Medicine (Austin & Northern Health) - Research Publications

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    Improved metabolic parameters of people with diabetes attending an Aboriginal health service in regional Victoria
    Eer, AS ; Hearn, T ; Atkinson-Briggs, S ; Drake, S ; Singh, S ; Neoh, S ; Pyrlis, F ; Hachem, M ; Zajac, JD ; Burchill, LJ ; O'Brien, RC ; Ekinci, E (WILEY, 2023-05)
    BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have higher rates of diabetes and its complications than non-Aboriginal people. Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative is the major primary healthcare provider for Aboriginal people in the Greater Shepparton region. AIMS: To evaluate the baseline metabolic parameters and presence of diabetes complications in people with type 2 diabetes attending Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative in 2017 and compare it with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and Australian specialist diabetes services. METHODS: Clinical and biochemical characteristics, including diabetes type, age, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, micro- and macrovascular complications, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), haemoglobin, renal function, lipid profile, urine albumin:creatinine ratio, diabetes medications, renin angiotensin system inhibition therapies, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and antiplatelet agents, were determined. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six individuals had diabetes, 121 had type 2 diabetes. One hundred and thirteen identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Median age was 57.5 (48-68) years, median HbA1c was 7.8% (6.8-9.6) and median BMI was 33.4 kg/m2 (29-42.3). Compared with other Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, this population was older and had more obesity, but with better glycaemia management. Compared with specialist diabetes services, this population was of similar age, with greater BMI but comparable HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal people living with type 2 diabetes attending this regional Aboriginal health service have comparable glycaemic management to specialist diabetes services in Australia, managed largely by primary care physicians with limited access to specialist care for the past 5ā€‰years.
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    Efficacy of Flash Glucose Monitoring in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
    Liang, B ; Koye, DN ; Hachem, M ; Zafari, N ; Braat, S ; Ekinci, EI (FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2022-02-22)
    OBJECTIVE: Flash glucose monitoring (FlashGM) is a sensor-based technology that displays glucose readings and trends to people with diabetes. In this meta-analysis, we assessed the effect of FlashGM on glycaemic outcomes including HbA1c, time in range, frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes and time in hypo/hyperglycaemia compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose, using data from randomised controlled trials. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for articles published between 2014 and 2021. We selected randomised controlled trials comparing flash glucose monitoring to self-monitoring of blood glucose that reported change in HbA1c and at least one other glycaemic outcome in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Two independent reviewers extracted data from each study using a piloted form. Meta-analyses using a random-effects model was conducted to obtain a pooled estimate of the treatment effect. Heterogeneity was assessed using forest plots and the I2 statistic. RESULTS: We identified 5 randomised controlled trials lasting 10 - 24 weeks and involving 719 participants. Flash glucose monitoring did not lead to a significant reduction in HbA1c. However, it resulted in increased time in range (mean difference 1.16 hr, 95% CI 0.13 to 2.19, I2 = 71.7%) and decreased frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes (mean difference -0.28 episodes per 24 hours, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.04, I2 = 71.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Flash glucose monitoring did not lead to a significant reduction in HbA1c compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose, however, it improved glycaemic management through increased time in range and decreased frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier PROSPERO (CRD42020165688).
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    Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of the creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation in people with diabetes: A systematic review
    Zafari, N ; Churilov, L ; Wong, LY-L ; Lotfaliany, M ; Hachem, M ; Kiburg, KV ; Kong, L ; Torkamani, N ; Baxter, H ; MacIsaac, RJ ; Ekinci, EI (WILEY, 2021-01)
    AIMS: GFR estimated with the creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPICr ) equation is used to screen for diabetic kidney disease and assess its severity. We systematically reviewed the process and outcome of evaluating CKD-EPICr in estimating point GFR or GFR decline over time in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this systematic review, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to August 2019. Observational studies comparing CKD-EPICr with measured GFR (mGFR) in adults with diabetes were included. Studies on people with kidney transplant, non-diabetes related kidney disease, pregnancy, potential kidney donors, and those with critical or other systematic illnesses were excluded. Two independent reviewers extracted data from published papers and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018108776). RESULTS: From the 2820 records identified, 29 studies (14 704 participants) were included. All studies were at risk of bias. Bias (eight different forms) ranged from -26 to 35 ml min-1  1.73 m-2 ; precision (five different forms) ranged between 9 and 63 ml min-1  1.73 m-2 ; accuracy (five different forms) ranged between 16% and 96%; the correlation coefficient between CKD-EPICr and mGFR (four different forms) ranged between 0.38 and 0.86; and the reduced major axis regression slope ranged between 0.8 and 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative synthesis of data suggested CKD-EPICr was inaccurate in estimating point GFR or GFR decline over time. Furthermore, a lack of consistency in the methods and processes of evaluating the diagnostic performance of CKD-EPICr limits reliable quantitative assessment. The equation needs to be improved in adults with diabetes.
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    Feasibility of once weekly exenatide-LAR and enhanced diabetes care in Indigenous Australians with type 2 diabetes (Long-acting-Once-Weekly-Exenatide laR-SUGAR, 'Lower SUGAR' study)
    Ekinci, E ; Pyrlis, F ; Hachem, M ; Maple-Brown, LJ ; Brown, A ; Maguire, G ; Churilov, L ; Cohen, N (WILEY, 2021-09)
    BACKGROUND: Diabetes is 3-4 times more prevalent in Indigenous Australians with blood glucose levels often above target range. Once weekly formulations of exenatide(exenatide-LAR) have demonstrated significantly greater improvements in glycaemic management with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and with reductions in bodyweight but have not been studied in Indigenous Australians. AIMS: To assess the feasibility and metabolic effects of once weekly supervised injection of exenatide-LAR in addition to standard care in Indigenous Australians with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Two communities in Central Australia with longstanding specialist clinical outreach services were allocated by random coin toss to receive once-weekly exenatide-LAR injection with weekly nurse review and adjustment of medication for 20ā€‰weeks (community with exenatide-LAR) or to weekly nurse review in addition to standard care over 20ā€‰weeks (community without exenatide-LAR). The primary outcome was the feasibility of an intensive diabetes management model of care with and without weekly supervised exenatide-LAR. Secondary outcomes included change in HbA1c. RESULTS: Thirteen participants from the community with exenatide-LAR and nine participants from the community without exenatide-LAR were analysed. Eighty-five percent of individuals in the community with exenatide-LAR and 67% in the community without exenatide-LAR attended more than half of clinic visits. Median difference in the change in HbA1c from baseline to final visit, adjusted for baseline HbA1c, between the community with exenatide-LAR and the community without exenatide-LAR was -3.1%, 95% CI (-5.80%, -0.38%; P =ā€‰0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly exenatide-LAR combined with weekly nurse review demonstrated greater improvements in HbA1c, highlighting its potential for use in remote communities.
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    Using Routine Hemoglobin A1c Testing to Determine the Glycemic Status in Psychiatric Inpatients
    Naidu, P ; Churilov, L ; Kong, A ; Kanaan, R ; Wong, H ; Van Mourik, A ; Yao, A ; Cornish, E ; Hachem, M ; Hart, GK ; Owen-Jones, E ; Robbins, R ; Lam, Q ; Samaras, K ; Zajac, JD ; Ekinci, EI (FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2017-03-28)
    AIM: Using routine hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and length of stay (LOS) of psychiatry inpatients with type 2 diabetes compared to those with pre-diabetes and those without diabetes. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, all inpatients aged greater than 30ā€‰years admitted to the Austin Health Psychiatry Unit, a major tertiary hospital, affiliated with the University of Melbourne, between February 2014 and April 2015 had routine HbA1c testing as part of the Diabetes Discovery Initiative. Patients were divided into three groups: diabetes (HbA1cā€‰ā‰„ā€‰6.5%, 48ā€‰mmol/mol), pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%, 39-46ā€‰mmol/mol), or no diabetes (HbA1cā€‰ā‰¤ā€‰5.6%, 38ā€‰mmol/mol). Baseline characteristics, co-morbidities, psychiatric illnesses, and treatment were recorded. RESULTS: There were a total of 335 psychiatry inpatients (median age 41ā€‰years). The most prevalent diagnoses were schizophrenia, depression, and substance abuse. Of the 335 psychiatric inpatients, 14% (nā€‰=ā€‰46) had diabetes and 19% (nā€‰=ā€‰63) had pre-diabetes, a prevalence threefold greater than in the aged matched general population. Compared to inpatients with pre-diabetes and no diabetes, those with diabetes were older and were at least twice as likely to have hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia (all pā€‰ā‰¤ā€‰0.002). In multivariable analyses, diabetes was associated with increasing age (pā€‰=ā€‰0.02), substance abuse (pā€‰=ā€‰0.04), dyslipidaemia (pā€‰=ā€‰0.03), and aripiprazole use (pā€‰=ā€‰0.01). Patients with diabetes also had a 70% longer expected LOS (95% CI: 20-130%; pā€‰=ā€‰0.001), compared to those with pre-diabetes and no diabetes. CONCLUSION: Despite relative youth, one-third of all psychiatric inpatients above the age of 30 have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Presence of diabetes in psychiatric inpatients is associated with older age, substance abuse, and longer LOS. Routine inpatient HbA1c testing provides an opportunity for early detection and optimization of diabetes care.
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    Long-term intra-individual variability of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus: implications for categorization of albumin excretion rate
    Leong, A ; Ekinci, EI ; Nguyen, C ; Milne, M ; Hachem, M ; Dobson, M ; MacIsaac, RJ ; Jerums, G (BMC, 2017-12-06)
    BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the Western world. Early and accurate identification of DKD offers the best chance of slowing the progression of kidney disease. An important method for evaluating risk of progressive DKD is abnormal albumin excretion rate (AER). Due to the high variability in AER, most guidelines recommend the use of more than or equal to two out of three AER measurements within a 3- to 6-month period to categorise AER. There are recognised limitations of using AER as a marker of DKD because one quarter of patients with type 2 diabetes may develop kidney disease without an increase in albuminuria and spontaneous regression of albuminuria occurs frequently. Nevertheless, it is important to investigate the long-term intra-individual variability of AER in participants with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Consecutive AER measurements (median 19 per subject) were performed in 497 participants with type 2 diabetes from 1999 to 2012 (mean follow-up 7.9ā€‰Ā±ā€‰3 years). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected to determine associations with AER variability. Participants were categorised as having normo-, micro- or macroalbuminuria according to their initial three AER measurements. Participants were then categorised into four patterns of AER trajectories: persistent, intermittent, progressing and regressing. Coefficients of variation were used to measure intra-individual AER variability. RESULTS: The median coefficient of variation of AER was 53.3%, 76.0% and 67.0% for subjects with normo-, micro- or macroalbuminuria at baseline. The coefficient of variation of AER was 37.7%, 66% and 94.8% for subjects with persistent, intermittent and progressing normoalbuminuria; 43%, 70.6%, 86.1% and 82.3% for subjects with persistent, intermittent, progressing and regressing microalbuminuria; and 55.2%, 67% and 82.4% for subjects with persistent, intermittent and regressing macroalbuminuria, respectively. CONCLUSION: High long-term variability of AER suggests that two out of three AER measurements may not always be adequate for the optimal categorisation and prediction of AER.
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    Routine use of HbA1c amongst inpatients hospitalised with decompensated heart failure and the association of dysglycaemia with outcomes
    Khoo, K ; Lew, J ; Neef, P ; Kearney, L ; Churilov, L ; Robbins, R ; Tan, A ; Hachem, M ; Owen-Jones, L ; Lam, Q ; Hart, GK ; Wilson, A ; Sumithran, P ; Johnson, D ; Srivastava, PM ; Farouque, O ; Burrell, LM ; Zajac, JD ; Ekinci, EI (NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2018-09-10)
    Diabetes is an independent risk factor for development of heart failure and has been associated with poor outcomes in these patients. The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise. Using routine HbA1c measurements on inpatients at a tertiary hospital, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes amongst patients hospitalised with decompensated heart failure and the association of dysglycaemia with hospital outcomes and mortality. 1191 heart failure admissions were identified and of these, 49% had diabetes (HbA1cā€‰ā‰„ā€‰6.5%) and 34% had pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%). Using a multivariable analysis adjusting for age, Charlson comorbidity score (excluding diabetes and age) and estimated glomerular filtration rate, diabetes was not associated with length of stay (LOS), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission or 28-day readmission. However, diabetes was associated with a lower risk of 6-month mortality. This finding was also supported using HbA1c as a continuous variable. The diabetes group were more likely to have diastolic dysfunction and to be on evidence-based cardiac medications. These observational data are hypothesis generating and possible explanations include that more diabetic patients were on medications that have proven mortality benefit or prevent cardiac remodelling, such as renin-angiotensin system antagonists, which may modulate the severity of heart failure and its consequences.