Acute worsening of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus during rapid glycemic control:The pathobiology and therapeutic implications

While chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from poorly controlled diabetes mellitus(DM)is a well-known precursor to complications such as diabetic retinopathy,neuropathy(including autonomic neuropathy),and nephropathy,a paradoxical intensification of these complications can rarely occur with aggressive glycemic management resulting in a rapid reduction of glycated haemoglobin.Although,acute onset or worsening of retinopathy and treatment induced neuropathy of diabetes are more common among these complications,rarely other problems such as albuminuria,diabetic kidney disease,Charcot’s neuroarthropathy,gastroparesis,and urinary bladder dysfunction are also encountered.The World Journal of Diabetes recently published a rare case of all these complications,occurring in a young type 1 diabetic female intensely managed during pregnancy,as a case report by Huret et al.It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the pathobiology,prevalence,predisposing factors,and management strategies for acute onset,or worsening of microvascular complications when rapid glycemic control is achieved,which serves to alleviate patient morbidity,enhance disease management compliance,and possibly to avoid medico-legal issues around this rare clinical problem.This editorial delves into the dynamics surrounding the acute exacerbation of microvascular complications in poorly controlled DM during rapid glycaemic control.

Balancing act:The dilemma of rapid hyperglycemia correction in diabetes management

The global diabetes surge poses a critical public health challenge,emphasizing the need for effective glycemic control.However,rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia can unexpectedly trigger microvascular complications,necessitating a reevaluation of the speed and intensity of glycemic correction.Theories suggest swift blood sugar reductions may cause inflammation,oxidative stress,and neurovascular changes,resulting in complications.Healthcare providers should cautiously approach aggressive glycemic control,especially in long-standing,poorly controlled diabetes.Preventing and managing these complications requires a personalized,comprehensive approach with education,monitoring,and interdisciplinary care.Diabetes management must balance short and longterm goals,prioritizing overall well-being.This editorial underscores the need for a personalized,nuanced approach,focusing on equilibrium between glycemic control and avoiding overcorrection.

Semaglutide-eye-catching results

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used either orally every day or subcutaneously once a week for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and,more recently,at higher doses,for the treatment of obesity.Both diseases are reaching epidemic proportions and often coexist,posing patients with a high risk for cardiovascular disease and death.Therefore,an agent such as semaglutide,which offers clinically significant weight loss and cardiovascular benefits,is essential and will be increasingly used in high-risk patients.However,during the SUSTAIN clinical trial program(Semaglutide Unabated Sustainability in treatment of type 2 diabetes),a safety issue concerning the progression and worsening of diabetic retinopathy emerged.The existing explanation so far mainly supports the role of the magnitude and speed of HbA1c reduction,a phenomenon also associated with insulin treatment and bariatric surgery.Whether and to which extent the effect is direct is still a matter of debate and an intriguing topic to investigate for suitable preventative and rehabilitative purposes.In this minireview,we will summarize the available data and suggest guidelines for a comprehensive semaglutide clinical utilization until new evidence becomes available.

Rapid correction of hyperglycemia:A necessity but at what price?A brief report of a patient living with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND The correction and control of chronic hyperglycemia are the management goals of patients living with diabetes.Chronic hyperglycemia is the main factor inducing diabetes-related complications.However,in certain situations,the rapid and intense correction of chronic hyperglycemia can paradoxically favor the onset of microvascular complications.CASE SUMMARY In this case report,we describe the case of a 25-year-old woman living with type 1 diabetes since the age of 9 years.Her diabetes was chronic and unstable but without complications.During an unplanned pregnancy,her diabetes was intensely managed with the rapid correction of her hyperglycemia.However,over the following 2 years,she developed numerous degenerative microvascular complications:Charcot neuroarthropathy with multiple joint involvement,severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy,gastroparesis,bladder voiding disorders,and end-stage renal failure requiring hemodialysis.CONCLUSION In the literature to date,the occurrence of multiple microvascular complications following the rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia has been rarely described in the same individual.

Diabetic corneal neuropathy as a surrogate marker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus,affecting nerves in all parts of the body including corneal nerves and peripheral nervous system,leading to diabetic corneal neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,respectively.Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed in clinical practice using electrophysiological nerve conduction studies,clinical scoring,and skin biopsies.However,these diagnostic methods have limited sensitivity in detecting small-fiber disease,hence they do not accurately reflect the status of diabetic neuropathy.More recently,analysis of alterations in the corneal nerves has emerged as a promising surrogate marker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.In this review,we will discuss the relationship between diabetic corneal neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,elaborating on the foundational aspects of each:pathogenesis,clinical presentation,evaluation,and management.We will further discuss the relevance of diabetic corneal neuropathy in detecting the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy,particularly early diabetic peripheral neuropathy;the correlation between the severity of diabetic corneal neuropathy and that of diabetic peripheral neuropathy;and the role of diabetic corneal neuropathy in the stratification of complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Effectiveness of quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes in China:findings from the Shanghai Integration Model(SIM)

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the quality of care of diabetes in Shanghai,China.A total of 173235 patients with type 2 diabetes in 2017 were included in the analysis.Profiles of risk factors and intermediate outcomes were determined.The patients had a mean age of 66.43±8.12(standard deviation(SD))years and a mean diabetes duration of 7.95±5.53(SD)years.The percentage of patients who achieved the target level for HbA_(1c)(<7.0%)was 48.6%.Patients who achieved the target levels for blood pressure(BP)<130/80 mmHg and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c)<2.6 mmol/L reached 17.5%and 34.0%,respectively.A total of 3.8%achieved all three target levels,and the value increased to 6.8%with an adaptation of the BP target level(<140/90 mmHg)for those over 65 years.Multivariable analysis identified the factors associated with a great likelihood of achieving all three target levels:male,young age,short diabetes duration,low body mass index,macrovascular complications,no microvascular complications,prescribed with lipid-lowering medication,and no prescription of antihypertensive medication.In conclusion,nearly 50%and one-third of the patients with diabetes met the target levels for HbA_(1c)and LDL-c,respectively,with a low percentage achieving the BP target level.The percentage of patients who achieved all three target levels needs significant improvement.