Global aetiology and epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications

Worldwide the number of people with diabetes mellitus is increasing. There are estimations that diabetes is one of the leading causes of death. The most important goals for the treatment of diabetes are self‐management of the disease and an optimal quality of diabetes control. In the therapy new technologies, like real‐time continuous interstitial glucose monitoring, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), electronic tools for the monitoring of therapeutic approaches, automated bolus calculators for insulin and electronic tools for education and information of patients, have become widespread and play important roles. All these efforts are related to the interaction between patients, caregivers, scientists or researchers and industry. The presentation of different aspects of new technological approaches in the present article should give more information about different technologies. However, because of the rather quickly appearance of new technologies, the presentation can only be a spotlight. Further studies are mandatory to analyze the effects and long‐term benefits of each technology and electronic device.

International experts gathered at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester MN, USA) on February 27th-28th, 2017 for a meeting entitled ‘Basic and Translational Facets of the Epigenetics of GI Diseases’. This workshop summarized recent advances on the role of epigenetics in the pathobiology of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Highlights of the meeting included recent advances on the involvement of different epigenetic mechanisms in malignant and nonmalignant GI disorders and the epigenetic heterogeneity exhibited in these diseases. The translational value of epigenetic drugs, as well as the current and future use of epigenetic changes (i.e., DNA methylation patterns) as biomarkers for early detection tools or disease stratification were also important topics of discussion.

Background: Apolipoprotein A (Apo A) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) are the key structural components of high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and atherogenic lipoproteins respectively. The present study was designed to estimate and investigate the role of Apo A and Apo B levels along with standard lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The study was carried out on 200 subjects viz. 100 healthy controls and 100 T2DM cases. Whole blood sample was utilized for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum obtained was analyzed for quantitative estimation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL, Apo A and Apo B by automated chemistry analyzer. Results: A significant increase (p < 0.005) was observed in the mean HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and Apo B levels in patients with T2DM as compared to healthy controls. On the contrary, a significant decrease (p < 0.005) was witnessed in the mean HDL and Apo A values of T2DM patients as compared to healthy controls. A positive correlation was seen between HbA1c and total cholesterol (r = 0.427); HbA1c and triglyceride levels (r = 0.281); HbA1c and LDL (r = 0.399); HbA1c and Apo B (r = 0.403). However, a negative correlation was observed between HbA1c and HDL (r = -0.337); HbA1c and Apo A (r = -0.426). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dyslipidemia with poorly controlled HbA1c in T2DM patients. Apo A and Apo B assays should be incorporated in the standard lipid profile, for better risk prediction in diabetics and to curtail the risk of future cardiovascular mortality.