Khan, Mohammad Qasim

Post‐transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). With concurrent comorbidities and use of various immunosuppression medications, identifying a safe and personalized regimen for management of PTDM is needed. There are many comorbidities associated with the post‐transplant course including chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, allograft steatosis, obesity, and de novo malignancy. Emerging data suggest that available diabetes medications may carry beneficial or, in some cases, harmful effects in the setting of these co‐existing conditions. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists have shown the most promising beneficial results. Although there is a deficiency of LTR‐specific data, they appear to be generally safe. Effects of other medications are varied. Metformin may reduce the risk of malignancy. Pioglitazone may be harmful in patients combatting obesity or heart failure. Insulin may exacerbate obesity and increase the risk of developing malignancy. This review thoroughly discusses the roles of these extra‐glycemic effects and safety considerations in LTRs. Through weighing the risks and benefits, we conclude that alternatives to insulin should be strongly considered, when feasible, for personalized long‐term management based on risk factors and co‐morbidities.

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine how self-reported level of exposure to patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) affected the perceived safety, training and well-being of residents and fellows.MethodsWe administered an anonymous, voluntary, web-based survey to a convenience sample of trainees worldwide. The survey was distributed by email and social media posts from April 20th to May 11th, 2020. Respondents were asked to estimate the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for in March and April 2020 (0, 1–30, 31–60, >60). Survey questions addressed (1) safety and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), (2) training and professional development and (3) well-being and burnout.ResultsSurveys were completed by 1420 trainees (73% residents, 27% fellows), most commonly from the USA (n=670), China (n=150), Saudi Arabia (n=76) and Taiwan (n=75). Trainees who cared for a greater number of patients with COVID-19 were more likely to report limited access to PPE and COVID-19 testing and more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Compared with trainees who did not take care of patients with COVID-19 , those who took care of 1–30 patients (adjusted OR [AOR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.51), 31–60 patients (AOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.86 to 5.88) and >60 patients (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 2.12 to 7.63) were increasingly more likely to report burnout. Trainees were very concerned about the negative effects on training opportunities and professional development irrespective of the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for.ConclusionExposure to patients with COVID-19 is significantly associated with higher burnout rates in physician trainees.