[현대건강신문] The incidence of dementia in diabetic patients is 1.5 to 3 times higher than that of the general population. A recent study found that regular physical activity in diabetic patients lowered the risk of dementia. If you are diabetic, starting regular exercise as early as a day can help prevent dementia.
A research team led by Professor Jeong-eun Yoo of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center and Professor Ga-eun Nam of Korea University Guro Hospital observed the occurrence of dementia by 2017 among 133,751 people who were diagnosed with diabetes for the first time among those who participated in the national health checkup from 2009 to 2012. Of these, 3,240 developed dementia.
The research team analyzed the correlation between their physical activity and the incidence of dementia. ‘Physical activity’ refers to moderate-intensity exercise for 30 minutes or more at least 5 times a week or high-intensity exercise for at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes or more, and changes in physical activity were confirmed twice in a two-year cycle.
As a result, in the group that engaged in regular physical activity, the overall dementia incidence decreased by 18%, Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 15%, and vascular dementia decreased by 22%.
The risk of dementia was further lowered when regular physical activity was maintained for 2 years, reducing overall dementia by 27% and Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia by 26% and 38%, respectively.
In addition, when diabetic patients who were physically inactive, engaged in regular physical activity within 2 years, the risk of dementia was reduced by up to 14% compared to diabetic patients who were not continuously physically active.
The study results suggest the importance of regular exercise for diabetic patients, who are at high risk for dementia. Diabetic patients who are currently exercising can maintain consistency, and even if they do not exercise, starting now has the effect of preventing dementia.
Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in diabetes cause the accumulation of amyloid beta, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, metabolic diseases related to diabetes can cause arteriosclerosis, which can cause cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, which in turn causes long-term damage to brain tissue, resulting in vascular dementia.
The research team estimated that regular exercise would reduce the risk of dementia by improving blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetic patients, and lowering cardiovascular disease risk factors such as diabetes-related obesity, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia.
Professor Yoo Jeong-eun said, “It is known that the brain neurological changes in diabetic patients start from the early stage of diabetes, and since the period immediately following diabetes is the most effective time to induce lifestyle, regular exercise should be emphasized from the time of diagnosis of diabetes.” said
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of Diabetes Care, the official journal of the American Diabetes Association.
Negative pressure wound treatment following surgery for diabetic foot patients’ effect
Professor Jun-ho Park of Boramae Hospital “Management of flap area following reconstructive surgery, decision of successful operation”
A research team led by a professor of plastic surgery at Seoul Boramae Hospital recently announced the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of flap management using negative pressure wound therapy following flap surgery for reconstruction of a defect in ‘diabetic foot pathology’.
Negative pressure wound therapy refers to a non-invasive interventional procedure that uses a sealing sponge connected to a vacuum device controlled by negative pressure to remove body fluid from the wound and promote wound healing through tissue transformation.
Compared to the existing flap surgical site management, there is less risk of infection, and it has the advantage of helping wound healing by optimizing blood flow.
This study developed the results of the ‘Study on the effectiveness of flap management using negative pressure wound treatment following flap surgery’, which the research team published in ‘Medicine’, an SCI-level international academic journal in November 2021. It is significant in identifying the stability of treatment even in diabetic foot patients.
As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the negative pressure wound treatment group had no damage to the anastomotic blood vessels, significantly lowered the risk of complications, and reduced the average time required for monitoring by 2.6 times compared to the conventional flap monitoring group. .
Professor Park Jun-ho said, “Proper management of the flap area following reconstructive surgery for a diabetic foot with relatively poor blood flow is a very important factor in determining the success of the operation. It is expected to be of great help in improving the surgical prognosis of patients and reducing the burden on medical staff.”
The results of this study were published in ‘Scientific Reports’, a sister journal of ‘Nature’, a world-renowned academic journal, in September 2022.
