Submit manuscript...
Advances in
eISSN: 2378-3168

Obesity, Weight Management & Control

Case Report Volume 6 Issue 1

®Case report of new onset of adult diabetes due to obesity with socioeconomic barrier

Adel El Nagger

Endocrinology & Diabetes/Obesity specialist, Saudi Arabia

Correspondence: Adel El Nagger, Endocrinology & Diabetes/Obesity specialist, Clinical Researcher Diabetes, Obesity & related Cardio metabolic Outcomes, Saudi Arabia

Received: December 19, 2016 | Published: January 4, 2017

Citation: Nagger AE. Adv Obes Weight Manag Control. Adv Obes Weight Manag Control. 2017;6(1):12-15. DOI: 10.15406/aowmc.2017.06.00143

Download PDF

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM); defined as a Group of Diseases (Cardio-metabolic Disorders/Complex Metabolic Disorders) Characterized by Hyperglycemia Due To an Absolute or Relative Lack of Insulin or to a Cellular Resistance to Insulin. Diabetes had multiple health hazards & high incidence of cardio metabolic comorbidities due to the nature of disease progress, leading to diabetic complications & disabilities which impair individual productivity towards the community .Prevalence of adult diabetes worldwide is growing forcibly to affect the adolescence especially in gulf areas & Americas due to unhealthy life styles & physical inactivity. The most common cause of adult diabetes is the Obesity. Diabetes & obesity are the highest prevalence of the gulf area; Saudi Arabia considered highest real country worldwide in diabetes & obesity prevalence.

Case report: I present a case of a 20year-old adult Saudi (white) male ,obese physically in-active without past medical history or any significant habit of medical importance ; with new Onset of adult Diabetes due to Obesity with Socioeconomic barrier. Patient had family history of DM/hypertension/ischemic heart disease (IHD)/Dyslipidemia.

Came to my endocrine/diabetes clinic at July 2015; Cash patient (not covered by insurance); financial barrier; with classical symptoms of diabetes: Polyuria, Tiredness, Weight loss, Thirst sensation, blurring of vision. His weight 105kg, height 177cm, calculated body mass index (BMI) was 33.5%, his blood pressure 130/70mmHg, His systematic physical & clinical examination was normal; however he was symptomatic, His random blood sugar (RBS) test was elevated; 430mg/dl. Laboratory work up screening tests confirmed the diagnosis of newly discovered adult diabetes done for baseline new diabetes assessment, positive results were; fasting plasma blood sugar (FBS) 246mg/dl; postprandial plasma blood sugar (PPBS) 412mg/dl; glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c) 10.8%. Case managed as an obese newly diagnosed adult type 2 DM; managed by early use of basal insulin analogue (Detemir) for reversal of gluco-toxicity symptomatic illness & resuming anabolism ( basal insulin gradually withdrawn over first two months ) plus Metformin/Sitagliptin combinations oral anti-diabetic agent (due to socio-economic impact) ; concerning weight reduction & improve insulin sensitivity & resting/preserve pancreatic Beta-cell function. The highly positive effect with Weight reduction encouragement regimen & Positive role of psychological support lead to progressive improvement & control of patient’s Diabetes & Obesity; although socio-economic impact.

Discussion: This patient’s case of adult type 2 DM with Obesity is common seen in worldwide; especially gulf (middle east) & Americas. Suchlike cases are missed by routine management of blood sugar level apart from the focus on the main cause of their diabetes, which is the obesity in adults. Control of diabetes not only means blood sugar control but also should be causality control. Role of weight reduction is very important here towards causality control for patient’s diabetes, furthermore multiple cardio metabolic risks outcomes associated with both diabetes & obesity; aim of lowering insulin resistance by encourage weight loss is beneficial although unhealthy life style in gulf area & patient’s socio-economic status which affecting drug choices ideally preferred in such cases like injectable Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogues ; liraglutide (high cost) & Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors which not yet launched in Saudi Arabia. Due to these challenges; I chose first basal insulin Detemir plus metformin_sitagliptin oral anti_diabetic combination as regard weight concern/cost/glucotoxicity control/preserve pancreatic Beta cell function; then maintenance on metformin_sitagliptin combination plus weight reduction motivation by good doctor-patient relationship & play on good psychological support. Specify the target aim for patient’s control of his diabetes by weight loss regimen which by regular follow-up leads to achieving our target for both controlling patient’s diabetes & obesity.

Keywords: adult diabetes, obesity, cardio metabolic risks outcomes, diabetes causality control, metformin_sitagliptin combination, glucotoxicity, beta cell function, weight reduction concern, socio-economic impact, psychological support

Abbreviations

DM, diabetes mellitus; IHD, ischemic heart disease; BMI, body mass index; RBS, random blood sugar; FBS, fasting plasma blood sugar; PPBS, postprandial plasma blood sugar; HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; SGLT2, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2

Introduction

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia.1 Diabetes had multiple health hazards & high incidence of cardio metabolic comorbidities due to the nature of disease progress, leading to diabetic complications & disabilities which impair individual productivity towards the community. Modern medical care uses a vast array of lifestyle and pharmaceutical interventions aimed at preventing and controlling hyperglycemia. In addition to ensuring the adequate delivery of glucose to the tissues of the body, treatment of diabetes attempts to decrease the likelihood that the tissues of the body are harmed by hyperglycemia.

Micro-vascular and Macro-vascular Complications of Diabetes.2 Prevalence of adult diabetes worldwide is growing forcibly to affect the adolescence especially in gulf areas & Americas due to unhealthy life styles, physical inactivity, environmental & genetic factors. Saudi Arabia according to international diabetes federation 2013; first real country worldwide in adult diabetes prevalence more than 24% of the population. The most common cause of adult diabetes is the Obesity.3 Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2). The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Globally, there has been: an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat; and an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization. Raised BMI is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as: serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At least 2.8million adults die eachyear as a result of being overweight or obese. Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980.In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18years and older, were overweight. Of these over 600million were obese. 39% of adults aged 18years and over were overweight in 2014, and 13% were obese.3 Most of the world's population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Obesity is preventable. Diabetes & obesity are the highest prevalence of the gulf area; Saudi Arabia considered highest real country worldwide in both diabetes & obesity prevalence.4

Case report

In my endocrine/diabetes clinic; I am facing a large scale variety of patients; which mainly diabetic patients whether with/without complications & with/without co-morbidities.

I present a case of a 20 year-old adult Saudi (white) male ,obese physically in-active without past medical history or any significant habit of medical importance ; with new Onset of adult Diabetes due to Obesity with Socioeconomic barrier. Patient had family history of DM/hypertension/ischemic heart disease (IHD)/Dyslipidemia. Patient came to my endocrine/diabetes clinic; Cash patient (not covered by insurance); financial barrier; with classical symptoms of newly onset adult diabetes: Polyuria, Tiredness, Weight loss, Thirst sensation, blurring of vision. His weight 105 kg, height 177 cm, calculated body mass index (BMI) was 33.5 % , his blood pressure 130/70 mmHg, His systematic physical & clinical examination was normal; however he was symptomatic, His random blood sugar (RBS) test was elevated; 430 mg/dl. Laboratory work up screening tests confirmed the diagnosis of newly discovered adult diabetes done for baseline new diabetes assessment, positive elevated laboratory results were; fasting plasma blood sugar (FBS) 246 mg/dl; postprandial plasma blood sugar (PPBS) 412 mg/dl; glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c) 10.8 %; serum cholesterol 247 mg/dl; serum TG 201 mg/dl; LDL-cholesterol 175 mg/dl, while other laboratory tests were normal KFTs/LFTs/CBC, also done insulin level was 22.1 munit/mL (normal value 2.6-24.9)& C-peptide level was 2.9 ng/mL (normal value 0.9-7.1)& ABG was no acidosis; PH was 7.337 ; HCO3 26.6 mmol/L . Case managed as an obese newly diagnosed adult type 2 DM As regard his & symptoms/CV risks/low socioeconomic status; plan of management aim to fight both patients problems ; obesity & control his new onset symptomatic diabetes, by early use of basal insulin analogue (Detemir; which has less effect on weight gain among basal insulin analogues) for reversal of gluco-toxicity symptomatic illness & resuming anabolism : starting dose was 20 IU subcutaneous injection once daily (insulin Detemir; gradually withdrawn over first two months ) plus Sitagliptin/Metformin 50/1000 mg combinations oral anti-diabetic agent twice daily (due to socio-economic impact which let option of GLP-1 analogue difficult as regard cost & SGLT2 inhibitors not used as regard availability in Saudi Arabia; not launched yet. Both GLP-1 analogue & SGLT2 inhibitors was first ideal choice for diabetic obese patients added on metformin therapy); concerning weight reduction & improve insulin sensitivity & resting/preserve pancreatic Beta-cell function from exhaustion & failure.

Added on base of life style modification management for both obesity & diabetes via exercise/diabetic low fat diet control/weight reduction motivation/ good psychological support. Patient within one week restore his glycemic control PPBS was 145 mg/dl (Figure 1); less symptomatic, after two months of gradual withdrawal of insulin Detemir; patient restore completely his diabetic control & anabolism with no symptoms & respond well to weight reduction regimen; which help in diabetes control, his FBS was average 96 mg/dl without insulin, patient was only on life style modification management plus Sitagliptin/Metformin 50/1000 mg combinations oral twice daily. After 3 months from overall management plan, his HbA1c was 5.9 % (excellent controlled) with mean average blood sugar 123 mg/dl. After another 3 months, with life style modification management plus Sitagliptin/Metformin 50/1000 mg combinations oral twice daily; patient was asymptomatic, healthy, active, clinically almost better. His recent clinical data ; weight 88 kg vs. 105 kg; BMI about 28.2 % vs. 33.5 %;blood pressure 118/67 mmHg, His systematic physical & clinical examinations are normal; RBS 89 mg/dl. Laboratory work up follow up tests for assessment of management plan, FBS 81 mg/dl; PPBS 114 mg/dl; HbA1c 5.6 % vs. 10.8 % (excellent diabetes control); serum cholesterol 156 mg/dl; serum TG 146 mg/dl; LDL-cholesterol 99 mg/dl, with normal KFTs/LFTs. Now patient on Sitagliptin/Metformin 50/850 mg combinations oral twice daily (Dose reduced) His CBS excellent controlled: His FBS not exceeds 110 mg/dl His PPBS not exceeds 140 mg/dl plus Life style modification, Exercise & Psychological support ; patient motivated for his weight reduction & his DM control.

Figure 1 Glycemic Control Algorithm

The highly positive effect with Weight reduction encouragement regimen & Positive role of psychological support lead to progressive improvement & control of patient’s Diabetes & Obesity; although socio-economic impact.

Discussion

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia.1 Diabetes had multiple health hazards & high incidence of cardio metabolic comorbidities due to the nature of disease progress, leading to diabetic complications & disabilities which impair individual productivity towards the community (Figure 2). People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing a number of serious health problems. Consistently high blood glucose levels can lead to serious diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. In addition, people with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing infections. In almost all high-income countries, diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation5 (Figure 3).

Figure 2 Every 1% reduction in HbA1c can reduce long-term Diabetes Complications.
Figure 3 Cardiovascular effects of gliptins.

During the past three decades, the worldwide prevalence of diabetes has doubled.6,7 A recent estimate predicts the number of people with diabetes will grow from 382 million adults in 2013 to 592 million by 2035.7 More than two-thirds of this increase (69%) will occur in developing countries.

Obesity is a major public health problem has been recognized for more than 40 years.8 Obesity continues to increase particularly rapidly in those who are more overweight.9 Obesity is an important contributor to the rising tide of diabetes. Although genetic factors provide a key background for these events and may account for up to 20% of the variance in BMI, it is clear that environmental factors play a major role.10 The global epidemics of type 2 diabetes and obesity have been attributed to the interaction between lifestyle changes and genetic predisposition to these diseases.3 Cardio-metabolic health is a measure of your risk for diabetes and heart disease. It is determined by a set of conditions that Include weight, blood glucose levels and cholesterol.

The worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity is high and is increasing.11,12 WHO estimates that more than 1.3 billion adults worldwide are overweight.3 Cardio-metabolic diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease) are leading causes of death in high-income countries. An increased risk of cardio-metabolic disease is associated with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity.13 Insulin resistance refers to the state of decreased insulin response and is a common feature of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.14 Endothelial and insulin signalling pathways crosstalk each other and therefore the relationship between endothelial function and insulin metabolism is very important in disorders, such as hypertension, obesity, or diabetes. Insulin resistance, a hallmark of metabolic syndrome, impairs vascular response and increases cardiovascular risk.14

This patient’s case of adult type 2 DM with Obesity is common seen in worldwide; especially gulf (middle east) & Americas. Suchlike cases are missed by routine management of blood sugar level apart from the focus on the main cause of their diabetes, which is the obesity in adults. Control of diabetes not only means blood sugar control but also should be causality control. Role of weight reduction is very important here towards causality control for patient’s diabetes, furthermore multiple cardio metabolic risks outcomes associated with both diabetes & obesity15 (Figure 4); aim of lowering insulin resistance by encourage weight loss is beneficial although unhealthy life style in gulf area & patient’s socio-economic status which affecting drug choices ideally preferred in such cases like injectable Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogues ; liraglutide (high cost) & Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors which not yet launched in Saudi Arabia. Due to these challenges; I chose first basal insulin Detemir plus metformin_sitagliptin oral anti_diabetic combination as regard weight concern/cost/glucotoxicity control/preserve pancreatic Beta cell function; then maintenance on sitagliptin/metformin combination plus weight reduction motivation by good doctor-patient relationship & play on good psychological support. Specify the target aim for patient’s control of his diabetes by weight loss regimen which by regular follow-up leads to achieving our target for both controlling patient’s diabetes & obesity.

Figure 4 Factors contributing to Cardio metabolic Risk.

*My vision in management of adult (type 2) diabetes, put these points in individualization of patient management decision;

  1. Weight concern in management (avoid weight gain medications in obese patients); add weight neutral/reduction regimens for obese patient (Figure 5).
  2. Beta cell preservation regimen to avoid beta cell exhaustion/failure.
  3. Safety profile as regard high risk of hypoglycemia.
  4. Patient overall profile as regard comorbid diseases & KFTs/LFTs.
  5. Cardio metabolic risk reduction from outcomes of diabetes & obesity.
  6. Individualization of each patient according to his lifestyle/occupation/level of education/socioeconomic/age group.....etc. Added to overall patient profile.
Figure 5 Benefits of weight neutral/reduction regimens in type 2 diabetus.

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

References

  1. American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(Suppl 1):S62–S69.
  2. Michael J Fowler. Clinical Diabetes. American Diabetes Association; 2008. 26(2):77–82.
  3. World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. Fact sheet N°311, Geneva; 2015.
  4. WHO. obesity–facts–figures. EASO. 2015.
  5. Complications–diabetes. International Diabetes Federation.
  6. Whiting DR, Guariguata L, Weil C, et al. IDF diabetes atlas: global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2011 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011;94(3):311–321.
  7. Guariguata L, Whiting DR, Hambleton I, et al. Global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2013 and projections for 2035. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2014;103(2):137–149.
  8. Bray GA. Obesity in Perspective. Fogarty International Center Series on Preventive Medicine. US: Government Printing Office, DHEW Publication; 1976. 2(1&2):75–78.
  9. Sturm R, Hattori A. Morbid obesity rates continue to rise rapidly in the United States. Int J Obes. 2013;37(6):889–891.
  10. Locke AE, Kahali B, Berndt SI, et al. Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity biology. Nature. 2015;518:197–206.
  11. Ng M, Fleming T, Robinson M, et al. Global, regional, and national Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 2014;384(9945):766–781.
  12. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD–RisC). Trends in adult body–mass index in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014: a pooled analysis of 1698 population–based measurement studies with 19.2million participants. Lancet. 2016;387(10026):1377–1396.
  13. JP Mackenbach, I Stirbu, AJ Roskam, et al. Socioeconomic inequalities in health in 22 European countries. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(23):2468–2481.
  14. Rask–Madsen C, Kahn CR. Tissue–specific insulin signalling, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2012;32(9):2052–2059.
  15. Bray GA. Diabetes and obesity–time bombs to be defused. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(11):1997–1999.
Creative Commons Attribution License

©2017 Nagger. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.