Diabetes News January 30th 2009

Improvement in diabetes self-efficacy and glycaemic control using telemedicine in a sample of older, ethnically diverse individuals
Diabetes self-efficacy is a relevant construct for older diabetes patients. Thus, interventions that target enhanced self-efficacy may also result in improved glycaemic control (Age and Ageing)

The management of gestational diabetes
This review will examine the pharmacological options for the management of gestational diabetes, as well as the evidence for blood glucose monitoring, dietary and exercise therapy (Vascular Health and Risk Management)

Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE): cardiovascular implications
The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the present understanding of RAGE and sRAGE, their plausible role linking perturbed glucose metabolism with the development, progression and instability of atherosclerosis, and the potential therapeutic implications of modulation of this biologicalsystem. 8-page PDF (Diabetes and Vascular Disease Ressearch)

Novo Nordisk Net More Than Doubles on Insulin Sales
Novo Nordisk A/S, the world’s biggest maker of insulin, said fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled on sales of newer versions of diabetes medicines (Bloomberg)

A conjugate of insulin and vitamin B12 for oral delivery
The full patent application (World Intellectual Property Organization)

Web-based management of diabetes through glucose uploads
Has the time come for telemedicine? (Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice)

Intrauterine Exposure to Gestational Diabetes, Child Adiposity, and Blood Pressure
Children exposed to GDM have higher adiposity, which may mediate the higher SBP in these children. These findings extend to younger children the adverse effects of GDM previously found among adolescents and adults (American Journal of Hypertension)

Ten-Year Follow-up of Intensive Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes
With 10 years of follow-up, patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes initially treated with intensive glucose reducing therapy have lower long-term risk of myocardial infarction and death from any cause (Journal of Vascular Surgery)

Should GPs screen for pre-diabetes?
Dr Jim Newmark warns screening for pre-diabetes will increase the use of weight-loss drugs and distract attention from the need for wider societal changes (Pulse)

GPs and nurses could slash diabetes patients waiting times for psychological care
GPs and nurses should be trained to deliver psychological therapies shown to help people struggling to cope with type 2 diabetes, according to researchers at the (University of Warwick)

Just seven minutes of exercise per week can reduce diabetes risk factors
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have found that short, intensive periods of exercise – involving as little as seven minutes per week – can significantly reduce the chances of contracting diabetes ( Heriot-Watt University)

Short sprints and blood sugar
Behind the headlines (NHS Choices)

AstraZeneca Wins Dismissal of First Seroquel Cases
AstraZeneca Plc won dismissal of two lawsuits claiming its antipsychotic drug Seroquel caused diabetes and other health problems, averting a trial (Bloomberg)

Health Profile of England 2008
In some areas particular challenges remain to achieve and sustain progress, eg: rising rates of diabetes. 3MB PDF (DoH)

Intensive insulin therapy for patients in paediatric intensive care
A prospective, randomised controlled study (National electronic Library for Medicines)

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) 30 years later: still the best option for insulin therapy
Thirty years after its introduction, the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) keeps increasing, especially among children and adolescents. The technique, when used properly, is safe and effective (Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews)

Changing diabetes barometer international seminar
Click on a link below to watch selected presentations from the day (Barometer Series)

Leading diabetes specialist joins NHS Information Centre
Dr Bob Young, a Consultant Diabetologist and the Director of Clinical Effectiveness at Salford Royal Hospital has joined the NHS IC part time to become its Clinical Lead for the National Diabetes Information Service (NDST)

NZSSD Position Statement on Screening and Type 2 Diabetes
This statement is a guide for health practitioners and complements guidelines produced by the (New Zealand Guidelines Group)

Uric Acid and Insulin Sensitivity and Risk of Incident Hypertension
Differences in uric acid and insulin levels robustly and substantially affect the risk of hypertension in young women. Measuring these biomarkers in clinical practice may identify higher-risk individuals (Archives of Internal Medicine)

Impact of a Weight Management Program on Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Overweight adults diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes experienced significant improvement in HRQOL by enrolling in a weight management program that yielded significant weight loss, improved physical fitness, and reduced physical symptoms (Archives of Internal Medicine)

The ACCORD Trial and Control of Blood Glucose Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
For almost 40 years, there has been evidence that intensive lowering of glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) can lead to significant harm and has limited benefits. This raises the question of why so many clinicians neglected the accumulating evidence of harm and thereby got the issue of treating type 2 DM so wrong (Archives of Internal Medicine)

Progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients
The relationships of renal structure and function in diabetic nephropathy are best described by non-linear models which mimic the natural history of the disease (Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice)

£1.4m programme to tackle child obsesity launched
A £1.4million programme designed to help over 2,000 overweight and obese children manage their weight and become fitter, healthier and happier will start across Wales from this week (Binley’s)

Insulin pill progress?
A pill that could potentially replace insulin injections for people with diabetes has been developed by scientists in India (Diabetes UK)

New Survey Results Show Huge Burden of Diabetes
Study Includes Sensitive Test of Blood Glucose Abnormalities (NIH)

The second round of BRIDGES is now open for submissions
Letters of intent must be sent to the IDF Executive Office before March 31 2009 (International Diabetes Federation)

Health-related quality of life in intensively treated young patients with type 1 diabetes
We conclude that the diabetes team can influence the HRQOL of the patients as there was a centre difference and because HRQOL is influenced by glycaemic control and insulin regimen. Girls seem to need extra support (Pediatric Diabetes)

Epidemiology of diabetes and diabetes-related complications
This report describes the current diabetes epidemic and the health and economic impact of diabetes complications on individuals and on the health care system (PubMed)