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OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in type 2 diabetes care indicators over time in Germany. METHODS: Adults aged 45–79 years with type 2 diabetes were identified from two national health examination surveys conducted in 1997–1999 (GNHIES98, n=333) and in 2008–2011 (DEGS1, n=526). We examined diabetes care indicators including treatment and preventive targets (glycemic control, blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), smoking, weight reduction, sports activity), self-management and care process measures (glucose self-monitoring, holding a diabetes passport, annual foot and eye examination; statin use), and the presence of diabetes-specific complications (diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot, amputations) and comorbid cardiovascular disease (CVD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). We calculated proportions of persons meeting these care indicators by survey and examined unadjusted and adjusted changes between surveys. RESULTS: Significant improvement (GNHIES98 vs DEGS1) over time was observed for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Objectives. We examined time trends of hospitalization, a main outcome measure in health care, in the diabetic and nondiabetic populations in Germany and their associations with sociodemographic variables. Methods. Using data from 2 national health surveys, we estimated hospital days per person-year in the diabetic and nondiabetic populations in 1998 (n=5422) and 1990–1992 (n=7363) in Germany. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks and interaction of secular time with age, gender, and educational level, considering the cluster sample design of the study. Results. Hospital days per person-year decreased between 1990–1992 and 1998—from 3.59 (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.59, 4.97) to 3.14 (95% CI=2.16, 4.56) for the diabetic population and from 1.38 (95% CI=1.23, 1.55) to 1.33 (95% CI=1.17, 1.51) for the nondiabetic population—but the decrease was not statistically significant. In the diabetic population, the decrease tended to be more pronounced (interaction year × time not significant; P=.756). Also, there was a notable decrease in men and in the group aged 25 to 39 years, and a decrease in both high- and low-educational-level subjects. Conclusions. There seems to have been a larger decrease in hospitalization in the diabetic population than in the nondiabetic population in Germany. An increase in social disparity in this health outcome measure in the diabetic population could not be confirmed.

INTRODUCTION To evaluate incremental drug prescription costs before diabetes diagnosis in primary care patients in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on 400 primary care practices throughout Germany (Disease Analyzer, IMS Health, Frankfurt, Germany), we selected only patients receiving continuous treatment (age >or= 40 years) and ascertained drug prescriptions and costs up to 6 years before diabetes was diagnosed. For control, we selected age- and sex-matched nondiabetics (n = 6,294 pairs, age 65.5 +/- 10.5 years, 44 % male). We evaluated incremental prescriptions and costs by calculating differences and ratios between patients with and without a diabetes diagnosis. We also evaluated predictors of cost differences using multivariate regression models. The data used for the evaluation was taken from the period 1993 to 2002. RESULTS The mean number of prescriptions in the year preceding diagnosis in men and women increased 15 % and 19 %, respectively (p < 0.001). Prescription costs were 21 % (men) and 28 % (women) higher in subjects who were destined to receive a diabetes diagnosis (269 and 264 Euros per person) compared to controls (p < 0.001). Incremental prescriptions and costs were already present six years preceding diagnosis. Cardiovascular drugs had the largest impact, accounting for about two-thirds of incremental prescriptions and costs. Women had higher numbers of prescriptions and costs, however, differences and ratios were comparable to men. Incremental costs were higher in patients with private compared to statutory health insurance, and in Western compared to Eastern Germany. DISCUSSION Numbers of prescriptions and costs in primary care patients with future diabetes diagnosis in Germany were already increased six years before clinical detection, reflecting increased cardiovascular risk even before clinical diabetes diagnosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between childhood type 1 diabetes and socioeconomic conditions, which might provide clues to the aetiology of the disease.In an ecological study, we investigated the relationships between socioeconomic conditions and the incidence of type 1 diabetes incidence among children aged 0-14 years in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, between 1996 and 2000 at the level of the 33 districts. Incidence data were obtained from the population-based NRW diabetes register and regional socioeconomic data from official statistics. Associations were assessed by Poisson regression models and Bayesian conditionally autoregressive regression models (CAR).In simple Poisson regression, population density, proportion of non-German nationals in the population, measures of income, education and professional training, and deprivation scores were significantly associated with diabetes risk (p0.01). An increase of about one interquartile range (IQR) in population density, proportion of non-German nationals or household income was associated with a 9-12% decrease in diabetes incidence. A rise of about one IQR in income ratio, measures of education and professional training, or in deprivation score (high values correspond to high deprivation) was associated with an 8-12% incidence increase. There was a significantly 'linear' increasing incidence trend across five deprivation classes (relative risk: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09). All associations were confirmed when overdispersion and spatial autocorrelation were accounted for in Poisson and CAR models.The results raise the possibility that the risk for type 1 diabetes is higher for children living in socially deprived and less densely populated areas. Subsequent investigations are necessary to verify the observed ecological relations at the individual level and to identify the causal factors behind the socioeconomic indicators.

Elevated serum uric acid is commonly seen in association with obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. There is currently no satisfactory explanation for the relation of uric acid and the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). This study aimed to evaluate the relations of change in serum uric acid with changes in components of the MetSyn in young adults. We studied 1,249 male and 1,362 female black and white subjects aged 17-35 years (baseline) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, which attended a 10-year follow-up. Metabolic factors assessed at both time periods included BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids. Confounders examined (baseline and change variables) were serum creatinine, alcohol, smoking, physical activity, and oral contraceptives. Mean uric acid increased the most in black males (+0.5 mg/dl), followed by white males (+0.3 mg/dl) and black females (+0.2 mg/dl) (all P < 0.01), with the least change among white females (+0.1 mg/dl) (ns). Although change in all of the metabolic factors was associated with change in uric acid in the anticipated directions, in multivariable analyses only BMI and triglycerides had a significant independent association with uric acid in all race-sex-groups. Among confounders, only change in serum creatinine showed a strong independent association with uric acid. In conclusion, besides weight gain and renal excretion, increasing uric acid concentrations in young adults are strongly related to corresponding changes in triglycerides. The correlation of uric acid and triglycerides was found within the normal range and could not be explained by obesity.

Valid epidemiologic data on type 2 diabetes in the elderly population are scarce in the European Region despite its enormous human and economic burden. The aim was to assess population-based data on type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose regulation (IGR) from surveys carried out in Western Europe since 1990 using oral glucose tolerance tests, and to discuss the possible impact of risk factors on geographic variation, in particular, obesity and physical activity. In the decade below 60 years of age, about 10 % of the population had known or newly diagnosed diabetes in European surveys. In the age group 70 to 79 years, average total diabetes prevalence was about one quarter. IGR prevalences also increased with age, reaching a maximum of 25 % (men) to 30 % (women) above 70 years of age. There was a wide variation of total diabetes prevalence in the elderly population in Western European countries, however, without clear geographical pattern. Whereas age- and sex-specific prevalences for total diabetes in the German KORA Survey S4 (1999/2001) (Augsburg) were comparable to the European average, IGR prevalences were higher in Augsburg (60-69 years: KORA: men: 30.2 %, women: 22.4 % Europe: men: 21.2 %, women: 19.0 %). Thus, there is a huge reservoir for future diabetes cases in the elderly population in Germany. Differences at the population level were found for obesity, nutrition, and sedentary lifestyle in Western Europe. Comparative studies on the predictive values of obesity, physical activity, and nutrition and possible interactions with genetic markers in European populations are of interest in the future.

Type 2 diabetes screening is recommended by various international diabetes associations. We conducted a literature research to identify and describe systematically recently published cost effectiveness analyses (CEA) for type 2 diabetes screening. Three analyses were included. One of them was conducted in Germany, based on the data of the KORA survey S4 (1999/2001). Two studies came from the US. The German as well as one of the US studies evaluated cost per detected diabetic case as main outcome. In contrast to the US study, the German study considered incomplete participation in the screening programs as baseline case. HbA1 c testing combined with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was more expensive than OGTT or fasting glucose testing, but also most effective in detecting cases, due to high participation in this screening strategy. The second US study investigated the lifetime cost effectiveness of type 2 diabetes screening, based on a Markov model to calculate cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Effectiveness data were derived from two large intervention studies in clinically diagnosed (not identified by screening) diabetic subjects. The authors conclude that type 2 diabetes screening is cost effective, in particular targeted screening in elderly hypertensive subjects. Diabetes screening may be cost effective. However, the effectiveness of early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes has not yet been shown, and data regarding the course of early detected diabetes are lacking so far. In the future, the most important question is whether type 2 diabetes screening and early treatment is effective with respect to clinical outcomes.

Validation of published screening questionnaires and risk scores for undiagnosed diabetes has typically not been performed in independent population samples.Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 1353 participants (aged 55-74 years) without known diabetes in the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) Survey 2000, Augsburg, Germany. Sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for undiagnosed diabetes were calculated for various screening questionnaires.Four screening tests (Rotterdam Diabetes Study, Cambridge Risk Score, San Antonio Heart Study, and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) were applied to the KORA data. The AUCs were 61% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-66%) for the Rotterdam Diabetes Study, 65% (95% CI, 60%-69%) for the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (P=.10 vs Rotterdam), and 67% (95% CI, 62%-72%) for the Cambridge Risk Score (P.001 vs Rotterdam). A predictive model including fasting glucose level (San Antonio Heart Study) yielded an AUC of 90% (P.01 vs all 3 questionnaires); however, this was not significantly different from fasting glucose level alone (AUC, 89%; P=.46). The sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values of questionnaires were substantially lower than originally described, which was mainly due to population variation of risk factors compared with the KORA sample (age, body mass index, antihypertensive medication, and smoking).Currently proposed questionnaires yielded low validity when applied to a new population, most likely due to differences in population characteristics. Performance of diabetes risk questionnaires or scores must be assessed in the target population where they will be applied.

OBJECTIVE—To compare the cost-effectiveness of different type 2 diabetes screening strategies using population-based data (KORA Survey; Augsburg, Germany; subjects aged 55–74 years), including participation data. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The decision analytic model, which had a time horizon of 1 year, used the following screening strategies: fasting glucose testing, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) following fasting glucose testing in impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting glucose + OGTT), OGTT only, and OGTT if HbA1c was >5.6% (HbA1c + OGTT), all with or without first-step preselection (p). The main outcome measures were costs (in Euros), true-positive type 2 diabetic cases, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), third-party payers, and societal perspectives. RESULTS—After dominated strategies were excluded, the OGTT and HbA1c + OGTT from the perspective of the statutory health insurance remained, as did fasting glucose + OGTT and HbA1c + OGTT from the societal perspective. OGTTs (€4.90 per patient) yielded the lowest costs from the perspective of the statutory health insurance and fasting glucose + OGTT (€10.85) from the societal perspective. HbA1c + OGTT was the most expensive (€21.44 and €31.77) but also the most effective (54% detected cases). ICERs, compared with the next less effective strategies, were €771 from the statutory health insurance and €831 from the societal perspective. In the Monte Carlo analysis, dominance relations remained unchanged in 100 and 68% (statutory health insurance and societal perspective, respectively) of simulated populations. CONCLUSIONS—The most effective screening strategy was HbA1c combined with OGTT because of high participation. However, costs were lower when screening with fasting glucose tests combined with OGTT or OGTT alone. The decision regarding which is the most favorable strategy depends on whether the goal is to identify a high number of cases or to incur lower costs at reasonable effectiveness.

Verglichen wurde der Effekt einer eigens entwickelten web-basierten evidenzbasierten Patienteninformation (EBPI) über grenzwertig erhöhten Blutzucker mit den Standardinformationen zu Primärprävention des Diabetes auf die ‚informierte Entscheidung‘. Die EBPI verbesserte signifikant das Wissen zum Thema erhöhte Blutzuckerwerte, steigerte allerdings auch den Entscheidungskonflikt und eine kritische Einstellung gegenüber Primärprävention. Die Absicht an einem Stoffwechseltest teilzunehmen, nahm ab.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Prospective population-based cost-of-illness study to evaluate diabetes mellitus (DM)-related direct costs in German pediatric DM care in the early course after onset (perspective: statutory health insurers). PATIENTS AND METHODS 573 patients with DM

To compare the cost-effectiveness of different type 2 diabetes screening strategies using population-based data (KORA Survey; Augsburg, Germany; subjects aged 55-74 years), including participation data.The decision analytic model, which had a time horizon of 1 year, used the following screening strategies: fasting glucose testing, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) following fasting glucose testing in impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting glucose + OGTT), OGTT only, and OGTT if HbA(1c) was5.6% (HbA(1c) + OGTT), all with or without first-step preselection (p). The main outcome measures were costs (in Euros), true-positive type 2 diabetic cases, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), third-party payers, and societal perspectives.After dominated strategies were excluded, the OGTT and HbA(1c) + OGTT from the perspective of the statutory health insurance remained, as did fasting glucose + OGTT and HbA(1c) + OGTT from the societal perspective. OGTTs (4.90 per patient) yielded the lowest costs from the perspective of the statutory health insurance and fasting glucose + OGTT (10.85) from the societal perspective. HbA(1c) + OGTT was the most expensive (21.44 and 31.77) but also the most effective (54% detected cases). ICERs, compared with the next less effective strategies, were 771 from the statutory health insurance and 831 from the societal perspective. In the Monte Carlo analysis, dominance relations remained unchanged in 100 and 68% (statutory health insurance and societal perspective, respectively) of simulated populations.The most effective screening strategy was HbA(1c) combined with OGTT because of high participation. However, costs were lower when screening with fasting glucose tests combined with OGTT or OGTT alone. The decision regarding which is the most favorable strategy depends on whether the goal is to identify a high number of cases or to incur lower costs at reasonable effectiveness.

Overweight and obesity are already on the rise in early childhood years. The relationships between genetic factors, malnutrition and physical inactivity are the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we examine the association between body indices, motor abilities and active (sport) and passive (television/computer) leisure time activities in a cohort of first-grade pupils.The study group consisted of 344 children (51.5% male, 48.5% female). They were 6.8+/-0.4 years old, height was 123.9+/-4.9 cm, weight 24.8+/-5.0 kg, body mass index (BMI) 16.1+/-2.3 kg/m. After determination of the anthropometric data, a fitness test was performed in order to determine motor abilities. Parents were questioned about their children's leisure time activities, using a standardized questionnaire. Differences between BMI groups were evaluated using multivariate ANCOVA, adjusted for gender and age.Based on German BMI references, overweight and obesity were found in 12% of the children. They had poorer results with respect to endurance (P0.001), leg strength (P=0.002), co-ordination and balance (P=0.045) and spent more leisure time in watching television and at the computer (each P0.001). No differences were found between their active leisure habits such as club sports.Our examinations with first-grade children show no differences in active leisure habits between obese children and their counterparts, although the former had poorer results in motor abilities, but they spend more time on sedentary leisure habits like audiovisual media. A possible explanation is their fewer regular daily activities.

Cost-of-illness study to evaluate diabetes-related direct costs for the care of diabetic children and adolescents in Germany from the perspective of the statutory health insurance.For all continuously treated patients20 years of age from 89 pediatric departments (n = 6437, 52 % male, mean age 12.5 [SD 3.8], diabetes duration 5.2 [3.3] years), diabetes-related hospitalization, ambulatory care, insulin management, glucose self measurement, and treatment with antihypertensive drugs in 2000 were ascertained, as well as metabolic control (HbA1c). Costs per patient-year were calculated in Euros (EUR) based on year 2000 prices. Using multivariate regression, the associations between costs and age, sex, diabetes duration, and metabolic control were evaluated.Mean total costs per patient-year were EUR 2611 (interquartile range 1665 - 2807). Blood glucose self measurement, hospitalization, and insulin accounted for 37 %, 26 %, and 21 % of the costs, respectively, followed by ambulatory care (9 %), injection equipment and glucagon sets (7 %), and treatment with antihypertensive drugs (0.1 %). The total costs were significantly increased for higher age, longer diabetes duration, and higher HbA1c (p0.01). The costs for hospitalization were significantly associated with pubertal age (10 - 14 years) and poor metabolic control (HbA1c SDS5) (p0.001). Based on the present estimations, the total direct costs for the care of all diabetic subjects in Germany20 years would be EUR 66.8 (95 % CI 65.4 - 68.1) million in 2000.Among the direct medical costs of childhood diabetes, the highest economic burden was due to glucose self measurement, hospitalization, and insulin. The costs were considerably higher in adolescents with poor metabolic control, especially the costs for hospitalization. Outpatient education programs in pediatric diabetes care, in particular targeting children with poor metabolic control, should be encouraged, including their evaluation with respect to cost and effectiveness.

Recently, medical expenditures were found to be 2-fold increased in paediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidotic events (DKA) in the U.S., in particular due to hospitalization. Aim of our study was to analyse DKAs and associated costs in Germany, where structured diabetes care including education is available for all patients. For all 12 001 diabetic patients 0–19 years of age (52.6% male, mean age (SD) 12.6 (3.9) years) documented in a German-wide database, all DKAs were assessed, as well as costs for diabetes-related treatment. Associations between costs and DKA were estimated using log-linear models. 457 (3.8%) patients had at least 1 DKA during 2007. Total annual costs for patients without, with 1, or ≥ 2 DKAs were € 3 330 (95%-CI 3 292–3 368), € 6 935 (CI 6 627–7 244), and € 10 728 (CI 9 813–11 644), respectively, with largest differences for hospitalization costs (€ 693, € 4 145, € 8 092). Age-sex-diabetes duration-adjusted cost ratios for patients with 1, or ≥ 2 DKAs compared to patients without DKA were 2.2 (CI 2.1–2.3) and 3.6 (CI 3.1–4.1), respectively. In Germany, paediatric diabetic patients with DKA had up to 3.6-fold higher diabetes-related costs compared to those without DKA. This cost excess was higher compared to a U.S. study, however, the proportion of patients with DKA was much lower (3.8% versus 14.9%). The lower frequency of DKA in Germany may be due to a higher access to and utilization of diabetes education. Interventions should reduce DKA and resulting hospital admission in pediatric patients in order to reduce costs and improve quality of life.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most serious complication at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). In Germany, population-based data on its occurrence at DM onset are not yet available. In a population-based study in a North Rhine-Westphalian region, Germany, during 1993-95, data on the clinical presentation at type 1 DM onset were obtained from hospital records for 262 patients under 15 years of age (81% of eligible patients). Information on social status was obtained from 148 families by a standardized questionnaire. The most frequently reported symptoms were polyuria (93.9%), fatigue (64.2%) and weight loss (59.4%). Mean duration of symptoms was 3.5 weeks. At diagnosis 18.3% of the children presented impaired consciousness and 3.5% coma. Mean glucose level was 25.1 mmol/l. Severe ketoacidosis (pH < or = 7.2) was present in 16.0% of the children. Metabolic derangement was more severe in children under 5 years. Low social status was significantly associated with increased risk of severe ketoacidosis (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.10-11.35). Frequency of ketoacidosis at DM onset needs to be reduced through increased public and medical awareness of the presenting characteristics of childhood DM.

To estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and their relations with cardiovascular risk factors in the general population aged 55 to 74 years in Southern Germany.Oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out in a random sample of 1353 subjects aged 55 to 74 years participating in the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg) Survey 2000. Prevalences of glucose tolerance categories (1999 WHO criteria) were adjusted for sample probabilities. The numbers needed to screen (NNTS) to identify one person with undiagnosed diabetes were estimated from age-adjusted logistic regression models.Sample design-based prevalences of known and unknown diabetes, IGT, and IFG were 9.0%, 9.7%, 16.8%, 9.8% in men, and 7.9%, 6.9%, 16.0%, 4.5% in women, respectively. In both sexes, participants with undiagnosed diabetes had higher BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, uric acid, and lower HDL-cholesterol than normoglycaemic subjects. A combination of abdominal adiposity, hypertension, and parental diabetes in men resulted in a NNTS of 2.9 (95%CI: 2.0-4.6). In women, the combination of increased triglycerides, hypertension and parental diabetes history yielded a NNTS of 3.2 (95%CI: 2.2-5.1).About 40% of the population aged 55 to 74 years in the Augsburg region have disturbed glucose tolerance or diabetes. Half of the total cases with diabetes are undiagnosed. Cardiovascular risk factors worsen among glucose tolerance categories, indicating the need for screening and prevention. Screening for undiagnosed diabetes could be most efficient in individuals with abdominal adiposity (men), hypertriglyceridaemia (women), hypertension, and parental diabetes history.

Fitting a Poisson model to national data on the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) under 5 years (1993-95) and to age-specific incidence data from three different German regions (age groups 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 years, 1988-1995), national age-specific incidences of T1DM in childhood were estimated. From these the age-standardized national incidence and prevalence were derived for age groups 0-15 and 0-19 years. In 1993-95 the age-standardized national incidences (95% CIs) in the age groups 0-14 and 0-19 years were 14.2 (12.9-15.5) and 17.0 (15.2-18.8) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The respective national prevalences were 86.7 (83.4-90.0) and 140.2 (134.3-146.1) per 100,000 persons. These estimates of the national incidence and prevalence of T1DM for the mid-1990s were about twofold higher than estimates from the former Eastern Germany in the late 1980s. This striking high frequency of T1DM in Germany has an important impact on clinical and economic aspects of diabetes care in childhood and adolescence.

Data comparing the hospitalization of diabetic paediatric patients with the non-diabetic population is scarce. We undertook a population-based incidence study to compare hospitalization in a cohort of Type I diabetic children and adolescents. in Germany, in the first course of treatment after diabetes onset, with hospitalization in non-diabetic control subjects matched for age, sex, and region.A total of 373 subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes (onset between 1 and under 15 (15) years of age in 1996 and 1997; 54% male, mean age at diagnosis 7.6 +/- 3.8 years) and 783 non-diabetic control subjects matched for age, sex, and region were followed for 1 year on average. Hospital admissions and the length of stay (days) were assessed by written questionnaires. Incidence rates of hospitalization and the expected number of hospital days per person-year were estimated for both cohorts. Using Poisson regression, we estimated ratios of hospitalization incidence rates (IRRs) and of expected numbers of hospital days (DRRs) in the diabetic cohort compared to the non-diabetic cohort, adjusting for age, sex and social status.Hospitalization incidence rates and hospital days, expressed per person-year (95%-CI). were 0.34 (0.29-0.39) and 2.36 (2.22-2.50) in the diabetic cohort and 0.07 (0.05-0.09) and 0.29 (0.26-0.33) in the non-diabetic cohort, respectively. Among diabetic subjects, both parameters were associated with higher age and female sex. IRR and DRR (95%-CI) were 4.7 (3.5-6.5) and 7.7 (6.7-8.9).In the first year after onset, children and adolescents with diabetes had a 4.7 times higher hospitalization risk and spent 7.7 times more days in hospital than non-diabetic subjects. The ratios were smaller than those in Finland and Denmark in the 1980s, most likely due to differences between health care systems and time trends.

Background: Previous studies suggested impaired pancreatic exocrine function in type I diabetes patients, but have been limited by small or highly selected samples. Fecal elastase-1 has facilitated evaluation of pancreatic dysfunction in population-based studies. Methods: 112 type I diabetic patients (age ± SD: 37 ± 11 years; 47% males; diabetes duration: 12.5 ± 10.5 years) were consecutively selected from main regional diabetes centers in Essen, West-Germany. 116 non-diabetic control subjects, similar with respect to age and sex, were recruited from the same geographical region. Elastase-1 measurement was performed centrally by ELISA (ScheboTech, Germany). Results: Elastase-1 concentrations in type I diabetic patients were significantly lower than in control subjects (median; inter-quartile range: diabetic patients: 227, 98-386 μg/ g stool; non-diabetic subjects: 544, 377-702 μg/g stool) (p < 0.01). Elastase-1 < 100 μg/g stool (E1 < 100) was found in 25.9% of diabetic and 5.2% of non-diabetic subjects, yielding an age-sex-adjusted prevalence Odds ratio (POR; 95% Cl) for diabetes and E1

Reducing the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and blindness was declared one of the main objectives in St Vincent. To date, hardly any valid data are available on the age- and sex-specific incidence of diabetes-related blindness. They are necessary, however, to evaluate intervention activities. Therefore, we used a population-based registry of blindness to calculate incidence of blindness due to diabetes. In one German district (Rhineland) we obtained complete lists of cases of blindness newly registered in 1990 and 1991 and coded as blind due to diabetes (n = 589). We estimated age-specific incidence rates in the entire as well as in the diabetic population. Incidence rates of blindness due to diabetes (100,000(-1) * year(-1)), standardized to the West-German population, were 3.2 (CI 95%: 2.9;3.4) in the entire population and 60.5 (CI 95%: 45.7;75.4) in the diabetic population. Incidence rates in the diabetic population showed a peak between 20 and 40 years of age, probably due to complications of Type 1 diabetes. Incidence was higher in diabetic women than in diabetic men (p0.05 at agesor =40 years). Repeating the study will detect a decrease in the incidence of blindness due to diabetes by one-third with over 99% power.

We very much appreciate the article by Dr. Bernstein regarding callus debridement and, in fact, agree with him in that calluses and their treatment are not trivial affairs in the patient with diabetes, neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease (1). Just as we have all seen devastating consequences with coumadin therapy or colitis caused by antibiotic dosing, callus debridement in the wrong hands can lead to significant morbidity too. This is increasingly true as our formerly mainly neuropathic patients are now increasingly often neuroischemic (2). We would argue, though, that—just as with coumadin or colitis—the lack of treatment can lead to even more devastation. In terms of calluses, …

Background. There is only a little information about survival in newly registered blind subjects. Methods. A closed cohort of blind subjects (n = 2680, 1803 of them women), newly registered between 1990 and 1993 in the district of Wurttemberg-Hohenzollern, Germany, was observed for up to 48 months. Mortality was compared to that of the general population. Predictors of mortality within that cohort were identified by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results. Before 1 February 1994, 582 of the subjects had died. Diabetes had been diagnosed in 772 of the subjects, 226 of them died. The overall incidence rate of death was 12 179 per 100 000 per year. The probability of survival after 47 months was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) : 0.59-0.70) in the non-diabetic, and 0.46 (95% CI : 0.37-0.55) in the diabetic subjects. Predictors of mortality in the regression model were age (risk ratio [RR] per year of age 1.047), sex (RR for men 1.247) and diabetes (RR when blindness was unrelated to diabetes : 1.448, RR when diabetes was the only cause of blindness : 2.253). Compared with the entire population, mortality was considerably increased in the blind cohort (comparative mortality figure [CMF] 4.79), particularly in individuals with diabetes (CMF = 6.55). The relative risks decreased with increasing age. Conclusions. Overall mortality in this cohort was high, even higher than in previous studies on the mortality of the blind. Diabetes increased the risk of death. In addition, the cause of blindness in diabetic individuals was a major predictor of mortality.

Introduction In Germany, regional data on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are lacking for use in healthcare planning. We analysed regional differences in the prevalence of T2DM and treatment with antidiabetic agents. Methods Data from five regional population-based studies and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey (GNHIES98) conducted between 1997 and 2006 were analysed. Estimates of self-reported diabetes, treatment, and onset of diabetes were compared. T2DM prevalence (95% CI) for the five regional studies was directly standardised to the German adult population (31 December 2007). Results From 11 688 participants aged 45–74 years, 1008 had prevalent T2DM, corresponding to a prevalence of 8.6% (8.1%–9.1%). For the GNHIES98 a prevalence of 8.2% (7.3%–9.2%) was estimated. Prevalence was higher in men (9.7%; 8.9%–10.4%) than in women (7.6%; 6.9%–8.3%). The age-standardised regional prevalence was highest in the East with 12.0% (10.3%–13.7%) and lowest in the South with 5.8% (4.9%–6.7%). The mean age of onset of T2DM was lower in Northeast (53+9SD) than in West-Germany (57+10SD). Treatment with oral antidiabetic agents was more frequently reported in the South (56.9%) than in the Northeast (46.0%), whereas treatment with insulin alone was more frequently reported in the Northeast (21.6%) than in the South (16.4%). Conclusion The prevalence of T2DM showed a Northeast and Southwest gradient within Germany with the highest standardised prevalence in the East, which is in accordance with regional differences in the distribution of risk factors for T2DM. Furthermore, the treatment with antidiabetic agents showed regional differences.

Background Only a limited number of studies have analyzed the association between hip fracture incidence and socioeconomic conditions. Most, but not all found an association, and results are in part conflicting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between hip fractures and socioeconomic conditions in Germany, from 1995 to 2004, on a census tract area level. Methods We used data from the national hospital discharge diagnosis register and data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of 131 census tracts from official statistics. Associations between the hip fracture incidence and socioeconomic conditions were analyzed by multiple Poisson regression models, taking overdispersion into account. Results The risk of hip fracture decreased by 4% with a 7% increase (about one interquartile range) of non-German nationals. It decreased by 10% with a 6% increased rate of unemployment, increased by 7% with a 2% increase of the proportion of welfare recipients, and also increased by 3% with an increase of the proportion of single parent families of 1.9%. Conclusion Our results showed weak associations between indicators of socioeconomic conditions at area level and hip fracture risk; the varied by type of indicator. We conclude that hip fracture incidence might be influenced by the socioeconomic context of a region, but further analysis using more specific markers for deprivation on a smaller scale and individual-level data are needed.

Recently, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has formulated a new worldwide definition for the metabolic syndrome (1). In contrast to the previous World Health Organization (WHO) and National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria, abdominal obesity was considered as a prerequisite (2, 3). Population-based epidemiological data on the metabolic syndrome in Europe are rare, and the prevalence in Germany is unknown. Thus, we estimated sex-specific prevalences of the metabolic syndrome according to the IDF, WHO, and NCEP definitions in the population-based KORA Survey 2000 (Augsburg, …

Background Despite the high prevalence of subthreshold depression in patients with type 2 diabetes, evidence on cost-effectiveness of different therapy options for these patients is currently lacking. Methods/Design Within-trial economic evaluation of the diabetes-specific cognitive behaviour therapy for subthreshold depression. Patients with diabetes and subthreshold depression are randomly assigned to either 2 weeks of diabetes-specific cognitive behaviour group therapy (n = 104) or to standard diabetes education programme only (n = 104). Patients are followed for 12 months. During this period data on total health sector costs, patient costs and societal productivity costs are collected in addition to clinical data. Health related quality of life (the SF-36 and the EQ-5D) is measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, at 6 and at 12 months after the intervention. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and cumulative costs will be estimated for each arm of the trial. Cost-effectiveness of the diabetes-specific cognitive behaviour group therapy will be analysed from the perspective of the German statutory health insurance and from the societal perspective. To this end, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in terms of cost per QALY gained will be calculated. Discussion Some methodological issues of the described economic evaluation are discussed. Trial registration The trial has been registered at the Clinical Trials Register (NCT01009138).

Background Evidence-based patient information (EBPI) has been recognised as important tool for informed choice in particular in the matter of preventive options. An objective, on the best scientific evidence-based consumer information about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels (impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance) and primary prevention of diabetes, is not available yet. Thus we developed a web-based EBPI and aim to evaluate its effects on informed decision making in people 50 years or older. Methods/Design We conduct a web-based randomised-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of information about elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention on five specific outcomes: (i) knowledge of elevated blood glucose level-related issues (primary outcome); (ii) attitudes to a metabolic testing; (iii) intention to undergo a metabolic testing; (iv) decision conflict; (v) satisfaction with the information. The intervention group receives a specially developed EBPI about subthreshold elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes primary prevention, the control group information about this topic, available in the internet. The study population consists of people between 50 and 69 years of age without known diabetes. Participants will be recruited via the internet page of the cooperating health insurance company, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), and the internet page of the German Diabetes Centre. Outcomes will be measured through online questionnaires. We expect better informed participants in the intervention group. Discussion The design of this study may be a prototype for other web-based prevention information and their evaluation. Trial registration Current Controlled Trial: ISRCTN22060616.

in: Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel 12 (2017), Suppl. 1= Diabetes Kongress 2017 – 52. Jahrestagung der DDG Deutsche Diabetes-Gesellschaft Hamburg, 24.–27.05.2017, S65-S66 (P-193)

Background The majority of nursing home residents with dementia experience behavioural and psychological symptoms like apathy, agitation, and anxiety. According to analyses of prescription prevalence in Germany, antipsychotic drugs are regularly prescribed as first-line treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with dementia, although guidelines clearly prioritise non-pharmacological interventions. Frequently, antipsychotic drugs are prescribed for inappropriate reasons and for too long without regular reviewing. The use of antipsychotics is associated with adverse events like increased risk of falling, stroke, and mortality. The aim of the study is to investigate whether a person-centred care approach, successfully evaluated in nursing homes in the United Kingdom, can be implemented in German nursing homes and, in comparison with a control group, can result in a clinically relevant reduction of the proportion of residents with antipsychotic prescriptions. Methods/design The study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial comparing an intervention group (two-day initial training on person-centred care and ongoing training and support programme) with a control group. Both study groups will receive, as optimised usual care, a medication review by an experienced psychiatrist/geriatrician providing feedback to the prescribing physician. Overall, 36 nursing homes in East, North, and West Germany will be randomised. The primary outcome is the proportion of residents receiving at least one antipsychotic prescription (long-term medication) after 12 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes are residents’ quality of life, agitated behaviour, as well as safety parameters like falls and fall-related medical attention. A health economic evaluation and a process evaluation will be performed alongside the study. Discussion To improve care, a reduction of the current high prescription rate of antipsychotics in nursing homes by the intervention programme is expected. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02295462 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0268-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Studies show that people with dementia do not receive the same amount of analgesia after a hip or pelvic fracture compared to those without cognitive impairment. However, there is no systematic review that shows to what extent and how drug-based pain management is performed for people with dementia following a hip or pelvic fracture. The aim of this systematic review is to identify studies addressing drug-based pain management for people with dementia who have had a hip or pelvic fracture for which they had either an operation or conservative treatment. We will analyse to what extent and how the drug-based pain treatment for people with dementia is performed across all settings and how it is assessed in the studies. Methods The development of this systematic review protocol was guided by the PRISMA-P requirements, which will be taken into consideration during the review procedure. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge and ScienceDirect will be searched, using keywords such as “analgesia”, “dementia”, “cognitive impairment”, “pain treatment”, “hip fracture” or “pelvic fracture”. Publications published up to January 2016 will be included. The data extraction and a content analysis will be carried out systematically, followed by a critical appraisal. Discussion This review will provide a valuable overview on the current evidence on drug-based pain management for PwD in all settings who were conservatively treated after a hip or pelvic fracture. The review may expose a need to enhance pain management for PwD. It may also provide motivation for healthcare providers and policymakers to give this topic their attention and to facilitate further research by considering aspects of care transitions in all settings. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42016037309 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0296-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Having shown in a recent randomized controlled trial that evidence-based patient information (EBPI) significantly increased knowledge on primary prevention of diabetes compared to standard patient information, we now investigated interaction between socioeconomic status (SES) and the effect of an EBPI. Findings 1,120 visitors (aged 40–70 years, without known diabetes) to the “Techniker Krankenkasse” and the “German Diabetes Center” websites were randomized. The intervention group received a newly developed on-line EBPI, the control group standard on-line information. The primary outcome measure was knowledge, classified as “good/average/poor”. We analyzed associations of knowledge with socioeconomic variables (education, vocational training, employment, subjective social status) combined with intervention effect including interactions, adjusted for possible confounding by knowledge before intervention, self–reported blood glucose measurements, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, age and gender. Logistic regression models were fitted to the subpopulation (n = 647) with complete values in these variables. Education (high vs. low) was significantly associated with knowledge (good vs. average/poor); however, there was no significant interaction between education and intervention. After adjustment, the other socioeconomic variables were not significantly associated with knowledge. Conclusions Socioeconomic variables did not significantly change the effect of the intervention. There was a tendency towards a lower effect where lower educated individuals were concerned. Possibly the power was too low to detect interaction effects. Larger studies using SES-specific designs are needed to clarify the effect of SES. We suggest considering the socioeconomic status when evaluating a decision aid, e.g. an EBPI, to ensure its effectiveness not only in higher socioeconomic groups. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN22060616 (Date assigned: 12 September 2008).