Changes in lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 isolation in Argentina: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Our aim was to identify changes in population habits induced by COVID-19 confinement in Argentina.

Methods: An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Argentina on December 2020, requesting possible changes occurring during the COVID-19 outbreak. It included 26 questions regarding general information (age, gender, location), eating habits, desire/anxiety for food or to eat between meals, weight gain, physical activity, and hours of sleep.

The triad macrosomia, obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia in gestational diabetes.

Aims: Offspring of women with gestational diabetes (GD) have more macrosomia than newborns of normal mothers. We studied macrosomia frequency, possible pathogenesis, and main predictors of its appearance at different gestational ages.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1870 pregnant women with GD were recruited in primary care centres and maternity hospitals in the Argentine provinces of Corrientes, Chaco, Buenos Aires, and in Buenos Aires City; 1088 completed gestation and delivered an infant.

Type 2 diabetes: Prescription patterns and treatment outcomes of IDMPS survey in Argentina.

Aim: To assess prescription patterns for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their outcomes in the IDMPS survey in Argentina.

Methods: Data from 2551 people with T2D recruited from 210 physicians participating in IDMPS surveys in Argentina (2006 to 2012 waves) were recorded, including medical history, medications, glycemic control, blood pressure, and lipid status.

Results: Most people were treated with oral glucose-lowering drugs (OGLDs) (65%), followed by combinations of these drugs plus insulin (22%) and only insulin (13%).

Treat-to-target HbA and lipid profile to prolong β-cell mass/function and optimize treatment goal attainment.

Background: To evaluate the relation between different serum lipid fractions and other known barriers to attain the HbA  ≤ 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) target.

Methods: Data on 2719 patients with type 2 diabetes were collected from the five waves of the International Diabetes Mellitus Practice Study implemented in Argentina (2006 to 2012) including demographic/socioeconomic profile, clinical, metabolic (HbA and serum lipids) data, and treatment type and also, percentage of treatment goal attainment.

Diabetes management and treatment approaches outside of North America and West Europe in 2006 and 2015.

Aims: The impact of introducing new classes of glucose-lowering medication (GLM) on diabetes management remains unclear, especially outside North America and Western Europe. Therefore, we aimed to analyse trends in glycaemic control and the usage of new and old GLMs in people with type 2 diabetes from 2006 to 2015.

Methods: Summary data from clinical services from nine countries outside North America and Western Europe were collected and pooled for statistical analysis.

Drug treatment of type 2 diabetes: Its cost is significantly associated with HbA1c levels.

Aims: To examine the relationship between costs of hyperglycaemia drug treatment and glycemic control amongst people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This observational study utilised data from the QUALIDIAB database on 3,452 T2D patients seen in Diabetes Centers in Argentina. Patients were classified according to their HbA1c value into two groups: on target (OT; HbA1c ≤ 7%), and not on target (NOT; HbA1c > 7%); within each category we considered clinical and metabolic indicators, as well as type of hyperglycaemia treatment.

Beneficio económico de los ensayos clínicos controlados patrocinados: El gasto evitable en medicamentos para el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoidea.

Objectives: To estimate the following: (1) the avoidable cost of biologic (bDMARDs) and conventional synthetic Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) during controlled clinical trials (CCTs), their extension period, and for bDMARDs in post study drug programs; and (2) to evaluate the impact on health insurances.

Methods: We analyzed 13 CCTs (233 patients) that evaluated bDMARDs. Avoidable cost was what the health insurance should have paid if the patient had not received the medication from the CCT sponsor and was estimated with a micro-costing approach (bottom-up method).

Clinical and Economic Value of p16INK4a for the Differential Diagnosis of Morphologic Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 2.

The detection of high-grade intraepithelial lesions requires highly sensitive and specific methods that allow more accurate diagnoses. This contributes to a proper management of preneoplastic lesions, thus avoiding overtreatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the value of immunostaining for p16 in the morphologic assessment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 lesions, to help differentiate between low-grade (p16-negative) and high-grade (p16-positive) squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Relation between cost of drug treatment and body mass index in people with type 2 diabetes in Latin America.

Aims: Despite the frequent association of obesity with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the effect of the former on the cost of drug treatment of the latest has not been specifically addressed. We studied the association of overweight/obesity on the cost of drug treatment of hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia in a population with T2D.

Methods: This observational study utilized data from the QUALIDIAB database on 3,099 T2D patients seen in Diabetes Centers in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.

Health inequalities and the impact on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and chronic complications in Argentina: a study on national risk factors surveys.

Background: In Argentina, there is evidence of health inequalities, measured both at the general level and also using income as a parameter of social status. However, few studies address the issue of health equality in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: To describe health inequalities, using cardiovascular risk factors as a tracer for chronic diseases in different areas of the country and over time.

Diabetes primary prevention program: New insights from data analysis of recruitment period.

Background: Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province evaluates the effectiveness of adopting healthy lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people at high risk of developing it. We aimed to present preliminary data analysis of FINDRISC and laboratory measurements taken during recruitment of people for the Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province in the cities of La Plata, Berisso, and Ensenada, Argentina.

Methods: People were recruited through population approach (house-to-house survey by FINDRISC in randomized areas) and opportunistic approach (FINDRISC completed by participants during consultations for nonrelated prediabetes/diabetes symptoms in public and private primary care centres of cities involved).

Improving diabetes care at primary care level with a multistrategic approach: results of the DIAPREM programme.

Aim: To present results, 1 year postimplementation at primary care level, of an integrated diabetes care programme including systemic changes, education, registry (clinical, metabolic, and therapeutic indicators), and disease management (DIAPREM).

Methods: We randomly selected and trained 15 physicians and 15 nurses from primary care units of La Matanza County (intervention-IG) and another 15 physicians/nurses to participate as controls (control-CG). Each physician-nurse team controlled and followed up 10 patients with type 2 diabetes for 1 year; both groups used structured medical records.

Multistrategic approach to improve quality of care of people with diabetes at the primary care level: Study design and baseline data.

Aim: To test the one year-post effect of an integrated diabetes care program that includes system changes, education, registry (clinical, metabolic and therapeutic indicators) and disease management (DIAPREM), implemented at primary care level, on care outcomes and costs.

Methods: We randomly selected 15 physicians and 15 nurses from primary care units of La Matanza County to be trained (Intervention-IG) and another 15 physicians/nurses to use as controls (Control-CG). Each physician-nurse team controlled and followed up 10 patients with type 2 diabetes for one year; both groups use structured medical data registry.

[Education of people with type 2 diabetes through peers with diabetes: is it cost effective?].

Introduction: Inadequate quality of care provided to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, generates a significant socioeconomic burden and a serious public health problem. Diabetes education through peers with diabetes is an alternative to that provided by professional educators (traditional education) which achieves non-inferior results. However, there is little evidence of cost-effectiveness of education trough peers over traditional education.

The burden of diabetes in Argentina.

Objective: To measure the economic burden of diabetes in Argentina by age, gender and region for the year 2005, in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

Methods: DALYs were estimated by the sum of years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and years of life lived with disability (YLD).

Results: In the population studied (20 to 85 years), the burden of diabetes without complications was 1.

Frequency of self-monitoring blood glucose and attainment of HbA1c target values.

Aims: Test strips for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) represent in Argentina, around 50 % of diabetes treatment cost; the frequency of their use is closely associated with hyperglycemia treatment. However, the favorable impact of SMBG on attainment of HbA1c goal in different treatment conditions remains controversial. We therefore attempted to estimate the relationship between use of SMBG test strips and degree of attainment of metabolic control in an institution of our social security subsector (SSS) in which provision is fully covered and submitted to a regular audit system.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose: use, frequency drivers, and cost in Argentina.

Although test strips for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) represent around 50% of diabetes treatment cost in Argentina, little is known about their current use and relationship with different types of treatment. We therefore aimed to estimate the current use of test strips and identify the major use drivers and the percentage they represent of total prescription costs in 2 entities of the social security system (SSS) of Argentina. Observational retrospective study measuring test strip prescriptions delivered by pharmacies from the province of Buenos Aires (8115 records collected during 3 months provided by the Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires) of affiliates with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) from 2 large entities of the SSS system.

Direct and indirect costs associated to type 2 diabetes and its complications measured in a social security institution of Argentina.

Objectives: To estimate direct and indirect costs of care of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its complications in Argentina, and compare them with those recorded in people without diabetes (ND).

Methods: Observational retrospective case-control study performed in one institution of the Social Security System of Argentina. Participants were identified and randomly selected from the Institution's electronic medical records.

Association between socioeconomic status, type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications in Argentina.

Aim: To compare the socioeconomic status (SES) of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Argentina (Córdoba) with and without major chronic complications of diabetes, with that recorded in persons without diabetes matched by age and gender.

Methods: For this descriptive and analytic case-control study, potential candidates were identified from the electronic records of one institution of the Social Security System of the city of Córdoba. We identified and recruited 387 persons each with T2DM with or without chronic complications and 774 gender- and age-matched persons without T2DM (recruitment rate, 83%).

Diabetes in Argentina: cost and management of diabetes and its complications and challenges for health policy.

Background: Diabetes is an expensive disease in Argentina as well as worldwide, and its prevalence is continuously rising affecting the quality of life of people with the disease and their life expectancy. It also imposes a heavy burden to the national health care budget and on the economy in the form of productivity losses.

Aims: To review and discuss a) the reported evidence on diabetes prevalence, the degree of control, the cost of care and outcomes, b) available strategies to decrease the health and economic disease burden, and c) how the disease fits in the Argentinian health care system and policy.

Changes in quality of care and costs induced by implementation of a diabetes program in a social security entity of Argentina.

Purpose: To measure the impact of a diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors program implemented in a social security institution upon short- and long-term clinical/metabolic outcomes and costs of care.

Methods: Observational longitudinal cohort analysis of clinical/metabolic data and resource use of 300 adult male and female program participants with diabetes before (baseline) and 1 and 3 years after implementation of the program. Data were obtained from clinical records (Qualidiab) and the administration's database.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes with saxagliptin: a pharmacoeconomic evaluation in Argentina.

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes and its inadequate management results in a heavy burden of the disease for the patients, the health and the productive system and the overall community. Consequently, it is necessary to have new effective drugs to treat people with diabetes to decrease such burden. DPP-4 inhibitors can help to cope with this demand, but its usage is challenged by its apparent high cost.

Hospitalization costs for heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes: cost-effectiveness of its prevention measured by a simulated preventive treatment.

Objectives: To estimate the cost-consequence of interventions to prevent hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In HF events (63) from type 2 diabetes-related hospitalizations (N = 462) recorded in an Argentine hospital (March 2004-April 2005), we verified 1) the presence of one metabolic HF predictor (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] value) before hospitalization; and 2) in a simulation model, the resources needed for its prevention controlling such predictor during 6 months before and after the event. Sensitivity analysis of HF risk reduction, hospitalization cost, and cost of different treatments to achieve HbA1c 7% or less was performed with a Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations).