Diabetes: Comorbidities, Therapeutics and Insights (3rd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 3662

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Vuk Vrhovac Univerity Clinic, Merkur University Hospital, Zajčeva 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2. Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: diabetes type 1; diabetes type 2; metabolic syndrome; diabetic nephropathy; diabetic retinopathy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diabetes, one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century, is projected to affect 700 million people by 2045. In the last 15 years, the number of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has increased by 45%, and the number diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by 95%. The most devastating effects of diabetes are its chronic complications, which confer a high risk of morbidity and mortality and represent an increased cost burden on health systems. Despite the increased awareness of and new therapeutic options for the treatment of diabetes, it is still the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, kidney failure and dialysis, and nontraumatic lower-limb amputations. People with diabetes have a two- to four-times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which remains the most common cause of death in people with this disease. Diabetes is a heterogenous and complex disease, and in addition to the traditional risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, multiple cellular pathways and potential molecular mechanisms are also implicated in diabetes-induced complications.

Considering this context, we welcome submissions to this Special Issue focusing on diabetes it terms of its comorbidities and therapeutics, as well as contributions providing insights into this disease. Improving our knowledge of diabetes will aid in the prevention of chronic complications and cardiovascular disease/death and in optimizing patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Tomislav Bulum
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • diabetes
  • complications
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • diabetic neuropathy
  • diabetic nephropathy
  • biomarkers

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1382 KB  
Article
Public Health Screening for Cardiometabolic Risk: Lessons from Advanced Glycation End-Products and ABC Target Achievement in Dalmatian Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
by Josipa Radić, Marijana Vučković, Hana Đogaš, Anders Ødeverp, Marina Grubić and Mislav Radić
Biomedicines 2025, 13(10), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13102418 - 2 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cardiometabolic risk remains a major challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2). This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification using advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) measured via skin autofluorescence (SAF) and to assess the achievement of evidence-based ABC targets [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cardiometabolic risk remains a major challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2). This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification using advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) measured via skin autofluorescence (SAF) and to assess the achievement of evidence-based ABC targets (HbA1c, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol) in adults with DMT2 in Dalmatia. Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, 251 adults with DMT2 were stratified by CV risk based on SAF measured AGE levels. Clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric data were collected, including ABC goal attainment and medication use. Statistical analyses compared groups and explored predictors of ABC target achievement using regression models adjusted for clinical factors. Results: Only 17.5% of participants achieved all three ABC goals, indicating suboptimal cardiometabolic control. Those with elevated CV risk had higher hip circumference and lower diastolic blood pressure. Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors was positively associated with ABC goal achievement in patients with prior CV or cerebrovascular events, while higher body mass index was negatively associated. SAF measured AGE levels correlated with cardiometabolic risk but showed no significant differences across LDL cholesterol or other traditional markers. Conclusions: SAF AGE measurement shows potential for CV risk stratification in DMT2 beyond traditional factors. The low rate of ABC goal attainment highlights the need for intensified individualized management incorporating novel biomarkers and therapeutics like SGLT2 inhibitors. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and improve prevention of cardiovascular complications in DMT2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes: Comorbidities, Therapeutics and Insights (3rd Edition))
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22 pages, 1022 KB  
Article
Correlations Between Coffee Intake, Glycemic Control, Cardiovascular Risk, and Sleep in Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension: A 12-Month Observational Study
by Tatiana Palotta Minari, José Fernando Vilela-Martin, Juan Carlos Yugar-Toledo and Luciana Pellegrini Pisani
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1875; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081875 - 1 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background: The consumption of coffee has been widely debated regarding its effects on health. This study aims to analyze the correlations between daily coffee intake and sleep, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension [...] Read more.
Background: The consumption of coffee has been widely debated regarding its effects on health. This study aims to analyze the correlations between daily coffee intake and sleep, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension over a 12-month period. Methods: An observational study was conducted with 40 participants with T2D and hypertension, comprising 20 females and 20 males. Participants were monitored for their daily coffee consumption over a 12-month period, being assessed every 3 months. Linear regression was utilized to assess interactions and relationships between variables, providing insights into potential predictive associations. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed using Pearson’s and Spearman’s tests to evaluate the strength and direction of linear and non-linear relationships. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, body mass index, sleep duration, nocturnal awakenings, and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) over the 12-month study in both sexes. No significant differences were noted in the remaining parameters (p > 0.05). The coffee consumed by the participants was of the “traditional type” and contained sugar (2 g per cup) for 100% of the participants. An intake of 4.17 ± 0.360 cups per day was found at baseline and 5.41 ± 0.316 cups at 12 months (p > 0.05). Regarding correlation analysis, a higher coffee intake was significantly associated with shorter sleep duration in women (r = −0.731; p = 0.037). Conversely, greater coffee consumption correlated with lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in women (r = −0.820; p = 0.044). Additionally, a longer sleep duration was linked to lower FBG (r = −0.841; p = 0.031), HbA1c (r = −0.831; p = 0.037), and LDL-C levels in women (r = −0.713; p = 0.050). No significant correlations were observed for the other parameters in both sexes (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In women, coffee consumption may negatively affect sleep duration while potentially offering beneficial effects on LDL-C levels, even when sweetened with sugar. Additionally, a longer sleep duration in women appears to be associated with improvements in FBG, HbA1c, and LDL-C. These correlations emphasize the importance of a balanced approach to coffee consumption, weighing both its potential health benefits and drawbacks in postmenopausal women. However, since this study does not establish causality, further randomized clinical trials are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and long-term implications—particularly in the context of T2D and hypertension. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes: Comorbidities, Therapeutics and Insights (3rd Edition))
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5 pages, 159 KB  
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Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Navigating Therapeutic Uncertainty in Diabetes Management
by Francesco Tassone and Giovanna Saraceno
Biomedicines 2025, 13(10), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13102326 - 23 Sep 2025
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Abstract
The management of type 2 diabetes in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) presents a growing clinical dilemma. As glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) become first-line therapies for diabetes and obesity, their safety in patients with premalignant pancreatic lesions remains uncertain. This [...] Read more.
The management of type 2 diabetes in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) presents a growing clinical dilemma. As glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) become first-line therapies for diabetes and obesity, their safety in patients with premalignant pancreatic lesions remains uncertain. This viewpoint examines current evidence through three critical lenses: molecular mechanisms linking incretin signaling to IPMN progression, clinical outcomes from large-scale pharmacovigilance studies, and practical management considerations. We propose a risk-stratified approach that balances the proven metabolic benefits of GLP-1RAs against theoretical oncogenic risks, emphasizing the need for shared decision-making and enhanced surveillance protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes: Comorbidities, Therapeutics and Insights (3rd Edition))
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