Diabetes
The latest information on glucose, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, insulin, metformin, and more, drawn from across our primary care and specialty care areas. Sign up now for monthly e-mail alerts on new content.
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Spending, and Total Medical Spending
- July 1, 2009
- Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
- Cardiology
In patients with little or no drug coverage before Part D enactment, additional drug costs during the program’s first 2 years were offset by reductions in other medical costs.
- Reviewing:
- Zhang Y et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 2; 361:52
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Scores Identify Patients at Risk for Diabetes
- June 30, 2009
- Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
- General Medicine
One third to one half of people with the highest diabetes risk scores developed diabetes within 10 years.
- Reviewing:
- Kahn HS et al. Ann Intern Med 2009 Jun 2; 150:741
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE WATCH
Using HbA1c Assay for Diagnosis of DiabetesFree
- June 24, 2009
- Howard Bauchner, MD
- Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Hemoglobin A1c levels are as accurate as glucose measurements for defining the level of hyperglycemia at which retinopathy begins.
- Reviewing:
- Nathan DM et al. for the International Expert Committee. Diabetes Care 2009 Jun 5
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Macrosomia and Gestational Diabetes: Big and Sweet Is Not a Good Combination
- June 17, 2009
- William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
- Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Birthweight 
4000 g is associated with increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes, and the risk is further increased in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus.
- Reviewing:
- Esakoff TF et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009 Jun; 200:672.e1
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
More Burn, Higher Return
- June 17, 2009
- Joel M. Gore, MD
- Cardiology
An increase in the prescribed energy expenditure of a cardiac rehabilitation program improved cardiac risk profiles.
- Reviewing:
- Ades PA et al. Circulation 2009 May 11
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Fenofibrate Might Reduce Amputations Caused by Microvascular Disease in Patients with DiabetesFree
- June 11, 2009
- Bruce Soloway, MD
- General Medicine
Nontraumatic amputations occurred significantly less often in patients who take fenofibrate.
- Reviewing:
- Rajamani K et al. Lancet 2009 May 23; 373:1780
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Intensive Glucose Lowering and Adverse CV Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
- June 11, 2009
- Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
A meta-analysis suggests that intensive therapy beneficially affects rates of adverse coronary events but does not change rates of stroke or all-cause mortality during 10 years.
- Reviewing:
- Ray KK et al. Lancet 2009 May 23; 373:1765
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Rapid Weight Gain in Early Infancy Increases Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and DiabetesFree
- June 10, 2009
- F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
- Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Infants with rapid weight gain had significantly greater body fat and waist circumference and reduced insulin sensitivity as adults, compared with infants with slow weight gain.
- Reviewing:
- Leunissen RWJ et al. JAMA 2009 Jun 3; 301:2234
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Treating Diabetes and Coronary Artery DiseaseFree
- June 10, 2009
- Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
- Cardiology
Prompt revascularization or initial medical therapy? Insulin sensitization or provision? From the BARI 2D trial, no strategy emerged a clear winner.
- Reviewing:
- Frye RL et al. for the BARI 2D Study Group. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 11; 360:2503
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Duration of Anticoagulation Therapy After Deep Venous Thrombosis
- June 10, 2009
- Joel M. Gore, MD
- Cardiology
In a randomized trial, the use of ultrasonography to guide treatment continuation reduced thrombosis recurrence.
- Reviewing:
- Prandoni P et al. Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:577
