Intentional Weight Loss and Dose Reductions of Anti-Diabetic Medications – A Retrospective Cohort Study

Plosone: February 27, 2012, Anita Ashok Kumar¹, Ghanshyam Palamaner Subash Shantha¹, Scott Kahan^2,3,4, Rohit Joshua Samson⁴, Nelson David Boddu⁴, Lawrence Jay Cheskin^4,5*1 Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 2Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 3 Department of Health Policy, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, D. C., United States of America, 4 Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 5 Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.

Background and Aim

Intentional weight loss, primarily by improving insulin resistance, is known to decrease the need for anti-diabetic medications. In this study, we assess the magnitude of weight loss that resulted in dose reductions or discontinuation of anti-diabetic medications in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes (DM) undergoing weight loss treatment.

Methods

Case records of 50 overweight or obese patients with DM who successfully decreased dosage or discontinued diabetes medications after losing weight via attendance at two University-based, outpatient weight management centers were analyzed. Follow-up visits, weight reduction interventions, and decisions for dose reductions or discontinuation of medications were individualized to patient needs by the treating physician. Read More

Study discovers lack of hospital in the community

LAREDO, TX. – A study of three health agencies proved reliable that Laredo and Webb have a great need for services and a regional public hospital.

More than 35% of the population does not have health coverage of any kind.

Three health agencies conducted a study to identify health needs in this community. Photo by Francisco Diaz/The Laredo Sun

The study was conducted by the Health Science Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio campus in coordination with, the Laredo Health Department and the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center.

Gladys Keene, director of the UT Health Science Center’s Laredo campus, said that the last comprehensive analysis was done in 1995, when evaluating health risks in the community.

Now, thanks to support from a federal fund of $200,000 administered by Congressman Henry Cuellar, a study was conducted based on working groups and hundreds of surveys. Read More

Diabetic Educators Urge Everyone to ‘Take the Test’ on March 27th for Diabetes Alert Day

The American Diabetes Association has announced March 27, 2012 as Alert Day. It is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In addition to making a commitment to regular physical activity, diabetic educators, podiatrists and other foot care experts caution diabetics to become knowledgeable about foot care when exercising.

Princeton, NJ (PRWEB) February 23, 2012.

The American Diabetes Association has announced March 27, 2012 as Alert Day. It is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, while it’s well known that regular exercise can help prevent the disease, many of those already diagnosed or at risk are failing to achieve recommended levels of physical activity.

A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Diabetic Educators (AADE) found that among those with type 2 diabetes, more than 36% reported no regular physical activity, and 38% reported performing less than the recommended levels.

In addition to making a commitment to regular physical activity, diabetic educators, podiatrists and other foot care experts caution diabetics to become knowledgeable about foot care when exercising.

Carol J. Buck is CEO of Xenna Corporation (http://www.xenna.com), which sells natural, diabetic-friendly foot care products nationwide and supports the work of diabetic educators around the country.

While exercise is key to helping maintain diabetic health, the potential for foot neuropathy makes it important to observe certain precautions when it comes to exercise and foot care. Read More

RIO GRANDE VALLEY — Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes

We tell how doing two simple things eating healthy and exercising can play a big role in preventing you from getting diabetes.

The world health organization reports that 350-million people globally have diabetes. In the US., 15% percent of the population is diabetic, 30% of Cameron county residents have the disease, twice the national average.

“Diabetes is a disorder which results from failing to use sugar in the body.”

Dr. Susan Fisher-Hoch is an epidemiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston school of Public Health Brownsville campus.
She says the majority of the people with diabetes are adults. They have what’s called diabetes two. Read More

Tackling Diabetes Care Challenges – Expert Groups Collaborate

Medical News Today – by Petra Rattue, Feb. 23 2012 – 5:00 PST.

The Endocrine Society, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and Opus Science, announce the launch of their new program in an effort to assess and improve care for those suffering fromdiabetes. The program called “Improving Quality in Type 2 Diabetes: A National Initiative to Assess Guideline Adherence and Physician/Pharmacist Coordination,” is part of a new U.S. multiphase initiative that is setting out to assess the effects of current in-practice behavior in multiple primary care and endocrinology clinics, as well as pharmacies, to provide care for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.

The initiative will also examine potential avenues to improve diabetes management by improving care coordination with local pharmacies and/or pharmacists.  Read More

UCLA researchers report ethnic disparities in life expectancy

LA Health Examiner:  Robin Wulffson, M.D. LIFE EXPECTANCY | FEBRUARY 24, 2012.

A new UCLA study reported on February 23 by a UCLA-led group of researchers reported that not only discrepancies in life expectancy were found between Caucasians and Africans but also that these discrepancies varied between states. They reported their findings in the February edition of the peer-reviewed journal Health Services Research.

The researchers found that, on the average, Caucasian males lived approximately seven years longer than African American males and that the area where the discrepancies were greatest was in Washington, DC. However, they were surprised to find that discrepancies between the two groups varied significantly between states. In addition, in states where the disparity was the least, it was not because African Americans were living longer, rather it was because Caucasians were dying younger. Read More

For Latina moms, pediatrician’s personality, empathy trump knowledge of Spanish, quick service

A small study of Latina women with young children led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center shows moms value a pediatrician’s empathy and warmth far more than their ability to speak Spanish or other conveniences.

February 23, 2012 in Health Medical Xpress

The lead investigator a pediatrics fellow at Johns Hopkins, conducted the research during post-residency training at the University of Michigan as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar.

The study involved interviews with 38 Latina mothers with limited English proficiency whose infants and young children received care at 10 primary-care community clinics in Detroit. More than 90 percent of the mothers were of Mexican descent, and most of the children were born in the United States.

Researchers say the study was undertaken in an effort to better understand how to service the needs of Latino children, who make up the largest minority population of children in the United States. These children also have worse access and suboptimal primary care compared with other children. The gaps in care are particularly wide among Latino children who live in homes with limited English proficiency, the researchers say.

But the current study suggests that reducing healthcare disparities among these children has little to do with bridging language gaps and more to do with the “good old fundamentals” of physician-patient interaction such as genuine concern, compassion and spending time to do a thorough physical exam, the investigators say. Read More