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January 2, 2013

News for diabetes health professionals

Diabetes in Focus

Higher acute pancreatitis risk seen with type 2 diabetes
An analysis of seven observational studies found type 2 diabetes patients were 84% more likely than those without the disease to develop acute pancreatitis. The results were published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. FoodConsumer.org (12/28)

Prebiotic or probiotic diet might help type 1 diabetes patients
Children with beta-cell autoimmunity showed reduced lactic acid- and butyric acid-producing bacteria compared with healthier peers in a study published in Diabetes. However, researchers said a special diet containing prebiotics or probiotics might correct abnormal gut microbiota in children with type 1 diabetes. FoodConsumer.org (1/1)

Bitter melon supplements may address metabolic syndrome
Taking three months of supplements containing bitter melon powder helped cure up to 19% of patients with metabolic syndrome, a study in Nutrition Journal indicated. Researchers also noted improvements in waist circumference among patients. FoodConsumer.org (12/29)

Nutrition & Wellness

Review: Slightly obese patients show lower mortality risk
Overweight and slightly obese participants showed a 6% lower mortality risk compared with their normal-weight counterparts, according to an analysis of almost 100 studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, morbid obesity was still associated with a nearly 30% increased risk of dying, researchers said. Reuters (1/1)

Fructose intake promotes hunger, study finds
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed fructose did not help lower blood flow in the appetite-regulating regions of the brain and failed to release satiety signals, whereas glucose did. The findings suggest fructose may contribute to the obesity epidemic by promoting hunger, food intake and insulin resistance, researchers said. The Daily Mail (London) (1/2)

AAP encourages schools not to cut back on recess time
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a policy statement urging schools not to cut back on students' recess time as safe and supervised recess provides students an opportunity for physical activity. USA Today (12/31)

Practice Update

Congress moves to postpone physician fee cuts
Congress has voted to delay for one year scheduled Medicare physician payment cuts as part of a "fiscal cliff" deal, extending current Medicare rates by one year. The cost of the temporary fix is covered through changes to other Medicare initiatives, including some that affect hospitals. MedPage Today (free registration) (1/1), Modern Healthcare (free registration) (1/1)

Doctor-patient communication plays role in drug adherence
Doctors who establish a good, trusting relationship with patients may be able to help improve adherence to prescriptions, a study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests. Data on 9,377 patients using blood glucose, blood pressure or cholesterol drugs showed 30% may not have been following prescribed directions for medication use, but that number fell 4% to 6% among patients who reported having better communication with their physicians. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (12/31)

Trends & Technology

PI CME model focuses on quality improvement
As the nation moves to a pay-for-performance health care system, experts say demand will grow for Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education, which allows doctors to compare patient outcomes with national benchmarks and make measurable improvements to care. The model will help provide more systematic, evidence-based care for patients, one expert said. American Medical News (free content) (12/31)

SmartQuote

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them."

--Rose Kennedy,
American philanthropist

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