Importance: The presence of preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes in pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, such as preeclampsia, caesarian section, pre-term delivery, macrosomia and congenital defects. Approximately 0.9% of the 4,000,000 births in the United States are complicated by preexisting diabetes. Observations: Women with diabetes have increased risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and similar risks are present for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Both forms of diabetes require similar intensity of diabetes care. Preconception planning is very important to avoid unintended pregnancies, and to minimize risk of congenital defects. Hemoglobin A1c goal at conception is <6.5% and during pregnancy is <6.0%. It is also critical to screen for and optimize comorbid illnesses such as retinopathy and nephropathy. Medications known to be unsafe in pregnancy, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins, should be discontinued. Obese women should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea, which is often undiagnosed and can result in poor outcomes. Blood pressure goals must be considered carefully, as lower treatment thresholds may be required for women with nephropathy. During pregnancy, continuous glucose monitor use can improve glycemic control and neonatal outcomes for women with type 1 diabetes. Insulin is first-line therapy for all women with preexisting diabetes; injections and insulin pump therapy are both effective approaches. Rates of severe hypoglycemia are increased during pregnancy; therefore glucagon should be available and close contacts trained in its use. Low-dose aspirin is recommended soon after 12 weeks of gestation to minimize the risk of preeclampsia. The importance of discussing long-acting reversible contraception before and after pregnancy cannot be overstated, to allow for appropriate preconception planning. Conclusions and Relevance: Preexisting diabetes in pregnancy is complex and is associated with significant maternal and neonatal risk, but optimization of glycemic control, medication regimens and careful attention to comorbid conditions can help mitigate these risks, and ensure quality diabetes care before, during and after pregnancy.

Purpose Osteonecrosis of femoral head remains a major complication of femoral neck fractures. It has been postulated that early internal fixation drastically reduces the incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. However, there is a paucity of literature looking at the effect of time delay to internal fixation on the development of this late complication. In this study, we aim to assess the effect of time delay and method of internal fixation on the development of osteonecrosis in those less than 60 years of age. Methods We retrospectively analysed 92 patients less than 60 years of age who presented with intracapsular neck of femur fractures that underwent internal fixation between 1999 and 2009. ResultsOf the 92 intracapsular fractures, 50 underwent fixation using cannulated screws, 32 using a dynamic hip screw, and ten using a dynamic hip screw with a derotation screw. In total, 13 patients (14.1 %) developed osteonecrosis of the femoral head, the highest incidence being in the cannulated screw fixation group with an osteonecrosis rate of 24 %. We did not find the time delay to internal fixation to be a significant predictor of the development of osteonecrosis. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that the method of internal fixation rather than delay in internal fixation was more predictive of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. We did not find support to the current belief that early surgical fixation of neck of femur fractures reduces the risk of osteonecrosis in patients less than 60 years.

BaCKgRoUND aND aIMS: Whether glycemic control, as opposed to diabetes status, is associated with the severity of NAFLD is open for study. We aimed to evaluate whether degree of glycemic control in the years preceding liver biopsy predicts the histological severity of NASH.appRoaCH aND ReSUltS: Using the Duke NAFLD Clinical Database, we examined patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD/NASH (n = 713) and the association of liver injury with glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The study cohort was predominantly female (59%) and White (84%) with median (interquartile range) age of 50 (42, 58) years; 49% had diabetes (n = 348). Generalized linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, diabetes, body mass index, and hyperlipidemia were used to assess the association between mean HbA1c over the year preceding liver biopsy and severity of histological features of NAFLD/NASH. Histological features were graded and staged according to the NASH Clinical Research Network system. Group-based trajectory analysis was used to examine patients with at least three HbA1c (n = 298) measures over 5 years preceding clinically indicated liver biopsy. Higher mean HbA1c was associated with higher grade of steatosis and ballooned hepatocytes, but not lobular inflammation. Every 1% increase in mean HbA1c was associated with 15% higher odds of increased fibrosis stage (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.31). As compared with good glycemic control, moderate control was significantly associated with increased severity of ballooned hepatocytes (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.01, 3.01; P = 0.048) and hepatic fibrosis (HF; OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 2.33, 9.06; P < 0.01).CoNClUSIoNS: Glycemic control predicts severity of ballooned hepatocytes and HF in NAFLD/NASH, and thus optimizing glycemic control may be a means of modifying risk of NASH-related fibrosis progression. (Hepatology 2021;0:1-14). NAFLD is a growing epidemic, affecting 1 in 4 persons worldwide (1,2) and ~60% of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). (3,4) The term NAFLD encompasses a disease spectrum with isolated steatosis on the most benign end, to NASH characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and ballooned hepatocytes, with or without fibrosis. (5) NASH increases the risk of fibrosis progression to cirrhosis with risk of hepatic decompensation and HCC, making NASH

(Abstracted from JAMA 2019;321(18):1811–1819) Preexisting diabetes complicates 0.9% of pregnancies in the US and increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, specifically linked to preeclampsia, congenital anomalies, preterm delivery, and stillbirth. With type 1 and type 2 diabetes becoming more common, clinicians need to review planning and optimization of glycemic control with patients before pregnancy to mitigate the risk associated with diabetes.

Purpose of Review Moderate hypertriglyceridemia is exceedingly common in diabetes, and there is growing evidence that it contributes to residual cardiovascular risk in statin-optimized patients. Major fibrate trials yielded inconclusive results regarding the cardiovascular benefit of lowering triglycerides, although there was a signal for improvement among patients with high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—the “diabetic dyslipidemia” phenotype. Until recently, no trials have examined a priori the impact of triglyceride lowering in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia, who are likely among the highest cardiovascular-risk patients. Recent Findings In the recent REDUCE IT trial, omega-3 fatty acid icosapent ethyl demonstrated efficacy in lowering cardio-vascular events in patients with high triglycerides, low HDL, and statin-optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The ongoing PROMINENT trial is examining the impact of pemafibrate in a similar patient population. Summary Emerging evidence suggests that lowering triglycerides may reduce residual cardiovascular risk, especially in high-risk patients with diabetic dyslipidemia.

Our study demonstrates both the similarities and variation between undergraduate teaching skills courses across England. However, further research will be necessary to determine whether the long-term impact of such training will result in better educators, and ultimately in improved patient care.

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Objectives The medication effect score reflects overall intensity of a diabetes regimen by consolidating dosage and potency of agents used. Little is understood regarding how medication intensity relates to clinical factors. We updated the medication effect score to account for newer agents and explored associations between medication effect score and patient-level clinical factors. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial involving 263 Veterans with type 2 diabetes and hemoglobin A1c levels ≥8.0% (≥7.5% if under age 50). Medication effect score was calculated for all patients at baseline, alongside additional measures including demographics, comorbid illnesses, hemoglobin A1c, and self-reported psychosocial factors. We used multivariable regression to explore associations between baseline medication effect score and patient-level clinical factors. Results Our sample had a mean age of 60.7 ( SD = 8.2) years, was 89.4% male, and 57.4% non-White. Older age and younger onset of diabetes were associated with a higher medication effect score, as was higher body mass index. Higher medication effect score was significantly associated with medication nonadherence, although not with hemoglobin A1c, self-reported hypoglycemia, diabetes-related distress, or depression. Discussion We observed several expected associations between an updated medication effect score and patient-level clinical factors. These associations support the medication effect score as an appropriate measure of diabetes regimen intensity in clinical and research contexts.