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Objective: This study aims to unravel genetic determinants of coronary heart disease (CHD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and explore their applications. Research Design and Methods: We performed a two-stage genome-wide association studies for CHD in Chinese patients with T2D (3,596 cases and 8,898 controls), followed by replications in European patients with T2D (764 cases and 4,276 controls) and general populations (n=51,442-547,261). Each identified variant was examined for its association with a wide range of phenotypes, and its interactions with glycaemic, blood pressure (BP) and lipid controls on incident cardiovascular diseases. Results: We identified a novel variant (rs10171703) for CHD (OR [95% CI] = 1.21 [1.13–1.30]; P=2.4×10-8) and BP (β±SE = 0.130±0.017; P = 4.1×10-14) at PDE1A in Chinese T2D patients, but found only a modest association with CHD in general populations. This variant modulated the effects of BP goal attainment (130/80 mmHg) on CHD (Pinteraction = 0.0155) and myocardial infarction (MI) (Pinteraction = 5.1×10-4). Patients with CC-genotype of rs10171703 had >40% reduction in either cardiovascular events in response to BP control (2.9×10-8 < P < 3.6×10-5), those with CT-genotype had no difference (0.0726 < P < 0.2614), and those with TT-genotype had a threefold increase in MI risk (P = 6.7×10-3). Conclusions: We discovered a novel CHD- and BP-related variant at PDE1A which interacted with BP goal attainment with divergent effects on CHD risk in Chinese patients with T2D. Incorporating this information may facilitate individualized treatment strategies for precision care in diabetes only when our findings are validated.

We aim to assess the long-term impact of AKI on progression of diabetic kidney disease and all-cause mortality, and investigate determinants of AKI in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A consecutive cohort of 9,096 Chinese patients with T2D from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register were followed for 12 years (mean[SD] age 57±13.2 years; 46.9% men; duration of diabetes 5 years). AKI was defined based on the KDIGO criteria using serum creatinine. Estimated glomerular filtration rate measurements were used to identify the first episode with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Polygenic risk score (PRS) composed of 27 SNPs known to be associated with serum uric acid (SUA) in European populations was used to examine the role of SUA in pathogenesis of AKI, CKD and ESRD. Validation was sought in an independent cohort including 6,007 patients (mean age 61.2±10.9 years; 59.5% men; median duration of diabetes 10 years). Patients with AKI had a higher risk for developing incident CKD (HR [95% CI]: 14.3[12.69-16.11]), ESRD (12.1[10.74-13.62]) and all-cause death (7.99[7.31-8.74]), compared with those without AKI. Incidence rate for ESRD among patients with 0, 1, 2, ³ 3 episodes of AKI were 7.1, 24.4, 32.4, 37.3 per 1000 person-years. Baseline SUA was a strong independent predictor for AKI. A PRS composed of 27 SUA-related SNPs was associated with AKI and CKD in both discovery and replication cohorts, but not ESRD. Elevated SUA may increase the risk of diabetic kidney disease through increasing AKI. The identification of SUA as a modifiable risk factor and PRS as a non-modifiable risk factor may facilitate the identification of high-risk individuals to prevent AKI and its long-term impact in T2D.

We aim to assess the long-term impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and all-cause mortality and investigate determinants of AKI in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A consecutive cohort of 9,096 Chinese patients with T2D from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register was followed for 12 years (mean ± SD age 57 ± 13.2 years; 46.9% men; median duration of diabetes 5 years). AKI was defined based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria using serum creatinine. Estimated glomerular filtration rate measurements were used to identify the first episode with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Polygenic risk score (PRS) composed of 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) known to be associated with serum uric acid (SUA) in European populations was used to examine the role of SUA in pathogenesis of AKI, CKD, and ESRD. Validation was sought in an independent cohort including 6,007 patients (age 61.2 ± 10.9 years; 59.5% men; median duration of diabetes 10 years). Patients with AKI had a higher risk for developing incident CKD (hazard ratio 14.3 [95% CI 12.69–16.11]), for developing ESRD (12.1 [10.74–13.62]), and for all-cause death (7.99 [7.31–8.74]) compared with those without AKI. Incidence rate for ESRD among patients with no episodes of AKI and one, two, and three or more episodes of AKI was 7.1, 24.4, 32.4, and 37.3 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Baseline SUA was a strong independent predictor for AKI. A PRS composed of 27 SUA-related SNPs was associated with AKI and CKD in both discovery and replication cohorts but not ESRD. Elevated SUA may increase the risk of DKD through increasing AKI. The identification of SUA as a modifiable risk factor and PRS as a nonmodifiable risk factor may facilitate the identification of individuals at high risk to prevent AKI and its long-term impact in T2D.

Nonalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become the prevailing DKD phenotype. We compared the risks of adverse outcomes among patients with this phenotype compared with other DKD phenotypes.Multicenter prospective cohort study.19,025 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank.DKD phenotypes defined by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria: no DKD (no decreased eGFR or albuminuria), albuminuria without decreased eGFR, decreased eGFR without albuminuria, and albuminuria with decreased eGFR.All-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression (incident kidney failure or sustained eGFR reduction ≥40%).Multivariable Cox proportional or cause-specific hazards models to estimate the relative risks of death, CVD, hospitalization for HF, and CKD progression. Multiple imputation was used for missing covariates.Mean participant age was 61.1 years, 58.3% were male, and mean diabetes duration was 11.1 years. During 54,260 person-years of follow-up, 438 deaths, 1,076 CVD events, 298 hospitalizations for HF, and 1,161 episodes of CKD progression occurred. Compared with the no-DKD subgroup, the subgroup with decreased eGFR without albuminuria had higher risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.59 [95% CI, 1.04-2.44]), hospitalization for HF (HR, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.82-5.21]), and CKD progression (HR, 2.37 [95% CI, 1.63-3.43]), but the risk of CVD was not significantly greater (HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.88-1.48]). The risks of death, CVD, hospitalization for HF, and CKD progression were higher in the setting of albuminuria with or without decreased eGFR. A sensitivity analysis that excluded participants with baseline eGFR 30 mL/min/1.73 mPotential misclassification because of drug use.Nonalbuminuric DKD was associated with higher risks of hospitalization for HF and of CKD progression than no DKD, regardless of baseline eGFR.

Additional file 1: Supplementary methods: 1) Hong Kong Diabetes Register TRS Study Group Members; 2) Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank Study Group Members; and 3) Cohort descriptions. Figure S1. Principal component analysis (PCA). Figure S2. Pooled correlations of each candidate polygenic risk scores with measured lipid traits. Figure S3. Proportion of phenotypic variance in lipid traits explained by each candidate polygenic risk scores. Figure S4. Geometric means of measured lipid traits stratified by the quintile of polygenic risk score with the best performance. Figure S5. Geometric means of measured lipid traits at baseline and follow-up, and three-year changes in lipid traits stratified by quintile of polygenic risk scores in adolescents.

Background The clinical utility of personal genomic information in identifying individuals at increased risks for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. Methods We used data from Biobank Japan (n = 70,657–128,305) and developed novel East Asian-specific genome-wide polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for four lipid traits. We validated (n = 4271) and subsequently tested associations of these scores with 3-year lipid changes in adolescents (n = 620), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in adult women (n = 781), dyslipidemia (n = 7723), and coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 2374 cases and 6246 controls) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Results Our PRSs aggregating 84–549 genetic variants (0.251 r) r − 103 P − 75) and 3-year lipid changes (1.4 × 10− 6 P β ± SE = 0.052 ± 0.002), 11.7% in TG (β ± SE = 0.111 ± 0.006), 5.8% in HDL-C (β ± SE = 0.057 ± 0.003), and 8.4% in LDL-C (β ± SE = 0.081 ± 0.004) per one standard deviation increase in the corresponding PRS. However, their predictive power was attenuated in T2D patients (0.183 r − 3 P − 10 P β ± SE = 0.011 ± 0.005, Ptrend = 0.0182). Independent of conventional risk factors, the quintile of PRSs for TC [OR (95% CI) = 1.07 (1.03–1.11)], TG [OR (95% CI) = 1.05 (1.01–1.09)], and LDL-C [OR (95% CI) = 1.05 (1.01–1.09)] were significantly associated with increased risk of CHD in T2D patients (4.8 × 10− 4 P Conclusions The PRSs derived and validated here highlight the potential for early genomic screening and personalized risk assessment for cardiovascular disease.

Context Risk scores for cardiovascular and mortality outcomes have not been commonly applied in Chinese populations. Objective To develop and externally validate a set of parsimonious risk scores [University of Hong Kong-Singapore (HKU-SG)] to predict the risk of mortality, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease among Chinese people with type 2 diabetes and compare HKU-SG risk scores to other existing ones. Design Retrospective population-based cohorts drawn from Hong Kong Hospital Authority health records from 2006 to 2014 for development and Singapore Ministry of Health records from 2008 to 2016 for validation. Separate five-year risk scores were derived using Cox proportional hazards models for each outcome. Setting Study participants were adults with type 2 diabetes aged 20 years or over, consisting of 678,750 participants from Hong Kong and 386,425 participants from Singapore. Main Outcome Measures Performance was evaluated by discrimination (Harrell C-index), and calibration plots comparing predicted against observed risks. Results All models had fair external discrimination. Among the risk scores for the diabetes population, ethnic-specific risk scores (HKU-SG and Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation) performed better than UK Prospective Diabetes Study and Risk Equations for Complications Of type 2 Diabetes models. External validation of the HKU-SG risk scores for mortality, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease had corresponding C-indices of 0.778, 0.695, and 0.644. The HKU-SG models appeared well calibrated on visual plots, with predicted risks closely matching observed risks. Conclusions The HKU-SG risk scores were developed and externally validated in two large Chinese population-based cohorts. The parsimonious use of clinical predictors compared with previous risk scores could allow wider implementation of risk estimation in diverse Chinese settings.

Supplementary Information

Objective An observational post-randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was adopted to evaluate the long-term sustainability and maintenance of improved glycemic control, lipid profile, reduced progression to diabetes at 3-year following a 2-year short messaging service (SMS). We performed a naturalistic follow-up to the 104 participants of SMS intervention, a 2-year randomized controlled trial comparing the SMS to non-SMS for pre-diabetes. All participants were arranged screening for diabetes at 5-year assessment. Primary outcome of this post-RCT study was cumulative incidence of diabetes whereas secondary outcomes were the change in biometric data over a 5-year period. Results After a mean 57-month follow-up, 19 (18.3%) were lost to follow-up after the RCT period. Progression to diabetes occurred in 20 and 16 patients among the intervention and control group respectively, with no significant between-group difference (8.06 and 7.31 cases per 100 person years, respectively; Hazard Ratio in the intervention group, 1.184; 95% confidence interval, 0.612 to 2.288; p-value = 0.616). No significant effect of SMS on reduction in diabetes was observed in overall and pre-defined subgroups. The SMS intervention preserved the clinical benefits within the trial period but failed to transform from treatment efficacy to long-term effectiveness beyond 2 years after intervention. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01556880, retrospectively registered on March 16, 2012

Background The aim of the present study was to develop a simple nomogram that can be used to predict the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the asymptomatic non-diabetic subjects based on non-laboratory- and laboratory-based risk algorithms. Methods Anthropometric data, plasma fasting glucose, full lipid profile, exercise habits, and family history of DM were collected from Chinese non-diabetic subjects aged 18-70 years. Logistic regression analysis was performed on a random sample of 2518 subjects to construct non-laboratory- and laboratory-based risk assessment algorithms for detection of undiagnosed DM; both algorithms were validated on data of the remaining sample (n = 839). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were used to assess the calibration and discrimination of the DM risk algorithms. Results Of 3357 subjects recruited, 271 (8.1%) had undiagnosed DM defined by fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or 2-h post-load plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L after an oral glucose tolerance test. The non-laboratory-based risk algorithm, with scores ranging from 0 to 33, included age, body mass index, family history of DM, regular exercise, and uncontrolled blood pressure; the laboratory-based risk algorithm, with scores ranging from 0 to 37, added triglyceride level to the risk factors. Both algorithms demonstrated acceptable calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.229 and P = 0.483) and discrimination (AUC 0.709 and 0.711) for detection of undiagnosed DM. Conclusion A simple-to-use nomogram for detecting undiagnosed DM has been developed using validated non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based risk algorithms.

Aims. To investigate the costs and cost-effectiveness of a short message service (SMS) intervention to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods. A Markov model was developed to simulate the cost and effectiveness outcomes of the SMS intervention and usual clinical practice from the health provider’s perspective. The direct programme costs and the two-year SMS intervention costs were evaluated in subjects with IGT. All costs were expressed in 2011 US dollars. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated as cost per T2DM onset prevented, cost per life year gained, and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Results. Within the two-year trial period, the net intervention cost of the SMS group was $42.03 per subject. The SMS intervention managed to reduce 5.05% onset of diabetes, resulting in saving $118.39 per subject over two years. In the lifetime model, the SMS intervention dominated the control by gaining an additional 0.071 QALY and saving $1020.35 per person. The SMS intervention remained dominant in all sensitivity analyses. Conclusions. The SMS intervention for IGT subjects had the superiority of lower monetary cost and a considerable improvement in preventing or delaying the T2DM onset. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01556880., published_or_final_version

The aim of the present study was to develop a simple nomogram that can be used to predict the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the asymptomatic non-diabetic subjects based on non-laboratory- and laboratory-based risk algorithms.Anthropometric data, plasma fasting glucose, full lipid profile, exercise habits, and family history of DM were collected from Chinese non-diabetic subjects aged 18-70 years. Logistic regression analysis was performed on a random sample of 2518 subjects to construct non-laboratory- and laboratory-based risk assessment algorithms for detection of undiagnosed DM; both algorithms were validated on data of the remaining sample (n = 839). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were used to assess the calibration and discrimination of the DM risk algorithms.Of 3357 subjects recruited, 271 (8.1%) had undiagnosed DM defined by fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or 2-h post-load plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L after an oral glucose tolerance test. The non-laboratory-based risk algorithm, with scores ranging from 0 to 33, included age, body mass index, family history of DM, regular exercise, and uncontrolled blood pressure; the laboratory-based risk algorithm, with scores ranging from 0 to 37, added triglyceride level to the risk factors. Both algorithms demonstrated acceptable calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P = 0.229 and P = 0.483) and discrimination (AUC 0.709 and 0.711) for detection of undiagnosed DM.A simple-to-use nomogram for detecting undiagnosed DM has been developed using validated non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based risk algorithms.

Research Poster Presentations - Session 1: Disease-Specific Studies: Diabetes/Endocrine Disorders - Cost Studies

To investigate the effect of a pharmacist care program on cardiovascular risks in type 2 diabetic patients.A 9-month, prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted in a public hospital in Hong Kong. Patients in the intervention group had regular drug-counseling sessions with pharmacists in addition to routine medical care, whereas patients in the control group received only routine medical care. The primary outcome was the change in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.A total of 105 patients completed the study. Patients in the intervention group had a statistically significant reduction in CHD risk compared to those in the control group (-1.64% ± 3.56%; n = 51 vs -0.01% ± 3.08%; n = 54, P = .013). For stroke, a reduction in risk was noted in the intervention group, while an increased risk was noted in the control group (-1.06% ± 1.82% vs 0.31% ± 2.51%, P = .002). In addition, hemoglobin A1c levels were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared with the control group (-1.57% ± 1.50% vs -0.40% ± 1.19%, P.001); a similar profile was seen with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.36 ± 0.76 vs -0.03 ± 0.74, P = .026). Furthermore, there were nonsignificant improvements in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure in the intervention group. The increased level of understanding regarding medications in the intervention group was statistically significant (P.001), yielding a better enhancement in compliance compared with patients in the control group (22.5% ± 13.4% vs 2.0% ± 5.0%, P.001).The pharmacist care program implemented in this study demonstrated a significant cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetic patients; therefore such a program would be a valuable addition to a multidisciplinary care of diabetic patients.

To study oral health conditions, diabetic medical complications and their association in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Cross-sectional survey of 364 type 2 DM patients (63.6 +/- 10.1 years, 54% female) and 161 controls (64.1 +/- 10.6 years, 53% female) with or without essential hypertension, predominantly low-income, attending a hospital were recruited. Periodontal disease (Community Periodontal Index [CPI]) and dental status (decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMFT]) were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose and, for DM patients, HbA1C and DM complications were recorded on enrolment and follow up, respectively.Many DM subjects had fair diabetic control. Both groups (control/DM) had poor oral health: DMFT = 14.5/16.8, CPI 4 = 36%/50%, (P0.02) while DM subjects had less DT(adjusted) = 2.1/1.4 (P0.01). Of the follow-up DM individuals, 294 (81%) had medical complication(s). Regression analyses showed association between advanced periodontal attachment loss (ALoss) and age, male gender, smoking and DM; MT and DMFT were associated with age, female gender, smoking, DM and hypertension. ALoss and DMFT were not associated with DM complications.The oral health of the surveyed Chinese subjects was poor. Type 2 DM subjects were affected more by ALoss and MT but less DT. Subjects with hypertension had higher odds for MT.

In Caucasians, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is mostly caused by mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha (MODY3) and glucokinase (MODY2) genes. Most Japanese MODY patients, however, are not linked to known MODY genes. In this study, we examined the genetic and clinical characteristics of Chinese subjects with MODY. The study included 146 unrelated families fulfilling the minimum criteria for MODY: two consecutive generations of type II diabetes with at least one member diagnosed under the age of 25. We screened for mutations in the HNF-4alpha (MODY1), MODY2 and MODY3 genes by direct sequencing. Antibody to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-Ab) was measured in subjects with MODY of unknown cause (MODYX). Insulin resistance index and other clinical data were compared in sex-, age- and duration-matched MODY3 and MODYX patients. In all, 13 families had MODY3 mutations and two had MODY2 mutations. No MODY1 mutation was found. Four of the 12 different MODY3 mutations were newly identified novel mutations (Q243E, A311D, P379R and P488fsdelC). In subjects with MODYX, 3% were GAD-Ab positive and 60% were overweight. Compared to MODY3 patients, MODYX patients had higher body mass index (P