Significant fluctuations in HbA1c may increase risk for serious complications and death, especially in higher-risk populations such as the elderly. Recurrent periods of hypoglycemia can have many negative effects on the body. Researchers examined whether blood glucose fluctuations could predict patient outcomes. Read more
Intensive treatment to achieve lower blood glucose levels is usually beneficial and recommended to help patients avoid long-term complications of diabetes. However, older adults have a higher risk of hypoglycemia than younger patients when given intensive treatment for glycemic control, so guidelines recommend they receive less aggressive glycemic targets. But there is evidence many older […]
Early research results for an injectable formulation combining prandial (pre-meal) insulin with pramlintide showed the combination improves blood glucose control and helps achieve weight loss in people with type 1 diabetes. Pramlintide is an analog of a hormone called amylin, which helps reduce blood sugar spikes after eating a meal. Read more
HbA1c variability — changes in blood glucose levels and swings between hypo- and hyperglycemia — can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Often, glucose variability is associated with poor diabetes management, which can contribute to poor heart health. Read more
A popular drug type, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), that is used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers has been found to improve blood sugar control in patients with diabetes when used in addition to their usual treatment. These drugs do not prevent diabetes in people who do not already have the condition, the researchers say. […]
The percentage of US adults with diabetes who achieved glycemic control declined from 2007 to 2010, and again between 2015 and 2018, decreasing from 57.4% in 2007 to 50.5% in 2018, researchers say. Read more
While insulin therapy reduces the overall incidence of diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic complications, intensive insulin therapy with rapid glycemic reduction could actually worsen retinopathy progression in some patients. Healthcare professionals should assess patient’s current retinopathy status before selecting the type of insulin and intensiveness of treatment. Read more
The FDA has cleared The Bigfoot Unity AI Diabetes Management System by Bigfoot Biomedical, an artificially intelligent insulin pen cap, for use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients aged 12 or older. The device has the potential to make insulin dosing much less burdensome for many patients. Read more
While insulin is the standard treatment for type 1 diabetes, it is also used for type 2 diabetes patients who are unable to reach their glycemic target with other medications. As the number of patients with type 2 prescribed insulin is growing, researchers sought to understand whether the risk for hypoglycemia associated with insulin could […]
Hyperglycemia has long been associated with risks to cognitive function in people with diabetes. Now a new analysis suggests that patients with prediabetes have a similar risk for declines in brain function to patients already diagnosed with diabetes, making good glucose control important in the prediabetes stage. Read more
Several pharma companies withdrew from the US Federal government’s 340B drug pricing program last fall, which has left many patients with diabetes struggling to cope with surging insulin prices, or having to use less effective versions of insulin, says Anne Webster, NP. Read more
Diabetes patients who are older, who have had the disease for at least 10 years, and/or have high glycated hemoglobin (A1C), are likely to have damage to corneal endothelial cells, researchers say. The results support the need for patients with diabetes to have regularly-scheduled corneal endothelial examinations. Read more
Exercise is essential for people with diabetes, but it also can contribute to variations in blood sugar levels, depending on the type of exercise, duration, and many other factors. A small pilot study suggests that low insulin with modest hyperglycemia may be better than higher insulin levels when exercising with type 1 diabetes. Read more
Currently available closed loop insulin delivery systems (sometimes called the “artificial pancreas”) have made insulin dosing much easier for many people with diabetes. However, they still require users to monitor data and take various daily actions. One innovator is looking to develop a fully automated system that would not require any manual tasks, such as […]
Zegalogue will be sold as both an auto-injector, similar to an EpiPen, and a prefilled syringe, and will allow people with diabetes to quickly raise their blood sugars in an emergency situation. It is approved for adults and for children 6 and up, and is expected to launch in June 2021. Read more
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends lowering the target hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) guidelines for children with type 1 diabetes. This is due to the finding that chronically high blood glucose levels in children could lead to higher risk of several serious effects, including abnormal brain development and cardiac issues. Read more
Aiotech company called Thermalin is working on a new type of ultra-fast insulin that will not require refrigerated storage. They are also developing a miniaturized closed loop device (also called an artificial pancreas system) called the StampPump. Read more
COVID-19 patients may be at a higher risk for complications and death if their blood glucose is elevated, even if they have not been diagnosed with diabetes, researchers say. Read more
Diabetes patients who used a medical device an software system called DIABEO to help manage their insulin dosage were more successfully able to reduce their HbA1c levels, a study found, since using the telemonitoring system allowed patients more support and guidance on controlling their glucose levels. Read more
Uncontrolled blood glucose in diabetes can lead to numerous debilitating complications, including high blood pressure, strokes, slow wound healing, and possibly amputations. Researchers have found that brain damage can also result from uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Read more
