Research Expands Arsenal Of Treatment Options For Diabetes

Live report from the AAFP annual meeting in Orlando, FL Physicians know that diabetes afflicts multiple organs and systems but do they know all the new interventions available?

2 physicians from St. Petersburg Fl, overviewed this in their program “ Case Studies in DM”
Drs. Russell White and David Weiland shared their knowledge in an interactive CME program.

Most persons with type 2 diabetes require 2 or more diabetic medications as well as treatment for coexisting diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or heart disease.

Recent research has focused on the cellular level and metabolically active endothelial cells according to Dr. White. This has made new agents available that focus on these pathophysiological mechanisms.

Essentially patients with type 2 diabetes lose beta cell function, and as these patients live longer they will require insulin therapy.

Dr White added, we can now more accurately dose insulin to time the availability with the need. This helps limit hypoglycemia, which is a major roadblock to insulin initiation, and tight control.
We already have new insulins available and we anticipate new delivery systems, such as inhaled nasal spray, transdermal, and buccal oral systems.

Why is that important? According to Dr. White, the data from the largest diabetes trials show that for every 1% decrease in A1c values, the risk of developing microvascular complications is reduced by 40%. In addition aggressive treatment of diabetes co-morbidities can reduce cardiovascular disease by up to 50%, kidney disease by 30%, and severe vision loss by up to 50%.

Dr. Weiland summed it up by advocating aggressive treatment for all patients.