Analysing risk factors for diabetic non-traumatic major amputation in Shropshire and Telford: Early metabolic and risk factor management is the key to prevention (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Basavaraju N.; *Al-Samaraaie E.; *Cane C.; *Beard N.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024

Abstract:

Aims: Shropshire and Telford have significantly higher minor and major non-traumatic diabetic lower-limb amputations. We analysed data on risk factors leading to major amputation. Method(s): Data on all 48 major non-traumatic lower-limb amputation in diabetes between April 2022 and March 2023 were analysed. Result(s): 90% type 2 diabetes with 32 (67%) diabetes duration >10 years, 11 (23%) <10 years, 1 was diagnosed at admission. 17 (35%) were female. 38 (80%) were between 50 and 80, 9 (18%) over 80 years age. 26 (54%) had below knee and 22 (46%) above knee amputation. Postcode-based assessment of deprivation indices revealed amputations were higher in patients from most deprived (29%) compared to deprived (25%), average (21%), affluent (20%) and very affluent (4%) areas. 20 (41%) were considered concordant, 18 (37%) non-concordant by the assessing clinician. 21 (42%) were overweight or obese. Half were current or ex-smokers, 58% hypertensive, 79% hyperlipidaemic or on statins, 83% on antiplatelet/anticoagulants. Sixteen (44%) had eGFR >60 mL/min, 17 (35%) 30-60 mL/min, 4 (8%) eGFR 15-30mL/min and none with eGFR <15mL/min. HbA1c was <48 mmol/mol in 10%, 48-68 mmol/mol in 35%, 69-99 mmol/mol in 37% and >100 mmol/mol in 17%. 37% had pre-proliferative/proliferative retinopathy or maculopathy. 80% had high risk feet, 28 (58%) previous foot ulcers and 19 (40%) previous amputation. 80% had neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease and 10% had Charcot. Final cause of amputation was critical ischaemia in 27 (56%), infection/osteomyelitis/sepsis in 7 (15%), spreading gangrene in 10 (21%) and Charcot in 4 (8%). Conclusion(s): Long-standing diabetes with multiple chronic complications and social deprivation were associated with major amputations. Cardiovascular risk factors were generally well managed. Preventive strategies must focus on improving metabolic and risk factor management early in disease.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15295

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A young lady with diabetic mastopathy (DMP): A less well-known complication of diabetes (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Cane C.L.; *Jones A.M.; *Moulik P.K.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

A 26-year-old nulliparous female presented with a 2-week history of a right breast lump. She had type 1 diabetes for 17 years and polycystic ovaries. Her diabetes distress led to suboptimal glycaemic control. There was firm tissue under the right nipple-areola complex, and ultrasound (US) demonstrated a suspicious 43-mm mixed echogenic lesion with posterior shadowing (U4). Core biopsy revealed marked fibrosis with fibroblasts and entrapped benign breast ducts and adipose tissue. Breast ducts were highlighted by epithelial markers (AE1/3 and small P63), blood vessels by CD34, and fibroblasts and myoepithelial layers by smooth muscle actin (SMA). She was reassured; 2 years later she developed a left breast lump and 26-mm focal hypoechoic glandular lesion on US, right breast lesion unchanged. A diagnosis of DMP was made. DMP occurs in 20- to 40 year-old women with long duration of type 1 diabetes. It can occur in men rarely. It presents with a painless, hard, mobile breast lesions which are irregular. Bilateral lesions develop in 50% patients. Axillary lymphadenopathy is absent. Mammography reveals dense glandular tissue and US shows acoustic shadows behind the lesion. Core biopsy is recommended. DMP is a benign condition which may raise concerns of breast cancer. It may be associated with autoimmunity and occasionally seen in insulin treated type 2 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto's. Microscopy shows periductal, perilobular and perivascular B-lymphocytic infiltrates with some T cells, fibroblast proliferation and collagen. Management is conservative unless a larger lesion requires excision. To date, only one case report has been published on breast cancer in a patient with DMP.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15295

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Motivational techniques combined with unconventional medications and technology improving care in a disengaged patient with type 1 diabetes: A case study of a success story (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Jones A.M.; *Basavaraju N.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

A 42-year-old lady with complex diabetes was diagnosed age 19 years. She went on an insulin pump (Medtronic Minimed), Hba1c was 56 mmol/mol which crept up to 72 mmol/mol. She developed hypertension, nephropathy and laser treated retinopathy. Starting Freestyle Libre with Medtronic640 improved Hba1c down to 52 mmol/mol. Her social and financial circumstances, including being a single mum, deteriorated leading to diabetes distress and burnout. Healthcare and diabetes management became a burden. Ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) showed time in range (TIR) 28%, high (H) 23%, very high (VH) 42% and Hba1c71 mmol/mol. Counselling and motivational interviewing with regular support was provided. She had stopped all medications and insisted on a pump break. Hba1c increased to 118 mmol/mol, TIR14%, H5%, VH81%, mean glucose (MG) 23.3 mmol/L. She wanted to restart the pump and it was felt on previous pump therapy she had safer glucose levels and no ketoacidosis. AGP improved with TIR29%, H18%, VH52%, MG15.4 mmol/L in 2 weeks. After 3 months, TIR was 33%, H20% VH42%, Hba1c76 mmol/mol. Weight was increasing with associated diabulimia. Dulaglutide was started after counselling. TIR51%, H16%, VH9%, level 1 hypoglycaemia11%, level 2 hypoglycaemia13%. She started HCL (Medtronic 780G with Guardian G4) and Hba1c was 45 mmol/mol, TIR66%, H18%, VH15%, level 1 hypoglycaemia1%, level 2 hypoglycaemia0%. Her weight has come down from 99 to 82 kg with BMI 31.4 kg/m2. Renal function has improved (eGFR 33 to 42 mL/min). Quality of life (QOL) assessments show great improvement. This case highlights a life plan is as important as a health plan. A motivational and supportive approach, advanced technologies and some off-license medication reduced diabetes burden and improved patient engagement.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15296

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Discrepancies of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and actual glucose: A case series with clinical scenarios (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Basavaraju N.; *Al-Samaraaie E.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

Introduction: HbA1c is a useful measure of glycaemic control over the preceding 3 months with an emphasis on preceding 30 days. We present four clinical scenarios that affect its reliability. Case 1: Twenty-nine-year-old female started on Dapsone for hidradenitis suppurativa. Pre-dapsone HbA1c was 38 mmol/mol and 2 years post-dapsone HbA1c <18 mmol/mol, normal fructosamine 272 mumol/L (211-328), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity 12.9 IU/gHb (8.8-12.8), methaemoglobin 8.6% (0-1.5) and reticulocyte 6.5% (0.5-2.5) indicating haemolysis. Case 2: Forty-nine-year-old female with type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis started on sulfasalazine. HbA1c dropped from 65 to 30 mmol/mol, fructosamine 415 mumol/L (211-328), mildly raised reticulocyte 2.6%, haemoglobin 128 g/L (115-165) indicating mild haemolysis. Case 3: Fifty-nine-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and genetic haemochromatosis (C282Y homozygous) started venesection. HbA1c prior was 63 mmol/mol reduced to 29 mmol/mol, fructosamine 262 mumol/L and c-peptide 2760 pmol/L indicate good beta cell reserve. Case 4: Seventy-year-old female with Graves' disease, post-radioiodine hypothyroidism, HbA1c <20 mmol/mol (was 41 mmol/mol 2 years ago) as part of annual hypertension screen. Fasting glucose 6.0 mmol/L, low haemoglobin 102 g/L, high reticulocytes 9.5%, direct antiglobulin Coombs test positive indicating low HbA1c due to autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Discussion(s): HbA1c depends on glycation of red blood cells (RBC) and is proportional to ambient glucose concentrations. Conditions that affect RBC lifespan and turnover can alter HbA1c values. Dapsone causes oxidative haemolysis as can sulfasalazine. Venesection and haemolytic anaemia shorten life span of red blood cells and duration of haemoglobin exposed to glucose in the bloodstream resulting in falsely lower HbA1c. Conclusion(s): Clinicians must be aware of conditions affecting accuracy of HbA1c and consider alternate tests including venous glucose, fructosamine, capillary glucose or continuous glucose monitoring.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15296

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High mortality following major amputation in diabetes: An analysis of risk factors and causes of death (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Cane C.; *Beard N.; *Al-Samaraaie E.; *Basavaraju N.; *Moulik P.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

Aims: Mortality following major diabetic amputation is high. We analysed data on factors leading to mortality following major amputation. Method(s): Data on all 48 major non-traumatic diabetic lower-limb amputation between April 2022 and March 2023 were analysed in September 2023. 33 (69%) were alive and 15 (31%) had died. Result(s): 90% patients had type 2 diabetes and 67% had diabetes duration>10 years. 17 (35%) were female. 38 (80%) were between 50 and 80, 9 (18%) over 80 years old. 21 (42%) were overweight or obese. 26 (54%) had below knee amputation (BKA) and 22 (46%) above knee amputation (AKA). Half were current or ex-smokers, 58% hypertensive, 79% hyperlipidaemic or on statins, 83% on antiplatelet/anticoagulants. 27 (57%) had eGFR >60 mL/min, 17 (35%) eGFR 30-60 mL/min, 4 (8%) eGFR 15-30 mL/min and none with eGFR <15 mL/min. 37% had pre-proliferative/proliferative retinopathy or maculopathy, 28 (58%) previous foot ulcers and 19 (40%) previous amputation. 80% had neuropathy and 80% peripheral arterial disease. Cause of amputation was critical ischaemia in 27 (56%), sepsis/spreading gangrene in 17 (36%). 10 patients died in hospital and 5 in the community. Cause of death was cardiorespiratory in 6 (40%), sepsis related to DFU in 2 (13%), sepsis unrelated to DFU in 3 (20%), old age/dementia in 2 (13%) and unknown in 2 (13%). Mortality was similar in BKA and AKA. Mann-Whitney test with Monte Carlo correction suggested age >40 at diagnosis of diabetes, advanced nephropathy and retinopathy additionally predicted mortality. Conclusion(s): A third of patients had died within a year following major amputation. Majority were older patients with multiple risk factors contributing both to amputation and mortality, but additional predictors of mortality were nephropathy and retinopathy.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15296

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Root cause analysis of non-traumatic major amputation in diabetes in a district general hospital: Are we missing opportunities to improve care? (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Beard N.B.; *Basavaraju N.B.; *Al-Samaraaie E.A.; *Cane C.C.; *Moulik P.M.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

Background: There is concern that Shropshire and Telford have significantly higher minor and major diabetic foot amputations. Method(s): Data on all 48 major non-traumatic lower limb amputation in diabetes were collected between April 2022 and March 2023. Indicators of care and pathways to amputation were studied. Result(s): 38 (80%) patients were between 50 and 80, 9 (18%) over 80 and 1 (2%) was less than 50 years age. 26 (54%) had below knee and 22 (46%) above knee amputation. 22 (45%) had documented diabetes foot check in the preceding year, 39 (80%) had high risk feet, 28 (58%) previous foot ulcers and 19 (40%) previous minor amputation. 23 (48%) had been seen by the foot protection team in the 8 weeks prior to amputation and 26 (54%) did not have an urgent referral to the muldisciplinary (MDT) foot clinic. 39 (80%) had neuropathy, 38 (80%) had peripheral arterial disease and 10% had Charcot's. SINBAD score was unavailable for 19 (40%) as not seen in MDT clinic, the score was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in 2%, 10%, 8%, 33%, 4% and 2%, respectively, in the rest. Pre-amputation x-rays were available in 54%, antibiotics given in 69%, debridement done in 33% and offloading provided in 60%. 23% had lower limb arterial bypass, 21% had angioplasty and 8% theatre-based debridement. Conclusion(s): Opportunities for improving foot care exist and could prevent or reduce major amputations as majority were in known high risk feet but did not receive NICE recommended care. A significant number of patients were admitted directly for amputation without having the benefit of amputation prevention interventions.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15296

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Lessons from a teacher: Managing diabetic foot sepsis in the NHS under critical pressure (2024)

Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Cane C.L.; *Beard N.; *Breeze S.; *Moulik P.K.

Citation:

Diabetic Medicine. Conference: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2024. London . 41(Supplement 1) (no pagination), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

A 49-year-old schoolteacher with insulin treated type 2 diabetes attended the diabetic foot clinic. Four days prior he tripped causing a left big toe superficial abrasion. He felt unwell the next day with chills. In MDT clinic, he had normal blood pressure and glucose, temperature 37.2degreeC, left hallux superficial ulcer, SINBAD score 3, cellulitis on left forefoot, neuropathy, biphasic foot pulses on doppler. The hospital was in critical incident, the patient was compliant but reluctant to come in and a decision for supervised outpatient treatment made with daily phone contact, alternate day attendance with safety netting advice to attend A&E. He was started on CGM (Freestyle Libre), oral co-amoxiclav and ciprofloxacin. Initial abnormal blood tests (WBC 18.7 x 109/L, CRP 210 mg/L, Lactate 2.4 mmol/L, Glucose 10.8 mmol/L) results improved on retesting. Sepsis symptoms were settling. After 4 days, foot doppler signals became monophasic and with tissue necrosis on the hallux though his cellulitis was settling. He was admitted briefly for intravenous antibiotics and urgent MRI angiogram (showed good anterior tibial inflow into foot). The foot is slowly healing, his foot pulse doppler signal has returned to biphasic, but there is an eschar on the left hallux and the toenail has fallen off. The case highlights the risk of capillaritis in diabetic foot sepsis which can lead to rapid tissue hypoperfusion and necrosis. Doppler signals are unreliable in presence of sepsis and tissue oedema. A virtual ward setup with intravenous antibiotics and rapid diagnostic test access is being developed before the winter bed crisis.

DOI: 10.1111/dme.15296

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Atezolizumab-Induced Thyroiditis and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI)-Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in ICI-Associated Endocrinopathies (2025)

Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

*Al-Rubaye, Rafal; *Nadeem, Sabha; Soliman, Ahmed Abdulkader Zaki Ali.

Citation:

Cureus. 17(10):e94593, 2025 Oct.

Abstract:

The rapid evolution and increased application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the oncology setting have introduced novel diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in the setting of endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Thyroid dysfunction is among the most common of these, while ICI-type 1 diabetes mellitus is uncommon and can present abruptly with life-threatening complications. A 76-year-old man with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer being treated with atezolizumab developed new-onset diabetes, which manifested as diabetic ketoacidosis in connection with immunotherapy-induced thyroiditis. Metabolic instability in this patient was compounded by the inappropriate initiation of thyroid hormone replacement during the thyrotoxic phase of the thyroiditis as a result of misinterpretation of his thyroid function tests (TFTs). The unique clinical course of this patient illustrates the broad and unpredictable spectrum of ICI-related endocrinopathies and highlights the importance of prudent interpretation of TFTs, early recognition of ICI-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus, and close multidisciplinary management of irAEs.

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94593

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Microvascular Outcomes of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Retinopathy and Nephropathy Evidence (2025)

Type of publication:

Systematic Review

Author(s):

Arif, Atia; Lama, Sanu; Singla, Bhavna; Singla, Shivam; Kumawat, Sunita; Tharwani, Anusha; Usman, Muhammad; Khalid, Hamna; Kanukollu, Venkata Madusudana Rao; *Ekomwereren, Osatohanmwen; Khan, Shabir.

Citation:

Cureus. 17(9):e92976, 2025 Sep.

Abstract:

This systematic review evaluated randomized controlled trials examining the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on microvascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes, focusing on diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. Four eligible RCTs, enrolling over 27,000 patients with follow-up periods ranging from 32 weeks to 5.4 years, were included. GLP-1 receptor agonists consistently demonstrated renal protective effects, primarily driven by reductions in new or worsening nephropathy and acroalbuminuria, with more modest and inconsistent effects on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline. In contrast, their impact on retinopathy remained inconclusive. A transient signal of worsening retinopathy has been reported in the context of rapid glycemic improvement; however, across large outcome trials, effects on retinopathy have been inconsistent and remain inconclusive. Overall, the evidence for retinopathy risk is limited by small event numbers, heterogeneity in assessments, and exploratory analyses. The certainty of renal benefit was strengthened by rigorous trial designs and low risk of bias, whereas retinopathy outcomes were generally secondary and less robust. These findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists can be prioritized for patients at high renal risk, but careful monitoring of individuals with pre-existing retinopathy remains warranted

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92976

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Streamlining Patient Care in Endocrinology: A Consolidated Handover Tool (2025)

Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Dr Krishna Iyer; *Dr Lauren Morris

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, April 2025

SMART Aim:

To improve communication of patient details and reduce hospital stays by April 2025, as evidenced by doctor satisfaction with handovers and shorter discharge times.

Link to PDF poster