Diabetes News Roundup: June 2018

June 19, 2018
Mark L. Fuerst

Three new studies in diabetes include vitamin D deficiency; eliminating racial disparities in diabetes care; and the link between emotions and insulin resistance. 

Three new studies in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) suggest vitamin D deficiency may raise the risk of developing T2DM; delivering standardized care may reduce racial disparities in diabetes-associated complications; and brain activity helps explain diabetics’ risk for depression.

Low Vitamin D Levels Associated with Diabetes Risk

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Greater Risk of T2DM. Study aimed to examine the link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of developing T2DM. 

Author's Insights. Study found that in patients with 25(OH)D blood levels of >30 ng/mL had one-third of the risk of developing T2DM, >50 ng/mL had one-fifth of the risk of developing T2DM, and <30 ng/mL had 5x greater risk for developing T2DM vs those with >50 ng/mL. 

For more information: Park SK, Garland CF, Gorham ED, BuDoff L, Barrett-Connor E. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and risk of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: 12-year cohort study. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0193070 

Comprehensive Care Eliminates Racial Imbalance in Diabetes-related Complications

Broad T2DM Care Eliminates Racial Imbalance. Study sought to examine if racial disparities in T2DM-associated CKD are driven by biologic factors that influence a patient's predisposition to CKD or by differences in care.

Author's Insights. Study found that black race was not associated with accelerated kidney function decline and fewer black patients developed CKD. Authors also found that rates of eGFR decline, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, and kidney failure did not vary by race.

For more information: Gerber C, Cai X, Lee J, et al. Incidence and progression of chronic kidney disease in black and white individuals with type 2 diabetes. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;13:884-892. 

Insulin Resistance Linked to Emotional Response 

Negative Emotions Linked to Higher Insulin Resistance. Study examined the link between the emotional responses of 331 adults with T2DM and prediabetes and insulin resistance. 

Author's Insights. Study found that participants with higher levels of insulin resistance were more startled by negative pictures. Also, participants with prediabetes and T2DM had an increase in activity on the right side of their brain and lower cortisol levels. 

For more information: Wolf T, Tsenkova V, Ryff CD, Davidson RJ, Willette AA. Neural, hormonal, and cognitive correlates of metabolic dysfunction and emotional reactivity. Psychosom Med. 2018;80:452-459.

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