ac ADA initiates grassroots campaign in response to CARES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Sun, 22 Mar 2020 18:47:00 -0500 The ADA is calling on dentists everywhere to contact their legislators today ahead of the Senate’s vote on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Full Article
ac ADA president thanks dentists for grassroots efforts in response to CARES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:33:00 -0500 As the Senate works to pass a stimulus package aimed at granting relief to the millions of Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ADA is thanking dentists across the nation for making their voices heard in Washington on that same legislation. Full Article
ac Lawmakers reach agreement on CARES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 06:55:00 -0500 Following several days of discussions, legislators reached a deal early March 25 on a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping the people, states and businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
ac Senate passes CARES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 23:21:00 -0500 The ADA sent out an Issues Alert March 25 from ADA President Chad P. Gehani following the Senate's passing of a $2 trillion stimulus package to help the people, states and businesses nationwide devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
ac Labor Dept. releases new guidance in response to Families First Coronavirus Response Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 18:50:00 -0500 The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division released new guidance March 26 to help workers and employers understand provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Full Article
ac CARES Act becomes law By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 15:17:00 -0500 The House passed a $2 trillion stimulus package March 27 aimed at helping the people, states and businesses nationwide devastated by the coronavirus pandemic that was later signed into law by President Donald Trump. Full Article
ac HPI poll examines impact of COVID-19 on dental practices By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:27:00 -0500 The ADA Health Policy Institute launched an ongoing biweekly poll the week of March 23 that shows 76% of dentists surveyed had closed their offices to all but emergency patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 19% indicated their offices are closed completely. Full Article
ac Harvard dental student recipient of health literacy essay contest By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:49:00 -0500 An essay on community water fluoridation yielded a Harvard University dental student a first-place win in the annual American Dental Association’s Health Literacy in Dentistry essay contest. Full Article
ac JADA’s new CSA Corner highlights ACE Panel survey results on HPV vaccine By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:06:00 -0500 Dentists’ comfort levels and perceived roles in discussing and administering the human papillomavirus vaccine appear to vary, according to the results of an American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey published in The Journal of the American Dental Association. Full Article
ac Just the Facts By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:39:00 -0500 COVID-19 and dental offices Full Article
ac CODA asks accredited dental programs for details on COVID-19 response By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:09:00 -0500 The Commission on Dental Accreditation announced April 3 that it directed all CODA-accredited dental programs to submit a report by May 15 on their use of distance learning, enhanced activities and other educational modalities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ac New ADA course to answer army of questions about coding accurately By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 12:12:00 -0500 As the source of dental procedure codes, the ADA has created a new online training course to ensure that dentists and their team members confidently understand CDT codes and how to use them correctly. Full Article
ac ADA thanks Rep. Huizenga for HEROES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:15:00 -0500 The ADA is thanking Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., for introducing legislation to assist health care workers serving on the front lines of COVID-19. Full Article
ac ADA president appoints task force for dental practice recovery after COVID-19 pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 09:04:00 -0500 American Dental Association President Chad P. Gehani has assembled an advisory task force to oversee the ADA’s development of tools for dentists as they bounce back from the effects of practice restrictions and closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ac 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
ac Index shows that dentists slowly but surely embracing electronic means of doing business By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:26:00 -0500 Despite the ADA Council on Dental Benefits’ efforts, the practice of using automated electronic means for verifying eligibility and benefits, checking claim status or receiving and reconciling payment remains underutilized by many dental providers according to an index, said Dr. Randall Markarian, council chair. Full Article
ac Chicago Dental Society donates thousands of supplies to dental school clinic, health care facilities By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:49:00 -0500 The Chicago Dental Society and its members donated thousands of personal protective equipment to front-line health care workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ac Amalgam separator deadline remains intact By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 10:04:00 -0500 The deadline for dental offices to install amalgam separators remains intact but the Environmental Protection Agency announced March 26 that it will be initiating “a new temporary enforcement discretion policy” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ac ADA advises dentists to follow science-backed guidance regarding COVID-19 testing, avoid 'gray market' By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 11:42:00 -0500 The ADA is urging dentists to be cautious about using novel coronavirus diagnostic tests before they have been properly evaluated and made available for dentists. Full Article
ac Just the Facts By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0500 COVID-19 and dental offices Full Article
ac Dental organizations urge HHS, CMS to release CARES Act relief funds By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:51:00 -0500 The ADA, Organized Dentistry Coalition, and many state dental associations are asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to release funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Provider Relief Fund to assist dental Medicaid providers. Full Article
ac 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
ac House of Representatives passes Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:59:00 -0500 The House of Representatives passed a new coronavirus relief bill April 23 that calls for additional funding for federal loan programs to help businesses nationwide, including dental practices, recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic. Full Article
ac SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications April 27 By www.ada.org Published On :: Sun, 26 Apr 2020 08:29:00 -0500 The Small Business Administration will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program loan applications at 10:30 a.m. EST on April 27 from “approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower,” the agency said. Full Article
ac ADA president: Reopening dental practices needs a team approach By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 09:54:00 -0500 As some dental practices begin plans to reopen and provide nonemergency care — as some states reopen following the direction of their state — the Association is urging dentists to have robust communication and engage their dental team members to address any concerns related to returning to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
ac Delta Dental of California, Massachusetts offer financial relief to dentists in midst of COVID-19 pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:52:00 -0500 Two additional Delta Dental member companies announced details April 27-28 of programs that will provide economic assistance and post-COVID-19 pandemic relief for members of its independent provider networks across 16 states and the District of Columbia. Full Article
ac Find COVID-19 dental regulations by state with ADA interactive map By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:23:00 -0500 Dentists can find regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding the practice of dentistry in their state during the COVID-19 pandemic on the ADA Center for Professional Success. Full Article
ac Two new dental benefit guides address common hurdles anticipated when reopening practices By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 11:26:00 -0500 In the face of economic challenges, the ADA has released two online guides relating to third-party payment programs available at ADA.org/virus that are intended to help smooth the path of reopening practices: Handling Contract Negotiations and Handling Eligibility Verification Full Article
ac Just the Facts By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 13:53:00 -0500 COVID-19 and dental offices Full Article
ac PracticeUpdate Clinical Dentistry Channel unveiled to keep dentists current By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 16:03:00 -0500 The ADA announced May 1 the creation and launch of the PracticeUpdate Clinical Dentistry Channel, which delivers free evidence-based clinical content in general dentistry and specialty topics curated by a world-renowned editorial and advisory board. Full Article
ac HPI releases webinar on economic impact of COVID-19 By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 11:59:00 -0500 The ADA Health Policy Institute held a webinar April 29 with leading experts from across the dental industry to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the dental economy and what they think the future will bring. Full Article
ac IEA doubts Russia’s commitment to OPEC accord By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 18 Jan 2019 08:18:29 -0500 The Paris-based International Energy Agency on Friday cast doubt on whether Russia would meet its agreement with OPEC to cut crude oil output to support prices. Full Article
ac 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
ac 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
ac Study: ACE inhibitors, ARBs don't increase risk for COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 12:41:17 -0400 Certain high blood pressure medications may be linked with more serious illness from COVID-19, but they don't increase a person's risk for getting the disease, a new study published Tuesday by JAMA Cardiology reports. Full Article
ac CDC: 40% of U.S. teens are sexually active By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 09:35:08 -0400 The CDC estimates that 40 percent of U.S. teens are sexually active -- 42 percent of females and 38 percent of males 15 and 19 years of age -- numbers that have dropped significantly since 1988. Full Article
ac Face-aging app increases sunscreen use among teens by 50%, study finds By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 13:36:46 -0400 A face-aging app could encourage young people to protect their skin from harmful UV rays and lessen their risk for skin cancer, a study published Wednesday by JAMA Dermatology has found. Full Article
ac 15-minute COVID-19 test proves accurate at confirming infection By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 17:19:00 -0400 A new, point-of-care testing kit for COVID-19 that can deliver results in 15 minutes accurately diagnoses people more than 80 percent of time, an analysis has found. Full Article
ac Measles vaccinations in U.S. children fall up to 60 percent since pandemic, CDC says By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 19:03:09 -0400 Pediatric vaccination against measles has declined by as much as 60 percent nationally since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to new data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Full Article
ac 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
ac 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
ac 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
ac 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
ac 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
ac Erratum. Predicting 10-Year Risk of End-Organ Complications of Type 2 Diabetes With and Without Metabolic Surgery: A Machine Learning Approach. Diabetes Care 2020;43:852-859 By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-15T14:26:52-07:00 Full Article
ac Hospitalization for Lactic Acidosis Among Patients With Reduced Kidney Function Treated With Metformin or Sulfonylureas By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T12:39:25-07:00 OBJECTIVETo compare the risk of lactic acidosis hospitalization between patients treated with metformin versus sulfonylureas following development of reduced kidney function.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis retrospective cohort combined data from the National Veterans Health Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and the National Death Index. New users of metformin or sulfonylureas were followed from development of reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or serum creatinine ≥1.4 mg/dL [female] or 1.5 mg/dL [male]) through hospitalization for lactic acidosis, death, loss to follow-up, or study end. Lactic acidosis hospitalization was defined as a composite of primary discharge diagnosis or laboratory-confirmed lactic acidosis (lactic acid ≥2.5 mmol/L and either arterial blood pH <7.35 or serum bicarbonate ≤19 mmol/L within 24 h of admission). We report the cause-specific hazard of lactic acidosis hospitalization between metformin and sulfonylureas from a propensity score–matched weighted cohort and conduct an additional competing risks analysis to account for treatment change and death.RESULTSThe weighted cohort included 24,542 metformin and 24,662 sulfonylurea users who developed reduced kidney function (median age 70 years, median eGFR 55.8 mL/min/1.73 m2). There were 4.18 (95% CI 3.63, 4.81) vs. 3.69 (3.19, 4.27) lactic acidosis hospitalizations per 1,000 person-years among metformin and sulfonylurea users, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.21 [95% CI 0.99, 1.50]). Results were consistent for both primary discharge diagnosis (aHR 1.11 [0.87, 1.44]) and laboratory-confirmed lactic acidosis (1.25 [0.92, 1.70]).CONCLUSIONSAmong veterans with diabetes who developed reduced kidney function, occurrence of lactic acidosis hospitalization was uncommon and not statistically different between patients who continued metformin and those patients who continued sulfonylureas. Full Article
ac 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
ac Commercially Available Insulin Products Demonstrate Stability Throughout the Cold Supply Chain Across the U.S. By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-27T16:36:14-07:00 OBJECTIVEA recent publication questioned the integrity of insulin purchased from U.S. retail pharmacies. We sought to independently validate the method used, isotope dilution solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and expand analysis to two U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) methods (high-performance LC with ultraviolet detection and LC-MS).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSEach method was used to evaluate nine insulin formulations, purchased at four pharmacies, within five geographic locations in the U.S.RESULTSAll human and analog insulins measured by the USP methods (n = 174) contained the expected quantity of active insulin (100 ± 5 units/mL). When using isotope dilution SPE-LC-MS, units-per-milliliter values were well below product labeling due to unequal recovery of the internal standard compared with target insulin.CONCLUSIONSInsulin purchased from U.S. pharmacies is consistent with product labeling. Full Article
ac 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
ac Efficacy and Safety of 1:1 Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide Versus Lixisenatide in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: The LixiLan JP-O1 Randomized Clinical Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T10:59:59-07:00 OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of a 1:1 fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) versus lixisenatide (Lixi) in insulin-naive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSIn this phase 3, open-label, multicenter trial, 321 patients with HbA1c≥7.5 to ≤10.0% (58–86 mmol/mol) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤13.8 mmol/L (250 mg/dL) were randomized 1:1 to iGlarLixi or Lixi for 52 weeks. The primary end point was change in HbA1c at week 26.RESULTSChange in HbA1c from baseline to week 26 was significantly greater with iGlarLixi (–1.58% [–17.3 mmol/mol]) than with Lixi (–0.51% [–5.6 mmol/mol]), confirming the superiority of iGlarLixi (least squares [LS] mean difference –1.07% [–11.7 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001). At week 26, significantly greater proportions of patients treated with iGlarLixi reached HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) (65.2% vs. 19.4%; P < 0.0001), and FPG reductions were greater with iGlarLixi than Lixi (LS mean difference –2.29 mmol/L [–41.23 mg/dL], P < 0.0001). Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia (≤3.9 mmol/L [70 mg/dL]) was higher with iGlarLixi (13.0% vs. 2.5%) through week 26, with no severe hypoglycemic events in either group. Incidence of gastrointestinal events through week 52 was lower with iGlarLixi (36.0% vs. 50.0%), and rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar.CONCLUSIONSThis phase 3 study demonstrated superior glycemic control and fewer gastrointestinal adverse events with iGlarLixi than with Lixi, which may support it as a new treatment option for Japanese patients with T2DM that is inadequately controlled with OADs. Full Article