Letter from the Editor #511

Obesity and weight control in our patients continues to be big news each and every week. The new issue of the ADA magazine, “Diabetes Forecast,” has an 8 page spread on surgery for weight loss. The article does a great job of showing the benefits versus the risks of bariatric surgery. Last Wednesday, GI Dynamics announced initial, positive results from a clinical trial evaluating 12 months of treatment with the EndoBarrier™ Gastrointestinal Liner, which is a gastrointestinal sleeve that’s implanted through the mouth in a simple endoscopic, outpatient procedure, and creates a barrier between food and the wall of the small intestine.

So far, 6 of the 22 patients enrolled have reached the 1 year mark and their HbA1c has decreased 2.5% (± 0.6%) with 5 of the 6 getting below 7.0% and they had an average of 35.5 lbs weight loss (± 9 lbs). This device is available in Europe and looks like a very promising alternative for patients.

Over the past few weeks there has been considerable commentary about the Oprah/Dr. Oz show on diabetes. My University of Florida Pharm D. Intern Nathan Unger did a little research and found out that if given enough time both Dr. Oz and his co-writer Dr. Michael F. Roizen can provide a well-rounded program for weight and diabetes help. Click here to read his review of YOU, On A Diet, Revised Edition: The Owner’s Manual for Waist Management; although this book is for patients, Nathan believes that the science in the book would be great to know.

Last week I mentioned what was going on with Avandia, the Senate and the FDA. In further reviewing the material, I would like to offer a clarification: it’s important to note that the views were limited to a staff report issued by the Senate Committee on Finance.  Further, the FDA has not recommended/called for the removal of Avandia from the market.  That recommendation was expressed by two staffers within the FDA.  As reinforced by the FDA public health posting on February 22, 2010, there are “no new FDA conclusions or recommendations about the use of rosiglitazone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.”  The FDA is now reviewing the primary data from the completed RECORD study, conducting follow-up audits, and reviewing additional studies and will bring its review to an advisory committee meeting this summer.

Announcements:

Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD): Kalispell, Montana, March 20
The TCOYD team will be in Kalispell, Montana, at the Hilton Garden Inn for the TCOYD Conference and Health Fair, March 20. TCOYD is a not for profit organization dedicated to informing and empowering people with diabetes to become actively involved in their own health care. For more 2010 upcoming conference details, please go to TCOYD.org.

dLife.com: March 7, 7PM ET on CNBC
Topics: Successful employees share how they excelled at their jobs, despite challenging work environments and diabetes. Make the most of your dLife and don’t miss an episode: Sundays on CNBC at 7 PM ET, 6 PM CT, and 4 PM PT. Catch up on dLife.com.

New Poll: Please answer this week’s poll question, in the column to the right.
Will you recommend the new once-a-day injection GLP1 Victoza by Novo?

New Jobs Section Added: We’ve added a Featured Jobs section in the right hand column as well. Check it out and let us know what you think!

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We can make a difference!

 

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Check out this week’s “Test Your Diabetes Knowledge” question!

Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief