If you are taking the CDCES or BC-ADM exam in 2023, these new lipid targets for high risk individuals and treatment interventions are important to know.
For all of us who serve people with diabetes, evidence from many trials demonstrated that these more intensive LDL cholesterol targets will save lives and decrease CV disease. By sharing this information with our colleagues and teams, we can be a part of improving outcomes and quality of life.
The following content summarizes the 2023 updated ADA guidelines as outlined in Standard 10 – Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management.
The guidelines have remained the same for lower risk individuals with diabetes aged 40–75 years without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, “Start moderate-intensity statin therapy in addition to lifestyle therapy”. They also are the same for people with diabetes aged 20–39 years with additional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors, “Based on individual assessment, initiate statin therapy in addition to lifestyle therapy.”
In the category of primary prevention for people with diabetes aged 40–75 at higher cardiovascular risk (LDL >100, HTN, Smoke, CKD, albuminuria, family hx ACSVD), the goals have been intensified.
Secondary Prevention goals have also been intensified.
For people of all ages with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease:
Target LDL cholesterol reduction of 50% or greater from baseline and an LDL cholesterol goal of <55 mg/dL.
Addition of ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor with proven benefit in this population is recommended if goal is not achieved on maximum tolerated statin therapy.
In 2022, the ADA Standards did not include specific LDL targets for people with diabetes. However, based on recent study results, the committee updated the 2023 guidelines to reflect the latest research findings. To learn more about the study findings, Standard 10 – Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management.
Keeping track of medications for hypertension and cholesterol can seem daunting. We have put together a Lipid Medication Cheat Sheet along with summary information for each class that is important to know for certification exams and is very useful in clinical practice.
Together, we can improve the quality of life and outcomes for people living with diabetes. Getting LDL cholesterol levels to target is an important interventions to maintain health. Thank you for reading this article and advocating for the best evidence-based care.
This course, updated annually, is an essential review for anyone in the field of diabetes. Join Coach Beverly as she summarizes the 2023 updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and provides critical teaching points and content for healthcare professionals involved in diabetes care and education.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: This course is a knowledge-based activity designed for individuals or groups of diabetes professionals, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants, and other health care providers interested in staying up to date on current practices of care for people with prediabetes, diabetes and other related conditions.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle (featured above) plus the ADCES Review Guide – 5th Edition-Revised. The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
Enroll now | $499
This presentation will include 2023 updates from the ADA Standards of Care. This course offers critical content that will help with certification exam success. Coach Beverly will delve into Social Determinants of health, assessment strategies, and behavior change approaches.
She will explore the psychosocial issues that can discourage individuals from adopting healthier behaviors and provides strategies to identify and overcome these barriers. Life studies are used to apply theory to real-life situations. A great course for anyone in the field of diabetes education or for those looking for a new perspective on assessment and coping strategies.
Intended Audience: An important course for health care professionals working toward certification, that includes a comprehensive review of the components of population health and individual assessment.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
While the hard copies won’t be available until the new year, you can start reviewing the new standards now in our CDCES Coach App!
Here are some highlights of changes outlined by the ADA:
You can now pre-order a copy for yourself! We will ship it out to you once we receive them sometime in January/February 2023.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
The new ADA Standard on Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management outlines importance of measuring kidney function and the impact on our practice and quality of life for people living with diabetes.
Based on my review, we share four findings and take a closer look at renal function tests and their significance.
4 Kidney function findings that impact our practice:
What is albuminuria?
Albuminuria is a general term that means there is significant protein in the urine. In the old days, we would order a 24 hour urine collection to determine the degree of albumin in the urine. We used the terms microalbuminuria to describe slightly elevated protein levels and macroalbuminuria to describe significant urine albumin. Since those terms are no longer used, how do we describe how much protein is in the urine? Now, we use Urinary Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR) to determine levels of urine protein and their significance.
What Exactly is Urinary Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR)?
Simply put, UACR is ratio of urine albumin to urine creatinine. The UACR is usually already calculated on the lab report, but using this lab example to the right, the albumin is 2.9 and the urine creatinine is 91. To determine the UACR, you would divide albumin by creatinine, 2.9 / 91 = 0.0318 in mg/mg. Then convert it to mg/g by moving the decimal point over three places, or 31.8 (32) in mg/g.
The reason this value is reported as a ratio as opposed to just urine albumin, is to account for the concentration and hydration status of the individual which improves accuracy.
UACR is an important measure of kidney health and the goal is to measure it yearly and if elevated, more frequently.
Any level of UACR 30mg/g or greater indicates kidney damage and requires prompt protective action by the health care team.
Action to protect the kidney include lifestyle interventions, blood pressure (ACE or ARB) and blood glucose management, along with use of SGLT-2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RA’s and possibly finerenone.
Testing for UACR and Confirming Results
Testing for UACR is fairly easy. The ADA has approved using urine dipstick or a urine sample to calculate the UACR, However, according to the standards, two of three tests need to be positive to confirm diagnosis within a 3 to 6 month period before confirming diagnosis of moderate or severe albuminuria. Exercise within 24 h, infection, fever, congestive heart failure, marked hyperglycemia, menstruation, and marked hypertension may elevate UACR independently of kidney damage.
How to test for GFR
Another measure of kidney function is the Glomerular Filtration Rate. The result is derived from a complicated mathematical calculation, using the person’s creatinine and other data. For this reason, it’s often called an estimated GFR or eGFR. People with diabetes need their creatinine evaluated yearly to determine their GFR. Here is a link to an eGFR Calculator.
For people with diabetes, we start keeping a close eye on the GFR when levels start dropping below 60. As with UACR, heath care providers need to take preventive action to maintain kidney function and protect GFR through lifestyle and medications.
In conclusion, as diabetes specialists, being familiar with the results of these kidney health measures help us advocate on behalf of people with diabetes. Making sure our health care organizations are regularly measuring kidney function and taking action to protect these amazing filtering units can save lives and improve quality of life.
This course, updated annually, is an essential review for anyone in the field of diabetes. Join Coach Beverly as she summarizes the 2022 updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and provides critical teaching points and content for health care professionals involved in diabetes care and education.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Each year, I excitedly scan through the new ADA Standards of Care (SOC) to learn and incorporate best practices into my clinical practice and course content. Based on my initial review, here are some of the highlights I want to share with you right away, but there is a lot more info to come.
Screen for hyperglycemia starting at age 35
This year, I am happy to see that the screening age for prediabetes and diabetes has dropped by a decade, from 45 years of age to 35 years of age. This new guideline provides diabetes specialists with the opportunity to reach out to our colleagues and communities to spread the word that ALL people, regardless of weight, ethnicity and other risk factors, need to be tested for glucose dysregulation starting at age 35.
New Kidney Protection Guidelines
Since diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, I appreciate that the ADA has created a new standard dedicated to renal protection, called Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management (Standard 11).
Highlights of this standard include:
New Vaccination Information and Fatty Liver Treatment Recommendations
Standard 4 includes updated information on vaccinations.
In our clinic, we are encouraging all people to get the influenza vaccine in addition to the COVID vaccine series. Experts predict that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) and influenza viruses will both be active in the U.S. during the 2021–2022 season.
Most people don’t know that getting the Influenza vaccine decreases risk of death.
New data is revealing that the influenza vaccine doesn’t just lower the risk of getting the flu, it also lowers risk of all cause mortality and cardiovascular events and death. This simple annual intervention is recommended for all individuals with diabetes 6 months and older.
Fatty Liver Disease – Under detected and under treated
Over 50% of people with diabetes have non-alcoholic fatty liver liver disease (NAFLD) and the percentage is even higher for those with diabetes and a BMI of 30 or greater. Yet, there is no standardized diagnostic or treatment strategy. Experts in the field are trying to raise awareness while developing a consensus statement.
Diabetes specialist can take an active discovering fatty liver disease by looking for elevated liver enzymes, especially in those with elevated BMI and other risk factors. Even without an official diagnosis, if NAFLD is suspected, we can encourage healthy eating, weight and glycemic management plus interventions for hypertension and dyslipidemia.
In addition, some studies indicate that pioglitazone, vitamin E treatment, liraglutide, and semaglutide treatment of biopsy-proven non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) improves liver histology, but effects on longer-term clinical outcomes are not known. Treatment with GLP-1s and SGLT-2s has also shown promise in preliminary studies. But more research is needed!
There is so much more to explore, please join Coach Beverly on February 3rd for our Annual Standards of Care Webinar and a comprehensive review!
Click below to download our CDCES Coach App to read the Standards today.
This course, updated annually, is an essential review for anyone in the field of diabetes. Join Coach Beverly as she summarizes the 2022 updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and provides critical teaching points and content for health care professionals involved in diabetes care and education.
Objectives:
Intended Audience: This course is a knowledge-based activity designed for individuals or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants, and other health care providers interested in staying up to date on current practices of care for their patients with diabetes and other related conditions.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Written by Monique Jackson, MSN, CFNP, WHCNP, CDCES
A new study finds that hemoglobinopathies may distort A1C accuracy for people of African descent living with diabetes.
Hemoglobin variants don’t increase the risk for diabetes, but it can affect the results of A1C tests. African Americans Heterozygous for the common hemoglobin variant HbS may have, for any given level of mean glycemia, lower A1C by about 0.3% then those without the trait. Another genetic variant, X-linked glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase G202A, carried by 11% of African Americans, was associated with a decrease in A1C of about 0.8% in homozygous men and 0.7% in homozygous women compared with those without the variant (American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care in Diabetes-2021; 16).
Health care professionals often use A1C test results to guide decisions about diabetes care, such as changes to medication, meal plan, or physical activity routine to manage diabetes. In those with certain hemoglobin variants, A1C is not accurate for diagnosing and managing diabetes. Different tests that accurately reflect long term glucose levels are needed for early diagnosis and to provide needed medical management that prevents complications.
At my clinic, where I work as a Diabetes Nurse Specialist, an African American individual arrived with a high random glucose and mildly abnormal A1C. Reviewing their lab work, I noticed that the random blood glucose was 300 mg/dl and the A1C was at approximately 7.0%. When I converted the A1C to average blood glucose and compared with the elevated reading in the logs, the numbers did not match up. I realized that this individual had one of the hemoglobin variants (Sickle Cell anemia) HbS. I ended up starting them on Metformin for blood sugar, Atorvastatin because of the guidelines that everyone with Diabetes should be on a statin, Aspirin to prevent heart attack, and Lisinopril for blood pressure control.
Without this clinical finding that the elevated blood sugars were not reflected in the A1c, this individual might not have been started on diabetes treatment, because of the false low A1C.
A1C reflects glucose concentration from the past 2-3 months, but this relationship may differ between those with nutritional deficiencies, anemia, or genetic hemoglobinopathies, including the Sickle cell trait.
Since A1C measures the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin, individuals who possess variants of hemoglobin can exhibit falsely low readings.
Fructosamine testing, which evaluates albumin glycosylation for the past 2-3 weeks, may be a better measure to help people with diabetes monitor and manage their blood glucose levels in cases where the A1C test cannot be used and/or a short-term monitoring window is desired.
It is important to consider the results of the A1C, fasting blood glucose, two-hour glucose tolerance test, random blood glucose, and or fructosamine when you are screening someone with diabetes who is diagnosed with a Hemoglobin variant.
A1C testing on two different occasions to diagnose diabetes for those with Hbs variants is not recommended, because it will yield false low results. To diagnose a person with diabetes and Hbs variants, the ADA recommends only plasma blood glucose criteria be used to diagnose diabetes.
More research is needed on the diagnoses of diabetes utilizing the A1C in populations with increased prevalence of Hbs variants. In addition, we need research aimed toward providing more accurate tests for the diagnosis and management of conditions associated with increased red blood cells turnover, such as sickle cell disease, hemoglobinopathy variants, pregnancy (second and third trimester).
We are so excited to introduce our newest DiabetesEd Specialist Blog Contributor, Monique Jackson, MSN, CFNP, WHNP, CDCES.
Monique is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner licensed in the State of California and a member of the California Nurse Practitioner Association and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Monique resides in Los Angeles, California. She enjoys gardening, sewing, reading, learning new things, fine dining in her spare time and spending time with her family.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
2021 ADA Standards include important changes that you won’t want to miss!
Diabetes nerds across the United States are staying up way past their bedtime to read the latest standards in diabetes! You can now revel in the updated ADA Standards in our CDCES Coach App. Dig into the latest diabetes care recommendations, while waiting for your Standards Booklet in the mail.
Or you can join Coach Beverly for a virtual webinar that will walk you through these critical updates for your clinical practice and exam success. Join our ADA Standards Live Webinar on February 2nd at 11:30 am PST!
Based on my review of this playbook for Diabetes Specialists, here are some of the highlights:
Those are just some of the highlights, but there is so much more to discover. Please join Coach Beverly on February 2, 2021, at 11:30 am for her annual State of the Standards Live Webinar.
See complete Level 2 Standards of Care Webinar Schedule Here
This course is an essential review for anyone in the field of diabetes. This course summarizes the 2021 updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and provides critical teaching points and content for health care professionals involved in diabetes care and education.
Earn 2.0 CEs and get ready to lead the charge to implement best care practices for the New Year.
Topics Include:
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Perfect for those planning to take CDCES or seeking an update.
Coach Beverly is updating her Level 2 Standards of Care Intensive Courses.
The Women with Diabetes webinar is completed revised for 2020, with a focus on detecting and managing gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy.
Medication Management includes important 2020 updates. We include a critical review of existing medications and instructions on how to use the ADA or AACE Algorithms as a roadmap in clinical practice.
We hope you can join us! Coach Beverly
Women with diabetes are confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education, and understanding. This online course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals, and prevention of complications during pregnancy.
Topics include:
View FREE recorded webinar (no CEs).
Have you heard a novel insulin formulation was FDA approved this week? What is all the news about metformin? How do we know which diabetes medication to start or add next?
Join Coach Beverly RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM for an intensive live course that weeds out fact from fiction while detailing the latest diabetes medications and management algorithms.
During this live stream webinar, we will discuss diabetes medication benefits, considerations and critical information to share with people with diabetes and providers.
Coach Beverly will highlight the key elements of the latest Medication Guidelines by AACE and ADA. We will explore clinical factors to consider when determining the best strategy to improve glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes and discuss new medications.
Topics include:
Watch FREE Recorded Webinar (No CEs)
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Diabetes and Inclusivity – Strategies for Change
Click here to view our June Newsletter
Our community has faced many challenges in 2020. As a result of the pandemic, some health professionals have lost their positions or had jobs furloughed. We have shifted from in-person visits to telehealth. For those working on the front line, there is a real fear of being infected by COVID-19.
In our neighborhoods, we are witnessing many of our community members demanding a repair of social injustices. There is a recognition that worse health outcomes with COVID-19 and diabetes are often the result of longstanding social inequities in marginalized communities.
As diabetes advocates, we owe ourselves the time to reflect on how these inequities came to be and how we can contribute to their repair.
Certainly, as a community dedicated to health, we can stand up and acknowledge, address, and advocate to improve health equity for each person.
In this newsletter, we explore strategies to provide more inclusive diabetes care. From reflecting on the language we choose to how we set up and deliver our health care services. Let’s step back and take a new view from a different lens and see how we can be more welcoming to all people, but especially to those from marginalized communities.
We also celebrate the 2021 Medicare Cap on the monthly cost of insulin and share a warning on some brands of metformin. Lastly, we dive deep into two of our Questions of the Week and provide rationales.
Please consider joining Coach Beverly for her ADA Standard Intensive Live Stream Webinar Series (below). We invite you to join us for free as our guest. We want to make sure that everyone has access to this critical information.
Coach Beverly
Click here to view our June Newsletter
Upcoming Live Streaming Webinar
Airs June 23, 2020 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (PST)
Our Level 2 Standards of Care Intensive Series is designed to engage students in deciphering and exploring the ADA Standards of Care from top to bottom. This straight forward program will provide you with information you can use in your clinical setting and also provides critical content for the diabetes educator exam.
Mastery of this content is critical to ensure certification exam success and to improve clinical outcomes.
Register for FREE live stream webinar (no CEs)
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.