Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Diabetes & Endocrinology for December 2009. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Therapy Found Ineffective for Chronic Low Back Pain
THURSDAY, Dec. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is not recommended for treating chronic low back pain, though it appears effective in treating the pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, according to an American Academy of Neurology guideline published online Dec. 30 in Neurology.
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Study Assesses Safety of Figitumumab in Sarcoma
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Figitumumab -- a fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody -- appears safe for use in sarcoma, with observable anti-tumor activity, according to research published online Dec. 24 in The Lancet Oncology.
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Declines Found in Diabetes-Related Renal Disease
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Among individuals with diabetes, the incidence of diabetes-related end-stage renal disease (ESRD) declined in recent years, which suggests that efforts to prevent ESRD are successful, according to research published in the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Efficacy of Glyburide for Gestational Diabetes Studied
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- In women with gestational diabetes, glyburide is more effective than metformin for achieving glycemic control, according to a study in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Drugs Not Linked to β-Cell Improvement in Diabetes
TUESDAY, Dec. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The use of insulin, exenatide, and the immunosuppressant daclizumab doesn't lead to improved function of surviving β-cells in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Disease Risk in Men Studied
TUESDAY, Dec. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death, and this applies regardless of their body mass index, although those without metabolic syndrome who are overweight or obese are also at increased risk, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Circulation.
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Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Affluent Children Examined
TUESDAY, Dec. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Cardiorespiratory fitness among 10-year-old children continues to decline at an alarming rate, mostly independent of changes in body mass index (BMI), at least in girls, according to a study in the January issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
History of Foot Ulcers Can Increase Mortality in Diabetes
MONDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who have a history of developing foot ulcers are at higher risk of death than those who do not have a history, and should be more closely monitored by clinicians, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Health Impact of Body Mass Index May Be Misleading
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- The adverse impact of low body mass index (BMI) on risk of respiratory disease and lung cancer mortality may be overstated, while the negative impact of high BMI on cardiovascular disease mortality may be underestimated, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in BMJ.
Over 85s Function Well Despite Disease and Disability
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Elders over the age of 85 report good health and functional ability despite the fact that they have to contend with a range of diseases and disabilities; however, as the fastest growing segment of the world's population, the health needs of future generations of over 85s represent a profound challenge, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in BMJ.
Uric Acid Concentrations May Affect Pregnancy Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- In normotensive pregnant women, high uric acid concentrations in mid-pregnancy are associated with insulin resistance and lower birth weights, according to a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Cycling Not Linked to Effect on Prostate-Specific Antigen
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Bicycle riding at a professional level doesn't influence serum levels of total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA), according to research published in the December issue of Urology.
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Factors Linked to Bone Loss With Contraceptive Identified
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Women who take the contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) are at higher risk of bone loss if they smoke, consume insufficient amounts of calcium, or have never had a child, according to a study in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Glycemic Index Education Helps Manage Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, Dec. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Educating people with type 2 diabetes about how to incorporate foods with a lower glycemic index into their diets results in improvements in weight, serum glucose levels, and insulin sensitivity, according to a study in Public Health Nutrition.
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High-Density Lipoprotein Pros Missing for Diabetes Patients
TUESDAY, Dec. 22 (HealthDay News) -- The vasoprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) seen in healthy people are absent in those with type 2 diabetes, but the impact of diabetes can be mitigated with extended-release niacin therapy, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Circulation.
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Parents Not Stressed by Child's Genetic Risk for Diabetes
MONDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Parents of children with diabetes-associated autoantibodies did not report an increased level of stress until there was an actual diabetes diagnosis, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Resistance Exercise Benefits Elderly Overweight Men
MONDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- A regimen of resistance exercise two or three times a week appears to be an effective approach to weight management and metabolic control in elderly overweight men, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Aspirin Benefits Seem Similar Regardless of Diabetes Status
FRIDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The benefit of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events and death appears to be similar in people with and without diabetes, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Acrylamide Exposure Linked to Decrease in Serum Insulin
FRIDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to the common compound acrylamide from smoking or in foods is associated with reduced blood insulin and insulin resistance, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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SIRT1 Alleles Linked to Reduced Obesity Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A Dutch study has found that two alleles of the SIRT1 gene are linked to less weight gain over time and decreased risk of obesity, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes.
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Mouse Study Suggests Type 2 Diabetes Potential Treatment
THURSDAY, Dec. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers in Brazil have found that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in mice fed on a high-fat diet, and may offer a treatment approach for type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes.
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Work-Related Stress May Raise Women's Diabetes Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Middle-aged women who are under psychosocial stress at work have a higher risk of developing diabetes than their non-stressed counterparts, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Gene Variants Linked to High Fasting Glucose Levels
THURSDAY, Dec. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The presence of certain gene variants controlling fasting levels of glucose can help identify children at risk for hyperglycemia with the risk increasing the more variants they have, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes.
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Coffee and Tea Intake Associated With Diabetes Risk
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16 (HealthDay News) -- High levels of tea and coffee consumption, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, are inversely associated with risk of diabetes, according to a study in the Dec. 14/28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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Comorbidity Affects Outcome of Glycemic Control in Diabetes
TUESDAY, Dec. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The cardiovascular benefits of intensive glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients are reduced if they have high levels of comorbidity, according to a study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Diabetes Patients Report Many Hypoglycemic Driving Events
MONDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Hypoglycemia-related events while driving may be common in individuals with type 1 diabetes, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
Weight Loss and Exercise Can Improve Cardiac Function
MONDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise and losing weight improves cardiac function at any age, but some of those benefits can be lost when weight is regained, according to a pair of studies in the Dec. 15/22 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Diverse Reasons Cited for Skipping Diabetes, Pain Meds
MONDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Financial pressures may cause patients who take both pain and diabetes medications to forgo both, but those who selectively cut out only diabetes medications often do so because of depression or negative beliefs about the medications, according to a study in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
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Patients Often Lack Knowledge of Their Own Medications
THURSDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Patients routinely under-report, or even over-report, their outpatient and inpatient medications, and should be included in hospital medication management to improve safety, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Variable A1C Linked to Renal Disease in Type 1 Diabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with type 1 diabetes, greater variability in A1C levels over time is associated with higher risk of microalbuminuria, progression of established renal disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, according to research published in the November issue of Diabetes.
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Aggressive Identification of Patients Cuts Hip Fractures
THURSDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Aggressive identification and management of patients at risk for osteoporosis-related hip fractures can substantially reduce the incidence rate, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 supplement of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
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Healthy Changes Linked to Weight Loss in Adolescents
THURSDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Overweight adolescents who shed pounds appear more likely to use healthy weight control behaviors than their counterparts who don't lose weight, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
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Two Diets Linked to Similar Insulin-Sensitivity Effect
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets had similar effects on insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals, but the latter diet was linked to a possible detrimental effect on vascular health, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes.
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Model Compares Impact of Breast Cancer Mutations
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A computer model can help compare the impact of various treatment strategies on survival in women with mutations in the BRCA genes that increase the risk of breast cancer, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In a related study published at the same time in the same journal, researchers report that BRCA mutations are associated with lower responses to fertility treatment.
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Small Caseloads Hinder Gauging Medicare Performance
TUESDAY, Dec. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Most primary care physicians participating in Medicare work in practices with too few Medicare beneficiaries to reliably assess their practices' performance on common measures of quality and cost performance, according to research published in the Dec. 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Study Explores Genetics of Microalbuminuria in Diabetes
TUESDAY, Dec. 8 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, the Ala12 allele of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-γ2 (PPAR-γ2) may reduce the risk of persistent microalbuminuria, according to research published in the December issue of Diabetes.
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Lipid Levels Associated With Pregnancy Complications
FRIDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- High levels of triglycerides during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia, according to a study in the November issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Study Compares Cardiac, Death Risks of Diabetes Drugs
FRIDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Use of the sulphonylurea class of drugs for diabetes carries elevated risks of cardiac and all-cause death, while among drugs in the thiazolidinedione class, pioglitazone posed the lowest risk, according to an analysis published online Dec. 3 in BMJ.
Weight Loss Can Reduce Apnea Disease Severity
FRIDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Obese men with obstructive sleep apnea who lost significant weight on a stringent diet markedly reduced the severity of their disease in comparison with a control group that did not diet, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in BMJ.
Tool Helps Predict Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients
FRIDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- A new prognostic tool may help physicians give hemodialysis patients a six-month prognosis, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Breast-Feeding May Protect Against Metabolic Syndrome
THURSDAY, Dec. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Women who breast-feed -- including those with a history of gestational diabetes -- may have a significantly decreased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in Diabetes: A Journal of the American Diabetes Association.
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Metabolic Syndrome Prevalent After Liver Transplant
THURSDAY, Dec. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who receive liver transplants are at high risk for developing metabolic syndrome and resulting cardiovascular complications, but the impact on mortality and long-term survival are inconclusive, according to a review in the December Liver Transplantation.
Diabetes in Pregnancy Hikes Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
THURSDAY, Dec. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) are at increased risk for developing metabolic syndrome after they deliver their infants, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Increased Obesity Outweighs Gains of Decreased Smoking
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- In terms of life expectancy, the positive effects of decreasing smoking are increasingly outweighed by the adverse consequences of escalating obesity, according to a study in the Dec. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Cardiovascular Effects of Type 1 Diabetes in Youth Studied
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) but normal weight, body composition, and serum lipid profile may still have insulin resistance (IR) and impaired cardiovascular function, traits usually associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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New Self-Assessment Tool for Undiagnosed Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers from Cornell University have developed a new risk-scoring model and simple self-assessment survey that can identify people who should be medically screened for diabetes, according to a study reported in the Dec. 1 Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Women Researchers Lag Behind Men in Grant Awards
TUESDAY, Dec. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Female physicians with a proven interest in research are less likely to receive prestigious research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than are male physicians, according to a study in the Dec. 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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