March 25th 2024
A new study finds that the use of continuous glucose monitoring helps reduce complications from type 1 diabetes, lowering the risk of developing or progressing diabetic retinopathy.
Study finds earlier diabetes diagnoses in Medicaid expansion states
April 7th 2015People in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are far more likely to be newly identified with diabetes than in non-expansion states, according to a study published online in Diabetes Care.
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Weighing the benefits of anti-obesity drugs
November 11th 2014espite the fact that approximately 2.74 million patients used anti-obesity drugs in 2011, according to information services company IMS Health, the majority of health plans are following the lead of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and not covering them.
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ADA: Canola oil can help control blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes
June 17th 2014Unhydrogenated, unsaturated vegetable oils, such as canola oil, can have health advantages when included in as part of a low-glycemic index (GI) diet in people with type 2 diabetes, according to research presented at American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, and published in Diabetes Care.
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Standards of medical care in diabetes: focus on updated recommendations in hospitalized patients
June 1st 2013Although the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in hospitalized patients remains unknown, an estimated one-fourth of inpatients experience hyperglycemia.1 Hyperglycemia is linked to poor health outcomes, and there is evidence that intensive glucose control in the hospital reduces mortality, need for dialysis, infections, and length of stay.2 The American Diabetes Association (ADA) publishes clinical practice guidelines annually, which offer clinicians, patients, researchers, and payers current, evidence-based recommendations on all components of diabetes care, general treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. The updated guidelines focus on changes in the recommendations for care of the hospitalized diabetes patient.
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New biologic Xeljanz Tofacitinib Pfizer
May 1st 2013In November 2012, FDA approved tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Pfizer) 5 mg tablets for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not had an adequate response to methotrexate or are intolerant to methotrexate. Tofacitinib, an oral non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) can be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs. It is contraindicated for use with biologic DMARDs or with immunosuppressive agents, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine.
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Canagliflozin approval ushers in new approach to T2DM
April 2nd 2013FDA’s recent approval of canagliflozin (Invokana, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) tablets to be used with diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control infor adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), represents a new efficacy and unique approach to diabetes treatment, according to industry experts.
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Review of the pharmacologic arsenal for the war on obesity
April 1st 2013Obesity has become a highly prevalent chronic condition that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated that even as little as 5% to 10% of weight loss is associated with an improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and a reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients. Prior to the recent approval of lorcaserin and extended-release phentermine/topiramate, there had been no new pharmacologic agents approved for the treatment of obesity for 13 years. This article reviews the pharmacologic treatment of obesity including past treatment options, lessons learned in recent years, current short- and long-term treatment options, and future direction. Formulary considerations of currently available agents are discussed.
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FDA calls for changes in ESA dosing for patients with chronic kidney disease
July 1st 2011FDA has announced more conservative dosing recommendations for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) when they are used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of the increased risks of cardiovascular events such as stroke, thrombosis, and death.
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