CSI Slotervaart: Clinical findings from a multiethnic diabetes cohort in Amsterdam

This thesis investigates ethnic disparities in the regulation and outcomes of diabetes mellitus, focusing on complications and their diagnostic and pathophysiological aspects. The study was conducted in a multiethnic cohort of type 2 diabetes patients in Amsterdam, where approximately 50% of the patients were from ethnic minority groups. The research explored how ethnic differences influence glucose metabolism, lipid levels, blood pressure, and the presence of glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms. It also examined the potential of using skin autofluorescence measurements to estimate advanced glycation end products, as important predictors of cardiovascular complications. Additionally, the thesis emphasized the importance of improved communication between dentists and diabetologists for better oral health management in patients with diabetes. Furthermore, the study highlighted the relevance of considering patient-specific factors, such as age, gender, obesity, and ethnicity, in the assessment and management of chronic diabetic kidney disease. Lastly, it investigated the role of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and MER) receptors, and extracellular vesicles in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy.