Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) therapy in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a national health priority. Its rising prevalence is accompanied by a high burden of diabetes-related complications, many of which are preventable. Numerous glucose-lowering medications have been developed in recent years with growing evidence relating to their efficacy and safety. These advances have increased the complexity of prescribing decisions in T2D. OBJECTIVE: This review provides clinicians with relevant evidence and practical advice concerning glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) in T2D. DISCUSSION: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recommends GLP1-RAs as an option for second-line therapy in T2D. GLP1-RAs contribute to weight loss and glycated haemoglobin reduction. GLP1-RAs also reduce incidence of cardiovascular events in selected populations, and available evidence suggests renoprotective effects. Common adverse effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in the weeks following treatment initiation. GLP1-RAs should be considered for people with T2D at high cardiovascular risk or where weight loss is a priority.

Current evidence and practical guidance for the use of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its associated complications continues to grow in Australia. In recent years, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become a key component of diabetes care with rapid uptake into routine clinical practice. There is growing evidence of their clinical efficacy, but also potential adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to review the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in T2D by exploring data surrounding clinical efficacy and safety as well as providing practical advice for prescribing clinicians. DISCUSSION: SGLT2 inhibitors have multiple metabolic benefits including reducing glycated haemoglobin, weight and blood pressure. Additionally, there are strong cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects in selected populations. Current evidence suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors should be considered for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and to delay progression of early chronic kidney disease in people with T2D. Clinicians should also be aware of common side effects and potential rare severe complications.

Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia in Pregnancy: Diagnostic Pitfalls.

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a group of autosomal dominant disorders caused by dysfunction of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) and its downstream signaling proteins, leading to generally asymptomatic hypercalcemia. During pregnancy, distinguishing FHH from primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is important, as the latter is associated with adverse outcomes and can be treated surgically during pregnancy, whereas the former is benign. This case report highlights the difficulties in diagnosing FHH during pregnancy. A 32-year-old woman was found to have asymptomatic hypercalcemia at 14-weeks' gestation. Investigations showed a corrected calcium (cCa) of 2.61 mmol/L (2.10 to 2.60), ionized Ca (iCa) of 1.40 mmol/L (1.15 to 1.28), 25OHD of 33 nmol/L (75 to 250), and PTH of 9.5 pmol/L (1.5 to 7.0). The patient was treated with 2000 IU cholecalciferol daily with normalization of 25OHD. The urine calcium / creatinine clearance ratio (CCCR) was 0.0071, and neck US did not visualize a parathyroid adenoma. Upon a retrospective review of the patient's biochemistry from 2 years prior, hypercalcemia was found that was not investigated. The patient was monitored with serial iCa levels and obstetric US. She delivered a healthy boy at 38-weeks' gestation. Postnatal iCa was 1.48 mmol/L and remained elevated. Her son had elevated iCa at birth of 1.46 mmol/L (1.15 to 1.33), which rose to 1.81 mmol/L by 2 weeks. He was otherwise well. Given the familial hypercalcemia, a likely diagnosis of FHH was made. Genetic testing of the son revealed a missense mutation, NM_000388.3(CASR):c.2446A > G, in exon 7 of the CaSR, consistent with FHH type 1. To our knowledge, there are only three existing reports of FHH in pregnancy. When differentiating between FHH and PHPT in pregnancy, interpretation of biochemistry requires an understanding of changes in Ca physiology, and urine CCCR may be unreliable. If the decision is made to observe, clinical symptoms, calcium levels, and fetal US should be monitored, with biochemistry and urine CCCR performed postpartum, once lactation is completed © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Psychosocial stress is positively associated with body mass index gain over 5 years: evidence from the longitudinal AusDiab study.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that psychosocial stress may influence weight gain. The relationship between stress and weight change and whether this was influenced by demographic and behavioral factors was explored. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 5,118 participants of AusDiab were prospectively followed from 2000 to 2005. The relationship between stress at baseline and BMI change was assessed using linear regression. RESULTS: Among those who maintained/gained weight, individuals with high levels of perceived stress at baseline experienced a 0.20 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 0.07-0.33) greater mean change in BMI compared with those with low stress. Additionally, individuals who experienced 2 or ≥3 stressful life events had a 0.13 kg/m(2) (0.00-0.26) and 0.26 kg/m(2) (0.14-0.38) greater increase in BMI compared with people with none. These relationships differed by age, smoking, and baseline BMI. Further, those with multiple sources of stressors were at the greatest risk of weight gain. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial stress, including both perceived stress and life events stress, was positively associated with weight gain but not weight loss. These associations varied by age, smoking, obesity, and multiple sources of stressors. Future treatment and interventions for overweight and obese people should consider the psychosocial factors that may influence weight gain.