Diabetes

The CVD-REAL study presented at the American College of Cardiology 66th Scientific Session asked whether cardiovascular outcomes seen in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial could be seen in a real-world environment, and for the entire class of SGLT2 inhibitors, according to AstraZeneca’s Jim McDermott, PhD, vice president for Medical Affairs, Diabetes.

The step comes after months of criticism about high insulin prices.

Results from the CVD-REAL study seek to answer questions raised by the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study: do the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on heart failure apply to a broad population?

The study found a "dose effect" in the elderly women who took statins to treat cholesterol.

Home health beneficiaries with diabetes using paid supplementary caregivers had 68% higher hazards of readmission due to urinary tract infection than those with unpaid supplementary caregivers.

Coverage from the American College of Cardiology 2017 Scientific Session.

The study seeks to answer several questions that look at which patients benefit from surgery over the long term.

An insurance company—sponsored enhanced primary care program had little effect on selected outcomes for low-income patients with diabetes.

Too much screen time is also blamed for rising rates of childhood obesity and diabetes. NIH Director Francis Collins said social media is a "chicken or the egg" issue, because it's unclear if social media causes isolation or reflects it.

Groups say the approach of the Republicans' plan moves away from prevention, which had been a chief aim of the Affordable Care Act. A large cut to the CDC would leave the future of the Diabetes Prevention Program unclear.

When caring for patients with diabetes, it’s important for providers to take into account the patient’s culture and how it can affect communication styles and treatment preferences, according to Heather Zacker, MS, senior director of Care Alliances of Joslin Innovation at Joslin Diabetes Center.

The study's lead author said the findings may show something similar to the "obesity paradox," where high-risk patients fare better than expected due to frequent follow-up by physicians.

The technology outlined in the study not only offers superior glucose control, but it also is being developed in forms that its creators say will be functional and discreet.

Patients with obesity often face severe stigmatization from healthcare providers, which can discourage them from seeking help, according to Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, FAAP, FTOS, of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She explained that the “dismal” obesity education in medical schools can lead physicians to judge obese patients unfairly.

Advocates note that the cuts would put the nation's health system in reverse, away from stopping health problems before they get out of hand.

When people with diabetes experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, their risk of mortality increases-particularly for men with only depressive symptoms.

This week, the top managed care news included a bill from House Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, a new program at Walgreens to train pharmacists on an advanced cancer-care curriculum, and findings that health coaching helps the neediest patients most.

The researchers found that the shares of Americans who weighed too much rose over time, but the share who were trying to lose weight did not.

FDA has until December 2017 to act on the applications, which include a combination of the SGLT2 inhibitor and the top-selling Januvia.

An estimated 86 million people in the United States have prediabetes, but they typically have no symptoms. The long-term medical and economic complications of diabetes are significant, costing the country $245 billion a year.

How tailoring a diabetes self-management program to patients' cultural and individual needs brought success.

Recommendations to interrupt long periods of sitting challenge both insurers and employers to find methods, based on evidence, to encourage physical activity throughout the day to improve health. Aetna has pursued programs with Apple with its own employees.

A landmark reimbursement decision from Medicare, and news in diabetes prevention.

Using digital health to manage chronic disease means creating new payment models that recognize care is an ongoing process.

Authors from the digital health provider Noom offer an update of a successful employer-based initiative.