Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Singer Elton John Calls For Increased HIV/AIDS Education, Care
Singer Elton John on Tuesday at the 2009 Bio International Convention in Atlanta called for renewed efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, addressed an audience that included CEOs of organizations working to develop HIV/AIDS therapies and vaccines. He called on governments and institutions to increase their focus on education, especially among young people; access to medical treatment; and needle-exchange programs (Poole, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5/19)."There are long-standing stereotypes and prejudices that inhibit our efforts to combat AIDS," John said, adding, "I am asking for your leadership." According to John, CDC estimates that one in every three new HIV cases occurs among people younger than age 30, a statistic that he said has not received adequate attention. "It is unfathomable and unconscionable that we are not making a bigger effort to educate this demographic about HIV/AIDS with creative materials and up-to-date information," John said, adding, "Our failure to do so is costing lives" (Turner, AP/PennLive.com, 5/19). John also noted a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, which found that the number of Americans who believe HIV/AIDS is an urgent health problem has declined to 6% currently from 44% in 1995. Bob McNally, CEO of GeoVax Labs, said John"s message is that "just not enough is being done" and that "people continue to die from the disease." He added that John "spurred the audience towards being advocates" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5/20).

UCD Researchers Reveal Six New Genome Sequences And Fundamental Insights To The Candida Fungus Family
An international research collaboration coordinated by UCD researchers and involving scientists at 21 institutes including the genome sequencing centres in the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK and the Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard, USA have defined six new genome sequences in the Candida fungus family and identified genetic differences in species that cause disease.
News of the day
Lupus Foundation Of America Web Chat Explores "Your Skin And Lupus"
Approximately two-thirds of the 1.5 million Americans living with lupus will develop some type of skin disease. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced causing it to become destructive to any organ and tissue in the body. Skin disease in lupus can cause rashes or sores (lesions), most of which will appear on sun-exposed areas, such as a person"s face, ears, neck, arms, and legs. In addition, 40-70 percent of people with systemic lupus will find that their disease is made worse by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or artificial light. For this and other reasons, people with lupus are advised to take steps to protect themselves from exposure to UV light.
Public Health

New Nice Guideline For Type 2 Diabetes Recognises Benefits From Newer Agents For Blood Glucose Control

Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited (MSD) welcomes the publication of the guideline for type 2 diabetes newer agents1 from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK, which recommends considering a range of newer therapy options, including "Januvia" (sitagliptin). The guideline recommends that the DPP-4 inhibitor class, which includes sitagliptin, should be considered as a second line therapy instead of a sulphonylurea (SU) when blood glucose control remains or becomes inadequate (HbA1c ð‰¥ 6.5% or other higher level agreed with the individual) with metformin in patients at significant risk of hypoglycaemia or its consequences, or if a patient does not tolerate an SU or an SU is contraindicated.1 Professor Anthony Barnett, a leading diabetologist from the UK said, "One of the key issues when considering treatment options is striking a balance between achieving optimal glycaemic control while also minimising the risk of hypoglycaemia, and the newer treatments provide us with a wider choice of options. NICE should be applauded for recognising these newer agents, as this represents a significant milestone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and may have an impact across the rest of Europe. We now have an array of effective treatment options to offer appropriate patients whose blood glucose is not adequately controlled by first-line treatments plus diet and exercise, to help get their blood sugar under control in order to carry on with their everyday lives." It is estimated that there are over 53.2 million people in Europe living with diabetes and that this figure is set to rise to 64.1 million by 2025.2 A recent MSD Diabetes survey of healthcare professionals (HCPs) across Europe found that the majority (78%) felt that fewer prescribing restrictions would aid more effective disease management.3 Some of the newer agents, such as the DPP-4 class, have a lower risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain. As highlighted within the NICE guideline, the latest data on the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin has shown that treatment with sitagliptin was associated with fewer hypoglycaemic events compared to treatment with metformin and glipizide, a sulphonylurea, 5% versus 32% respectively.4 When added to a sulfonylurea, sitagliptin has been associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Therefore, a reduction in the dose of the sulphonylurea may be necessary. Dr Martin Hadley-Brown, chairman of the Primary Care Diabetes Society in the UK, said, "The guideline for type 2 diabetes newer agents is important for healthcare professionals because it helps clarify which patients are appropriate candidates for these newer treatments. With a chronic condition such as diabetes it is essential that patients are educated about their condition, have access to a wide range of treatment options and maintain the best quality of life possible. The guideline for type 2 diabetes newer agents certainly supports these efforts." In addition, the NICE guideline recognises the role of sitagliptin as the only DPP-4 inhibitor licensed for use in triple therapy with metformin and an SU where metformin and an SU do not adequately control blood sugar (HbA1c ð‰¥7.5% or other higher level agreed with the individual) and insulin is considered inappropriate or unacceptable to the patient.1 As a once-daily tablet, sitagliptin provides a convenient treatment option for patients and has over ten million prescriptions worldwide since launch.5 "We are delighted that, in its guideline for type 2 diabetes newer agents, NICE has recognised the DPP-4 inhibitor class as a potential alternative to SU in selected patients" Dr Paul Leigh, MSD Diabetes, commented. "At MSD, we strive to develop new medicines that can make a difference to patients" lives, so it is pleasing to know that patients and HCPs can now benefit from a wider range of treatments." About sitagliptin Sitagliptin is a member of a class of oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and is licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in combination with either metformin and/or a sulphonylurea, or in certain patients, with a PPARàÑ agonist (i.e. thiazolidinedione), when diet and exercise plus the other agent(s) do not provide adequate glycaemic control.6 Sitagliptin enhances the body"s own ability to lower blood sugar levels by increasing the levels of the body"s own active incretins, called GLP-1 and GIP. The recommended dose of sitagliptin is 100mg once daily, with or without food, for all approved indications.6 Sitagliptin should not be used in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment or in patients with hepatic insufficiency. It is contraindicated in patients with: hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients; diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic pre-coma; acute conditions with the potential to alter renal function; acute or chronic disease which may cause tissue hypoxia; acute alcohol intoxication, alcoholism; or in woman who are lactating or pregnant. No liver function tests need to be performed prior to the initiation of treatment. See Summary of Product Characteristics for further details. About hypoglycaemia Hypoglycaemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood falls too low, usually under 4 mmol/l. People with diabetes who take insulin and/or certain diabetes tablets are at risk of having hypoglycaemia. It may occur if someone has taken too much diabetes medication, delayed or missed a meal or snack, not eaten enough carbohydrate, taken part in unplanned or more strenuous exercise than usual, and has been drinking alcohol without food. Sometimes there is no obvious cause. When hypoglycaemia happens the person often experiences "warning signs", which occur as the body tries to raise the blood glucose level. These "warning signs" vary from person to person but often include feeling shaky, sweating, tingling in the lips, going pale, heart pounding, confusion and irritability. Treatment is usually very simple and requires taking some fast acting carbohydrate, such as a sugary drink or some glucose tablets, and following this up with some longer acting carbohydrate, such as a cereal bar. If left untreated the person might, eventually, become unconscious and would need to be treated with an injection of glucagon (a hormone that raises blood glucose levels). But in the vast majority of cases the body will release its own stores of glucose and raise the blood glucose level to normal, though this may take several hours.7 References 1. National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence. Type 2 diabetes: newer agents for blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. Review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 66. May 2009. http://www.nice.org.uk 2. Diabetes Atlas. http://www.eatlas.idf.org/ 3. Diabetes Impact Survey Report, MSD Diabetes. 4. Krobot KJ, Stein PP, Alen S et al. Lower risk of hypoglycaemia with sitagliptin compared to glipizide when added to ongoing metformin therapy: An analysis based on A1C-adjusted event rates. Abstract presented at the 68th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, June 2008, San Francisco. 5. IMS Health, NPA™ Weekly, TRxs: data on file 6. "Januvia" (sitagliptin). Summary of Product Characteristics. MSD UK 2007 7. Diabetes UK. Guide to diabetes. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/complications/short_term_ complications/hypoglycaemia Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009