la Infection control webinar from ADA, OSAP available late March 20 By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:20:00 -0500 On March 20, the ADA will release an on-demand webinar offering answers to frequently asked questions about infection control protocol and procedures related to COVID-19. Full Article
la ADA, other dental organizations ask Labor Department to help small businesses By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 12:07:00 -0500 The ADA, along with a large group of other dental organizations, told the U.S. Department of Labor that they are concerned about provisions in HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as related to family and medical leave and paid sick leave. Full Article
la Scholarship due date for dental education program for directors pushed to April 15 By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 09:53:00 -0500 The extension comes after it was announced the program will now be held Oct. 22-23 in Atlanta due to concerns over COVID-19. LEAP was originally set for May 7-8. Full Article
la Lawmakers reach agreement on CARES Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 06:55:00 -0500 Following several days of discussions, legislators reached a deal early March 25 on a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping the people, states and businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
la ADA offers free e-book resources on management, regulatory issues By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:10:00 -0500 Beginning March 25, the ADA is offering members two free e-books a week. Until March 31, members can access “Managing the Regulatory Environment: Best Practices” and “A Dentist’s Guide to the Law: 228 Things Every Dentist Should Know” free of charge. Full Article
la Labor Dept. releases new guidance in response to Families First Coronavirus Response Act By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 18:50:00 -0500 The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division released new guidance March 26 to help workers and employers understand provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Full Article
la CARES Act becomes law By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 15:17:00 -0500 The House passed a $2 trillion stimulus package March 27 aimed at helping the people, states and businesses nationwide devastated by the coronavirus pandemic that was later signed into law by President Donald Trump. Full Article
la Labor Department says employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt from new law By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:18:00 -0500 Employers with fewer than 50 employees, including dental practices, may be exempt from a provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that requires them to provide emergency paid sick leave and expanded medical leave to employees in certain COVID-19 circumstances, the Department of Labor said April 1. Full Article
la ADA will share Paycheck Protection Program information as soon as it becomes available By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:40:00 -0500 The Association is waiting for clear guidance from the Small Business Administration on the best way to help dentists considering applying for Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) loans. Full Article
la ADA asks Treasury Department, Small Business Administration to clarify intent of interim rule By www.ada.org Published On :: Sun, 05 Apr 2020 11:09:00 -0500 The Association continues to wait for clear guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration on the best way to help dentists considering applying for Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Full Article
la New clinical dental licensure examination to launch in June By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 06 Apr 2020 08:46:00 -0500 The Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or DLOSCE, is expected to launch in June, the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations announced April 2. Full Article
la Webinar on Small Business Administration loans available online By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:26:00 -0500 The ADA webinar, Small Business Administration Loans: Understanding the Options for Dentist Owners, is available online. Full Article
la Free ADA webinar aims to help dentists plan recovery during, after pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:00:00 -0500 The ADA is streaming a free webinar April 14 intended to help dentists jump-start their recovery process during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Article
la Homeland Security issues alert on cybercriminals increasingly exploiting COVID-19 pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:06:00 -0500 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an alert April 8 warning that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to target individuals, small and medium businesses and large organizations. Full Article
la North Carolina interactive map launches to help public find emergency dental treatment during pandemic By www.ada.org Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 14:07:00 -0500 A North Carolina oral health coalition, in collaboration with multiple state partners, has developed an interactive map to help guide the public to sites where emergency dental services are available throughout the Tar Heel State both during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Full Article
la SBA announces funding no longer available for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Paycheck Protection Program By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:59:00 -0500 The Small Business Administration said that as of April 16, the agency is unable to accept any new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loans due to a lack of funding. Full Article
la Labor ends temporary nonenforcement of paid leave protections By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:38:00 -0500 The U.S. Department of Labor announced April 20 that it is ending the temporary period of non-enforcement of paid leave protections under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Full Article
la ADA, others ask lawmakers to include nonprofits in COVID-19 legislation By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:52:00 -0500 As Congress works on the next coronavirus-related relief package, the ADA and 37 other health care organizations are asking lawmakers to support nonprofit groups in those efforts. Full Article
la Arizona Dental Association hosts one of the largest virtual dental conferences to date By www.ada.org Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:23:00 -0500 Scottsdale, Ariz. — In February, the Arizona Dental Association was fully prepared to host the Western Regional Dental Experience April 2-4 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel and Spa. Full Article
la Find COVID-19 dental regulations by state with ADA interactive map By www.ada.org Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:23:00 -0500 Dentists can find regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding the practice of dentistry in their state during the COVID-19 pandemic on the ADA Center for Professional Success. Full Article
la Maine law eliminates insurance waiting periods for kids By www.ada.org Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 10:46:00 -0500 D 1975, An Act to Facilitate Dental Treatment for Children, enacted on March 17, enables children with private dental insurance to receive care without having to wait up to several months for coverage to start. Full Article
la UCLA dental school researchers create nanoparticle that could improve bone defect treatment By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 10:25:00 -0500 A team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry has developed a nanoparticle that could improve treatment for bone defects. Full Article
la ADA asks Congress to help dental community in next COVID-19 legislation By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 12:37:00 -0500 As Congress works on the next COVID-19 relief package, the ADA is asking lawmakers to include a number of provisions to assist the dental profession in recovery efforts. Full Article
la Department of Labor releases Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ By www.ada.org Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 13:27:00 -0500 The Department of Labor released an FAQ April 27 that addresses common questions about work search and job refusal when an individual receives Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Full Article
la Dow, Total part of group that raised $1B to clean plastic in ocean By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:18:54 -0500 Some 30 companies including Dow, Total and other big makers of plastic raised $1 billion to contribute to cleaner ocean waters. Full Article
la Venezuelan crude production continued to decline in December By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:55:05 -0500 Venezuelan crude oil production continued its steady decline and hit a new low in December with just 1.15 million barrels per day produced. Full Article
la Refineries, investors fear crude shortages over possible Venezuela sanctions By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:54:11 -0500 An unexpected rise in U.S. crude inventories offset fears of potential risk to Venezuelan crude supply because of possible U.S. sanctions. Full Article
la Oil prices fall on rising U.S. rigs, fading Venezuelan risk By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:07:11 -0500 Oil prices fell Monday as the number of rigs in the United States saw a weekly rise, analysts said Full Article
la Venezuela’s Guaido to name new boards of PDVSA and Citgo By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 06:56:47 -0500 Venezuela's President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, will name new director boards at state oil company PDVSA and its United States subsidiary Citgo. Full Article
la U.S. fuel prices near last month's levels, unlikely to change By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 08:22:59 -0500 Average fuel prices in the United States started the week at $2.26 per gallon, showing little change from the last month or last week, and may remain flat. Full Article
la Crude oil prices rise amid renewed Venezuela concerns By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:39:09 -0500 Oil prices were higher early Tuesday amid renewed concern about Venezuelan supplies but market worries about China-U.S. trade issues prevented higher gains. Full Article
la Oil prices rise amid ongoing concern about Venezuela By www.upi.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:12:39 -0500 Oil prices rose Wednesday amid expectations that Venezuelan oil shipments would see some disruption following U.S. sanctions. Full Article
la Petrobras sells Chevron $350M Texas plant bought for $1.2B By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 07:51:06 -0500 Chevron bought a Houston refinery for $350 million from Petrobras that had cost the Brazilian state oil company over $1.2 billion little over a decade earlier. Full Article
la Oil nearly flat in pause after previous session's gains By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:12:31 -0500 Oil prices were near flat early Thursday in what was seen as a pause after gains in the two previous sessions, as traders considered geopolitical developments. Full Article
la Poverty, lack of insurance can make heart failure prognosis worse, AHA says By www.upi.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 16:39:51 -0400 Poverty and poor or non-existent health insurance coverage might worsen the effects of heart failure, the American Heart Association said Thursday. Full Article
la CDC: Nearly 5,000 workers at meat processing plants diagnosed with COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 18:01:15 -0400 Nearly 5,000 workers in 115 meat processing workers across 19 states have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Full Article
la Analysis suggests states need to plan for second wave of COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 18:17:11 -0400 Leaders across the United States should plan for a worst-case scenario, second wave to the COVID-19 pandemic, including no vaccine availability or herd immunity, say experts at the University of Minnesota. Full Article
la Researchers discover microbe that could control spread of malaria By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 12:16:19 -0400 A microbe found in mosquitoes that appears to block malaria could be used to control spread of the disease in humans, according to researchers in Kenya and Britain. Full Article
la Johns Hopkins to launch trials of blood plasma treatment for COVID-19 By www.upi.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 09:11:58 -0400 Johns Hopkins University will start two clinical trials of convalescent blood plasma for treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Full Article
la The Association of Lipoprotein(a) Plasma Levels With Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Control Status in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-02-04T06:30:22-08:00 OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the cardiovascular risk factor lipoprotein (Lp)(a) and vascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSPatients with type 1 diabetes receiving regular care were recruited in this observational cross-sectional study and divided into four groups according to their Lp(a) levels in nmol/L (very low <10, low 10–30, intermediate 30–120, high >120). Prevalence of vascular complications was compared between the groups. In addition, the association between metabolic control, measured as HbA1c, and Lp(a) was studied.RESULTSThe patients (n = 1,860) had a median age of 48 years, diabetes duration of 25 years, and HbA1c of 7.8% (61 mmol/mol). The median Lp(a) was 19 (interquartile range 10–71) nmol/L. No significant differences between men and women were observed, but Lp(a) levels increased with increasing age. Patients in the high Lp(a) group had higher prevalence of complications than patients in the very low Lp(a) group. The age- and smoking-status–adjusted relative risk ratio of having any macrovascular disease was 1.51 (95% CI 1.01–2.28, P = 0.048); coronary heart disease, 1.70 (95% CI 0.97–3.00, P = 0.063); albuminuria, 1.68 (95% CI 1.12–2.50, P = 0.01); and calcified aortic valve disease, 2.03 (95% CI 1.03–4.03; P = 0.042). Patients with good metabolic control, HbA1c <6.9% (<52 mmol/mol), had significantly lower Lp(a) levels than patients with poorer metabolic control, HbA1c >6.9% (>52 mmol/mol).CONCLUSIONSLp(a) is a significant risk factor for macrovascular disease, albuminuria, and calcified aortic valve disease in patients with type 1 diabetes. Poor metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes is associated with increased Lp(a) levels. Full Article
la Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes After Weight Loss From Gastric Bypass Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes: Cardiorenal Risk Reductions Exceed Atherosclerotic Benefits By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-09T12:42:04-07:00 OBJECTIVEWe examined detailed renal and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes after gastric bypass (GBP) surgery in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), across several renal function categories, in a nationwide cohort study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe linked data from the National Diabetes Register and the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Register with four national databases holding information on socioeconomic variables, medications, hospitalizations, and causes of death and matched 5,321 individuals with T2DM who had undergone GBP with 5,321 who had not (age 18–65 years, mean BMI >40 kg/m2, mean follow-up >4.5 years). The risks of postoperative outcomes were assessed with Cox regression models.RESULTSDuring the first years postsurgery, there were small reductions in creatinine and albuminuria and stable estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the GBP group. The incidence rates of most outcomes relating to renal function, CV disease, and mortality were lower after GBP, being particularly marked for heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] 0.33 [95% CI 0.24, 0.46]) and CV mortality (HR 0.36 [(95% CI 0.22, 0.58]). The risk of a composite of severe renal disease or halved eGFR was 0.56 (95% CI 0.44, 0.71), whereas nonfatal CV risk was lowered less (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.70, 0.97]) after GBP. Risks for key outcomes were generally lower after GBP in all eGFR strata, including in individuals with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2.CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest robust benefits for renal outcomes, heart failure, and CV mortality after GBP in individuals with obesity and T2DM. These results suggest that marked weight loss yields important benefits, particularly on the cardiorenal axis (including slowing progression to end-stage renal disease), whatever the baseline renal function status. Full Article
la The Effects of Intensive Glycemic Control on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Different Levels of Cardiovascular Risk and Hemoglobin A1c in the ADVANCE Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-19T15:14:52-07:00 OBJECTIVETo study whether the effects of intensive glycemic control on major vascular outcomes (a composite of major macrovascular and major microvascular events), all-cause mortality, and severe hypoglycemia events differ among participants with different levels of 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at baseline.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe studied the effects of more intensive glycemic control in 11,071 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), without missing values, in the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial, using Cox models.RESULTSDuring 5 years’ follow-up, intensive glycemic control reduced major vascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.90 [95% CI 0.83–0.98]), with the major driver being a reduction in the development of macroalbuminuria. There was no evidence of differences in the effect, regardless of baseline ASCVD risk or HbA1c level (P for interaction = 0.29 and 0.94, respectively). Similarly, the beneficial effects of intensive glycemic control on all-cause mortality were not significantly different across baseline ASCVD risk (P = 0.15) or HbA1c levels (P = 0.87). The risks of severe hypoglycemic events were higher in the intensive glycemic control group compared with the standard glycemic control group (HR 1.85 [1.41–2.42]), with no significant heterogeneity across subgroups defined by ASCVD risk or HbA1c at baseline (P = 0.09 and 0.18, respectively).CONCLUSIONSThe major benefits for patients with T2D in ADVANCE did not substantially differ across levels of baseline ASCVD risk and HbA1c. Full Article
la Effects of Low-Energy Diet or Exercise on Cardiovascular Function in Working-Age Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Blinded End Point Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-03-27T15:11:48-07:00 OBJECTIVETo confirm the presence of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in working-age adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and determine whether this is improved by a low-energy meal replacement diet (MRP) or exercise training.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis article reports on a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point trial with nested case-control study. Asymptomatic younger adults with T2D were randomized 1:1:1 to a 12-week intervention of 1) routine care, 2) supervised aerobic exercise training, or 3) a low-energy (~810 kcal/day) MRP. Participants underwent echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at baseline and 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in left ventricular (LV) peak early diastolic strain rate (PEDSR) as measured by CMR. Healthy volunteers were enrolled for baseline case-control comparison.RESULTSEighty-seven participants with T2D (age 51 ± 7 years, HbA1c 7.3 ± 1.1%) and 36 matched control participants were included. At baseline, those with T2D had evidence of diastolic dysfunction (PEDSR 1.01 ± 0.19 vs. 1.10 ± 0.16 s–1, P = 0.02) compared with control participants. Seventy-six participants with T2D completed the trial (30 routine care, 22 exercise, and 24 MRP). The MRP arm lost 13 kg in weight and had improved blood pressure, glycemia, LV mass/volume, and aortic stiffness. The exercise arm had negligible weight loss but increased exercise capacity. PEDSR increased in the exercise arm versus routine care (β = 0.132, P = 0.002) but did not improve with the MRP (β = 0.016, P = 0.731).CONCLUSIONSIn asymptomatic working-age adults with T2D, exercise training improved diastolic function. Despite beneficial effects of weight loss on glycemic control, concentric LV remodeling, and aortic stiffness, a low-energy MRP did not improve diastolic function. Full Article
la Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Severe Hypoglycemia, and All-Cause Mortality for Widely Used Antihyperglycemic Dual and Triple Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Management: A Cohort Study of All Danish Users By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-01T06:54:34-07:00 OBJECTIVEThe vast number of antihyperglycemic medications and growing amount of evidence make clinical decision making difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of antihyperglycemic dual and triple therapies for type 2 diabetes management with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events, severe hypoglycemia, and all-cause mortality in a real-life clinical setting.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSCox regression models were constructed to analyze 20 years of data from the Danish National Patient Registry with respect to effect of the antihyperglycemic therapies on the three end points.RESULTSA total of 66,807 people with type 2 diabetes were treated with metformin (MET) including a combination of second- and third-line therapies. People on MET plus sulfonylurea (SU) had the highest risk of all end points, except for severe hypoglycemia, for which people on MET plus basal insulin (BASAL) had a higher risk. The lowest risk of major adverse cardiovascular events was seen for people on a regimen including a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. People treated with MET, GLP-1, and BASAL had a lower risk of all three end points than people treated with MET and BASAL, especially for severe hypoglycemia. The lowest risk of all three end points was, in general, seen for people treated with MET, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and GLP-1.CONCLUSIONSFindings from this study do not support SU as the second-line treatment choice for patients with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the results indicate that adding a GLP-1 for people treated with MET and BASAL could be considered, especially if those people suffer from severe hypoglycemia. Full Article
la Dapagliflozin Versus Placebo on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Diabetes and Heart Failure: The REFORM Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-03T07:56:03-07:00 OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on left ventricular (LV) remodeling using cardiac MRI.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe randomized 56 patients with T2DM and HF with LV systolic dysfunction to dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo for 1 year, on top of usual therapy. The primary end point was difference in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) using cardiac MRI. Key secondary end points included other measures of LV remodeling and clinical and biochemical parameters.RESULTSIn our cohort, dapagliflozin had no effect on LVESV or any other parameter of LV remodeling. However, it reduced diastolic blood pressure and loop diuretic requirements while increasing hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ketone bodies. There was a trend toward lower weight.CONCLUSIONSWe were unable to determine with certainty whether dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and HF had any effect on LV remodeling. Whether the benefits of dapagliflozin in HF are due to remodeling or other mechanisms remains unknown. Full Article
la Effect of Cost and Formulation on Persistence and Adherence to Initial Metformin Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-06T09:03:16-07:00 Full Article
la Cost and Cost-Effectiveness of Large-Scale Screening for Type 1 Diabetes in Colorado By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T12:17:35-07:00 OBJECTIVETo assess the costs and project the potential lifetime cost-effectiveness of the ongoing Autoimmunity Screening for Kids (ASK) program, a large-scale, presymptomatic type 1 diabetes screening program for children and adolescents in the metropolitan Denver region.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe report the resource utilization, costs, and effectiveness measures from the ongoing ASK program compared with usual care (i.e., no screening). Additionally, we report a practical screening scenario by including utilization and costs relevant to routine screening in clinical practice. Finally, we project the potential cost-effectiveness of ASK and routine screening by identifying clinical benchmarks (i.e., diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] events avoided, HbA1c improvements vs. no screening) needed to meet value thresholds of $50,000–$150,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained over a lifetime horizon.RESULTSCost per case detected was $4,700 for ASK screening and $14,000 for routine screening. To achieve value thresholds of $50,000–$150,000 per QALY gained, screening costs would need to be offset by cost savings through 20% reductions in DKA events at diagnosis in addition to 0.1% (1.1 mmol/mol) improvements in HbA1c over a lifetime compared with no screening for patients who develop type 1 diabetes. Value thresholds were not met from avoiding DKA events alone in either scenario.CONCLUSIONSPresymptomatic type 1 diabetes screening may be cost-effective in areas with a high prevalence of DKA and an infrastructure facilitating screening and monitoring if the benefits of avoiding DKA events and improved HbA1c persist over long-run time horizons. As more data are collected from ASK, the model will be updated with direct evidence on screening effects. Full Article
la Hospitalization for Lactic Acidosis Among Patients With Reduced Kidney Function Treated With Metformin or Sulfonylureas By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T12:39:25-07:00 OBJECTIVETo compare the risk of lactic acidosis hospitalization between patients treated with metformin versus sulfonylureas following development of reduced kidney function.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis retrospective cohort combined data from the National Veterans Health Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and the National Death Index. New users of metformin or sulfonylureas were followed from development of reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or serum creatinine ≥1.4 mg/dL [female] or 1.5 mg/dL [male]) through hospitalization for lactic acidosis, death, loss to follow-up, or study end. Lactic acidosis hospitalization was defined as a composite of primary discharge diagnosis or laboratory-confirmed lactic acidosis (lactic acid ≥2.5 mmol/L and either arterial blood pH <7.35 or serum bicarbonate ≤19 mmol/L within 24 h of admission). We report the cause-specific hazard of lactic acidosis hospitalization between metformin and sulfonylureas from a propensity score–matched weighted cohort and conduct an additional competing risks analysis to account for treatment change and death.RESULTSThe weighted cohort included 24,542 metformin and 24,662 sulfonylurea users who developed reduced kidney function (median age 70 years, median eGFR 55.8 mL/min/1.73 m2). There were 4.18 (95% CI 3.63, 4.81) vs. 3.69 (3.19, 4.27) lactic acidosis hospitalizations per 1,000 person-years among metformin and sulfonylurea users, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.21 [95% CI 0.99, 1.50]). Results were consistent for both primary discharge diagnosis (aHR 1.11 [0.87, 1.44]) and laboratory-confirmed lactic acidosis (1.25 [0.92, 1.70]).CONCLUSIONSAmong veterans with diabetes who developed reduced kidney function, occurrence of lactic acidosis hospitalization was uncommon and not statistically different between patients who continued metformin and those patients who continued sulfonylureas. Full Article
la Commercially Available Insulin Products Demonstrate Stability Throughout the Cold Supply Chain Across the U.S. By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-27T16:36:14-07:00 OBJECTIVEA recent publication questioned the integrity of insulin purchased from U.S. retail pharmacies. We sought to independently validate the method used, isotope dilution solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and expand analysis to two U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) methods (high-performance LC with ultraviolet detection and LC-MS).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSEach method was used to evaluate nine insulin formulations, purchased at four pharmacies, within five geographic locations in the U.S.RESULTSAll human and analog insulins measured by the USP methods (n = 174) contained the expected quantity of active insulin (100 ± 5 units/mL). When using isotope dilution SPE-LC-MS, units-per-milliliter values were well below product labeling due to unequal recovery of the internal standard compared with target insulin.CONCLUSIONSInsulin purchased from U.S. pharmacies is consistent with product labeling. Full Article
la Efficacy and Safety of 1:1 Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide Versus Lixisenatide in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: The LixiLan JP-O1 Randomized Clinical Trial By care.diabetesjournals.org Published On :: 2020-04-28T10:59:59-07:00 OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of a 1:1 fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) versus lixisenatide (Lixi) in insulin-naive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSIn this phase 3, open-label, multicenter trial, 321 patients with HbA1c≥7.5 to ≤10.0% (58–86 mmol/mol) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤13.8 mmol/L (250 mg/dL) were randomized 1:1 to iGlarLixi or Lixi for 52 weeks. The primary end point was change in HbA1c at week 26.RESULTSChange in HbA1c from baseline to week 26 was significantly greater with iGlarLixi (–1.58% [–17.3 mmol/mol]) than with Lixi (–0.51% [–5.6 mmol/mol]), confirming the superiority of iGlarLixi (least squares [LS] mean difference –1.07% [–11.7 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001). At week 26, significantly greater proportions of patients treated with iGlarLixi reached HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) (65.2% vs. 19.4%; P < 0.0001), and FPG reductions were greater with iGlarLixi than Lixi (LS mean difference –2.29 mmol/L [–41.23 mg/dL], P < 0.0001). Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia (≤3.9 mmol/L [70 mg/dL]) was higher with iGlarLixi (13.0% vs. 2.5%) through week 26, with no severe hypoglycemic events in either group. Incidence of gastrointestinal events through week 52 was lower with iGlarLixi (36.0% vs. 50.0%), and rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar.CONCLUSIONSThis phase 3 study demonstrated superior glycemic control and fewer gastrointestinal adverse events with iGlarLixi than with Lixi, which may support it as a new treatment option for Japanese patients with T2DM that is inadequately controlled with OADs. Full Article