Diabetes News November 27th 2009

Projecting the Future Diabetes Population Size and Related Costs for the U.S.
Between 2009 and 2034, the number of people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will increase from 23.7 million to 44.1 million (Diabetes Care)

Couch kids: the nation’s future
Four years on from our first report into childhood obesity and children still aren’t getting the diet or exercise they need. 48-page PDF (British Heart Foundation)

Diabetics Show Alarming Increase in Morbid Obesity
A Loyola University Health System study has found that one out of five Type 2 diabetics is morbidly obese (Loyola Medicine)

YKL-40 – an emerging biomarker in cardiovascular disease and diabetes
YKL-40 levels are elevated both in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, known to be at high risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases (Cardiovascular Diabetology)

Insulin Resistance in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and Its Relationship to Cardiovascular Function
T1D youth demonstrated IR, impaired functional exercise capacity and cardiovascular dysfunction. The phenotype of IR in T1D youth was unique, suggesting a pathophysiology that is different from T2D, yet may adversely affect long-term cardiovascular outcomes (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)

Heritability of insulin sensitivity and lipid profile depend on BMI: evidence for gene–obesity interaction
Our results suggest that the expression of genes influencing triacylglycerol and insulin sensitivity can vary as a function of obesity status. The substantial increases in the genetic contribution to the total variance in insulin sensitivity and triacylglycerols at higher BMIs may prove extremely valuable in the search for candidate genes (Diabetologia)

Treatment disparities and effect on late mortality in patients with diabetes presenting with acute myocardial infarction
Patients with diabetes have a higher risk than non-diabetic patients of late mortality following an acute MI, yet receive fewer guideline-recommended medications and early invasive procedures (PubMed)

Pancreatic Islet Autoantibodies as Predictors of Type 1 Diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1
The data indicate that the number of autoantibodies is predictive of type 1 diabetes. However, mIAA is less predictive of type 1 diabetes than other autoantibodies. Autoantibody number, type of autoantibody, and autoantibody titer must be carefully considered in planning prevention trials for type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Care)

Rituximab, B-Lymphocyte Depletion, and Preservation of Beta-Cell Function
A four-dose course of rituximab partially preserved beta-cell function over a period of 1 year in patients with type 1 diabetes (NEJM)

In Type 2 Diabetes, Mitochondrial Damage Kills Insulin-Producing Cells
Over time, patients with type 2 diabetes lose insulin-producing cells, a difficulty that aggravates their disease. Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center now have identified a mechanism that triggers the problem, giving a chance to find targets for drugs to protect these crucial cells (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Differing effect of statins on insulin sensitivity in non-diabetics
Statins do not appear to demonstrate a ‘class effect’ on IS in patients without diabetes. Differences between individual statins likely exist that may partially explain the findings of previously conducted meta-analyses examining the impact of statins on the development of diabetes (PubMed)

Adolescents on basal-bolus insulin can fast during Ramadan
We recommend that it is safe for adolescents with diabetes to fast during Ramadan as long as they reduce their basal insulin by this amount and continue to monitor their blood glucose regularly (Pediatric Diabetes)

Colesevelam HCl Improves Fasting Plasma Glucose and Lipid Levels in Patients with Prediabetes
In patients with hyperlipidemia and prediabetes, colesevelam HCl improved glycemic control and the lipid profile (Postgraduate Medicine)

Incremental Value of Continuous Glucose Monitoring When Starting Pump Therapy in Patients With Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes
CGM-enabled insulin pump therapy improves glycemia more than conventional pump therapy during the first 6 months of pump use in patients who wear CGM sensors at least 70% of the time (Diabetes Care)

NCD alliance presses Commonwealth governments to act
The world’s three leading federations in cancer, diabetes and heart disease have issued a joint call to action asking Commonwealth heads of government to address the growing emergency of non-communicable diseases (IDF)