Posts Tagged ‘diabetes’

A survey recently released by the American Psychiatric Association has found that American workers are hesitant about seeking mental health care for fear of confidentiality issues and possibly losing status at work. Among the 1,129 people surveyed 76% believed their work status would be damaged by seeking treatment for drug addiction, 73% for alcoholism, and 62% for depression, compared with 55% who thought seeking care for diabetes would affect their work status and 54% for heart disease. In total only about 40% of respondents thought their employers were supportive of employees seeking general and mental health care, which sounds counterproductive, especially since research (and logic) shows that people who receive proper health care are healthier and more productive. [HealthDay/Businessweek]

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This past week new data suggested that some people taking the anti-obesity drug Meridia (sibutramine) are at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes than people taking a placebo. It also raised blood pressure and heart rate among users. What is interesting is how two large regulatory agencies responded to this data. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has already advised physicians and pharmacists to stop prescribing and dispensing the medication, while the U.S. FDA has urged pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories, the maker of Meridia, to place a stronger warning on the drug. The warning is to caution against the use of the drug by people who are already at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Was the EMEA too hasty in its decision or is the FDA not forceful enough? Proponents of the drug agree that it shouldn’t be given to those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, while critics are in favor of an overall ban. In the drug’s twelve years on the market it has been linked to more than 80 deaths, including 30 people under age 50. [via New York Times]

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Researchers from the Karolinska Institute are embarking on a new paradigm in exercise physiology after publishing a paper in this month’s British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study authors argue that prolonged periods of sitting is an entity distinct from the commonly used terminology “sedentary behavior,” which means a general lack of exercise. Rather, they contend that the use of the term “muscular inactivity” more accurately describes a state of being in which people have prolonged periods when even light physical activity is not achieved. This is important because research shows that periods of prolonged sitting and lack of whole body muscular activity is strongly associated with the development of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer, regardless of whether moderate or vigorous exercise was performed. This goes to show that maintaining an intermittent level of activity that involve total body muscle movement (climbing stairs, walking to run errands, taking a walking break during sedentary work) is just as important as incorporating moderate to vigorous exercise into your routine. [via Medical News Today]

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A new UCLA study shows that patients who choose to use mail-order pharmacies demonstrated higher rates of adherence to their prescribed medications than those who used traditional pharmacies. Nearly 85% of mail-order pharmacy patrons took their medications as prescribed by their doctor, compared to 77% of traditional pharmacy patrons. As well, more people who used mail-order pharmacies chose to do so because of financial incentives (mail-order pharmacies are often able to offer very competitive prices, compared to traditional pharmacies). The researchers studied people with chronic diseases – diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure – which is important since management often requires lifelong pharmacotherapy. “Our findings indicate that mail-order pharmacies streamline the medication acquisition process, which is associated with better medication adherence,” said lead researcher, Dr. O. Kenrik Duru. [via Yahoo! News]

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The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is now urging physicians to consider using hemoglobin A1C levels to screen for diabetes. Hemoglobin A1C is a type of hemoglobin created when blood levels of sugar are too high. By measuring hemoglobin A1C, doctors can gauge a patient’s average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. As such, it’s historically been used to gauge a diabetic’s level of sugar control. However, because this test has become highly standardized from lab to lab, the ADA states it can now be a useful tool for detecting diabetes and pre-diabetes without the need to be fasting, which will make it easier and more convenient for more people to be screened. Generally, people without diabetes have an A1C level of less than 5%. The new guidelines call for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at A1C levels above 6.5%, and prediabetes if the A1C levels are between 5.7 and 6.4%. [via Health.com]

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University of Chicago researchers estimate that over the next 25 years the number of Americans with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will soar from 23.7 million to 44.1 million. Not only that, medical spending related to diabetes care and management will climb from $113 billion to $336 billion annually. Diabetes is a chronic illness which often requires daily medication, insulin, glucose monitoring supplies, lab tests and frequent visits to the doctor. It is also a disease which could be potentially prevented, which is why primary preventative care is so important (and sorely lacking) in the U.S. As the researchers state, “Without significant changes in public or private strategies, this population and cost growth are expected to add a significant strain to an overburdened health care system.” With these new figures, the study will hopefully influence policymakers during this time of uncertainty in the future of U.S. healthcare. [via Medical News Today]

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The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, a monthly review of pharmacotherapeutics in medicine published by the British Medical Journal, is recommending that physicians take a second look before prescribing daily low-dose aspirin to patients. A recent review of European data questions whether there is any benefit at all for those without a history of cardiovascular disease to be taking a daily aspirin, especially since long-term low-dose aspirin therapy almost doubles the likelihood of gastrointestinal bleeding (a potentially serious side effect). The journal authors support continued use of aspirin in those with known cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart attacks. But, in light of current evidence, is not recommending daily low-dose aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease. [via Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin]

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The FDA is working with pharmaceutical company Eli Lily to update label information on a common drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug, called Byetta, is an injectable medicine that helps to control blood sugar levels. However, over a three-year period, the FDA received 78 reports of kidney problems, including kidney failure, among patients taking Byetta. Thus, new Byetta drug information will carry the warning that the medication may contribute to kidney malfunction. Signs of kidney problems can include change in the frequency of urination, urine color and amount of urine produced. Also, hand and feet swelling, low back aches, fatigue and changes in appetite can also be signs of kidney damage. Patients taking Byetta should notify their physicians if they experience any of these symptoms because kidney failure can cause serious problems due to the build up of metabolic waste products in the body. [HealthDay via Businessweek]

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BMW and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research are involved in a new project titled “SmartSenior – Intelligent services for senior citizens.” The goal of the project is the development of intelligent technology which recognizes and assists senior citizens in emergency road situations.  BMW is working on a safety system called Emergency Stop Assistant that will sense medical dangers, such as those associated with heart attacks, stroke and diabetes. Once an emergency is detect (through sensors that monitor vital signs disbursed throughout the car) the system will switch to an autonomous driving mode to safely stop the vehicle out of harm’s way.

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Jeff Kapche, a 15-year law enforcement veteran who is currently a detective with the Fort Bend County, Texas Sheriff’s Department has just won a case for all diabetics. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia found that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) discriminated against Mr. Kapche when it refused to hire him as a special agent because of how he manages his type I diabetes. People with type I diabetes require frequent administrations of insulin, which Mr. Kapche injects. However, the FBI’s policy requires special agents to manage their diabetes with insulin pumps, rather than injections, due to the unpredictable nature of the job. However, given Mr. Kapche’s impeccable record of diabetes management throughout his long tenure of public service the court has found the FBI’s policy to be discriminatory. ”I am thrilled the jury understood that the FBI’s decision was discriminatory and that I could be a good Special Agent,” said Kapche. “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I have experienced and I hope this jury verdict sends the message that employers should look at each person as an individual, not simply someone with a disease.” Read more.

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