December 29, 2015 : DCMS #273

DISASTERS AVERTED — Near Miss Case Studies

How Long Does the Insulin Last? Do The Math!

HOMERUN SLIDES — Great Clinical Presentation Highlights

Diabetes for Cardiologists Part 3

CLINICAL GEMS — The Best from Diabetes Texts

International Textbook of Diabetes Mellitus, 4th Ed., Excerpt #1: Classification of Diabetes Mellitus and Other Categories of Glucose Intolerance Part 4 of 6

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Candid Video Interviews with Top Practitioners

Dr. Richard Bergman, Parts 5 & 6 – The Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, Blood Pressure Vs. Blood Glucose

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES OF THE MONTH

#1 SGLT-2 Inhibitor Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Death: Should Current Guidelines be Impacted?
#2 Breastfeeding after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
#3 Nordic Food Associated with Lowering Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

As we finish up the holiday season and everyone gets ready to set their New Year’s resolutions, there is no doubt that this is the most stressful time of the year. Many of our patients seem to have their worst control around the holidays. This is usually 100% blamed on their food choices, with all the holiday treats the season has to offer. However, this is not necessarily the only reason for the problem: this week in our clinical textbook series we look at the effects of increased stress on treatment, and how that most likely is affecting glucose levels as well.

If you are wondering how cardiologists decide which is more important, blood glucose or blood pressure — and why — then check out our Homerun Slides and our publisher’s interview with Dr. Richard Bergman.

Your partner in diabetes care,
Dave Joffe
Editor-in-chief

In assessing an in-patient’s diabetic educational needs, I was reviewing with him his in-home regimen for his insulin therapy. Per his report, he stated that he took Levemir 50 units twice a day. I asked if it was by needle, syringe and vial preparation, which it was. I instructed him re: the shelf life of Levemir of 42 days once opened. He stated, “I throw it out after a month, but there is always insulin in the vial.” He also said he has more than an adequate supply. He was receiving his insulin by mail-order, receiving as he should, but not using it in a timely fashion. In other words, he was stockpiling his insulin.

In this week’s Homerun Slides, the natural history of type 2 diabetes and factors contributing to CV risk.

There is accumulating evidence supporting an association of certain psychiatric conditions with type 2 diabetes which can be attributed to side-effects of treatment and a high baseline risk of diabetes in this patient group. Diabetes can be induced by the use of atypical antipsychotics including clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole. These drugs have a direct effect of raising blood glucose and also lead to weight gain, [48] which subsequently may increase blood glucose levels.

To wrap up this series, we present the final two installments of the conversation between Diabetes in Control Publisher Steve Freed and Dr. Richard Bergman. In part 5, Steve learns more about the institute founded and led by Dr. Bergman at Cedars-Sinai. In part 6, Steve asks what is more important — blood pressure or blood glucose levels?

New study generates lively discussion among experts at EASD on how to consider the results in prescribing, exploration of possible mechanism and potential class effect.

Longer duration of breastfeeding showed correlation with reduction of type 2 risk.

Diet containing foods high in antioxidants found to reduce risk of stroke.