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Biomedical subjects

L A Kent

Publications and source records attributed to L A Kent.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Prevalence and characteristics of brittle diabetes in Britain.

We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of 'brittle diabetes', defined as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus associated with glycaemic instability of any type, leading to life disruption with recurrent and/or prolonged hospitalizations. A questionnaire was sent to all physicians and paediatricians running diabetic clinics in the UK, from lists held at the British Diabetic Association. A total of 414 brittle patients were reported (72% questionnaire return). Most were young (mean age +/- SD was 26 +/- 15 years), though there was a small peak at ages 60-70 years. There was an excess of females (66%) and overall clinic prevalence was 1.2 per 1000 diabetic patients and 2.9 per 1000 insulin-treated diabetic patients. On average, there was 1.0 brittle patient per diabetic clinic. The most common form of brittleness was recurrent ketoacidosis (59%), with 17% having predominant hypoglycaemia, and 24% mixed instability. Female excess was highest and mean age lowest in the recurrent ketoacidosis group, whilst the reverse was true for those with recurrent hypoglycaemia. Causes of brittleness were offered by 58% of consultants, and most (93%) considered various psychosocial problems as likely underlying factors. We conclude that brittle diabetes is a small but significant problem, currently affecting about 1 per 1000 diabetic patients. Most, but by no means all, are young females--often with recurrent ketoacidosis. Older age groups are more likely to have recurrent hypoglycaemic or mixed types of brittleness. Perceived causes of brittleness are usually psychosocial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Mortality and outcome of patients with brittle diabetes and recurrent ketoacidosis.

The long-term outlook of patients with brittle insulin-dependent diabetes is uncertain. We assessed the outcome of a group of young female patients with diabetes and recurrent ketoacidosis originally investigated in 1979-85 and reassessed after a mean of 10.5 (SD 1.4) years. 7 of the 33 patients could not be traced. 5 (19%) of the remaining 26 had died. Causes of death were not certain, but were probably ketoacidosis (2), hypoglycaemia (2), and renal failure (1). Of the 21 survivors, only 2 (10%) were still considered to have brittle diabetes. Diabetic complications were common (67%), and were more frequent than in a matched control group of stable patients with diabetes (25%). Brittle diabetic patients also had lower quality-of-life scores, more frequent psychosocial disruptions, and were on higher insulin doses (77 [39] vs 47 [15] U per day, p = 0.007) than controls. Pregnancy complications had occurred in 13 of 28 (46%) pregnancies in severely unstable patients compared with 2 of 27 (7%) in stable controls. Patients with brittle diabetes have a tendency to become more stable with time, but have a higher risk of death, more microvascular and pregnancy complications, and a poorer quality of life.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized controlled trial of cost reductions from a health education program: the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) study.

Purpose. This study evaluated the cost trend reduction from a health promotion program. Design. A randomized 12-month trial comparing claims data was conducted. Additional studies, utilizing quasi-experimental designs, analyzed changes in health habits and changes in costs estimated by self-report. Subjects. All active California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) employees (21,170), non-Medicare eligible retirees (8,316), and retirees with Medical Supplement coverage (25,416) administered by Blue Shield of California were included. Intervention. The program consisted of mailed health risk assessments at six- or 12-month intervals, with individualized reports and recommendation letters sent to participants emphasizing and encouraging change, self-management materials emphasizing self-care when appropriate, and quarterly newsletters. Passive participants received printed materials only. Measures. Health risks were based upon self-report; summary scores were computed by modified Framingham algorithms. Self-report cost data were estimated from reported doctor visits, hospital days, and days sick or confined to home. Claims data were those paid by Blue Shield of California. Results. The program was associated with: 1) reduction in health risk scores at 12 months, (p less than .001), 2) reduction of subject reported medical utilization from baseline (p less than .05), and 3) decrease in claims cost growth relative to controls (p=.03). Annual claims costs were approximately $3.2 to $8.0 million less than expected had costs for the experimental participants increased at the same rate as the control group. Discussion. Results suggest that appropriately designed health promotion programs can reduce health risks and at the same time reduce the medical care claims cost trend.

Age Factors↗