Diabetes News September 2nd 2011

Type 1 diabetes: review decision
Review recommendation The guideline should be updated at this time (NICE)

Briefing on the NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare: Diabetes
A briefing paper describing forthcoming work on the NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare by the National Diabetes Information Service (YHPHO)

Diabetes Footcare Activity Profiles
The Diabetes Footcare Activity Profiles have been developed to provide information on the inpatient care of people with diabetes who are admitted to hospital for a range of footcare conditions – Downloads (YHPHO)

Relationship between vascular stiffness and stress myocardial perfusion imaging in asymptomatic patients with diabetes
Vascular stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity is associated with severe myocardial perfusion imaging defects in asymptomatic patients with diabetes (European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging)

Cardiac Geometry and Function in Diabetic or Prediabetic Adolescents and Young Adults
In a population of adolescents and young adults, DM is independently associated with early unfavorable cardiovascular phenotype characterized by increased left ventricular mass, concentric geometry, and early preclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction; early cardiovascular alterations are also present in participants with prediabetes (Diabetes Care)

Changes in Altitude Cause Unintended Insulin Delivery From Insulin Pumps
Atmospheric pressure reduction causes predictable, unintended insulin delivery in pumps by bubble formation and expansion of existing bubble (Diabetes Care)

Association Between Type 2 Diabetes and Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants
This study confirms the association between type 2 diabetes and adult-only exposure to organochlorine pesticides in a general urban population (Diabetes Care)

Opticians ‘should offer blood sugar checks’
While universal screening is not currently recommended, Durham University researchers say there is a case for targeted screening. Their study was published in the British Journal of General Practice (BBC)

Telomere Dysfunction–Related Serological Markers Are Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Serological N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, telomere length, and the UCP2–886G>A variant are independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Care)

Rituximab Selectively Suppresses Specific Islet Antibodies
A single course of rituximab differentially suppresses IAAs, clearly blocking IAAs for >1 year in insulin-treated patients (Diabetes)

Linagliptin
Linagliptin is the only DPP-4 inhibitor to be approved at one dosage strength for adults with type 2 diabetes in Europe, without any need for dose adjustments (Lilly)

Hi–tech diabetes aid will send alert text in emergency
A hi-tech diabetes blood glucose monitor is being developed in Wales that will send a text alert to emergency personnel if the patient is in danger of hypoglycaemia attack (Welsh Government)