rt FDA alerts health care providers of EpiPen auto-injector errors By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 14:04:00 -0500 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced March 24 that it is alerting health care professionals, patients and caregivers of EpiPen autoinjector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration. Full Article
rt Labor Department says employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt from new law By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:18:00 -0500 Employers with fewer than 50 employees, including dental practices, may be exempt from a provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that requires them to provide emergency paid sick leave and expanded medical leave to employees in certain COVID-19 circumstances, the Department of Labor said April 1. Full Article
rt ADA asks Treasury Department, Small Business Administration to clarify intent of interim rule By www.ada.org Published On :: Sun, 05 Apr 2020 11:09:00 -0500 The Association continues to wait for clear guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration on the best way to help dentists considering applying for Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Full Article
rt ADA seeks participants for 2020 SNODENT review By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 11:54:00 -0500 The American Dental Association is seeking qualified individuals to join a canvass committee to consider approval of the 2020 revision of the Systemized Nomenclature of Dentistry. Full Article
rt ADA council affirms importance of code of ethics during COVID-19 pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:34:00 -0500 The ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs’ ethics subcommittee authored an online essay as part of its Ethical Moment series in the May issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, affirming that the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct is just as important as ever when making the difficult decisions they encounter on a daily basis. Full Article
rt ADA urges third-party payers to adapt coding, billing procedures to help patients recover By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:51:00 -0500 The American Dental Association sent a letter to third-party payers urging that administrators of dental benefit plans adjust and adapt reimbursement procedures important to dentists and patients — including coverage for temporary procedures and adjusting fee schedules to account for cost of increasing infection control procedures ¬— in the midst of the “unprecedented and extraordinary circumstances dentists and their patients face” during the pandemic. Full Article
rt Homeland Security issues alert on cybercriminals increasingly exploiting COVID-19 pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:06:00 -0500 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an alert April 8 warning that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to target individuals, small and medium businesses and large organizations. Full Article
rt North Carolina interactive map launches to help public find emergency dental treatment during pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 14:07:00 -0500 A North Carolina oral health coalition, in collaboration with multiple state partners, has developed an interactive map to help guide the public to sites where emergency dental services are available throughout the Tar Heel State both during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Full Article
rt Northern California dentist heads to Uganda, ends up becoming a humanitarian By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:32:00 -0500 Traveling with purpose is what has led Nevada City, California-based general dentist Dr. Jean Creasey to a rural district in the southwestern region of Uganda over the past 15 years as a member of the Kellermann Foundation, treating and helping educate the villagers on the importance of good oral health as a way to a better future. Full Article
rt ADA, recovery task force seek to address PPE shortages By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 11:31:00 -0500 Association staff and members of the ADA Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery are aware and working diligently in addressing members’ concerns over the limited availability of certain personal protective equipment items. Full Article
rt ADA advocates that third-party payers modify fee schedules as dentists consider going back to work By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:19:00 -0500 The ADA is urging third-party payers to alter their fees to account for the increasing cost of personal protective equipment that dentists are using to protect themselves, their staff and patients. Full Article
rt Arizona Dental Association hosts one of the largest virtual dental conferences to date By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:23:00 -0500 Scottsdale, Ariz. — In February, the Arizona Dental Association was fully prepared to host the Western Regional Dental Experience April 2-4 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel and Spa. Full Article
rt UCLA dental school researchers create nanoparticle that could improve bone defect treatment By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 10:25:00 -0500 A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry has developed a nanoparticle that could improve treatment for bone defects. Full Article
rt Department of Labor releases Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 13:27:00 -0500 The Department of Labor released an FAQ April 27 that addresses common questions about work search and job refusal when an individual receives Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Full Article
rt Dow, Total part of group that raised $1B to clean plastic in ocean By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:18:54 -0500 Some 30 companies including Dow, Total and other big makers of plastic raised $1 billion to contribute to cleaner ocean waters. Full Article
rt Crude oil prices drop after API reported lower-than-expected draw By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 09:13:03 -0500 Oil prices fell early Wednesday, likely a result of lower-than-expected draws in an API with traders awaiting official EIA inventory data later in the day. Full Article
rt Oil rises after report on possible China talks concessions By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 18 Jan 2019 09:11:06 -0500 Oil prices rose early Friday trailing equity gains late Thursday that followed a report about possible concessions ahead in U.S. trade talks with China. Full Article
rt Refineries, investors fear crude shortages over possible Venezuela sanctions By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:54:11 -0500 An unexpected rise in U.S. crude inventories offset fears of potential risk to Venezuelan crude supply because of possible U.S. sanctions. Full Article
rt BP to be more transparent about climate efforts amid investor concerns By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:04:14 -0500 BP on Friday announced plans to increase disclosure on its efforts to fight climate change after requests from two groups of investors. Full Article
rt Poverty, lack of insurance can make heart failure prognosis worse, AHA says By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 16:39:51 -0400 Poverty and poor or non-existent health insurance coverage might worsen the effects of heart failure, the American Heart Association said Thursday. Full Article
rt Patient portals need proxy options for better privacy protection, study finds By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 15:27:49 -0400 More patient portals and electronic health records should enable users to create "proxy" accounts for nurses and home aids to prevent unintentional sharing of personal health details, researchers said Monday. Full Article
rt Arthritis drug shows promise against respiratory distress caused by COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 19:18:36 -0400 Anakinra, a drug developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis might help patients who have developed acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19, a small study published by The Lancet Rheumatology has found. Full Article
rt Poverty, poorer health make some in the Bronx more vulnerable to COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:40:25 -0400 New York City has been the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, with immigrant populations in areas such as the Bronx "disproportionately" affected, a commentary in JAMA Internal Medicine says. Full Article
rt Sustainable Reintegration: Strategies to Support Migrants Returning to Mexico and Central America By www.migrationpolicy.org Published On :: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:23:40 -0500 Reception and reintegration programs for deported and other returning migrants represent a long-term investment for migrant-origin and destination countries, holding the potential to reduce re-migration and permit communities of origin to benefit from the skills migrants learn abroad. This report offers recommendations to make reintegration programs more effective in Mexico and Central America. Full Article
rt Diabetes Is Associated With Worse Long-term Outcomes in Young Adults After Myocardial Infarction: The Partners YOUNG-MI Registry By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2019-09-23T15:12:23-07:00 OBJECTIVEWe sought to determine the prevalence of diabetes and associated cardiovascular outcomes in a contemporary cohort of young individuals presenting with their first myocardial infarction (MI) at age ≤50 years.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed records of patients presenting with a first type 1 MI at age ≤50 years from 2000 to 2016. Diabetes was defined as a hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or a documented diagnosis of or treatment for diabetes. Vital status was ascertained for all patients, and cause of death was adjudicated.RESULTSAmong 2,097 young patients who had a type 1 MI (mean age 44.0 ± 5.1 years, 19.3% female, 73% white), diabetes was present in 416 (20%), of whom 172 (41%) were receiving insulin. Over a median follow-up of 11.2 years (interquartile range 7.3–14.2 years), diabetes was associated with a higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.30; P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (2.68; P < 0.001). These associations persisted after adjusting for baseline covariates (all-cause mortality: 1.65; P = 0.008; cardiovascular mortality: 2.10; P = 0.004).CONCLUSIONSDiabetes was present in 20% of patients who presented with their first MI at age ≤50 years and was associated with worse long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. These findings highlight the need for implementing more-aggressive therapies aimed at preventing future adverse cardiovascular events in this population. Full Article
rt Performance of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays To Reflect Comorbidity Burden and Improve Mortality Risk Stratification in Older Adults With Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-11T14:49:52-07:00 OBJECTIVEIncorporation of comorbidity burden to inform diabetes management in older adults remains challenging. High-sensitivity cardiac troponins are objective, quantifiable biomarkers that may improve risk monitoring in older adults. We assessed the associations of elevations in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) with comorbidities and improvements in mortality risk stratification.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe used logistic regression to examine associations of comorbidities with elevations in either troponin (≥85th percentile) among 1,835 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study with diabetes (ages 67–89 years, 43% male, 31% black) at visit 5 (2011–2013). We used Cox models to compare associations of high cardiac troponins with mortality across comorbidity levels.RESULTSElevations in either troponin (≥9.4 ng/L for hs-cTnI, ≥25 ng/L for hs-cTnT) were associated with prevalent coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary disease, hypoglycemia, hypertension, dementia, and frailty. Over a median follow-up of 6.2 years (418 deaths), both high hs-cTnI and high hs-cTnT further stratified mortality risk beyond comorbidity levels; those with a high hs-cTnI or hs-cTnT and high comorbidity were at highest mortality risk. Even among those with low comorbidity, a high hs-cTnI (hazard ratio [HR] 3.0 [95% CI 1.7, 5.4]) or hs-cTnT (HR 3.3 [95% CI 1.8, 6.2]) was associated with elevated mortality. CONCLUSIONS Many comorbidities were reflected by both hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT; elevations in either of the troponins were associated with higher mortality risk beyond comorbidity burden. High-sensitivity cardiac troponins may identify older adults at high mortality risk and be useful in guiding clinical care of older adults with diabetes. Full Article
rt Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnancy: Importance of Analysing Temporal Profiles to Understand Clinical Outcomes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine if temporal glucose profiles differed between 1) women who were randomized to real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) or self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG), 2) women who used insulin pumps or multiple daily insulin injections (MDIs), and 3) women whose infants were born large for gestational age (LGA) or not, by assessing CGM data obtained from the Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Women With Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy Trial (CONCEPTT).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSStandard summary metrics and functional data analysis (FDA) were applied to CGM data from the CONCEPTT trial (RT-CGM, n = 100; SMBG, n = 100) taken at baseline and at 24- and 34-weeks gestation. Multivariable regression analysis determined if temporal differences in 24-h glucose profiles occurred between comparators in each of the three groups.RESULTSFDA revealed that women using RT-CGM had significantly lower glucose (0.4–0.8 mmol/L [7–14 mg/dL]) for 7 h/day (0800 h–1200 h and 1600 h–1900 h) compared with those with SMBG. Women using pumps had significantly higher glucose (0.4–0.9 mmol/L [7–16 mg/dL]) for 12 h/day (0300 h to 0600 h, 1300 h to 1800 h, and 2030 h to 0030 h) at 24 weeks with no difference at 34 weeks compared with MDI. Women who had an LGA infant ran a significantly higher glucose by 0.4–0.7 mmol/L (7–13 mg/dL) for 4.5 h/day at baseline; by 0.4–0.9 mmol/L (7–16 mg/dL) for 16 h/day at 24 weeks; and by 0.4–0.7 mmol/L (7–13 mg/dL) for 14 h/day at 34 weeks.CONCLUSIONSFDA of temporal glucose profiles gives important information about differences in glucose control and its timing, which are undetectable by standard summary metrics. Women using RT-CGM were able to achieve better daytime glucose control, reducing fetal exposure to maternal glucose. Full Article
rt A Randomized Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Fast-Acting Insulin Aspart Compared With Insulin Aspart, Both in Combination With Insulin Degludec With or Without Metformin, in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes (Onset 9) By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-24T15:44:44-07:00 OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) compared with insulin aspart (IAsp), both with insulin degludec with or without metformin, in adults with type 2 diabetes not optimally controlled with a basal-bolus regimen.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis multicenter, double-blind, treat-to-target trial randomized participants to faster aspart (n = 546) or IAsp (n = 545). All available information, regardless of treatment discontinuation or use of ancillary treatment, was used for evaluation of effect.RESULTSNoninferiority for the change from baseline in HbA1c 16 weeks after randomization (primary end point) was confirmed for faster aspart versus IAsp (estimated treatment difference [ETD] –0.04% [95% CI –0.11; 0.03]; –0.39 mmol/mol [–1.15; 0.37]; P < 0.001). Faster aspart was superior to IAsp for change from baseline in 1-h postprandial glucose (PPG) increment using a meal test (ETD –0.40 mmol/L [–0.66; –0.14]; –7.23 mg/dL [–11.92; –2.55]; P = 0.001 for superiority). Change from baseline in self-measured 1-h PPG increment for the mean over all meals favored faster aspart (ETD –0.25 mmol/L [–0.42; –0.09]); –4.58 mg/dL [–7.59; –1.57]; P = 0.003). The overall rate of treatment-emergent severe or blood glucose (BG)–confirmed hypoglycemia was statistically significantly lower for faster aspart versus IAsp (estimated treatment ratio 0.81 [95% CI 0.68; 0.97]).CONCLUSIONSIn combination with insulin degludec, faster aspart provided effective overall glycemic control, superior PPG control, and a lower rate of severe or BG-confirmed hypoglycemia versus IAsp in adults with type 2 diabetes not optimally controlled with a basal-bolus regimen. Full Article
rt Combination Therapy With Canagliflozin Plus Liraglutide Exerts Additive Effect on Weight Loss, but Not on HbA1c, in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-27T15:11:48-07:00 OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of combination therapy with canagliflozin plus liraglutide on HbA1c, endogenous glucose production (EGP), and body weight versus each therapy alone.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSForty-five patients with poorly controlled (HbA1c 7–11%) type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin with or without sulfonylurea received a 9-h measurement of EGP with [3-3H]glucose infusion, after which they were randomized to receive 1) liraglutide 1.2 mg/day (LIRA); 2) canagliflozin 100 mg/day (CANA); or 3) liraglutide 1.2 mg plus canagliflozin 100 mg (CANA/LIRA) for 16 weeks. At 16 weeks, the EGP measurement was repeated.RESULTSThe mean decrease from baseline to 16 weeks in HbA1c was –1.67 ± 0.29% (P = 0.0001), –0.89 ± 0.24% (P = 0.002), and –1.44 ± 0.39% (P = 0.004) in patients receiving CANA/LIRA, CANA, and LIRA, respectively. The decrease in body weight was –6.0 ± 0.8 kg (P < 0.0001), –3.5 ± 0.5 kg (P < 0.0001), and –1.9 ± 0.8 kg (P = 0.03), respectively. CANA monotherapy caused a 9% increase in basal rate of EGP (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a 50% increase (P < 0.05) in plasma glucagon-to-insulin ratio. LIRA monotherapy reduced plasma glucagon concentration and inhibited EGP. In CANA/LIRA-treated patients, EGP increased by 15% (P < 0.05), even though the plasma insulin response was maintained at baseline and the CANA-induced rise in plasma glucagon concentration was blocked.CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that liraglutide failed to block the increase in EGP caused by canagliflozin despite blocking the rise in plasma glucagon and preventing the decrease in plasma insulin concentration caused by canagliflozin. The failure of liraglutide to prevent the increase in EGP caused by canagliflozin explains the lack of additive effect of these two agents on HbA1c. Full Article
rt Prognostic Significance of Long-term HbA1c Variability for All-Cause Mortality in the ACCORD Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-30T13:26:58-07:00 OBJECTIVEThe association between high glycemic variability and all-cause mortality has been widely investigated in epidemiological studies but rarely validated in glucose-lowering clinical trials. We aimed to identify the prognostic significance of visit-to-visit HbA1c variability in treated patients in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial population.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe studied the risk of all-cause mortality in relation to long-term visit-to-visit HbA1c variability, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent of the mean (VIM), and average real variability (ARV), from the 8th month to the transition. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI.RESULTSCompared with the standard therapy group (n = 4,728), the intensive therapy group (n = 4,755) had significantly lower mean HbA1c (6.6% [49 mmol/mol] vs. 7.7% [61 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001) and lower CV, VIM, and ARV (P < 0.0001). In multivariate adjusted analysis, all three HbA1c variability indices were significantly associated with total mortality in all patients as well as in the standard- and intensive-therapy groups analyzed separately. The hazard ratios for a 1-SD increase in HbA1c variability indices for the all-cause mortality were 1.19 and 1.23 in intensive and standard therapy, respectively. Cross-tabulation analysis showed the third tertile of HbA1c mean and VIM had significantly higher all-cause mortality (HR 2.05; 95% CI, 1.17–3.61; P < 0.01) only in the intensive-therapy group.CONCLUSIONSLong-term visit-to-visit HbA1c variability was a strong predictor of all-cause mortality. HbA1c VIM combined with HbA1c mean conferred an increased risk for all-cause mortality in the intensive-therapy group. Full Article
rt 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline: Impact on Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-30T13:26:58-07:00 OBJECTIVEIn 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics introduced a new guideline (2017 Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP 2017]) to diagnose arterial hypertension (HTN) in children that included revised, lower normative blood pressure (BP) values and cut points for diagnosing high BP in adolescents. We studied the impact of the new AAP 2017 guideline on prevalence of HTN in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSUp to September 2018, 1.4 million office BP measurements in 79,849 children and adolescents (aged 5–20 years) with T1DM have been documented in the DPV (Diabetes Prospective Follow-up) registry. BP values of the most recent year were aggregated, and BP values of 74,677 patients without antihypertensive medication were analyzed (median age 16 years and diabetes duration 5.3 years and 52.8% boys). BP values were classified according to AAP 2017 and the references of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) (2011) and the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents (fourth report) (2004).RESULTSOf the patients, 44.1%, 29.5%, and 26.5% were hypertensive according to AAP 2017, KiGGS, and fourth report, respectively. Differences in prevalence of HTN were strongly age dependent: <10 years, AAP 2017 31.4%, KiGGS 30.7%, fourth report 19.6%; 10 to <15 years, AAP 2017 30.9%, KiGGS 31.2%, fourth report 22.4%; and ≥15 years, AAP 2017 53.2%, KiGGS 28.4%, fourth report 30.0%. Among teenagers ≥15 years, 59.1% of boys but only 46.3% of girls were classified as hypertensive by AAP 2017 but only 21.1%/26% of boys and 36.7%/34.4% of girls by KiGGS/fourth report, respectively.CONCLUSIONSClassification of BP as hypertension depends strongly on the normative data used. Use of AAP 2017 results in a significant increase in HTN in teenagers ≥15 years with T1DM, particularly in boys. AAP 2017 enhances the awareness of elevated BP in children, particularly in patients with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Full Article
rt Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Severe Hypoglycemia, and All-Cause Mortality for Widely Used Antihyperglycemic Dual and Triple Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Management: A Cohort Study of All Danish Users By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-01T06:54:34-07:00 OBJECTIVEThe vast number of antihyperglycemic medications and growing amount of evidence make clinical decision making difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of antihyperglycemic dual and triple therapies for type 2 diabetes management with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events, severe hypoglycemia, and all-cause mortality in a real-life clinical setting.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSCox regression models were constructed to analyze 20 years of data from the Danish National Patient Registry with respect to effect of the antihyperglycemic therapies on the three end points.RESULTSA total of 66,807 people with type 2 diabetes were treated with metformin (MET) including a combination of second- and third-line therapies. People on MET plus sulfonylurea (SU) had the highest risk of all end points, except for severe hypoglycemia, for which people on MET plus basal insulin (BASAL) had a higher risk. The lowest risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was seen for people on a regimen including a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. People treated with MET, GLP-1, and BASAL had a lower risk of all three end points than people treated with MET and BASAL, especially for severe hypoglycemia. The lowest risk of all three end points was, in general, seen for people treated with MET, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and GLP-1.CONCLUSIONSFindings from this study do not support SU as the second-line treatment choice for patients with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the results indicate that adding a GLP-1 for people treated with MET and BASAL could be considered, especially if those people suffer from severe hypoglycemia. Full Article
rt Dapagliflozin Versus Placebo on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Diabetes and Heart Failure: The REFORM Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-03T07:56:03-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on left ventricular (LV) remodeling using cardiac MRI.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe randomized 56 patients with T2DM and HF with LV systolic dysfunction to dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo for 1 year, on top of usual therapy. The primary end point was difference in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) using cardiac MRI. Key secondary end points included other measures of LV remodeling and clinical and biochemical parameters.RESULTSIn our cohort, dapagliflozin had no effect on LVESV or any other parameter of LV remodeling. However, it reduced diastolic blood pressure and loop diuretic requirements while increasing hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ketone bodies. There was a trend toward lower weight.CONCLUSIONSWe were unable to determine with certainty whether dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and HF had any effect on LV remodeling. Whether the benefits of dapagliflozin in HF are due to remodeling or other mechanisms remains unknown. Full Article
rt Blood Pressure Variability and Risk of Heart Failure in ACCORD and the VADT By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T13:10:44-07:00 OBJECTIVEAlthough blood pressure variability is increasingly appreciated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, its relationship with heart failure (HF) is less clear. We examined the relationship between blood pressure variability and risk of HF in two cohorts of type 2 diabetes participating in trials of glucose and/or other risk factor management.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSData were drawn from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT). Coefficient of variation (CV) and average real variability (ARV) were calculated for systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) along with maximum and cumulative mean SBP and DBP during both trials.RESULTSIn ACCORD, CV and ARV of SBP and DBP were associated with increased risk of HF, even after adjusting for other risk factors and mean blood pressure (e.g., CV-SBP: hazard ratio [HR] 1.15, P = 0.01; CV-DBP: HR 1.18, P = 0.003). In the VADT, DBP variability was associated with increased risk of HF (ARV-DBP: HR 1.16, P = 0.001; CV-DBP: HR 1.09, P = 0.04). Further, in ACCORD, those with progressively lower baseline blood pressure demonstrated a stepwise increase in risk of HF with higher CV-SBP, ARV-SBP, and CV-DBP. Effects of blood pressure variability were related to dips, not elevations, in blood pressure.CONCLUSIONSBlood pressure variability is associated with HF risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes, possibly a consequence of periods of ischemia during diastole. These results may have implications for optimizing blood pressure treatment strategies in those with type 2 diabetes. Full Article
rt Metabolic Factors, Lifestyle Habits, and Possible Polyneuropathy in Early Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Study of 5,249 Patients in the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes (DD2) Cohort By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T09:53:07-07:00 OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of metabolic and lifestyle factors with possible diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and neuropathic pain in patients with early type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe thoroughly characterized 6,726 patients with recently diagnosed diabetes. After a median of 2.8 years, we sent a detailed questionnaire on neuropathy, including the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq), to identify possible DPN (score ≥4) and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) questionnaire for possible associated neuropathic pain (MNSIq ≥4 + pain in both feet + DN4 score ≥3).RESULTSAmong 5,249 patients with data on both DPN and pain, 17.9% (n = 938) had possible DPN, including 7.4% (n = 386) with possible neuropathic pain. In regression analyses, central obesity (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio) was markedly associated with DPN. Other important metabolic factors associated with DPN included hypertriglyceridemia ≥1.7 mmol/L, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.36 (95% CI 1.17; 1.59); decreased HDL cholesterol <1.0/1.2 mmol/L (male/female), aPR 1.35 (95% CI 1.12; 1.62); hs-CRP ≥3.0 mg/L, aPR 1.66 (95% CI 1.42; 1.94); C-peptide ≥1,550 pmol/L, aPR 1.72 (95% CI 1.43; 2.07); HbA1c ≥78 mmol/mol, aPR 1.42 (95% CI 1.06; 1.88); and antihypertensive drug use, aPR 1.34 (95% CI 1.16; 1.55). Smoking, aPR 1.50 (95% CI 1.24; 1.81), and lack of physical activity (0 vs. ≥3 days/week), aPR 1.61 (95% CI 1.39; 1.85), were also associated with DPN. Smoking, high alcohol intake, and failure to increase activity after diabetes diagnosis associated with neuropathic pain.CONCLUSIONSPossible DPN was associated with metabolic syndrome factors, insulin resistance, inflammation, and modifiable lifestyle habits in early type 2 diabetes. Full Article
rt Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Serious Renal Events: Scandinavian Cohort Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T10:59:59-07:00 OBJECTIVETo assess the association between use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and risk of serious renal events in routine clinical practice.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis was a cohort study using an active-comparator, new-user design and nationwide register data from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway during 2010–2016. The cohort included 38,731 new users of GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide 92.5%, exenatide 6.2%, lixisenatide 0.7%, and dulaglutide 0.6%), matched 1:1 on age, sex, and propensity score to a new user of the active comparator, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The main outcome was serious renal events, a composite including renal replacement therapy, death from renal causes, and hospitalization for renal events. Secondary outcomes were the individual components of the main outcome. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox models and an intention-to-treat exposure definition. Mean (SD) follow-up time was 3.0 (1.7) years.RESULTSMean (SD) age of the study population was 59 (10) years, and 18% had cardiovascular disease. A serious renal event occurred in 570 users of GLP-1 receptor agonists (incidence rate 4.8 events per 1,000 person-years) and in 722 users of DPP-4 inhibitors (6.3 events per 1,000 person-years, HR 0.76 [95% CI 0.68–0.85], absolute difference –1.5 events per 1,000 person-years [–2.1 to –0.9]). Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with a significantly lower risk of renal replacement therapy (HR 0.73 [0.62–0.87]) and hospitalization for renal events (HR 0.73 [0.65–0.83]) but not death from renal causes (HR 0.72 [0.48–1.10]). When we used an as treated exposure definition in which patients were censored at treatment cessation or switch to the other study drug, the HR for the primary outcome was 0.60 (0.49–0.74).CONCLUSIONSIn this large cohort of patients seen in routine clinical practice in three countries, use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, as compared with DPP-4 inhibitors, was associated with a reduced risk of serious renal events. Full Article
rt Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular and Microvascular Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Findings From a Population-Based Cohort Study By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T14:33:04-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), microvascular complications, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes who subsequently develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with patients with type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis of OSA.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis age-, sex-, BMI-, and diabetes duration–matched cohort study used data from a U.K. primary care database from 1 January 2005 to 17 January 2018. Participants aged ≥16 years with type 2 diabetes were included. Exposed participants were those who developed OSA after their diabetes diagnosis; unexposed participants were those without diagnosed OSA. Outcomes were composite CVD (ischemic heart disease [IHD], stroke/transient ischemic attack [TIA], heart failure [HF]), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), atrial fibrillation (AF), peripheral neuropathy (PN), diabetes-related foot disease (DFD), referable retinopathy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and all-cause mortality. The same outcomes were explored in patients with preexisting OSA before a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes versus diabetes without diagnosed OSA.RESULTSA total of 3,667 exposed participants and 10,450 matched control participants were included. Adjusted hazard ratios for the outcomes were as follows: composite CVD 1.54 (95% CI 1.32, 1.79), IHD 1.55 (1.26, 1.90), HF 1.67 (1.35, 2.06), stroke/TIA 1.57 (1.27, 1.94), PVD 1.10 (0.91, 1.32), AF 1.53 (1.28, 1.83), PN 1.32 (1.14, 1.51), DFD 1.42 (1.16, 1.74), referable retinopathy 0.99 (0.82, 1.21), CKD (stage 3–5) 1.18 (1.02, 1.36), albuminuria 1.11 (1.01, 1.22), and all-cause mortality 1.24 (1.10, 1.40). In the prevalent OSA cohort, the results were similar, but some associations were not observed.CONCLUSIONSPatients with type 2 diabetes who develop OSA are at increased risk of CVD, AF, PN, DFD, CKD, and all-cause mortality compared with patients without diagnosed OSA. Patients with type 2 diabetes who develop OSA are a high-risk population, and strategies to detect OSA and prevent cardiovascular and microvascular complications should be implemented. Full Article
rt Early Metabolic Features of Genetic Liability to Type 2 Diabetes: Cohort Study With Repeated Metabolomics Across Early Life By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T14:58:19-07:00 OBJECTIVEType 2 diabetes develops for many years before diagnosis. We aimed to reveal early metabolic features characterizing liability to adult disease by examining genetic liability to adult type 2 diabetes in relation to metabolomic traits across early life.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSUp to 4,761 offspring from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children were studied. Linear models were used to examine effects of a genetic risk score (162 variants) for adult type 2 diabetes on 229 metabolomic traits (lipoprotein subclass–specific cholesterol and triglycerides, amino acids, glycoprotein acetyls, others) measured at age 8 years, 16 years, 18 years, and 25 years. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was also conducted using genome-wide association study data on metabolomic traits in an independent sample of 24,925 adults.RESULTSAt age 8 years, associations were most evident for type 2 diabetes liability (per SD-higher) with lower lipids in HDL subtypes (e.g., –0.03 SD, 95% CI –0.06, –0.003 for total lipids in very large HDL). At 16 years, associations were stronger with preglycemic traits, including citrate and with glycoprotein acetyls (0.05 SD, 95% CI 0.01, 0.08), and at 18 years, associations were stronger with branched chain amino acids. At 25 years, associations had strengthened with VLDL lipids and remained consistent with previously altered traits, including HDL lipids. Two-sample MR estimates among adults indicated persistent patterns of effect of disease liability.CONCLUSIONSOur results support perturbed HDL lipid metabolism as one of the earliest features of type 2 diabetes liability, alongside higher branched-chain amino acid and inflammatory levels. Several features are apparent in childhood as early as age 8 years, decades before the clinical onset of disease. Full Article
rt Using the BRAVO Risk Engine to Predict Cardiovascular Outcomes in Clinical Trials With Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T12:58:49-07:00 OBJECTIVEThis study evaluated the ability of the Building, Relating, Assessing, and Validating Outcomes (BRAVO) risk engine to accurately project cardiovascular outcomes in three major clinical trials—BI 10773 (Empagliflozin) Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients (EMPA-REG OUTCOME), Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study (CANVAS), and Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (DECLARE-TIMI 58) trial—on sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSBaseline data from the publications of the three trials were obtained and entered into the BRAVO model to predict cardiovascular outcomes. Projected benefits of reducing risk factors of interest (A1C, systolic blood pressure [SBP], LDL, or BMI) on cardiovascular events were evaluated, and simulated outcomes were compared with those observed in each trial.RESULTSBRAVO achieved the best prediction accuracy when simulating outcomes of the CANVAS and DECLARE-TIMI 58 trials. For the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, a mild bias was observed (~20%) in the prediction of mortality and angina. The effect of risk reduction on outcomes in treatment versus placebo groups predicted by the BRAVO model strongly correlated with the observed effect of risk reduction on the trial outcomes as published. Finally, the BRAVO engine revealed that most of the clinical benefits associated with SGLT2i treatment are through A1C control, although reductions in SBP and BMI explain a proportion of the observed decline in cardiovascular events.CONCLUSIONSThe BRAVO risk engine was effective in predicting the benefits of SGLT2is on cardiovascular health through improvements in commonly measured risk factors, including A1C, SBP, and BMI. Since these benefits are individually small, the use of the complex, dynamic BRAVO model is ideal to explain the cardiovascular outcome trial results. Full Article
rt The Association of Energy and Macronutrient Intake at Dinner Versus Breakfast With Disease-Specific and All-Cause Mortality Among People With Diabetes: The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2014 By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-30T07:25:50-07:00 OBJECTIVEThis study aims to evaluate the association of energy and macronutrient intake at dinner versus breakfast with disease-specific and all-cause mortality in people with diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 4,699 people with diabetes who enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2014 were recruited for this study. Energy and macronutrient intake was measured by a 24-h dietary recall. The differences () in energy and macronutrient intake between dinner and breakfast ( = dinner – breakfast) were categorized into quintiles. Death information was obtained from the National Death Index until 2015. Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed to evaluate the survival relationship between and diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality.RESULTSAmong the 4,699 participants, 913 deaths, including 269 deaths due to diabetes and 314 deaths due to CVD, were documented. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with participants in the lowest quintile of in terms of total energy and protein, participants in the highest quintile were more likely to die due to diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]energy 1.92, 99% CI 1.08–3.42; HRprotein 1.92, 99% CI 1.06–3.49) and CVD (HRenergy 1.69, 99% CI 1.02–2.80; HRprotein 1.96, 99% CI 1.14–3.39). The highest quintile of total fat was related to CVD mortality (HR 1.67, 99% CI 1.01–2.76). Isocalorically replacing 5% of total energy at dinner with breakfast was associated with 4% and 5% lower risk of diabetes (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98) and CVD (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) mortality, respectively.CONCLUSIONSHigher intake of energy, total fat, and protein from dinner than breakfast was associated with greater diabetes, CVD, and all-cause mortality in people with diabetes. Full Article
rt The Influence of Baseline Diastolic Blood Pressure on the Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering on Cardiovascular Outcomes and All-Cause Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-04T10:48:32-07:00 OBJECTIVETo examine whether low baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) modifies the effects of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure trial (ACCORD BP), a two-by-two factorial randomized controlled trial, examined effects of SBP (<120 vs. <140 mmHg) and glycemic (HbA1c <6% vs. 7.0–7.9% [<42 vs. 53–63 mmol/mol]) control on cardiovascular events in T2DM (N = 4,731). We examined whether effects of SBP control on cardiovascular composite were modified by baseline DBP and glycemic control.RESULTSIntensive SBP lowering decreased the risk of the cardiovascular composite (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76 [95% CI 0.59–0.98]) in the standard glycemic arm but not in the intensive glycemic arm (HR 1.06 [95% CI 0.81–1.40]). Spline regression models relating the effects of the intervention on the cardiovascular composite across the range of baseline DBP did not show evidence of effect modification by low baseline DBP for the cardiovascular composite in the standard or intensive glycemic arms. The relation between the effect of the intensive SBP intervention and baseline DBP was similar between glycemic arms for the cardiovascular composite three-way interaction (P = 0.83).CONCLUSIONSIn persons with T2DM, intensive SBP lowering decreased the risk of cardiovascular composite end point irrespective of baseline DBP in the setting of standard glycemic control. Hence, low baseline DBP should not be an impediment to intensive SBP lowering in patients with T2DM treated with guidelines recommending standard glycemic control. Full Article
rt Instability of Insulin Aspart Diluted in Dextrose By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-07T12:33:01-07:00 Full Article
rt Support for ADHD in the Schools By schoolpsychologistfiles.blogspot.com Published On :: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:13:00 +0000 Penny Williams from A Mom's view of ADHD and I decided to join forces this month in an attempt to reach more people through our blogs. I believe that many of my readers would find her blog helpful and I also felt that I could offer some insight into the school perspective to her readers. Penny wrote Make Homework Routine a few weeks ago. If you found that helpful, check out her blog full of more strategies! A Mom's View of ADHD is an excellent resource for parents of children with ADHD. It's written from by a parent going through it and provides excellent insight and strategies. I highly recommend it as a place for parents to go to connect and gain support. Be sure to check out my article, Support for ADHD in the Schools. I discussed the options available for receiving support in the schools for ADHD such as an IEP or a 504 Plan. Full Article ADHD
rt Federal judge declines to block COVID-19 abortion ban in Arkansas By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 23:41:21 -0400 A federal court on Thursday denied a motion to block an Arkansas directive preventing patients from receiving abortion care. Full Article
rt Fourth person charged in shooting death of Michigan security guard By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 01:20:54 -0400 Authorities have charged a fourth person connected to the shooting death of a Flint, Mich., security guard who was killed after confronting a customer who entered a store without a state-mandated facemask. Full Article
rt 4.1 million U.S. homeowners past due on their mortgage, data show By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 12:26:30 -0400 More than 4 million American homeowners are past due on their mortgage, a figure that's been fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, industry data showed Friday. Full Article
rt Supreme Court puts temporary block on release of evidence in Mueller probe By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 13:17:20 -0400 The Supreme Court on Friday granted a Justice Department request to temporarily block release of secret grand jury material from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe to Congress. Full Article
rt Electrolyte disorders in a young female following short-term omeprazole therapy By resources.medipacademy.com Published On :: 23 September 2018 08:07:02 A 29 years old female presented to us in the metabolic clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) on account of a week history of easy fatigability, weakness, and lower extremity muscle cramps associated with numbness and tingling sensation in the peri-oral area, fingers and toes. Two weeks prior to the onset of her presenting symptoms, she had visited a local pharmaceutical shop on account of a distressing epigastric discomfort and was subsequently placed on daily oral omeprazole 20mg daily for a month by a pharmacist. She had been on the omeprazole medication for two weeks before her present symptoms manifested. Her past medical history was not suggestive of hypoparathyroidism nor pancreatitis. She was married with three children and has an uneventful family, social and obstetric histories. On examination, she was a healthy well-oriented young female with positive Trousseau’s, Chvostek’s and epigastric tenderness signs. Further Laboratory evaluation revealed she had low plasma magnesium, low plasma albumin-corrected calcium, and low serum parathyroid hormone levels, while other laboratory parameters were essentially normal. A diagnosis of omeprazole-induced electrolyte disorders (hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia) associated with hypoparathyroidism was made following the review of her clinical examination and laboratory findings. She was subsequently managed with oral magnesium supplements following the withdrawal of the omeprazole medication (replaced with oral ranitidine), monitored weekly, and full recovery was achieved after three weeks. Full Article
rt Coldest material in the cosmos could help scientists find dark matter particles By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 12:59:36 -0400 Researchers suggest the coldest material in the universe could reveal the presence of dark matter particles. Full Article
rt Artificial tongue with gold taste buds to test maple syrup By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 13:34:08 -0400 Scientists in Quebec have developed an artificial tongue that can taste the flavor profiles of maple syrup, researchers revealed in a paper published on Tuesday. Full Article