February 9, 2017

Pills better than insulin for t2?

Physicians Briefing reports a Swedish study that shows a lower risk of mortality (I vote that is a better outcome) with oral type 2 medications than with insulin. Good to see the study considered hypos. Given that diabetes is underestimated as a cause of death, it is good to see research looking at the big picture of all-cause mortality.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 2 diabetes, novel oral glucose lowering drugs (GLDs) are associated with reduced risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and hypoglycemia, compared with insulin use, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 

Still - YDMV. The best course of treatment is the one the patient and physician agree meets the individual needs.

I think this "all-cause" approach should be taken when considering access to care beyond medications. One size doesn't fit all. Disrupting access to diabetes tool from strips, to the appropriate pump should be considered on a similar basis. 

February 2, 2017

Diabetes is Underestimated

Sometimes I think diabetes it is the Rodney Dangerfield of health. Unfortunately, it isn't a joke.

A recent study highlighted in this piece at Medscape says diabetes is underestimated as a cause of death in the US. The study puts diabetes, "the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2010, after diseases of the heart and malignant neoplasms and ahead of chronic lower respiratory diseases and cerebrovascular diseases." 

People with diabetes can thrive. By engaging early, we minimize complications, costs, and deaths. We need the appropriate tools and medications to be successful. 

Join me in calling on Congress to maintain the prohibition on pre-existing conditions, like diabetes, being grounds to exclude people from health care coverage. 

It is easy. 
  • The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition has an easy to send letter to Congress. I'm sending it often. You can too.  
  • I'm sending Tweets from their Twitter Scorecard. Join me.
  • Getting through to our Senator's by phone has been iffy recently. So I 'm sending snail mail. 
Not only do we need to work with our doctors to care for diabetes. We need to work with our elected officials to maintain access to coverage. We need respect.