We are excited to share DANA’s exceptional review of our app!

AADE’s Diabetes Advanced Network Access (DANA) reviewed our app and noted exceptional functionality! Plus, the CDCES Coach app received the prestigious mWellth certification.

DANA has deemed it the “ultimate one stop shop for practical tools to prepare for the CDCES exam.”

“The app offers a wide array of features depending upon the needs of the user from drug pocket cards to online university classes. This broad and varied spectrum of services lets the user find exactly what they need to become a CDCES.”

DANA Enhanced App Rating

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Based on a study published in Diabetes Care in April 2019, it appears that there is a positive association between use of topical corticosteroids and new incident diabetes.

A Danish case-control study collected health care data from people who were diagnosed with new onset Type 2 diabetes in Denmark and the United Kingdom.

A total of 115,218 in Denmark and 54,944 in the UK were identified with new diabetes.

The researchers found that topical corticosteroid use was significantly associated with new onset diabetes of diabetes in both groups. In the Danish group (adjusted odds ratio was 1.35) and U.K. group (adjusted odds ratio was 1.23).

They also found that there was a significant dose response relationship. The more potent the steroid the higher the incident risk of diabetes.

The next question to be addressed is if topical steroid cream increases blood glucose in those with existing diabetes.

Read the “Association Between Topical Corticosteroid Use and Type 2 Diabetes in Two European Population-Based Adult Cohorts” Diabetes Care Abstract here.

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A recent study conducted by the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark found that three out of every four persons living with obesity and type 2 diabetes who receive a RYGB ( Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) experience remission within one year. Remission is defined as blood glucose levels at non-diabetes range without using diabetes medications.

This study followed 1,111 individuals who had an elevated BMI and type 2 diabetes and underwent RYGB from 2006-2015. It also followed 1,074 individuals who also had an elevated BMI with type 2 diabetes but did not undergo the surgery.

The results of this study for people with type 2 and a BMI of 35 or greater who had RYGB:

• 74% of individuals experienced diabetes remission within one year
• 27% of these individuals relapsed after approximately five years.
• Those less likely to experience diabetes remission included:
  – those over 50,
  – diabetes duration > 5 years,
  – use of glucose lowering drugs other than metformin
  – baseline A1c of more than 7%

In addition, those who had RYGB surgery had a significantly reduced risk of microvascular and possibly macrovascular complications compared to those who did not have surgery.

According to the authors of the study, RYGB is associated with a high remission rate and a decreased rate of vascular complications, especially if surgery in performed early after diabetes diagnosis.

For more information on this topic, read the full study in Diabetologia- Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on diabetes remission and complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a Danish population-based matched cohort study.

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According to a study presented during the 2019 annual Endocrine Society Meeting, metabolic syndrome in teens may be directly correlated with screen time and eating snacks.

“Metabolic syndrome includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess visceral adiposity and abnormal cholesterol levels. The syndrome increases a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke.”

Screen time is often associated with other negative behaviors such as snacking, eating excessively, and lack of movement.

Researchers found the teens spending 6 or more hours of screen time were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. The odds were even higher for teens who reported snacking during those hours.

“Eating unhealthy snacks in front of screens is a habit that is probably harmful, but the relationship between this and obesity is well-known, but not with metabolic syndrome.” This research demonstrates that there is a relationship between snacking and metabolic syndrome.

A study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents in Brazil analyzed the data from over 34,000 teens between the ages of 12 and 17. The teens were to write down their screen time habits daily and whether or not they were snacking.

“Snacking while watching TV was reported by 85.1% of the study population, and snacking while playing video games or using the computer was reported by 64%.”

“Strategies to assess and address metabolic syndrome in the pediatric population should aim at limiting unhealthy snacks while in front of screens,” Lead researcher Schaan said.

Shift in community and screen culture needed

Researchers recommend making an intervention on unhealthy habits that form during childhood. However, they believe that there may need to be a bigger shift in community culture.

As healthcare professionals we want to prompt a healthy lifestyle particularly at a young age. The habits we set as adolescents often transfer into adulthood.

To learn more: Metabolic Syndrome more likely in teens who snack while watching TV – Endocrine Today

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The FDA just approved Baqsimi, a nasal glucagon powder to treat severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes ages four and older. This first non-injectable form of glucagon should be available by the end of August. The U.S. list price for a Baqsimi one-pack is $280.80 and for a two-pack is $561.60.* This priceing is comparable to injected glucagon.

For people with diabetes and their loved ones, witnessing and treating severe hypoglycemia is scary. This new nasal treatment offers a fast and effective intervention for people at risk for severe hypoglycemia.

“This new way to administer glucagon may simplify the process, which can be critical during an episode, especially since the patient may have lost consciousness or may be having a seizure. In those situations, we want the process to treat the suffering person to be as simple as possible.”

said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The safety and efficacy of Baqsimi was evaluated in three studies; two with adults and one with pediatrics over the age of four with type 1 diabetes. The participant’s glucose levels increased sufficiently after the powdered glucagon was nasally administered.

Baqsimi comes in a single-use dispenser and does not need to be inhaled, which means it can be effectively administered to a person who is unconscious due to severe hypoglycemia.

Precautions
Baqsimi is not indicated in people with pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor of adrenal gland tissue, or by patients who have insulinoma, a tumor of the pancreas.
Baqsimi also carries a warning that it should be used with caution by those who have been fasting for long periods, have adrenal insufficiency or have chronic hypoglycemia because these conditions result in low levels of releasable glucose in the liver.
The most common adverse reactions associated with Baqsimi are nausea, vomiting, headache, upper respiratory tract irritation, watery eyes, redness of eyes and itchiness. Side effects of Baqsimi are similar to injectable glucagon, with the addition of nasal and eye-related symptoms, such as watery eyes and nasal congestion, because of the way the drug is administered.

*Eligible commercially insured people with diabetes can pay $25 for up to two BAQSIMI devices (1 two-pack or 2 one-packs) with a savings card. This prescription is generally filled on an annual basis.  Lilly may also be able to help people who don’t have commercial insurance coverage. Interested persons and healthcare professionals with questions about BAQSIMI can visit www.BAQSIMI.com or call The Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

More info on Baqsimi approval at FDA Website – Click here

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Topics covered include:

• Changes in requirements for 2019
• Exam eligibility and test format
• Strategies to succeed
• Review of study tips and test taking tactics.

We will review sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Intended Audience: This FREE webinar is designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in achieving excellence in diabetes care and becoming Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists®.

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.

See our Preparing for CDCES Resource Page >>

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An Australian study was published linking morning exercise and short walking breaks throughout the day to blood pressure control.

Society today calls for an increase in sitting for longer periods of time. Prolonged sitting can lead to higher blood pressure and increased blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Australian scientists believe adding three-minute walking breaks throughout the day can help regulate blood pressure. Although it is known that exercise and short breaks can help lower blood pressure, scientists studied the benefits of combining the two.

“They recruited 67 men and women who were between 60 and 74 years old and overweight or obese. About 4 in 10 participants also had high blood pressure. Every participant completed three different day-long tests in random order, each separated by a minimum of six days. Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other blood markers during each test condition. “

During one test, participants sat for 8 hours straight and another they sat for an hour then walked for 30 minutes then went back to sitting for 6.5 hours. However, the last test participants sat for an hour then walked for 30 minutes, then sat back down but got up every 30 minutes for a 3-minute walking break.

The participants showed lower blood pressure throughout the day if any exercise was involved. “The biggest reduction was seen when people did the 30-minute treadmill exercise in the morning and took 3-minute walking breaks throughout the day – although the additional benefit of the walking breaks was seen only among women.”

Scientists were surprised that only women showed the benefits of lower blood pressure through the short 3 minute walking breaks. This finding leads researchers to believe there is a difference in blood pressure response and it could be affected by gender and epinephrine levels.

“We recognize that exercise is good, and we now have the awareness that prolonged sitting can increase blood pressure,” Bhammar told Reuters Health in a phone interview. “Now we need to build breaks into our routines as a default so we’re not sitting for four hours at a time.”

To learn more – Morning exercise, short breaks from sitting lower high blood pressure – Reuters

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