Is Tight Glycemic Control Beneficial Perioperatively?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a meta-analysis, perioperative mortality was significantly lower with insulin infusions than with control interventions, but the authors have doubts about the data.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 13, 2008
Covering:
Gandhi GY et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2008 Apr; 83:418
Skin Biopsies in Sensory Axonal Neuropathies
Neurology Summary and Comment
Patterns of axonal and Schwann-cell degeneration may be useful both for diagnosis and for designing clinical trials of regenerative therapies.
By Jean-Michel Vallat, MD
May 13, 2008
Covering:
Ebenezer GJ et al., Brain 2007 Oct; 130:2703
Thiazolidinediones and Risk for Fractures
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an observational study, users of TZDs had higher risk for fractures than those taking other antidiabetes medications.
Gestational Diabetes: Controversies About Diagnosis and Treatment Persist
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Increasing maternal glucose intolerance is associated with increasing birth weight, neonatal hypoglycemia, and fetal insulin levels.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
May 7, 2008
Covering:
The HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:1991
Rowan JA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:2003
Ecker JL and Greene MF., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:2061
Gestational Hyperglycemia: Continuum of Risk, Choices for Treatment
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes increased in proportion to maternal glucose levels; metformin for gestational diabetes was not inferior to insulin.
By Ann J. Davis, MD
May 7, 2008
Covering:
The HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:1991
Rowan JA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:2003
Ecker JL and Greene MF., N Engl J Med 2008 May 8; 358:2061
How Low Should We Go (with BP and Cholesterol in Diabetic Patients)?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Lower might be better, but more clinical data are needed.
Does Early Vitamin D Supplementation Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?
Findings from a meta-analysis suggest that vitamin D supplementation in infancy lowers risk for developing type 1 diabetes.
Basal Insulin Is as Effective as Preprandial Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
They have similar effects on HbA1c levels, but patients prefer basal insulin.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 22, 2008
Covering:
Bretzel RG et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 29; 371:1073
An ACE Inhibitor, an ARB, or Both for Patients at High Vascular Risk?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An ARB was as efficacious as an ACE inhibitor, but combination therapy failed to show any advantages.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Yusuf S et al. for the ONTARGET Investigators., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1547
Can Metformin Attenuate Olanzapine-Induced Weight Gain?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Adding an antihyperglycemic agent may prevent weight gain and metabolic syndrome in patients with new-onset schizophrenia.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 14, 2008
Covering:
Wu R-R et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Mar; 165:352
Aggressive Treatment of High LDL Levels and Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Three-year results from SANDS supply much-needed information but no definitive answer to the question of how low to set targets in primary prevention of CVD.
Disturbances of Glucose Metabolism in Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Whole-body glucose disposal is impaired in depressed patients.
By Joel Yager, MD
April 7, 2008
Covering:
Schweiger U et al., Psychosom Med 2008 Feb/Mar; 70:170
Slowing Progression of Atherosclerosis in Diabetic Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Pioglitazone outperformed glimepiride in a preliminary trial.
Pioglitazone vs. Glimepiride for Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Pioglitazone comes out on top in this randomized trial, but we still need outcomes data.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
March 31, 2008
Covering:
Nissen SE et al. for the PERISCOPE Investigators., JAMA 2008 Apr 2; 299:1561
Choice of Antihypertensive Agents for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: ALLHAT Results
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Diuretics should continue to be first-line agents for treating patients with hypertension.
"Anodyne Therapy" for Diabetic Neuropathy — No Benefit
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A device for delivery of monochromatic infrared energy was no more effective than sham treatment.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 6, 2008
Covering:
Lavery LA et al., Diabetes Care 2008 Feb; 31:316
Blood Pressure and Risk for Developing Diabetes
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Elevated BP as well as BP escalations over time — even if only in the high-normal range — puts women at increased risk for diabetes.
By Marian C. Limacher, MD
February 14, 2008
Covering:
Conen D et al., Eur Heart J 2007 Dec; 28:2937
Nilsson PM., Eur Heart J 2007 Dec; 28:2832
Glucose-Control Arm of ACCORD Trial Halted Early
Cardiology News in Context
Free
Increased mortality associated with aggressive glucose reduction raises safety concerns.
Marijuana and Periodontal Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cannabis smoking could be an independent risk factor, in addition to tobacco.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 12, 2008
Covering:
Thomson WM et al., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:525
Hujoel PP., JAMA 2008 Feb 6; 299:574
Multifactorial Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes with Microalbuminuria
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Intensive treatment lowered risks for morbid diabetes complications, all-cause death, and death from cardiovascular disease.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 6, 2008
Covering:
Gæde P et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:580
Update on Diabetic Neuropathy
Neurology Summary and Comment
Clinical results have disappointed, but new developments are promising.
By James W. Albers, MD, PhD
February 5, 2008
Covering:
Zochodne DW., Muscle Nerve 2007 Aug; 36:144
Diet and Diabetes Risk in U.S. Black Women and Chinese Women: Glycemic Index and Load
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Diabetes risk was lower in black women who ate more cereal fiber and in Chinese women who ate less rice.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 17, 2008
Covering:
Krishnan S et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Nov 26; 167:2304
Villegas R et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Nov 26; 167:2310
Moderate Drinking Might Improve Fasting Glucose in People with Diabetes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A benefit was reported for one glass of wine with dinner.
Inadequate Blood Pressure Control in U.S. Adults
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Patients at risk for cardiovascular events are likely to have high blood pressure, even when treated for hypertension.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
January 9, 2008
Covering:
Wong ND et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Dec 10; 167:2431
Thiazolidinediones and Cardiovascular Risk in Older Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Population-based data confirm risk with rosiglitazone, even in patients without prior cardiac disease.
