Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose: The effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake, a life-threatening event, on glycemic and lipid control in type 2 diabetic patients were examined. The influence of the DPP-IV inhibitors on glycemic and lipid levels was studied.

Method: Three hundred fifty type 2 diabetes outpatients (age 63 years old) who followed careful diet regimen on a normal condition were divided into the two groups: the administrated group (A group), 175 patients who were given DPP-IV inhibitors (Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Alogliptin) at least three months before the earthquake and the non-administrated group (NA group), 175 patients were given not given. Sulfonylurea and/or α-glucosidase inhibitor were used in some patients in both groups. All patients were able to have meals and visit our hospital before and after the earthquake. Their meal contents were confirmed by hearing and glycemic and lipid levels were examined.

Results: Before the earthquake, there were no differences in levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C in the two groups. One month after the earthquake, in both groups, the 77% patients increased intake of carbohydrates compared with the normal condition due to emergency food and stress. The transient increases of FPG and TG occurred after one month of the earthquake. However, the increases of the values were significantly lower in A group than those in NA group (0% vs. 3%, 6% vs. 17%, P<0.05), and the HDL-C significantly increased in A group. The LDL-C, HbA1c and body weight revealed tendencies of decline in the two groups.

Conclusion: These results suggest an association between life-threatening stress and the worsening of metabolic control in the type 2 diabetes patients. The DPP-IV inhibitors may possess ability to improve the unfavorable changes of FPG and TG to some extent.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.