Diabetes

Evidence-Based Diabetes Management gained exclusive access to the Comprehensive Weight Management Program for a view of what "behavioral change" really means for patients overcoming obesity and for the clinicians managing their care.

The company's Prevent program is approved by CDC as meeting standards for obesity prevention counseling as required of payers by the US Prevention Services Task Force.

Many more patient than provider characteristics are associated with optimal or poor glycemic control and treatment intensification when glycemic control is initially lost.

Researchers analyzed patient records from a 25-year period and found risks increased with higher doses and longer periods of treatment.

Regulatory filings with the FDA are expected before the end of the year.

People with insurance have significantly higher probabilities of being diagnosed for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension than people without insurance.

Peter Weiden, MD, says that psychiatrists have greater ability to address side effects from antipsychotics than they did 10 years ago. It's essential that clinicians take patient concerns seriously, because when they don't patients may react by stopping their medication.

As CMS pushes healthcare systems to move away from fee-for-service, the state's largest insurer makes a major move toward value-based payment.

Research shows that about 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, such as walking, can have significant health benefits. Changes in American lifestyles in recent decades have made limited the amount of time spent walking, with unfortunate results.

Exercise is still recommended for those who are overweight, but the study suggests a vitamin C supplement can help those patients who can't or won't pursue activity.

FDA has warned that the drug class dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may cause joint pain that can be severe and disabling. In a statement, the FDA said said it had issued a "warning and precaution" to all labels in this drug class.

The experiments are revealing the relationship between bacteria in the digestive tract and a genetic disposition toward diabetes or obesity.

The difference between "heart age" and chronological age indicates risk of events like heart attacks and strokes, and could motivate younger patients to improve unhealthy lifestyles.

NYU researchers find most meals aimed at kids wouldn't meet restrictions on calories, fat, and salt.

While it's exciting to see more and more physicians wanting to participate in clinical, they need a little background, support, and infrastructure to do so, said Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, chief medical officer and senior vice president of Joslin Diabetes Center.

Approval for the technology, which integrates with a smartphone, came sooner than company officials expected.

The new guidance released by HRSA proposes to improve oversight over the drug pricing program.

The latest option combines empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride.

Both ExpressScripts and CVS Health say the new class of cholesterol-fighting drugs will be generally unavailable until their P&T committees complete evaluations, and negotiations for discounts or exclusive deals occur.

The study sheds light on a potential way to reconfigure the school day to create opportunities for physical activity. More work would be needed, researchers say.

The approval of evolocumab (Repatha) creates competition in the new class of PCSK9 cholesterol-fighting therapies and managed care plans and pharmacy benefit managers are expected to take full advantage to hold down costs.

Both surveys and peer-reviewed research show patients like telehealth services. CVS' announcement comes after a successful pilot program showed a collaboration of telehealth and the retail clinics produced good results for patients.

The study is more evidence that obesity is not just linked to type 2 diabetes but may cause it to occur.

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus have been advocating for Medicare to cover CGM technology, which they say is more important as patients age and symptoms of dropping blood sugar become less noticeable.

The primary care doctor's involvement in a patient's weight-loss program can significantly improve patient outcomes, a study published in Patient Education & Counseling has found.

The study of Inuit adults found a correlation between cannabis use and lower BMI. The findings are consistent with other results reported this year.

The top stories in managed care include results for patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with high-dose liraglutide, challenges facing Medicaid managed care, and the rising popularity of doula services.

In a study that will surely set off alarms, Kansas researcher Kyle Chapman found that those with a college degree gain more benefits from good diets and exercise than those without the same education.

Patients with diabetes whose traditions and culture includes celebrations with food should not take a negative approach to lifestyle management and dietary restrictions, according to Andrew Pumerantz, DO, FACP, of the Western Diabetes Institute.

Patients with diabetes are entering a new era in which they can take charge of their own health and medical needs and come ready with questions and ideas to manage their disease, said Kerri Sparling, writer/editor of patient diabetes blog Six Until Me.