Diabetes in Focus

Assessing self-care barriers lowers A1C rates in diabetes
An intervention that evaluated self-care barriers and developed measures to address such factors fared better than usual care in reducing A1C levels in older adults with diabetes, a study in Diabetes Care revealed. Researchers examined 100 patients ages 69 and older and found those in the intervention group also had more improvements in self-care, endurance, and gait and balance than the control group. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (3/19)

Aggressive statin treatment cuts atheroma volume in diabetes
Intensive statin therapy was associated with reductions in percent atheroma volume and total atheroma volume in coronary artery disease patients with or without diabetes, researchers reported at the American College of Cardiology meeting. Lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels during treatment were linked to greater regression of atheroma in both groups, researchers said. InternalMedicineNews.com (free registration) (3/19)

Allopurinol may reduce heart risks in diabetes patients with LVH
Data on 66 type 2 diabetes patients with evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy showed allopurinol treatment was associated with reduced left ventricular mass, compared with placebo, researchers said at the American College of Cardiology meeting. InternalMedicineNews.com (free registration) (3/19)

Careful Monitoring Can Minimize Diabetes Complications
The number of individuals living with diabetes is expected to soar as the baby boomers enter the peak years for onset of the disease. The good news: Assiduous management and careful monitoring can forestall many of diabetes' most debilitating complications. Time Inc. Custom Content

Nutrition & Wellness

Experts link U.S. deaths to sugar-sweetened drinks
About 25,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2010 were associated with consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a study presented at an American Heart Association meeting. The findings do not prove a causal effect but rather link a high intake of sugary drinks to deaths due to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, researchers said. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (3/19)

Minty chewing gums may not help people lose weight
A study in Eating Behaviors found that participants who chewed minty gum before every meal ate fewer meals but were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables compared with when they did not chew gum. Researchers said the menthol in chewing gum can make fruits and vegetables taste bitter, which may lead people to opt for unhealthy choices. LiveScience.com (3/19)

Practice Update

Federal lawmakers reintroduce bill to address doctor shortage
Three senators and two representatives have reintroduced legislation that would increase the number of government-funded residency positions at teaching hospitals in an attempt to address the predicted shortage of primary care physicians. The measure would add 15,000 new slots over five years and address Medicare's current cap on the number of these positions at hospitals. The Washington Times (3/18)

Trends & Technology

Docs are interested in patient use of mobile-health apps, survey says
A survey conducted by eClinicalWorks found that doctors are interested in having patients adopt mobile-health applications. The survey also found that more than 90% of participating doctors agree these apps show promise in enhancing patient outcomes. EHR Intelligence (3/15)

Uncertainty looms over formal clinical informatics programs
A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute revealed 55% of health care professionals didn't know when their organizations would have a formal clinical informatics program. Researchers also found 13% of respondents said their groups would need more than two years to implement such a program, while 10% said it would take one to two years. Another 10% said it would take less than a year for their associations to establish a program, while 13% said they would never start one. BeckersHospitalReview.com (3/18)

ADA News

Safe at School Health Care Professional Toolkit
Want to help educate parents of children with diabetes about their children's rights in school? Order our popular and free Safe at School Health Care Professional Toolkit. The kit includes excellent materials to share with families and a colorful poster to display in your practice. Order the kit.

Editor's Note

Your SmartBrief has a new look
Noticed a change? DiabetesPro SmartBrief has the same valuable content but with a reworked design to make reading and sharing stories easier, especially on mobile devices. Have feedback on the change? Send it our way!

SmartQuote

Quality is not an act, it is a habit." -- Aristotle, Greek philosopher Share: