January 5, 2021 : Issue #1095

DISASTERS AVERTED — Near Miss Case Studies

Clear, Written Instructions Can Help Avert Medical Mistakes

TOP STORIES — Diabetes News and Research

Brain Dopamine – Clock Interactions Regulate Cardiometabolic Health in T2D

Real-World Data on the Benefit of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk

Sleep Duration and Risk Of Premature Death In Patients with T2DM

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES OF THE MONTH

#1 Daily Pill Optimizes Insulin Use and Reduces A1c For Type 1 Diabetes

#2 Omnipod Horizon System in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

#3 The Link Between Diabetes and COVID-19 Deaths

It appears we are lagging far behind on delivering vaccines for the coronavirus. The logistics are enormous, and it almost appears that placing blame is more important than saving lives. In addition, it appears many people are suffering from COVID fatigue and just don’t want to follow the simple rules of social distancing and mask wearing. This has led to our hospitals overflowing with COVID-19 patients, and many of our regular patients who need care can’t even get into the hospital.

This is really bad for our diabetes patients, especially those with cardiovascular problems. Many of these patients are also not able to get the vaccine, and that just makes matters worse. Our county in Florida was in a pilot program for vaccinations. The state made 1600 vaccines available for 250,000 people 65 or older. The reservation system went live at 12 noon yesterday and the site crashed at 12:04 as over 60,000 people tried to sign up.

We just flat out need to do a better job. It seems to me if we applied the same technology that gets a package to our front door in less than 24 hours, we would make a better run at vaccinating everyone who wants to be, and save many of our co-workers’, neighbors’ and patients’ lives.

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We can make a difference!

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Dave Joffe

Editor-in-chief

I have a patient I introduced to using Lantus insulin (including why, injection technique, storage, etc.). She would then see her family doctor, get the prescription and return the next week to review titration and any new questions before she started. I saw her a week later at our supervised diabetes walking group. She reported that she had started using the insulin three days prior and started at ten units and stated she was now 20 units! (She had only had two doses). 

by Anthony H. Cincotta, PhD
This is the third in a recurring series of articles on Dr. Cincotta’s work on the brain dopamine clock and type 2 diabetes. In this installment, targeting chronically elevated sympathetic tone to improve glycemic control and cardiometabolic health in type 2 diabetes patients.

SGLT2 inhibitors compared to DPP-4 inhibitors: which showed a favorable effect on MACE? 

Both sleep deprivation and excessive sleep may be independent risk factors for premature death in patients with T2DM.