Effects of exogenous human insulin dose adjustment on body mass index in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, 2009 - 2014.

Background: To maintain fasting blood glucose levels within near to the normal range in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), frequent insulin dose adjustments may be required with short-, intermediate- and long-acting insulin formulations. Patients on human insulin generally experience weight gain over time, regardless of the level of glycaemic control achieved.

Objectives: To determine the effects of human insulin, adjusted quarterly to achieve glycaemic control, on body mass index (BMI), and establish dose regimens that achieve optimal glycaemic control without increasing BMI in patients with type 1 DM at the Kalafong Diabetes Clinic in Pretoria, South Africa.

Impact of CYP2D6 genotype on amitriptyline efficacy for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study.

Aim: Therapy with low-dose amitriptyline is commonly used to treat painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. There is a knowledge gap, however, regarding the role of variable CYP2D6-mediated drug metabolism and side effects (SEs). We aimed to generate pilot data to demonstrate that SEs are more frequent in patients with variant CYP2D6 alleles.

Diabetes care and complications in primary care in the Tshwane district of South Africa.

Aims: To describe the diabetic population receiving primary care from the Tshwane district public health services and to assess the quality of care of members of this population, their level of disease control and the extent of their complications.

Methods: A cluster-randomised trial was conducted in 12 primary care clinics in Tshwane district. A total of 599 diabetic patients attending these clinics for review were consecutively interviewed and clinically examined.

Glycaemic control improves fibrin network characteristics in type 2 diabetes - a purified fibrinogen model.

Diabetic subjects have been shown to have altered fibrin network structures. One proposed mechanism for this is non-enzymatic glycation of fibrinogen due to high blood glucose. We investigated whether glycaemic control would result in altered fibrin network structures due to decreased fibrinogen glycation.

Glycation of fibrinogen in uncontrolled diabetic patients and the effects of glycaemic control on fibrinogen glycation.

Introduction: Evidence exists for a relationship between glycaemic control and macrovascular disease. Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins may explain this relationship in part. We investigated the effect of blood glucose control, under out-patient conditions, on fibrinogen glycation as well as the relationship between glycated fibrinogen and glycaemic control using a new sensitive method for the measurement of glycated fibrinogen.

The effect of glycaemic control on fibrin network structure of type 2 diabetic subjects.

Diabetic subjects have been shown to have altered fibrin network structures. One possible cause may be fibrinogen glycation resulting in altered structure/function properties. We investigated the effect of glucose control on fibrinogen glycation and fibrin network structure in type 2 diabetes.

The effects of social support on health, well-being and management of diabetes mellitus: a black South African perspective.

Objectives: To determine the underlying dimensions of a social support measure and investigate the effects of social support on health, well-being and management of diabetes mellitus (metabolic control and blood pressure (BP) control).

Design: A cross-sectional, analytical design was used with a structured questionnaire, comprising demographic characteristics, the MOS Social Support Survey scale and the health perceptions and mental health sub-scales from the SF-20.

Setting: Two outpatient diabetes mellitus clinics in Pretoria, South Africa.

Interpersonal and organizational dimensions of patient satisfaction: the moderating effects of health status.

Objectives: Based on Donabedian's structure, process, and outcome model, this study was conducted to identify the underlying dimensions of patient satisfaction for diabetic patients and determine the effects of demographic characteristics and health status on these dimensions.

Design: A cross-sectional analytical research design was used with a questionnaire, comprising demographic characteristics, the general and mental health items from the SF-20, and a 25-item patient satisfaction scale.

Setting And Study Participants: The questionnaire was administered to 263 South African black diabetic outpatients from the diabetic clinics at two hospitals.