, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP-4is]) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

This cohort study in Taiwan applied a new-user and active-comparator design. Patient demographic and clinical data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Adult patients with newly diagnosed T2D from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2019, were recruited and followed up until December 31, 2020. Propensity score matching was used to identify pairs of patients treated with SGLT2i vs DPP-4i, SGLT2i vs pioglitazone, and SGLT2i vs sulfonylurea from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed between August 18, 2022, and May 5, 2023.

The main outcome was sight-threatening retinopathy in participants. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess relative hazards of sight-threatening retinopathy between the matched case and control groups.

Results

A total of 3 544 383 patients with newly diagnosed T2D were identified. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 65 930 pairs of patients treated with SGLT2i vs DPP-4i, 93 760 pairs treated with SGLT2i vs pioglitazone, and 42 121 pairs treated with SGLT2i vs sulfonylurea were identified. These matched patients included 236 574 males (58.6%), with a mean (SD) age of 56.9 (11.8) years. In the matched cohorts, SGLT2i had a significantly lower risk of sight-threatening retinopathy than DPP-4i (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.51-0.63), pioglitazone (AHR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.81), and sulfonylureas (AHR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.53-0.71). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that SGLT2i was associated with a significantly lower cumulative incidence of sight-threatening retinopathy than DPP-4i (3.52 vs 6.13; P < .001), pioglitazone (4.32 vs 5.76; P < .001), and sulfonylureas (2.94 vs 4.67; P < .001).

This cohort study found that SGLT2i was associated with a lower risk of sight-threatening retinopathy compared with DPP-4i, pioglitazone, and sulfonylureas. This finding suggests that SGLT2i may play a role not only in reduced risk of diabetic nephropathy but also in the slow progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with T2D.

Reference:

Yen F, Wei JC, Yu T, Hung Y, Hsu C, Hwu C. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Risk of Retinopathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(12):e2348431. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48431

Keywords:

SGLT2, inhibitors, may, lower, risk, diabetic, nephropathy, cut, progression, diabetic retinopathy, JAMA, Yen F, Wei JC, Yu T, Hung Y, Hsu C, Hwu C

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Add on esketamine to propofol sedation may reduce hypotension in patients undergoing same-visit bidirectional endoscopy

A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted across three teaching hospitals in China evaluated the efficacy of low-dose esketamine as an adjuvant to propofol-based sedation during same-visit bidirectional endoscopy. The study aimed to explore whether the addition of esketamine could potentially reduce the occurrence of adverse events such as desaturation and hypotension.

This study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open by Nan Song and colleagues. The trial enrolled 663 patients scheduled for same-visit bidirectional endoscopy and randomized them to receive either esketamine or a placebo. After initial sedation induction with sufentanil and propofol, the esketamine group received intravenous esketamine while the placebo group received an equivalent volume of saline. The primary outcome assessed was the composite of desaturation and hypotension during the procedures.

Out of the initially enrolled 663 patients, 660 completed the study, with the median age of participants being 48 years. The administration of esketamine demonstrated significant benefits:

  • Reduced Incidence of Adverse Events: Esketamine notably decreased the composite outcome of desaturation and hypotension during the procedures compared to the placebo group (8.2% vs. 21.0%). This represented a substantial reduction of approximately 61% in the incidence of these adverse events (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.54; P < .001).

  • Lower Incidences of Desaturation and Hypotension: Esketamine administration led to significantly lower incidences of desaturation (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.72; q = .01) and hypotension (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.18-0.60; q < .001).

  • Reduced Propofol Requirements: Additionally, patients receiving esketamine required substantially lower amounts of propofol compared to the placebo group (difference, −58.9 mg; 95% CI, −65.7 to −52.2 mg; q < .001).

The findings of this trial strongly advocate for the utilization of low-dose esketamine as an adjunct to propofol-based sedation in endoscopic procedures. The remarkable reduction in the incidence of adverse events, particularly desaturation and hypotension, along with decreased propofol requirements, underscores the potential of esketamine in enhancing the safety profile of endoscopic sedation.

The promising outcomes of this study suggest that esketamine could be a valuable addition to the sedation regimen for endoscopic procedures, offering improved patient safety and potentially enhancing the overall experience for individuals undergoing such interventions.

Reference:

Song, N., Yang, Y., Zheng, Z., Shi, W.-C., Tan, A.-P., Shan, X.-S., Liu, H., Meng, L., Peng, K., & Ji, F.-H. Effect of esketamine added to propofol sedation on desaturation and hypotension in bidirectional endoscopy: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open,2023;6(12):e2347886. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.47886

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Light therapy improves sleep and psychobehavioural symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: Study

China: Light therapy significantly improves sleep and psychobehavioral symptoms and leads to relatively fewer side effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, a recent study published in PLOS One has revealed. 

The cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease is often accompanied by sleep disturbances and psycho-behavioral symptoms including apathetic and depressive behavior, agitation and aggression. Photobiomodulation is a non-pharmacological therapy that uses light energy to stimulate the suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN), a sleep modulator in the brain. Despite light therapy receiving increased attention as a potential intervention for Alzheimer’s, a systematic evaluation of its efficacy and safety has been unavailable.

In the new study, Qinghui Meng of Weifang Medical University, China, and colleagues searched multiple research databases to identify all randomized controlled trials related to light therapy intervention for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Fifteen high-quality trials with available methods and relevant outcomes were selected for further analysis. The included trials were written in English, published between 2005 and 2022, and performed in seven countries. They included a combined 598 patients.

The meta-analysis of all fifteen trials found that light therapy significantly improved sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability (a measure of the strength of circadian rhythms), and reduced intradaily variability (a measure of how frequently someone transitions between rest and activity during the day). In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.

Given the limited sample sizes in studies included in this meta-analysis, the authors advocate for larger future studies, which could also explore if bright light exposure could cause any adverse behaviour in patients. They conclude that light therapy is a promising treatment option for some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The authors add: “Light therapy improves sleep and psycho-behavioural symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and has relatively few side effects, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment option for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Reference:

Lili Zang ,Xiaotong Liu ,Yu Li,Jiang Liu,Qiuying Lu,Yue Zhang,Qinghui Men, The effect of light therapy on sleep disorders and psychobehavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis,https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293977

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Study shows beneficial effect of moderate low-carbohydrate diet for adults with type 1 diabetes

Sweden: A recent study carried out at the University of Gothenburg has shown the advantages of a moderately low-carbohydrate diet for adults with type 1 diabetes over a traditional diet. The study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe is the largest of its kind to date. 

The researchers revealed that the average blood sugar level is reduced and the time with good values during 24 hours is increased, without any negative health impact. 

Participants were for different periods randomly assigned in a crossover manner to eat a traditional diet with 50% of the energy from carbohydrates, or a moderate low-carbohydrate diet with 30% of the energy from carbohydrates.

This is a moderate reduction in carbohydrates, with 24-hour monitoring of all participants via continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Blood glucose levels were recorded at least every 15 minutes during the 16 weeks of the study, and were followed up by a dietitian and diabetes nurse.

The researchers emphasize that for safety reasons, major changes in carbohydrate intake in type 1 diabetes should always be made in consultation with the healthcare provider. Individuals should not make these dietary changes on their own, especially not for children with type 1 diabetes. The current study concerns only adults.

Several benefits of a moderate low-carbohydrate diet

The 50 participants all had type 1 diabetes with elevated mean glucose, long-term blood sugar, and injection therapy with insulin or an insulin pump. Half were women, half men. The average age was 48 years.

Both diets tested were healthy in terms of fat and carbohydrate quality. They included vegetables, fiber-rich carbohydrate sources, unsaturated fats, nuts, seeds and legumes, and were individualized by a dietitian.

Participants on a moderate low-carbohydrate diet were found to spend more time in what is known as the target range, the range within which people with type 1 diabetes should be in terms of glucose levels. The increase in time within the target range was an average of 68 minutes per day compared to the traditional diet, while the time with elevated values ​​was reduced by 85 minutes per day. Overall clinical important changes.

The first author of the study is Sofia Sterner Isaksson, a doctoral student at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a dietitian in the NU Hospital Group.

“The study shows that a moderate low-carbohydrate diet lowers the average blood sugar level and that more patients can keep their blood sugar within the target range, which is considered beneficial in reducing the risk of organ damage for people with type 1 diabetes,” she says.

No adverse effects of the diet

The researchers saw no evidence of adverse effects. Cholesterol and blood pressure levels were similar for both diets, and participants also felt a bit more satisfied with the moderate low-carbohydrate diet. It has been discussed whether a form of acids, ketones, can become too high when carbohydrates are reduced in type 1 diabetes, but these were also kept at reasonable levels.

“A moderate low-carbohydrate diet can be a good treatment option for adults with type 1 diabetes with elevated glucose levels. However, it is important that the diet is healthy with a particular focus on fat and carbohydrate quality, and that the amount of carbohydrates is not too low so it can be considered safe. Healthcare providers should therefore offer help and monitoring of the diet,” says Sofia Sterner Isaksson.

Responsible for the study is Marcus Lind, professor of diabetology at the University of Gothenburg and senior physician at the research units for diabetes at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the NU Hospital Group.

“All patients should find the diet that suits them, in consultation with their healthcare professionals, but there has been a lack of sufficiently large studies randomizing participants to different experimental treatments of this kind. It is therefore important that we can present data showing that a moderate low-carbohydrate diet is effective and safe for adults with type 1 diabetes,” he says.

Reference:

Sofia Sterner Isaksson, Arndís F. Ólafsdóttir, Simon Ivarsson, Henrik Imberg, Eva Toft, Sara Hallström, Ulf Rosenqvist, Marie Ekström, Marcus Lind, The effect of carbohydrate intake on glycaemic control in individuals with type 1 diabetes: a randomised, open-label, crossover trial, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100799.

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