Latest Diabetes News from the National Library for Health

MeReC Monthly (June 2008): Self-monitoring in type 2 diabetes
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 7/7/08
The latest edition of MeReC Monthly reviews the use of routine self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), noting that two recent studies (ESMON and DiGEM economic analysis) have reinforced the view that it is unlikely to be beneficial in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not treated with insulin and may worsen quality of life and waste NHS resources. Therefore it should be reserved for patients treated with insulin and for non-insulin treated patients in specific circumstances, as recommended in recent NICE guidance on type 2 diabetes (see link).

SMC accepts restricted use of Eucreas tablets (vildagliptin 50mg + metformin 850mg or 1000mg) for type 2 diabetes
via NeLM news - Diabetes 7/7/08
Following a review of an abbreviated submission (used for new formulations at same or lesser cost, and new tablet strength or size), the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland, Eucreas® tablets (vildagliptin 50mg/metformin 850mg and vildagliptin 50mg /metformin 1000mg). ...

Meta-analysis: Pregabalin for painful diabetic neuropathy
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 6/7/08
Pregabalin is effective for treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy across its usual dose range, according to a meta-analysis sponsored by the drug's manufacturer and part-authored by company employees. A number of controlled trials have been carried out with pregabalin in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, however they have used different dose regimens: this analysis was carried out to evaluate the drug's efficacy and safety in this condition at all effective doses....

DTB: exenatide (Byetta), sitagliptin (Januvia), and vildagliptin (Galvus) for type 2 diabetes
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 6/7/08
The July edition of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) features a review of three new treatments for type 2 diabetes: exenatide (Byetta®), sitagliptin (Januvia®), and vildagliptin (Galvus®). It discusses the incretins and glucose metabolism, examines the trial data and its limitations, and looks at national guidelines....

FDA panel says diabetes drugs need cardiovascular risk studies
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 2/7/08
PharmaTimes reports that the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee has advised US regulators they should insist that studies on new diabetes treatments include much more data on the potential heart risks of the treatments....

FDA to consider necessity of cardiovascular studies for diabetes drugs
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 30/6/08
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the US FDA is summoning a panel of experts to consider whether pharmaceutical companies should be required to study the cardiovascular effects of diabetes drugs prior to approval. The report points out that cardiovascular endpoints are relatively rare and therefore large, long-term studies would be required to demonstrate any statistically significant effects; this could slow the development of new drugs and would increase costs.

FDA approves PrandiMet (repaglinide and metformin) for type 2 diabetes
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 24/6/08
According to BioSpace, the FDA has approved PrandiMet™ (repaglinide and metformin) tablets as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are already treated with a meglitinide [the drug class that repaglinide belongs to] and metformin or who have inadequate glycaemic control on a meglitinide alone or metformin alone. Please see the link above for details.

Benefits of intensive glucose control in older type 2 diabetics limited by co-morbidity
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 30/6/08
A decision analysis study suggests that for older patients with type 2 diabetes, intensive blood glucose control becomes less useful with increasing co-morbidity and functional impairment; chronological age alone, however, was not useful for predicting benefit. Intensive control of blood glucose has been shown to be beneficial in type 1 diabetes, and may also improve outcomes in type 2 diabetes....

25 June 2008 - My life
via NLH Diabetes Specialist Library Whats New by Diane Clay on 25/6/08
How to manage your diabetes as a young adult, moving away from home, taking control of your life


NPC iblog: Putting blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes into perspective
via NeLM news - Diabetes on 16/6/08
The National Prescribing Centre have published an iblog discussing a “Perspective” article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, that discusses the implications of ACCORD and ADVANCE studies, alongside some other major clinical studies that evaluated the benefits of reducing risk factors, such as blood lipids, blood pressure and blood glucose levels on preventing cardiovascular (CV) disease....

Antipsychotic agents and diabetes: meta-analysis plus study data on aripiprazole
via NeLM news - Diabetes by nelm@gstt.nhs.uk on 15/6/08
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs are associated with a small increase in risk of diabetes compared to first-generation drugs, according to a meta-analysis, although retrospective analysis of data from a clinical trial suggests that an increased risk with aripiprazole may be less likely....

15 June 2008 - Interesting new diabetes papers April 2008
via NLH Diabetes Specialist Library Whats New on 15/6/08
The latest edition of Dr Roger Gadsbys bulletin is now available

11 June 2008 - Diabetic retinopathy screening
via NLH Diabetes Specialist Library Whats New on 11/6/08
Statement published by the Department of Health on 3 April 2008

11 June 2008 - Joint Position Statement - Integrated Care in the Reforming NHS
via NLH Diabetes Specialist Library Whats New on 11/6/08
A joint publication by Diabetes UK, the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD), the Primary Care Diabetes Society (PCDS), Community Diabetes Consultants (CDC) and the RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum issued in December 2007