Objective: We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems compared to standard care (SC) in pregnant women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), pooling results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data sources: We searched through multiple databases like PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Clinicaltrials.gov etc. from inception to September 2024 and found six relevant studies after screening. Study eligibility criteria: We included studies that were (1) RCTs; with patient population (2) pregnant patients with type 1 diabetes; intervention group receiving (3) HCL and control group receiving (4) SC; while reporting (5) outcomes of interest (endpoints). We pooled results pertaining to primary outcomes; time in range (TIR), nocturnal time in range (nTIR), and HbA1c; and relevant secondary outcomes. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: We used Rob 2: A revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials for quality assessment of the included RCTs. We employed the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model using review manager 5.4 to analyze the pooled estimates and reported results as risk ratio; for dichotomous outcomes; or mean difference; for continuous outcomes. Results: Five RCTs (n = 274) with disparate populations were narrowed down for analysis. Pooled estimates for TIR (MD 4.95 %;-0.56 to 10.49)and HbA1c% (MD 0.09; -0.44 to 0.63) were statistically non-significant, while estimates for nTIR (MD 11.16 %; 7.15 to 15.15), % time < 63 mg/dL (MD -0.78; -1.36 to -0.20), % of time < 54 mg/dL (MD -0.22; -0.40 to -0.03), low blood glucose index (LBGI) (MD -0.30; -0.54 to -0.06), and glucose standard deviation (MD -3.05; -6.06 to -0.04) favored HCL over SC. No significant between-group differences were found in other secondary outcomes: % of time >140 mg/dL, % of time >180 mg/dL, mean glucose level, rate of serious adverse events, cesarian delivery, and severe hypoglycemia. Conclusions: HCL systems can improve glycemic control in pregnant women with T1DM with a tolerable adverse event profile, however more research is needed to draw a definitive conclusion.

No abstract available

Background: Diabetes mellitus and central obesity are more common among South Asian populations than among White British people. This study explores the differences in diabetes and obesity in South Asians with stroke living in the United Kingdom, India, and Qatar compared with White British stroke patients. Methods: The study included the UK, Indian, and Qatari arms of the ongoing large Bio-Repository of DNA in Stroke (BRAINS) international prospective hospital-based study for South Asian stroke. BRAINS includes 4580 South Asian and White British recruits from UK, Indian, and Qatar sites with first-ever ischemic stroke. Results: The study population comprises 1751 White British (WB) UK residents, 1165 British South Asians (BSA), 1096 South Asians in India (ISA), and 568 South Asians in Qatar (QSA). ISA, BSA, and QSA South Asians suffered from higher prevalence of diabetes compared with WB by 14.5% (ISA: 95% confidence interval (CI) = 18.6-33.0, p < 0.001), 31.7% (BSA: 95% CI = 35.1-50.2, p < 0.001), and 32.7% (QSA: 95% CI = 28.1-37.3, p < 0.001), respectively. Although WB had the highest prevalence of body mass index (BMI) above 27 kg/m2 compared with South Asian patients (37% vs 21%, p < 0.001), South Asian patients had a higher waist circumference than WB (94.8 cm vs 90.8 cm, p < 0.001). Adjusting for traditional stroke risk factors, ISA, BSA, and QSA continued to display an increased risk of diabetes compared with WB by 3.28 (95% CI: 2.53-4.25, p < 0.001), 3.61 (95% CI: 2.90-4.51, p < 0.001), and 5.24 (95% CI: 3.93-7.00, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: South Asian ischemic stroke patients living in Britain and Qatar have a near 3.5-fold risk of diabetes compared with White British stroke patients. Their body composition may partly help explain that increased risk. These findings have important implications for public health policymakers in nations with large South Asian populations.

The spectrum of endocrine-related complications of COVID-19 infection is expanding; one of the most concerning of which is adrenal haemorrhage due to the risk of catastrophic adrenal crisis. In this study, we present a case that highlights the challenging management of a large, indeterminate unilateral adrenal mass during pregnancy and draws attention to a rare yet probably underestimated complication of COVID-19. During hospitalization for severe COVID-19 pneumonia, a 26-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a 12.5 cm heterogeneous left adrenal mass. Soon after the discovery, she became pregnant and upon referral, she was in the seventh week of gestation, without clinical or biochemical features of hormonal excess. The uncertainty of the diagnosis and the risks of malignancy and surgical intervention were discussed with the patient, and a period of radiological surveillance was agreed upon. An MRI scan performed 3 months later showed a size reduction of the adrenal lesion to 7.9 cm, which was against malignancy. A Doppler ultrasound showed a non-vascular, well-defined round lesion consistent with an adrenal haematoma, likely a complication of the recent COVID-19 infection. The multidisciplinary team recommended further radiological follow-up. The patient then spontaneously had miscarriage at 12 weeks gestation. Subsequent radiological surveillance showed a further size reduction of the adrenal lesion to 5.5 cm. The patient conceived again during follow-up, and the repeated Doppler ultrasound showed stable appearances of the adrenal mass, and thus, it was agreed to continue radiological monitoring after delivery. The pregnancy was uneventful, and the patient delivered a healthy baby. An MRI scan performed after delivery showed a stable but persistent lesion consistent with a likely underlying adrenal lesion. Learning points: Unilateral adrenal haemorrhage can occur as a complication of COVID-19 and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of heterogeneous adrenal masses if there is a history of recent infection. Management of large indeterminate adrenal masses during pregnancy poses several challenges and should be led by an experienced multidisciplinary team. Underlying adrenal tumours may trigger non-traumatic haemorrhages, especially if exacerbated by stressful illness.