Optimizing lipid control in Taiwanese diabetic patients: A collaborative consensus by the Diabetes Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators.

We present an in-depth analysis of dyslipidemia management strategies for patients with diabetes mellitus in Taiwan. It critically examines the disparity between established guideline recommendations and actual clinical practices, particularly in the context of evolving policies affecting statin prescriptions. The focus is on synthesizing the most recent findings concerning lipid management in patients with diabetes mellitus, with a special emphasis on establishing consensus regarding low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment targets.

Disparities in prevalence and treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases - Recommendations from the taskforce of the guideline workshop.

There is a mounting clinical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic burden worldwide as the prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to rise. Despite the introduction of therapeutic interventions with demonstrated efficacy to prevent the development or progression of these common chronic diseases, many individuals have limited access to these innovations due to their race/ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status (SES). However, practical guidance to providers and healthcare systems for addressing these disparities is often lacking.

Multi-Ancestry Polygenic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease Based on an Ancestrally Diverse Genome-Wide Association Study and Population-Specific Optimization.

Background: Predictive performance of polygenic risk scores (PRS) varies across populations. To facilitate equitable clinical use, we developed PRS for coronary heart disease (CHD; PRS) for 5 genetic ancestry groups.

Methods: We derived ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry PRS based on pruning and thresholding (PRS) and ancestry-based continuous shrinkage priors (PRS) applied to summary statistics from the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association study meta-analysis for CHD to date, including 1.

Birthweight and risk of diabetes in later life.

Compared with normative birthweight persons, individuals with a lower birthweight had a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes at a younger age, a lower body mass index at diagnosis, a lesser family history of diabetes and greater probability of comorbidities.

Data from network meta-analyses can inform clinical practice guidelines and decision-making in diabetes management: perspectives of the taskforce of the guideline workshop.

In recent years, several novel agents have become available to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), tirzepatide, which is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist (GIP RA)/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), and finerenone, a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) that confers significant renal and cardiovascular benefits in individuals with (CKD). New medications have the potential to improve the lives of individuals with diabetes. However, clinicians are challenged to understand the benefits and potential risks associated with these new and emerging treatment options.

Precision subclassification of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.

Background: Heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes presentation and progression suggests that precision medicine interventions could improve clinical outcomes. We undertook a systematic review to determine whether strategies to subclassify type 2 diabetes were associated with high quality evidence, reproducible results and improved outcomes for patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase for publications that used 'simple subclassification' approaches using simple categorisation of clinical characteristics, or 'complex subclassification' approaches which used machine learning or 'omics approaches in people with established type 2 diabetes.

Plasma aryl hydrocarbon receptor associated with epicardial adipose tissue in men: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a type of ectopic fat with endocrine and paracrine functions. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that responds to environmental stimuli. AhR expression is associated with obesity.

A Multi-Ancestry Polygenic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease Based on an Ancestrally Diverse Genome-Wide Association Study and Population-Specific Optimization.

Background: Predictive performance of polygenic risk scores (PRS) varies across populations. To facilitate equitable clinical use, we developed PRS for coronary heart disease (PRS) for 5 genetic ancestry groups.

Methods: We derived ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry PRS based on pruning and thresholding (PRS) and continuous shrinkage priors (PRS) applied on summary statistics from the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide meta-analysis for CHD to date, including 1.

A risk stratification model modified from the U.S. guideline could be applied in an Asian population with or without ASCVD: Validation study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a modified U.S. (MUS) model for risk prediction of cardiovascular (CV) events in Asian patients and compare it to European and Japanese models.

Systematic review of precision subclassification of type 2 diabetes.

Heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes presentation, progression and treatment has the potential for precision medicine interventions that can enhance care and outcomes for affected individuals. We undertook a systematic review to ascertain whether strategies to subclassify type 2 diabetes are associated with improved clinical outcomes, show reproducibility and have high quality evidence. We reviewed publications that deployed 'simple subclassification' using clinical features, biomarkers, imaging or other routinely available parameters or 'complex subclassification' approaches that used machine learning and/or genomic data.

Association of Major Adverse Cardiac Events and Beta-Blockers in Patients with and without Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Long-Term Follow-Up Results of the T-SPARCLE and T-PPARCLE Registry in Taiwan.

Beta-blockers are widely used, but the benefit is now challenged in patients at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the present coronary reperfusion era. We aimed to identify the risk factors of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and the long-term effect of beta-blockers in two large cohorts in Taiwan. Two prospective observational cohorts, including patients with known atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (T-SPARCLE) and patients with at least one risk factor of ASCVD but without clinically evident ASCVD (T-PPARCLE), were conducted in Taiwan.

Prediction of the risk of developing end-stage renal diseases in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus using artificial intelligence algorithms.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) imposes a great burden on healthcare systems, and these patients experience higher long-term risks for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Managing diabetic nephropathy becomes more challenging when kidney function starts declining. Therefore, developing predictive models for the risk of developing ESRD in newly diagnosed T2DM patients may be helpful in clinical settings.

Unhealthy lifestyle associated with increased risk of macro- and micro-vascular comorbidities in patients with long-duration type 2 diabetes: results from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyle has been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whereas its association with vascular complications in patients with long-duration of type 2 diabetes is still uncertain.

Methods: A total of 1188 patients with long-duration of type 2 diabetes from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry (TDR) data were analyzed.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor associated with kidney function.

Background: We examined the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: First, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 480 participants without known diabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered after overnight fasting, and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, and 120 min.

Toward better diabetes care: Exploration and implementation.

Approximately 40 years ago, I was fortunate enough to step into the field of diabetes. When I had my fellowship training in the USA, I learned how to ask a good scientific question and conduct clinical research. With collaboration with my mentors, Prof.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficiency augments dysregulated microangiogenesis and diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a pathophysiologic vasculopathic process with obscure mechanisms and limited effective therapeutic strategies. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an important regulator of xenobiotic metabolism and an environmental sensor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of AhR in the development of DR and elucidate the molecular mechanism of its downregulation.

Medical school grades may predict future clinical competence.

Background: In real-world medical education, there is a lack of reliable predictors of future clinical competencies. Hence, we aim to identify the factors associated with clinical competencies and construct a prediction model to identify "improvement required" trainees.

Methods: We analyzed data from medical students who graduated from National Yang-Ming University with clerkship training and participated in the postgraduate year (PGY) interview at Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Effect of 1PC111, a Fixed-dose Combination of Pitavastatin and Ezetimibe, Versus Pitavastatin or Ezetimibe Monotherapy on Lipid Profiles in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Phase III Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to show that the efficacy of 1PC111 is superior to that of either ezetimibe or pitavastatin alone (monotherapy) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, Phase III study. Patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia were randomized to receive 1PC111 (which was a fixed-dose combination of pitavastatin 2 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg), pitavastatin 2 mg, or ezetimibe 10 mg daily for 12 weeks.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of R-Form Verapamil Added to Ongoing Metformin Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Context: There is a medical need for effective insulin-independent antidiabetic drugs that can promote pancreatic β-cell function and have a low risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. R-form verapamil (R-Vera), which is able to enhance the survival of β-cells and has higher cardiovascular safety margin compared with racemic verapamil, was developed as a novel approach for T2DM treatment.

Objective: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 3 dosages of R-Vera added to ongoing metformin therapy in T2DM patients who had inadequate glycemic control on metformin alone.

Newly diagnosed diabetes based on an oral glucose tolerance test predicts cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: An observational study.

Diabetes is prevalent in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), abnormal glucose regulation can be detected early in CAD patients without known diabetes. In the present study, we assessed the impact of abnormal glucose regulation on the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of patients with established CAD.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Reduces Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the effects of circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on long-term mortality in patients with CAD and CKD.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled patients with established CAD in the present study.