Antonio Nicolucci

Università di Pisa, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

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Publications (82)474.57 Total impact

  • Article: Association Between Depression and Death in People With CKD: A Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Depression occurs relatively commonly in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but it is uncertain whether depression is a risk factor for premature death in this population. Interventions to reduce mortality in CKD consistently have been ineffective and new strategies are needed. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. SETTING & POPULATION: Adults with CKD. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: Cohort studies identified in Ovid MEDLINE through week 3 December 2012 without language restriction. PREDICTOR: Depression status as determined by physician diagnosis, clinical coding, or self-reported scales. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: All-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Outcomes were summarized as relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: 22 studies (83,381 participants) comprising 12,063 cases of depression (mean prevalence, 27.4%; 95% CI, 20.0%-36.3%) with a follow-up of 3 months to 6.5 years were included. Methodological quality generally was good or fair. Depression consistently increased the risk of death from any cause (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.35-1.87), but had less certain effects on cardiovascular mortality (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.84-4.19). Associations for mortality were similar regardless of the diagnostic method used for depression, but were weaker in analyses controlled for preexisting cardiovascular disease (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.23-1.50). LIMITATIONS: Meta-analyses adjusting for antidepressant medication use were not possible, and data for kidney transplant recipients and individuals with earlier stages of CKD not treated with dialysis were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is associated with a substantially increased risk of death in people with CKD. Effective treatment for depression in people with CKD may reduce mortality.
    American Journal of Kidney Diseases 04/2013; · 5.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gender differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors, treatments and complications in patients with type 2 diabetes: the RIACE Italian multicentre study.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: Poorer control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in diabetic women, as compared with diabetic men. It has been proposed that this finding is due to gender disparities in treatment intensity. We investigated this hypothesis in a large contemporary cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian multicentre study (n=15,773), attending 19 hospital-based diabetes clinics in 2007-2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Traditional CVD risk factors, macro- and microvascular complications, and current glucose-, lipid-, and blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatments were assessed. RESULTS: Though CVD was more prevalent in men, women showed a less favourable CVD risk profile and worse performance in achieving treatment targets for haemoglobin A1c , LDL, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (BP) and in particular obesity [body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference], but not for triglycerides and diastolic BP. However, women were more frequently receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension and to a lesser extent hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia than men, and female gender remained an independent predictor of unmet therapeutic targets after adjustment for confounders such as treatments, BMI, duration of diabetes and, except for the systolic BP goal, age. CONCLUSIONS: In women with type 2 diabetes from the RIACE cohort, a more adverse CVD risk profile and a higher likelihood of failing treatment targets, compared with men, was not associated with treatment differences. This suggests that factors other than gender disparities in treatment intensity are responsible. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Journal of Internal Medicine 04/2013; · 5.48 Impact Factor
  • Article: HbA1c Variability As an Independent Correlate of Nephropathy, but Not Retinopathy, in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE To examine the association of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c variability with microvascular complications in the large cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serial (3-5) HbA1c values collected in a 2-year period before enrollment were available from 8,260 subjects from 9 centers (of 15,773 patients from 19 centers). HbA1c variability was measured as the intraindividual SD of 4.52 ± 0.76 values. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was assessed by dilated funduscopy. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined based on albuminuria, as measured by immunonephelometry or immunoturbidimetry, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine.RESULTSMedian and interquartile range of average HbA1c (HbA1c-MEAN) and HbA1c-SD were 7.57% (6.86-8.38) and 0.46% (0.29-0.74), respectively. The highest prevalence of microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, reduced eGFR, albuminuric CKD phenotypes, and advanced DR was observed when both HbA1c parameters were above the median and the lowest when both were below the median. Logistic regression analyses showed that HbA1c-SD adds to HbA1c-MEAN as an independent correlate of microalbuminuria and stages 1-2 CKD and is an independent predictor of macroalbuminuria, reduced eGFR, and stages 3-5 albuminuric CKD, whereas HbA1c-MEAN is not. The opposite was found for DR, whereas neither HbA1c-MEAN nor HbA1c-SD affected nonalbuminuric CKD.CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c variability affects (albuminuric) CKD more than average HbA1c, whereas only the latter parameter affects DR, thus suggesting a variable effect of these measures on microvascular complications.
    Diabetes care 03/2013; · 8.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Prevalence of depression in chronic kidney disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
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    ABSTRACT: Prevalence estimates of depression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) vary widely in existing studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to summarize the point prevalence of depressive symptoms in adults with CKD. We searched MEDLINE and Embase (through January 2012). Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms. We also limited the analyses to studies using clinical interview and prespecified criteria for diagnosis. We included 249 populations (55,982 participants). Estimated prevalence of depression varied by stage of CKD and the tools used for diagnosis. Prevalence of interview-based depression in CKD stage 5D was 22.8% (confidence interval (CI), 18.6-27.6), but estimates were somewhat less precise for CKD stages 1-5 (21.4% (CI, 11.1-37.2)) and for kidney transplant recipients (25.7% (12.8-44.9)). Using self- or clinician-administered rating scales, the prevalence of depressive symptoms for CKD stage 5D was higher (39.3% (CI, 36.8-42.0)) relative to CKD stages 1-5 (26.5% (CI, 18.5-36.5)) and transplant recipients (26.6% (CI, 20.9-33.1)) and suggested that self-report scales may overestimate the presence of depression, particularly in the dialysis setting. Thus, interview-defined depression affects approximately one-quarter of adults with CKD. Given the potential prevalence of depression in the setting of CKD, randomized trials to evaluate effects of interventions for depression on patient-centered outcomes are needed.Kidney International advance online publication, 13 March 2013; doi:10.1038/ki.2013.77.
    Kidney International 03/2013; · 6.61 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of Pioglitazone Versus Metformin on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Type 2 Diabetes.
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    ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Besides its critical role in metabolic homeostasis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ modulates several cellular responses involved in atherothrombosis. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized study investigated the effects of two oral hypoglycemic agents on markers of inflammation, platelet activation, thrombogenesis, and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) after a 16-week treatment period with either pioglitazone or metformin. Additionally, markers of vascular inflammatory response, platelet activation, thrombogenesis, oxidative stress, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as liver function, were measured. In total, 50 patients completed the study. Pioglitazonetreated patients were found to have statistically significantly larger decreases in mean CRP levels (-0.4 mg/dL) compared to those treated with metformin (-0.2 mg/dL) (P = 0.04), as well as greater reductions in levels of mean fasting plasma glucose (-27 vs. -9 mg/dL; P = 0.01), serum insulin (-2 vs. -1.9 mU/L; P = 0.014), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) (-1.2 vs. -0.9; P = 0.015), and E-selectin (-12.4 vs. +3.4 μg/mL; P = 0.01). Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels decreased in both treatment groups from baseline to week 16 (-0.4% in the pioglitazone group, -0.2% in the metformin group; P = 0.36). Pioglitazone treatment was also found to be associated with a statistically significant increase in total cholesterol levels (+10 mg/dL in the pioglitazone arm, -3 mg/dL in the metformin arm; P = 0.05) and a decrease in liver enzyme levels. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable changes in markers of systemic and vascular inflammatory response with pioglitazone suggest that it may positively influence the atherothrombotic process in type 2 diabetes.
    Advances in Therapy 01/2013; · 2.11 Impact Factor
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    Article: The TOSCA.IT Trial: A Study Designed to Evaluate the Effect of Pioglitazone Versus Sulfonylureas on Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes.
    Diabetes care 12/2012; 35(12):e82. · 8.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Rate and Determinants of Association Between Advanced Retinopathy and Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian multicenter study.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the rate and determinants of concordance between advanced diabetic retinopathy (DR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), as assessed by both albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in the large cohort of the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian multicenter study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 15,773) visiting consecutively 19 hospital-based diabetes clinics in years 2007 and 2008 were examined. DR was assessed by dilated fundoscopy. CKD was defined based on albuminuria and eGFR. RESULTS CKD was present in 58.64% of subjects with advanced DR, whereas advanced DR was detectable only in 15.28% of individuals with any CKD and correlated with the albuminuric CKD phenotypes more than with the nonalbuminuric phenotype. Age, male sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A(1c), hypertension, triglycerides, previous cardiovascular disease, and, inversely, HDL-cholesterol correlated independently with the presence of any CKD in individuals with advanced DR; correlates differed according to the presence of albuminuria, reduced eGFR, or both. Conversely, factors associated with the presence of advanced DR in subjects with any CKD were diabetes treatment, previous cardiovascular disease, albuminuria, and, inversely, smoking, eGFR, and age at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Concordance of CKD with advanced DR is low in subjects with type 2 diabetes, and CKD without advanced DR is more frequent than isolated advanced DR, at variance with type 1 diabetes. Factors independently associated with the presence of any CKD in individuals with advanced DR differ, at least in part, from those correlating with the presence of advanced DR in subjects with any CKD and by CKD phenotype.
    Diabetes care 11/2012; 35(11):2317-2323. · 8.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Antiplatelet Therapy to Prevent Hemodialysis Vascular Access Failure: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis vascular access failure occurs often and increases morbidity for people on hemodialysis therapy. Antiplatelet agents may prevent hemodialysis vascular access failure, but potentially may be hazardous in people with end-stage kidney disease who have impaired hemostasis. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SETTING & POPULATION: Adults on long-term hemodialysis therapy. SELECTION CRITERIA: Trials evaluating hemodialysis vascular access outcomes identified by searches in Cochrane CENTRAL and Renal Group Trial Registers and Embase, without language restriction. INTERVENTION: Antiplatelet therapy. OUTCOMES: Hemodialysis vascular access failure (thrombosis or loss of patency), failure to attain vascular access suitable for dialysis, need for intervention to attain patency or assist maturation, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and antiplatelet treatment withdrawal. Treatment effects were summarized as RRs with 95% CIs using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: 21 eligible trials (4,826 participants) comparing antiplatelet treatment with placebo or no treatment were included. 12 trials (3,118 participants) started antiplatelet therapy around the time of dialysis vascular access surgery and continued treatment for approximately 6 months. Antiplatelet treatment reduced fistula failure (thrombosis or loss of patency) by one-half (6 trials, 1,222 participants; RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81) but had uncertain effects on graft patency and attaining fistula or graft function suitable for dialysis. Overall, antiplatelet treatment had uncertain effects on major bleeding. LIMITATIONS: Unclear or high risk of bias in most trials and few trial data, particularly for antiplatelet effects on graft function and vascular access suitability for dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet treatment protects fistula from thrombosis or loss of patency, but has little or no effect on graft patency and uncertain effects on vascular access maturation for dialysis and major bleeding. Interventions that demonstrably improve vascular access suitability for dialysis are needed.
    American Journal of Kidney Diseases 09/2012; · 5.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: High prevalence of advanced retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study.
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    ABSTRACT: AIMS: The natural history of diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), is changing due to improved care. This study aimed at assessing prevalence of advanced DR and its correlation with risk factors and complications in subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency and Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study. METHODS: This study enrolled 15,773 patients visiting consecutively 19 Diabetes Clinics in years 2007-2008. DR was assessed by dilated fundoscopy and classified according to the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Project Group. RESULTS: Advanced DR was observed in 9.8% of patients (4.2% pre-proliferative, 4.2% proliferative, 1.3% maculopathy, 0.1% blindness). Advanced DR was independently associated with hemoglobin (Hb) A(1c), diabetes duration and treatment, particularly with insulin, hypertension, previous cardiovascular disease (CVD), albuminuria and, inversely, age, age at diabetes diagnosis, smoking and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Maculopathy alone was associated with female gender, but not HbA(1c), hypertension and age. CONCLUSIONS: We found an alarming high prevalence of advanced DR in subjects with type 2 diabetes from the RIACE cohort, suggesting that the expected favorable effect of improved diabetes management has not emerged yet. Independent correlates of advanced DR were indexes of glycemic exposure, hypertension, CVD, albuminuria and, inversely, age at diagnosis and smoking.
    Diabetes research and clinical practice 09/2012; · 2.16 Impact Factor
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    Dataset: CJN12601211SupplementaryData2
  • Article: Association of aspirin use with major bleeding in patients with and without diabetes.
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    ABSTRACT: The benefit of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events is relatively small for individuals with and without diabetes. This benefit could easily be offset by the risk of hemorrhage. To determine the incidence of major gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding episodes in individuals with and without diabetes taking aspirin. A population-based cohort study, using administrative data from 4.1 million citizens in 12 local health authorities in Puglia, Italy. Individuals with new prescriptions for low-dose aspirin (≤300 mg) were identified during the index period from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2008, and were propensity-matched on a 1-to-1 basis with individuals who did not take aspirin during this period. Hospitalizations for major gastrointestinal bleeding or cerebral hemorrhage occurring after the initiation of antiplatelet therapy. There were 186,425 individuals being treated with low-dose aspirin and 186,425 matched controls without aspirin use. During a median follow-up of 5.7 years, the overall incidence rate of hemorrhagic events was 5.58 (95% CI, 5.39-5.77) per 1000 person-years for aspirin users and 3.60 (95% CI, 3.48-3.72) per 1000 person-years for those without aspirin use (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.48-1.63). The use of aspirin was associated with a greater risk of major bleeding in most of the subgroups investigated but not in individuals with diabetes (IRR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.97-1.22). Irrespective of aspirin use, diabetes was independently associated with an increased risk of major bleeding episodes (IRR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.44). In a population-based cohort, aspirin use was significantly associated with an increased risk of major gastrointestinal or cerebral bleeding episodes. Patients with diabetes had a high rate of bleeding that was not independently associated with aspirin use.
    JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association 06/2012; 307(21):2286-94. · 30.03 Impact Factor
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    Article: Prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction in men on chronic haemodialysis: a multinational cross-sectional study.
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    ABSTRACT: Factors associated with erectile dysfunction in men on haemodialysis are incompletely identified due to suboptimal existing studies. We determined the prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction and identified combinations of clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction using recursive partitioning and amalgamation (REPCAM) analysis. We conducted a multinational cross-sectional study in men on haemodialysis within a collaborative network. Erectile dysfunction and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, respectively. Nine hundred and forty-six (59%) of 1611 eligible men provided complete data for erectile dysfunction. Eighty-three per cent reported erectile dysfunction and 47% reported severe erectile dysfunction. Four per cent of those with erectile dysfunction were receiving pharmacological treatment. Depressive symptoms were the strongest correlate of erectile dysfunction [adjusted odds ratio 2.41 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-3.71)]. Erectile dysfunction was also associated with age (1.06, 1.05-1.08), being unemployed (1.80, 1.17-2.79) or receiving a pension (2.05, 1.14-3.69) and interdialytic weight gain (1.9-2.87 kg, 1.92 [CI 1.19-3.09]; >2.87 kg, 1.57 [CI 1.00-2.45]). Married men had a lower risk of erectile dysfunction (0.49, 0.31-0.76). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was highest (94%) in unmarried and unemployed or retired men who have depressive symptoms. Most men on haemodialysis experience erectile dysfunction and are untreated. Given the prevalence of this condition and the relative lack of efficacy data for pharmacological agents, we suggest that large trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for erectile dysfunction and depression are needed.
    Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 06/2012; 27(6):2479-88. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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    Article: Sexual dysfunction in women with ESRD requiring hemodialysis.
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    ABSTRACT: The few existing studies of sexual dysfunction in women on hemodialysis are limited by small sample size. This large, cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of female sexual dysfunction in advanced kidney disease. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, METHODS: A total of 1472 women with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis were recruited to a multinational, cross-sectional study conducted within a collaborative dialysis network in Europe and South America. Sexual dysfunction was identified by the Female Sexual Function Index. Correlates of self-reported sexual dysfunction were identified by regression analyses. Of the 1472 women, 659 completed questionnaires (45%). More than half (362 of 659 [55%]) lived with a partner, and 232 of 659 (35%) reported being sexually active. Of these 659 respondents, 555 (84%) reported sexual dysfunction. Women with a partner (282 of 362 [78%]) were less likely to report sexual dysfunction than those without a partner (273 of 297 [92%]) (P<0.001). Sexual dysfunction was independently associated with age, depressive symptoms, less education, menopause, diabetes, and diuretic therapy. Nearly all women who were not wait-listed for a kidney transplant and were living without a partner (249 of 260 [96%]) reported sexual dysfunction. More than half (128 of 232 [55%]) of sexually active women reported sexual dysfunction, associated with age, depressive symptoms, menopause, low serum albumin, and diuretic therapy. This descriptive study suggests most women on hemodialysis experience sexual problems. Additional research on the relevance of sexual dysfunction to symptom burden and quality of life in these women is needed.
    Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 04/2012; 7(6):974-81. · 5.23 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of antiplatelet therapy on mortality and cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes in persons with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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    ABSTRACT: Antiplatelet agents are used to prevent cardiovascular events; however, treatment effects may differ in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because atherosclerotic disease is less prevalent, whereas bleeding hazards may be increased in this population. To summarize the effects of antiplatelet treatment on cardiovascular events, mortality, and bleeding in persons with CKD. Embase and Cochrane databases through November 2011 without language restriction. Randomized trials that included adults with CKD and compared antiplatelet agents with standard care, placebo, or no treatment. Data for populations, interventions, outcomes, and risk for bias were extracted. Quality of evidence for treatment effects on myocardial infarction, death, and bleeding was summarized by using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidelines. Nine trials (all post hoc subgroup analyses for CKD) involving 9969 persons who had acute coronary syndromes or were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and 31 trials involving 11,701 persons with stable or no cardiovascular disease were identified. Low-quality evidence has found that in persons with acute coronary syndromes, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors or clopidogrel plus standard care compared with standard care alone had little or no effect on all-cause or cardiovascular mortality or on myocardial infarction but increased serious bleeding. Compared with placebo or no treatment in persons with stable or no cardiovascular disease, antiplatelet agents prevented myocardial infarction but had uncertain effects on mortality and increased minor bleeding according to generally low-quality evidence. Data for antiplatelet agents in persons with CKD are frequently derived from post hoc analyses of trials of broader populations. Definitions for bleeding outcomes and trial duration were heterogeneous. Benefits for antiplatelet therapy among persons with CKD are uncertain and are potentially outweighed by bleeding hazards. None.
    Annals of internal medicine 03/2012; 156(6):445-59. · 16.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Changes in physical fitness predict improvements in modifiable cardiovascular risk factors independently of body weight loss in subjects with type 2 diabetes participating in the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES).
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    ABSTRACT: Physical fitness is inversely related to mortality in the general population and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Here, we present data concerning the relationship between changes in physical fitness and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study. Sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 606) were enrolled in 22 outpatient diabetes clinics and randomized to twice-a-week supervised aerobic and resistance training plus exercise counseling versus counseling alone for 12 months. Baseline to end-of-study changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and flexibility, as assessed by Vo(2max) estimation, a 5-8 maximal repetition test, and a hip/trunk flexibility test, respectively, were calculated in the whole cohort, and multiple regression analyses were applied to assess the relationship with cardiovascular risk factors. Changes in Vo(2max), upper and lower body strength, and flexibility were significantly associated with the variation in the volume of physical activity, HbA(1c), BMI, waist circumference, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), coronary heart disease (CHD) risk score, and inversely, HDL cholesterol. Changes in fitness predicted improvements in HbA(1c), waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, hs-CRP, and CHD risk score, independent of study arm, BMI, and in case of strength, also waist circumference. Physical activity/exercise-induced increases in fitness, particularly muscular, predict improvements in cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes independently of weight loss, thus indicating the need for targeting fitness in these individuals, particularly in subjects who struggle to lose weight.
    Diabetes care 03/2012; 35(6):1347-54. · 8.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Telecare Provides comparable efficacy to conventional self-monitored blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes titrating one injection of insulin glulisine-the ELEONOR study.
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    ABSTRACT: We compared telecare and conventional self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) programs for titrating the addition of one bolus injection of insulin glulisine in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on oral hypoglycemic agents for ≥3 months who were first titrated with basal insulin glargine. This randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study included 241 patients (mean screening glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA(1c)], 8.8% [73 mmol/mol]). In the run-in phase, any antidiabetes medication, except for metformin, was discontinued. Metformin was then up-titrated to 2 g/day (1 g twice daily) until study completion. Following run-in, all patients started glargine for 8-16 weeks, targeting fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤5.6 mmol/L using conventional SMBG. Patients with FPG ≤7 mmol/L added a glulisine dose at the meal with the highest postprandial plasma glucose excursion, titrated to target 2-h postprandial plasma glucose level <7.8 mmol/L using telecare or SMBG for 24 weeks. Patients with FPG >7 mmol/L at week 16 were withdrawn from the study. After glargine titration, 224 patients achieved FPG ≤7 mmol/L, without any difference between telecare and SBMG groups (mean±SD, 6.2±0.8 vs. 6.0±0. 9 mmol/L, respectively). HbA(1c) levels were lower following titration and were similar for telecare and SMBG (7.9±0.9% vs. 7.8±0.9% [63 vs. 62 mmol/mol], respectively). Adding glulisine further reduced HbA(1c) in both groups (-0.7% vs. -0.7%); 45.2% and 54.8% (P=0.14), respectively, of patients achieved HbA(1c) ≤7.0% (≤53 mmol/mol). Weight change and hypoglycemia were similar between groups. Patients adding one dose of glulisine at the meal with the highest postprandial plasma glucose excursion to titrated basal glargine achieved comparable improvements in glycemic control irrespective of traditional or telecare blood glucose monitoring.
    Diabetes Technology &amp Therapeutics 02/2012; 14(2):175-82. · 1.93 Impact Factor
  • Article: Supervised exercise training counterbalances the adverse effects of insulin therapy in overweight/obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.
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    ABSTRACT: To examine the effect of supervised exercise on traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary, overweight/obese insulin-treated subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Italian Diabetes Exercise Study (IDES). The study randomized 73 insulin-treated patients to twice weekly supervised aerobic and resistance training plus structured exercise counseling (EXE) or to counseling alone (CON) for 12 months. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. The volume of physical activity was significantly higher in the EXE versus the CON group. Values for hemoglobin A(1c), BMI, waist circumference, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and the coronary heart disease risk score were significantly reduced only in the EXE group. No major adverse events were observed. In insulin-treated subjects with type 2 diabetes, supervised exercise is safe and effective in improving glycemic control and markers of adiposity and inflammation, thus counterbalancing the adverse effects of insulin on these parameters.
    Diabetes care 01/2012; 35(1):39-41. · 8.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of High- versus Low-Intensity Supervised Aerobic and Resistance Training on Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes; The Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES).
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: While current recommendations on exercise type and volume have strong experimental bases, there is no clear evidence from large-sized studies indicating whether increasing training intensity provides additional benefits to subjects with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of moderate-to-high intensity (HI) versus low-to-moderate intensity (LI) training of equal energy cost, i.e. exercise volume, on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Pre-specified sub-analysis of the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES), a randomized multicenter prospective trial comparing a supervised exercise intervention with standard care for 12 months (2005-2006). SETTING: Twenty-two outpatient diabetes clinics across Italy. PATIENTS: Sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes assigned to twice-a-week supervised progressive aerobic and resistance training plus exercise counseling (n = 303). INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized by center to LI (n = 142, 136 completed) or HI (n = 161, 152 completed) progressive aerobic and resistance training, i.e. at 55% or 70% of predicted maximal oxygen consumption and at 60% or 80% of predicted 1-Repetition Maximum, respectively, of equal volume. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hemoglobin (Hb) A(1c) and other cardiovascular risk factors; 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk scores. RESULTS: Volume of physical activity, both supervised and non-supervised, was similar in LI and HI participants. Compared with LI training, HI training produced only clinically marginal, though statistically significant, improvements in HbA(1c) (mean difference -0.17% [95% confidence interval -0.44,0.10], P = 0.03), triglycerides (-0.12 mmol/l [-0.34,0.10], P = 0.02) and total cholesterol (-0.24 mmol/l [-0.46, -0.01], P = 0.04), but not in other risk factors and CHD risk scores. However, intensity was not an independent predictor of reduction of any of these parameters. Adverse event rate was similar in HI and LI subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the large IDES cohort indicate that, in low-fitness individuals such as sedentary subjects with type 2 diabetes, increasing exercise intensity is not harmful, but does not provide additional benefits on cardiovascular risk factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ISRCTN.org ISRCTN-04252749.
    PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(11):e49297. · 4.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Development and validation of a questionnaire evaluating the impact of hepatitis B immune globulin prophylaxis on the quality of life of liver transplant recipients.
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    ABSTRACT: To date, there is still a lack of instruments for specifically assessing the impact of anti-hepatitis B virus prophylaxis after liver transplantation (LT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and treatment satisfaction. Focusing on the use of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), we developed and validated the Immunoglobulin Therapy After Liver Transplantation Questionnaire (ITaLi-Q), which includes 41 items and covers 5 domains (side effects, positive and negative feelings, impact on the flexibility of daily activities, support, and satisfaction). The questionnaire was tested by 177 consecutive LT patients [71.8% were male, 38.4% were more than 60 years old, 58.8% were on intramuscular (IM) HBIG, and 41.2% were on intravenous (IV) HBIG]. A factor analysis confirmed the hypothesized structure, and a multitrait, multi-item analysis showed favorable psychometric characteristics for ITaLi-Q: item-scale correlations > 0.40 for all items but 1, high scaling success rates (>90% for all scales but 1), excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.8 for all scales), and good reproducibility (test-retest coefficient > 0.70 for all scales but 2). ITaLi-Q was able to discriminate between subgroups of patients according to their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. In comparison with patients on IV HBIG, patients on IM HBIG reported significantly better HRQOL scores on the Flexibility (81.5 ± 21.4 versus 73.1 ± 24.2, P = 0.01) and Negative Feelings scales (90.1 ± 17.3 versus 85.4 ± 20.7, P = 0.04), but they reported worse HRQOL scores on the Side Effects scale (81.8 ± 22.8 versus 95.6 ± 7.4, P < 0.001). No differences were found between the route of HBIG administration and the Satisfaction, Positive Feelings, Impact, and Support scales. In conclusion, ITaLi-Q showed adequate psychometric characteristics and revealed that the route of HBIG administration has a significant impact on specific HRQOL domains beyond a patient's satisfaction.
    Liver Transplantation 12/2011; 18(3):332-9. · 3.39 Impact Factor
  • Article: Improvement of quality of life with supervised exercise training in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
    Archives of internal medicine 11/2011; 171(21):1951-3. · 11.46 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2011–2013
    • Università di Pisa
      Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
  • 2010–2013
    • University of Otago
      • Department of Medicine (Dunedin)
      Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
  • 2011–2012
    • Sapienza University of Rome
      • Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine
      Roma, Latium, Italy
  • 2010–2012
    • Sant'Andrea Medical Hospital
      La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
  • 2005–2012
    • CMNS Consorzio Mario Negri Sud
      • Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology
      Santa Maria Imbaro, Abruzzo, Italy
  • 2007–2008
    • University of Sydney
      • School of Public Health
      Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • 2002–2005
    • Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
      • Unit of Pharmacoepidemiology Unit
      Milano, Lombardy, Italy