Virtual visits and the use of continuous glucose monitoring for diabetes care in the era of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increase in virtual care utilization for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Virtual DM care requires both providers and patients to become familiar with new technology that supports home health monitoring. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a DM technology that provides 24-hr glucose monitoring and is associated with improved clinical outcomes, including decreased rates of hypoglycemia and lower hemoglobin A1c (A1c). Continuous glucose monitoring use has increased due to ease of use and its ability to allow patients to share data with providers during virtual visits. Although the clinical benefits of CGM use are clear, many providers are overwhelmed by the various options available and large influx of data received. The purpose of this clinical case review is to provide an overview of CGM use in the virtual care setting. Various types of CGMs will be defined and an overview of the patient characteristics shown to benefit most from CGM use will be provided. Further, recommendations for improving clinic workflow when using CGM will be outlined, including strategies to handle the influx of large datasets, outlining the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) and other providers in the clinic, and organizing data for efficient and improved clinical decision making. Continuous glucose monitoring use is hallmarked to revolutionize DM care for many patients, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that clinicians understand the nuances of CGM use and organize their virtual clinics to efficiently manage CGM users, leading to improved clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

Retrospective Analysis of Liraglutide as Add-On Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Quantifying the Changes in Insulin Requirements.

Clinical pharmacists in VA primary care pharmacy clinics can effectively and safely use liraglutide to reduce hemoglobin A1c and insulin requirements in veterans.

Pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes: An update.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a major economic burden. The prevalence of T2DM is rising, suggesting more effective prevention and treatment strategies are necessary. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the pharmacologic treatment options available for patients with T2DM. Each therapeutic class is presented in detail, outlining medication effects, side effects, glycemic control, effect on weight, indications and contraindications, and use in selected populations (heart failure, renal insufficiency, obesity and the elderly). We also present representative cost for each antidiabetic category. Then, we provide an individualized guide for initiation and intensification of treatment and discuss the considerations and rationale for an individualized glycemic goal.

Effect of Preoperative Diabetes Management on Glycemic Control and Clinical Outcomes After Elective Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative diabetes management can improve glycemic control and clinical outcomes after elective surgery. BACKGROUND: There is lack of data on the importance of diabetes treatment before elective surgery. Diabetes is often ignored before surgery and aggressively treated afterwards. METHODS: Patients with diabetes were identified and treated proactively before their scheduled surgeries. Data for all elective surgeries over 2 years before and 2 years after implementation of the program were collected. RESULTS: Out of 31,392 patients undergoing first surgery, 3909 had diabetes; 2072 before and 1835 after the program. Mean blood glucose on the day of surgery was 146.4 ±â€Š51.9 mg/dL before and 139.9 ±â€Š45.6 mg/dL after the program (P = 0.0028). Proportion of patients seen by the inpatient diabetes team increased. Mean blood glucose during hospital stay was 166.7 ±â€Š42.9 mg/dL before and 158.3 ±â€Š46.6 mg/dL after program (P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with hypoglycemic episodes (<50 mg/dL) was 4.93% before and 2.48% after the program (P < 0.0001). Length of hospital stay (LOS) decreased among patients with diabetes (4.8 ±â€Š5.3 to 4.6 ±â€Š4.3 days; P = 0.01) and remained unchanged among patients without diabetes (4.0 ±â€Š4.5 and 4.1 ±â€Š4.8, respectively; P = 0.42). Changes in intravenous antibiotic use, patients discharged to home, renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, stroke, and in-hospital mortality were similar among diabetic and nondiabetic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative and inpatient diabetes management improves glycemic control on the day of surgery and postoperatively and decreases the incidence of hypoglycemia. These changes may eventually improve clinical outcomes. Although statistically significant, the decrease in LOS was of equivocal clinical significance in this study.

Effect of follow-up by a hospital diabetes care team on diabetes control at one year after discharge from the hospital.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of continued follow-up by a hospital diabetes team on HbA1c at 1-year after discharge. METHODS: Adults with HbA1c ≥8% (64mmol/mol), undergoing an elective surgery, were treated in the perioperative period and randomized to continued care (CC) or the usual care (UC) after discharge. Patients in the CC group received weekly to monthly phone calls from a diabetes specialist nurse practitioner (NP) to review their home blood glucose values, diet, exercise, and medications. Patients in the UC group followed with their diabetes care providers. RESULTS: Out of 151 patients, 77 were randomized to the CC group and 74 to the UC group. HbA1c (%) at 1-year was 8.2±1.4 in the CC group and 8.5±1.5 in the UC group (p=NS). Change in HbA1c from baseline was similar between the groups; -0.7±1.4 in the CC versus -0.7±1.5 in the UC group (p=NS). A higher number of calls was not associated with lower HbA1c or reduction in HbA1c. There were 41 insulin-treated patients in the CC group and 53 in the UC group and among them, HbA1c reduction was 0.5±1.5 and 0.6±1.3 respectively (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: Optimal perioperative treatment of diabetes is associated with an improvement in HbA1c but continued follow-up by a hospital diabetes team after discharge does not have an additional impact on long-term glycemic control. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02065050.

A Password-Protected Web Site for Mothers Expressing Milk for Their Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND: Research has demonstrated that breast milk significantly decreases morbidities that impact length of stay for preterm infants, but there is a need to test interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes. Since many Americans are using technologies such as the Intranet and smartphones to find health information and manage health, a Web site was developed for mothers who provide breast milk for their preterm hospitalized infants. PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of a Web site for mothers to educate them about breast milk expression and assist them in monitoring their breast milk supply. METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from mothers whose preterm infants were hospitalized in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or transitional care unit (TCU) in an urban academic medical center in the Midwest. RESULTS: Eighteen mothers participated in evaluation of the Web site. Thirteen mothers consistently logged on to the password-protected Web site (mean [standard deviation] = 13.3 [11.7]) times. Most participants, (69.2%), reported they used the breast milk educational information. Most mothers indicated that using the Web site log helped in tracking their pumping. These findings can be used to direct the design and development of web-based resources for mothers of preterm infants IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:: NICU and TCU staffs need to examine and establish approaches to actively involve mothers in monitoring the establishment and maintenance of an adequate supply of breast milk to improve neonatal health outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: An electronic health application that incorporates the features identified in this study should be developed and tested.

Resourcefulness Training for Dementia Caregivers: Establishing Fidelity.

Providing care for an elder with dementia can produce extreme stress that adversely affects caregiver health. Learning to be resourceful, which involves practicing resourcefulness skills using a journal or voice recorder, may reduce caregiver stress. However, before testing the effectiveness of journaling and voice recording as resourcefulness training (RT) practice methods, intervention fidelity should first be established. This pilot trial with 63 women dementia caregivers examined the fidelity of journaling and voice recording and whether allowing a choice between the methods affected RT intervention fidelity. Following RT, Resourcefulness Scale scores were similar for journal and recorder methods but higher for caregivers in the choice versus random condition. Patterns of RT skill use documented in journals or recordings were similar for choice and random conditions and for journal and recorder methods. The results support the implementation fidelity of RT that allows caregivers to choose a method to reinforce their resourcefulness skills.

Nurse practitioner-mediated intervention for preoperative control of diabetes in elective surgery patients.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of nurse practitioner (NP) mediated interventions on diabetes control before elective surgery. DATA SOURCES: A program was initiated to improve preoperative diabetes control in patients with HbA1c > 8%. The intervention was initially mediated by a physician alone and subsequently changed to involve NPs. The goal of intervention was fasting blood glucose (BG) <200 mg/dL on the day of surgery (DOS). Data were collected before the program (control group), during physician-mediated intervention (phase 1), and during NP-mediated intervention (phase 2). CONCLUSIONS: There were 222 patients in the control group, 226 in phase 1, and 160 in phase 2. Mean BG (mg/dL) on DOS was 171.4 ± 66.5 in control group, 162.6 ± 58.1 in phase 1, and 153.4 ± 46.6 in phase 2 (p = NS for control vs. phase 1 and <0.01 for control vs. phase 2). More patients received an intervention in phase 2 (93%) than in phase 1 (75%). Among those receiving intervention, 87% achieved target BG in phase 2 and 82% in phase 1 (p = NS). Duration of diabetes, baseline HbA1c, time available before surgery, and diabetes intervention were independent predictors of achieving target BG. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: NP-mediated interventions increased access to care and resulted in lower BG levels and may be a good strategy for preoperative diabetes control.

Supports and Barriers to Successful Progression in a DNP Program: Students' and Graduates' Perspectives.

This study examined the supports, barriers, and strategies to successful progression in a DNP program using a nationwide online survey of DNP students and graduates. Subjects (n = 172) had a mean age of 46.2 years; 83% worked full time. Major barriers were competing demands of work, family, and school. Perseverance was a key element in overcoming barriers; most students reported being overwhelmed, and 37% considered quitting. Mechanisms for programs to consider in addressing this stress are discussed.

Effect of simulation on knowledge, self-confidence, and skill performance in the USA: A quasi-experimental study.

In health care, high-fidelity simulation has been shown to result in increased student learning outcomes when compared to low-fidelity simulation. With educational facilities investing significant amounts of money into purchasing high-fidelity simulators, it is imperative to identify if the midlevel simulator, which is less costly, will result in the same learning outcomes. In this study, we examined the effect of midlevel-fidelity simulation versus low-fidelity simulation on Bachelor of Science in Nursing nursing students' knowledge, self-confidence, and skill performance. A quasi-experimental design examined the effects of midlevel-fidelity simulation (n = 37) versus low-fidelity simulation (case study) (n = 37) in junior-level nursing students. There was a significant difference for both groups in knowledge and skill performance (measured with a mini Objective Structured Clinical Examination), but not between the groups. Unexpectedly, the case-study group had a higher level of self-confidence (self-reported). The results of this study indicate that further research is needed to support faculties' selection of learning strategies with the lowest cost and highest effectiveness in achieving the desired learning outcomes.

A prevalent caveolin-1 gene variant is associated with the metabolic syndrome in Caucasians and Hispanics.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: We examined whether a prevalent caveolin-1 gene (CAV1) variant, previously related to insulin resistance, is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included subjects genotyped for the CAV1 variant rs926198 from two cohorts: 735 Caucasians from the HyperPATH multicenter study, and 810 Hispanic participants from the HTN-IR cohort. RESULTS: Minor allele carriers from HyperPATH cohort (57% of subjects) had higher Framingham risk scores, higher odds of diabetes (10.7% vs 5.7%, p=0.016), insulin resistance (44.3% vs 35.1%, p=0.022), low HDL (49.3% vs 39.6%, p=0.018) and MetS (33% vs 20.5%, p<0.001) but similar BMI. Consistently, minor allele carriers exhibited higher odds of MetS, even when adjusted for confounders and relatedness (OR 2.83 (1.73-4.63), p<0.001). The association with MetS was replicated in the Hispanic cohort HTN-IR (OR 1.61, [1.06-2.44], p=0.025). Exploratory analyses suggest that MetS risk is modified by a CAV1 variant-BMI status interaction, whereby the minor allele carrier status strongly predicted MetS (OR 3.86 [2.05-7.27], p<0.001) and diabetes (OR 2.27 [1.07-4.78], p=0.03) in non-obese, but not in obese subjects. In addition, we observed a familial aggregation for MetS diagnosis in minor allele carriers. CONCLUSION: The prevalent CAV1 gene variant rs926198 is associated with MetS in separate Caucasian and Hispanic cohorts. These findings appear to be driven by an interaction between the genetic marker and obesity status, suggesting that the CAV1 variant may improve risk profiling in non-obese subjects. Additional studies are needed to confirm the clinical implications of our results.

Early Identification of Individuals with Poorly Controlled Diabetes Undergoing Elective Surgery: Improving A1C Testing in the Preoperative Period.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a process improvement strategy that increased the identification of individuals with poorly controlled diabetes (glycated hemoglobin [A1C] ≥8%) undergoing elective surgery at a major academic medical center and increased their access to specialist care. METHODS: An algorithm was developed to ensure A1C measurements were obtained as per the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American Diabetes Association (AACE/ADA) guidelines. The diabetes management team worked collaboratively with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and preoperative nurse practitioners to improve the glycemic control of patients with an A1C ≥8%. RESULTS: Before implementing the program, A1C testing was recorded in 854 out of 2,335 (37%) patients with diabetes seen in the preoperative clinic from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. The program was instituted in February 2013. From February 2013 to February 2014, A1C testing occurred in 1,236 out of 1,334 (93%) patients with diabetes. After excluding those scheduled for same day surgery, 228 patients were considered high risk with A1C ≥8%, and 175 were available for endocrine preoperative consultation. The program led to significant blood glucose level improvements on the day of surgery. CONCLUSION: A process improvement strategy to evaluate and treat diabetes in the preoperative period of elective surgery patients was implemented by a multidisciplinary team (endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, anesthesiologists, and surgeons) and resulted in a substantial improvements in obtaining A1C tests, access to specialist diabetes care, and glycemic control on the day of surgery. The impact of improved glycemic control on hospital and surgical outcomes needs further evaluation.

Aldosterone dysregulation with aging predicts renal vascular function and cardiovascular risk.

Aging and abnormal aldosterone regulation are both associated with vascular disease. We hypothesized that aldosterone dysregulation influences the age-related risk of renal vascular and cardiovascular disease. We conducted an analysis of 562 subjects who underwent detailed investigations under conditions of liberal and restricted dietary sodium intake (1124 visits) in the General Clinical Research Center. Aldosterone regulation was characterized by the ratio of maximal suppression to stimulation (supine serum aldosterone on a liberal sodium diet divided by the same measure on a restricted sodium diet). We previously demonstrated that higher levels of this Sodium-modulated Aldosterone Suppression-Stimulation Index (SASSI) indicate greater aldosterone dysregulation. Renal plasma flow (RPF) was determined via p-aminohippurate clearance to assess basal renal hemodynamics and the renal vascular responses to dietary sodium manipulation and angiotensin II infusion. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score. In univariate linear regression, older age (ß=-4.60; P<0.0001) and higher SASSI (ß=-58.63; P=0.001) predicted lower RPF and a blunted RPF response to sodium loading and angiotensin II infusion. We observed a continuous, independent, multivariate-adjusted interaction between age and SASSI, where the inverse relationship between SASSI and RPF was most apparent with older age (P<0.05). Higher SASSI and lower RPF independently predicted higher Framingham Risk Score (P<0.0001) and together displayed an additive effect. Aldosterone regulation and age may interact to mediate renal vascular disease. Our findings suggest that the combination of aldosterone dysregulation and renal vascular dysfunction could additively increase the risk of future cardiovascular outcomes; therefore, aldosterone dysregulation may represent a modifiable mechanism of age-related vascular disease.

Preoperative A1C and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes undergoing major noncardiac surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between preoperative A1C and clinical outcomes in individuals with diabetes mellitus undergoing noncardiac surgery. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and the Research Patient Data Registry of the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Patients admitted to the hospital for ≥1 day after undergoing noncardiac surgery from 2005 to 2010 were included in the study. RESULTS: Of 1,775 patients with diabetes, 622 patients (35%) had an A1C value available within 3 months before surgery. After excluding same-day surgeries, patients with diabetes were divided into four groups (A1C ≤6.5% [N = 109]; >6.5-8% [N = 202]; >8-10% [N = 91]; >10% [N = 47]) and compared with age-, sex-, and BMI-matched nondiabetic control subjects (N = 888). Individuals with A1C values between 6.5 and 8% had a hospital length of stay (LOS) similar to the matched control group (P = 0.5). However, in individuals with A1C values ≤6.5 or >8%, the hospital LOS was significantly longer compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that a higher A1C value was associated with increased hospital LOS after adjustments for age, sex, BMI, race, type of surgery, Charlson Comorbidity Index, smoking status, and glucose level on the day of surgery (P = 0.02). There were too few events to meaningfully evaluate for death, infections, or readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that chronic hyperglycemia (A1C >8%) is associated with poor surgical outcomes (longer hospital LOS). Providing a preoperative intervention to improve glycemic control in individuals with A1C values >8% may improve surgical outcomes, but prospective studies are needed.

Abnormal aldosterone physiology and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Abnormal aldosterone physiology has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases. Single aldosterone measurements capture only a limited range of aldosterone physiology. New methods of characterizing aldosterone physiology may provide a more comprehensive understanding of its relationship with cardiometabolic disease. We evaluated whether novel indices of aldosterone responses to dietary sodium modulation, the sodium-modulated aldosterone suppression-stimulation index (SASSI for serum and SAUSSI for urine), could predict cardiometabolic risk factors. We performed cross-sectional analyses on 539 subjects studied on liberal and restricted sodium diets with serum and urinary aldosterone measurements. SASSI and SAUSSI were calculated as the ratio of aldosterone on liberal (maximally suppressed aldosterone) to the aldosterone on restricted (stimulated aldosterone) diets and associated with risk factors using adjusted regression models. Cardiometabolic risk factors associated with either impaired suppression of aldosterone on liberal diet, or impaired stimulation on restricted diet, or both; in all of these individual cases, these risk factors associated with higher SASSI or SAUSSI. In the context of abnormalities that constitute the metabolic syndrome, there was a strong positive association between the number of metabolic syndrome components (0-4) and both SASSI and SAUSSI (P<0.0001) that was independent of known aldosterone secretagogues (angiotensin II, corticotropin, potassium). SASSI and SAUSSI exhibited a high sensitivity in detecting normal individuals with zero metabolic syndrome components (86% for SASSI and 83% for SAUSSI). Assessing the physiological range of aldosterone responses may provide greater insights into adrenal pathophysiology. Dysregulated aldosterone physiology may contribute to, or result from, early cardiometabolic abnormalities.