Diabetes News April 29th 2011

IDF Annual report
(International Diabetes Federation)

Persistence of Individual Variations in Glycated Hemoglobin
Individual variations in the rate of hemoglobin glycation are persistent and contribute to the inaccuracy in estimating MGs calculated from A1C levels (Diabetes Care)

Utility of Hemoglobin A1c for Diagnosing Prediabetes and Diabetes in Obese Children and Adolescents
Given the low sensitivity and specificity, the use of A1C by itself represents a poor diagnostic tool for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in obese children and adolescents (Diabetes Care)

Interdisciplinary Team Care for Diabetic Patients by Primary Care Physicians, Advanced Practice Nurses, and Clinical Pharmacists
The field of primary care faces substantial challenges in transforming itself to meet the rising tide of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Team care that used the unique training of pharmacists and nurses in medication management and individualized case management in coordination with the medical expertise of primary care physicians will be a powerful tool to address these needs (Clinical Diabetes)

Inhaled Corticosteroids and the Risks of Diabetes Onset and Progression
In patients with respiratory disease, inhaled corticosteroid use is associated with modest increases in the risks of diabetes onset and diabetes progression. The risks are more pronounced at the higher doses currently prescribed in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (American Journal of Medicine)

Drug Watch: Type 1 diabetes
Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (Formulary Magazine)

Pirfenidone for Diabetic Nephropathy
These results suggest that pirfenidone is a promising agent for individuals with overt diabetic nephropathy (Journal of the American Society of Nephrology)

Liraglutide provides long-term improvements in glycemic control and weight in type 2 diabetes
The results demonstrated a better long-term efficacy and safety profile of liraglutide monotherapy compared to glimepiride in controlling glycemia in people with type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Pro)

Trends in the Risk for Coronary Heart Disease Among Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes in the U.S
The estimated 10-year risk for CHD among adults with diabetes has improved significantly from 1999–2000 to 2007–2008. Sustained efforts in improving risk factors should further benefit the cardiovascular health of people with diabetes (Diabetes Care)

Merck and Sun sign India diabetes deal
Less than a fortnight after setting up a branded generics joint venture, Merck & Co and India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries have signed another pact, this time covering the US firm’s diabetes blockbuster Januvia (PharmaTimes)