Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Diabetes & Endocrinology for July 2013. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Severe Hypoglycemia Common in Type 2 Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Severe hypoglycemia is common among patients with type 2 diabetes, with the highest risk among those with near-normal or very poor glycemic control, according to a study published online July 30 in Diabetes Care.
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Health 'Mutual Accountability' Pilot Program Launching
WEDNESDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- The State of Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services has chosen MedEncentive to conduct a three-year heath improvement program pilot among HealthChoice beneficiaries.
Severe Hypoglycemia Ups Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Severe hypoglycemia is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a meta-analysis of observational studies published online July 30 in BMJ.
Bisphenol-A Has Detrimental Effects on Oocytes
WEDNESDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure of oocytes to bisphenol-A (BPA) has detrimental effects on cell growth and increases oocyte degeneration and spontaneous activation, according to a study published online July 30 in Human Reproduction.
Reversal of Medical Practices Common Over Past Decade
TUESDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- Over 100 contemporary medical practices have subsequently been reversed over the last 10 years, according to a review published online July 22 in Mayo Clinical Proceedings.
Glucose Intolerance Not Linked to Alzheimer's Pathology
TUESDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- There seems to be no significant correlation between glucose intolerance and insulin resistance with brain β-amyloid burden or Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, according to a study published online July 29 in JAMA Neurology.
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Model Quantifies Energy Excess Underlying Obesity in Children
TUESDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- A mathematical model has been developed and validated for childhood energy balance, which quantifies the energy excess underlying obesity, according to research published online July 30 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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Genetic Risk Score Linked to Increased Risk of Diabetes
MONDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic risk score based on 46 gene variants linked to type 2 diabetes is associated with increases in the risk of type 2 diabetes and declines in glucose control and beta-cell function, according to a study published online July 8 in Diabetes.
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Portable Breath Acetone Analyzer Measures Fat Burning
FRIDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- A portable breath acetone analyzer can be used to measure breath acetone concentrations and to monitor fat burning, according to a study published online July 24 in the Journal of Breath Research.
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Skipping Breakfast Doesn't Result in Energy Compensation
FRIDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- Skipping breakfast does not lead to energy compensation at lunch or later in the day, according to a study published in the July 2 issue of Physiology & Behavior.
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Oxytocin Regulates Reward-Driven Food Intake
FRIDAY, July 26 (HealthDay News) -- In addition to its role in social bonding, oxytocin regulates reward-driven food intake in people, according to a study published online July 8 in Diabetes.
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IOM Confirms Geographic Variation in Health Spending
THURSDAY, July 25 (HealthDay News) -- Considerable geographic variation exists in health care spending and utilization, but a geographically-based value index is unlikely to promote value improvement, according to a report published July 24 by the Institute of Medicine.
Weight Discrimination Increases Obesity Risk
THURSDAY, July 25 (HealthDay News) -- Instead of motivating people to lose weight, weight discrimination may increase the risk of becoming or remaining obese, according to a study published online July 24 in PLOS ONE.
FDA Warns Companies Selling Fraudulent Diabetes Products
WEDNESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- In an effort to crack down on potentially harmful products marketed toward people with diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to 15 foreign and domestic companies involved in the illegal sale of such items both online and in retail stores.
Docs Need to Follow Patients' Lead, Embrace Social Media
WEDNESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- As more patients discuss and manage their health care online, doctors need to keep up and use social media, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Review Estimates Risk of Physical Disability in Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of physical disability, according to a meta-analysis published online July 24 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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Fatty Acids, Leucine May Preserve β-Cell Function
WEDNESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and leucine intake are positively associated with fasting C-peptide (FCP) concentrations in young patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published in the July issue of Diabetes Care.
U.S. Physicians Not Supportive of Changes in Payment Models
TUESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. physicians accept some responsibility for reducing health care costs in their practice, but most do not want to change payment models, according to research published in the July 24/31 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Pros and Cons of Electronic Cigarette Regulation Discussed
TUESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- The pros and cons of electronic cigarette (EC) regulation are discussed in to two editorials published online July 23 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
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Recommended Calorie Intake Info Has No Direct Impact
MONDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- The introduction of calorie recommendations does not enhance the impact of posted calorie information at restaurants, according to a study published online July 18 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Premiums Expected to Be About 20 Percent Lower in 2014
MONDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Premiums in the Health Insurance Marketplace are likely to be about 20 percent lower than anticipated in 2014, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Tablets Help Physicians Keep Up With Medical Research
MONDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Most physicians find keeping up with the latest research to be challenging, but the use of tablets and smartphones may help, according to a report published by Wolters Kluwer Health.
Household Chemicals Influence Thyroid Function
FRIDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Serum concentrations of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which have been widely used in various household products for years, are linked with changes in thyroid hormone levels in women and men, according to research published online July 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Top Challenges for Docs Include Financial Management
FRIDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- The top issues and challenges facing physicians include managing changing reimbursement models with payors and financial management, according to a report published by Wolters Kluwer Health.
Missed Diagnoses, Med Errors Most Common Malpractice Claims
FRIDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- The most common medical misadventures resulting in malpractice claims in primary care are missed or delayed diagnoses and medication errors, according to a review published online July 18 in BMJ Open.
Low Vitamin D Linked to Limited Function in Aging Adults
THURSDAY, July 18 (HealthDay News) -- Among individuals aged 55 to 65 years, and 65 years and older, vitamin D deficiency is associated with the presence of functional limitations and functional decline, according to a study published online July 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Antipsychotics Induce Insulin Resistance Without Weight Gain
THURSDAY, July 18 (HealthDay News) -- Atypical antipsychotic drugs induce insulin resistance even in the absence of weight gain and mechanisms regulating eating behavior, according to a study published online July 8 in Diabetes.
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In 2010, Racial Discrepancy in Life Expectancy 3.8 Years
THURSDAY, July 18 (HealthDay News) -- In 2010, the discrepancy in life expectancy between blacks and whites was 3.8 years, according to a July data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Gastric Surgery in Diabetes Changes Stimulus Response
WEDNESDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, gastric bypass surgery changes the postprandial response, improving glucose tolerance, β-cell function, and insulin sensitivity while worsening endogenous glucose production in response to a stimulus, according to a study published online July 8 in Diabetes.
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Financial Incentives Can Drive Health IT Adoption
WEDNESDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Financial incentives can drive providers' adoption of health information technology, including e-prescribing, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Redesign of Medical Education Needed for Chronic Disease Era
TUESDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Medical education programs should be redesigned to address the current complex chronic disease era, with emphasis on appropriate basic sciences and clinical skills, according to a special communication published online July 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Could Benefit Docs
TUESDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the 2014 proposed Medicare physician fee schedule, which could help create a more equitable payment system by adjusting misvalued codes and proposing new complex management codes, according to a report published by American Academy of Family Physicians.
Improvements Made to CMS Online Directory of Physicians
TUESDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reworked and redesigned their online directory of physicians (Physicians Compare) after errors were discovered throughout the site.
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EHRs May Slow Growth in Ambulatory Health Care Costs
MONDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) modestly slows growth in ambulatory health care costs, according to research published in the July 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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More Job Opportunities Available for Physicians
MONDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- More than half of physicians are receiving up to three employment solicitations per week, according to a report published by American Medical Association (AMA).
AMI Up With Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia After Hip Fx
MONDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- For patients after hip fracture, stress-induced hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published online July 11 in Diabetes Care.
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Lower Extremity Amputations Fall in Medicare Patients
FRIDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- During the past decade, the use of lower extremity amputations (LEAs), particularly proximal amputations, in Medicare patients has declined markedly, and the use of orthopedic treatments for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) has increased sharply, according to research published in the July issue of Foot & Ankle International.
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Physicians Frustrated by Third-Party Interference
FRIDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Third-party interference is the most commonly cited key frustration for physicians, according to the results of a survey published in Physicians Practice.
AMA Offers Guidance for Improving EHR Effectiveness
FRIDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has voted for policies to help physicians navigate patient interaction while using electronic devices and to improve the interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs).
Agricultural Policies Impact Obesity Trends
FRIDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. agricultural subsidies have contributed to the rising obesity rates, according to a review published online July 9 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Patients Benefit From Primary Care Wellness Program
FRIDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Patients benefit from the Americans In Motion-Healthy Interventions (AIM-HI) approach to promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and emotional well-being regardless of whether or not family medicine practice office staff use the tools, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
U.S. Adults Value Health Care Provider Skill Evaluation
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Most adults feel that health care providers who treat them should adhere to a recertification program, including passing examinations, attending educational programs, and undergoing certification, regardless of time in practice, according to a report published by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) and the Citizen Advocacy Center.
Grants of $150 Million for Community Health Centers
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Grants totaling $150 million are to be shared by 1,100 community health centers to help enroll patients in insurance programs, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Health Searches May Be Leaked to Third Parties
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Free health-related websites often have third-party tracking elements and leak search terms to third-party tracking entities, unlike U.S. government or physician-oriented websites, according to a research letter published online July 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Low-Income Patients Prefer Hospital to Outpatient Care
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Patients in low socioeconomic groups who live in urban settings report that they prefer hospital care to ambulatory care because it is less expensive, more accessible, and superior in quality, according to research published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Increasing Physical Activity is Not Curbing Obesity Prevalence
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of sufficient physical activity is increasing across counties in the United States, but has had little impact on obesity prevalence, according to a study published online July 10 in Population Health Metrics.
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One in Five U.S. Adults Will Have Trouble Paying Medical Bills
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- About one in five U.S. adults will have problems paying health care bills in 2013, including about 10 million adults with year-round insurance coverage, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Red Cross Issues Emergency Call for Blood Donors
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- The American Red Cross has issued an emergency request for blood and platelet donors of all blood types, according to report posted July 9.
Quality Metrics Play Small Role in Physician Compensation
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Quality measures play a small but emerging role in physician compensation, according to a report published by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
Docs Don't Often Talk to Patients About Dietary Supplements
THURSDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Although primary care physicians are discussing dietary supplements with patients during outpatient visits, these exchanges happen infrequently, according to research published in the June issue of Patient Education and Counseling.
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Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Cardiometabolic Disease Risk
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- The role of artificial sweeteners is potentially problematic, with consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) associated with increased risks of cardiometabolic diseases, according to a study published online July 10 in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Health Insurance Marketplaces Not Required to Verify Claims
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Health insurance marketplaces will not be required to verify consumers' income and health insurance status and can rely on self-reported information, the Obama administration announced Friday.
Tablets More Useful Than Smartphones for Docs Using EHRs
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Although tablets are less often used by physicians than smartphones, they are more frequently used for accessing electronic health records (EHRs), and time spent on tablets is much higher, according to two reports published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Improvements Noted in U.S. Health From 1990 to 2010
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- From 1990 to 2010, considerable progress has been made in improving health in the United States, according to a report published online July 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Improvement Needed in Drug Post-Marketing Studies
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Since the requirement in 2007 that drug makers conduct post-marketing studies, the number of studies not yet started has declined while the number of studies fulfilling obligations has nearly doubled, according to a report published in the July 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, more than 40 percent of studies had not yet been started in 2011, and the number of studies with delays doubled as of 2011.
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Existing Medicaid Patients May Miss Out on Preventive Care
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Existing Medicaid enrollees may not receive preventive care measures the Affordable Care Act mandates for those covered under new insurance requirements, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Chronic Illness Positively Linked to Receipt of Preventive Care
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with one or more chronic illnesses are not less likely to receive recommended preventive health services, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Early Advice on Diet Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Youth
WEDNESDAY, July 10 (HealthDay News) -- Dietary counseling, initiated with the parents at infancy and maintained as the child ages, is associated with improved insulin sensitivity at age 15 to 20, according to a study published online June 25 in Diabetes Care.
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Digital Divide Plagues Underserved Areas
TUESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Electronic health record (EHR) adoption is uneven, with traditionally underserved areas having lower adoption rates across the United States, according to a study published online June 26 in Health Services Research.
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Vitamin D, Coronary Heart Disease Link Varies by Race
TUESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Low concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among whites and Chinese, but not among blacks or Hispanics, according to a study published in the July 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Adoption of Electronic Health Records Is Progressing
TUESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- In 2012, 44 percent of hospitals reported having at least a basic electronic health record (EHR), according to an annual report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Meeting Dual HbA1c & LDL-C Goals Improves Diabetes Care
TUESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- Dual achievement of both glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals among patients with diabetes is associated with greater clinical and economic benefit than achievement of either goal alone, according to a study published online June 25 in Diabetes Care.
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Practices Are Not Ready for Implementation of ICD-10
MONDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Most practices are not ready for implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), according to a report published by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
Obama Administration: ACA's Employer Mandate Delayed
WEDNESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- The Obama Administration is postponing a major Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision, the employer mandate, according to an announcement made Tuesday via the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.
Weight Gain Attenuates Smoking Cessation Benefits
WEDNESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- While smoking cessation reduces the risk of coronary heart disease in women with and without diabetes, a weight gain of 5 kg or more attenuates the association, according to research letter published in the July 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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More Than 40 Percent of Docs Report Work Dissatisfaction
WEDNESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- Many physicians are dissatisfied and are unlikely to recommend the medical profession to young people, according to a report published by Jackson Healthcare.
Prior Hyperglycemia Limits the Effects of Exercise in Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- The effects of exercise on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are dependent on glucose levels prior to training, according to a research letter published online July 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Post-Breast Cancer, Metformin Has No Effect on Mortality
TUESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- For older women with diabetes and breast cancer, there is no association between metformin use and all-cause or breast cancer-specific mortality, according to a study published online April 30 in Diabetes Care.
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Sucralose Affects Response to Oral Glucose Load in Obese
TUESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- For obese adults who do not use non-nutritive sweetener (NNS), sucralose affects the glycemic and insulin responses to an oral glucose load, according to a study published online April 30 in Diabetes Care.
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Salsalate Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Salsalate, a prodrug form of salicylate, improves glycemic control and reduces inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes, but also has some undesirable cardiac and renal effects, according to a study published in the July 2 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Docs Impact Comparative Effectiveness Research Opinion
TUESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors' support of comparative effectiveness research (CER) influences public opinion and has a greater impact on public opinion than cues from political players, according to research to be published this fall in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.
Early Respiratory Infections Linked to Type 1 Diabetes Risk
MONDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Respiratory infections in the first year of life are associated with an increased risk of islet autoantibody seroconversion among children at high risk of type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online July 1 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Sleep-Restricted Adults With Late Bedtimes Gain More Weight
MONDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep-restricted adults with late bedtimes may gain more weight due to an overall increased caloric intake and a higher late-night calorie consumption, according to a study published in the July issue of SLEEP.
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Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Inversely Tied to Cognition
MONDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes, the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is inversely linked to cognitive impairment, according to a study published online April 30 in Diabetes Care.
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