Kohnert KD, Augstein P, Zander E et al.
Institute of Diabetes Gerhardt Katsch, Karlsburg, Germany.
Diabetes Care 2009;32:1058–62.
Editor’s note: Glycemic variability has been associated with increases in oxidative stress and complications of diabetes independent of the overall average glucose levels achieved. However, the determinants of glycemic variability are as yet poorly defined, particularly in type 2 diabetes. In the present study, the authors aimed to evaluate the relationship between glycemic variability and
β-cell dysfunction. The study population consisted of 59 patients with type 2 diabetes, half of whom were treated with diet alone and the other half with oral hypoglycemic agents. Glycemic variability was based on continuous glucose monitoring results over 3 consecutive days, using standard calculations of the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). The MAGE values were then compared against physiological variables such as basal
β-cell function, post-prandial
β-cell function calculated from C-peptide and plasma glucose levels during a mixed-meal test, and other clinical variables.