Susan Cornell

Differentiating among incretin therapies: a multiple-target approach to type 2 diabetes.

What is known and Objective:  Incretin‐based glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor therapies provide glycaemic control with reduced risks associated with weight gain or hypoglycaemia. Incretin therapies are compared with their mechanisms of action, effects on haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post‐prandial glucose (PPG), body weight, β‐cell function, cardiovascular biomarkers and in their safety profiles to aid clinicians in the selection of individualized pharmacotherapy for patients with type 2 diabetes.Summary What is known and Objective:  Incretin-based glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor therapies provide glycaemic control with reduced risks associated with weight gain or hypoglycaemia. Incretin therapies are compared with their mechanisms of action, effects on haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial glucose (PPG), body weight, β-cell function, cardiovascular biomarkers and in their safety profiles to aid clinicians in the selection of individualized pharmacotherapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods:  Relevant articles for a systematic review were identified through PubMed. Randomized, head-to-head comparison studies among incretin therapies were identified and included in the review. Additionally, randomized, controlled monotherapy and combination therapy studies examining glycaemic and extraglycaemic effects of individual incretin therapies from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed. Results and Discussion:  Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are generally preferred over DPP-4 inhibitors because of their greater effectiveness in reducing HbA1C, FPG and PPG excursions, and greater weight loss potentiation. As a monotherapy option, longer-acting GLP-1 RAs, including liraglutide and exenatide once-weekly, may be preferred at higher HbA1C because of their more pronounced effects on FPG. At lower/near normal HbA1C, a short-acting GLP-1 RA, such as exenatide twice-daily, may be a better choice as its effects are more pronounced with PPG. Ideal patients or patient situations for DPP-4 inhibitors include patients who need minimal reduction in HbA1C, elderly patients, patients who are unwilling or unable to take an injectable agent, when GLP-1 RAs are contraindicated or when the patient will not benefit from weight loss. Treatment benefits common to all incretin-based therapies include minimal hypoglycaemia risk, potential preservation of β-cell function and effective targeting of multiple organs underlying type 2 diabetes and of comorbidities commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and hypertension. What is new and Conclusion:  Key differences in mechanisms of action and in glycaemic and extra-glycaemic treatment outcomes exist among incretin therapies, both within the GLP-1 RA class, and between GLP-1 RAs and DPP-4 inhibitors. Clinical judgment acknowledging important differences among incretin therapies and treatment-related patient characteristics will aid in the selection of the appropriate incretin agent for individualized pharmacotherapy.

Interprofessional workshop to improve mutual understanding between pharmacy and medical students.

Objective. To measure changes in pharmacy and medical students’ physician-pharmacist collaboration scores resulting from a workshop designed to promote understanding of the others’ roles in health care. Methods. More than 88% of first-year pharmacy (n = 215) and medical (n = 205) students completed the Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration on 3 occasions in order to establish a baseline of median scores and to determine whether the scores were influenced by an interprofessional workshop. Results. Participation in the interprofessional workshop increased pharmacy students’ collaboration scores above baseline (p=0.02) and raised the scores of medical students on the education component of the collaboration survey instrument (p=0.015). The collaboration scores of pharmacy students greatly exceeded those of medical students (p<0.0001). Conclusion. A workshop designed to foster interprofessional understanding between pharmacy and medical students raised the physician-pharmacist collaboration scores of both. Crucial practical goals for the future include raising the collaboration scores of medical students to those of pharmacy students.

Self-monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG): Now and the Future

In 2002, the cost of diabetes in the United States reached

Critical Thinking and Reflection Exercises in a Biochemistry Course to Improve Prospective Health Professions Students’ Attitudes Toward Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration

132 billion. There is a well-established relationship between blood glucose control and the risk of diabetes-related complications. Tight blood glucose control, through intensive diabetes therapy, reduces the risk and delays the onset of diabetesrelated microvascular complications. Regular and consistent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is and should be a part of all diabetes disease state management programs. Pharmacists can truly increase the numbers of patients who use SMBG by being aware and familiar with the monitoring devices available to patients and identifying the physical and psychological issues surrounding SMBG. Results from SMBG and hemoglobin A1C are the basis formost of the medical decisions made for patients with diabetes. This review discusses the best time for patients to test their blood glucose, information regarding blood glucose monitoring devices, alternative site testing, and the newest technology available in glucose monitoring.

Diabetes Pharmacotherapy in 2012: Considerations in Medication Selection

Objective. To determine the impact of performing critical-thinking and reflection assignments within interdisciplinary learning teams in a biochemistry course on pharmacy students’ and prospective health professions students’ collaboration scores. Design. Pharmacy students and prospective medical, dental, and other health professions students enrolled in a sequence of 2 required biochemistry courses. They were randomly assigned to interdisciplinary learning teams in which they were required to complete case assignments, thinking and reflection exercises, and a team service-learning project. Assessment. Students were asked to complete the Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration prior to the first course, following the first course, and following the second course. The physician-pharmacist collaboration scores of prospective health professions students increased significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions. Having prospective health professions students work in teams with pharmacy students to think and reflect in and outside the classroom improves their attitudes toward physician-pharmacist collaboration.

Key considerations in pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multiple target organ approach

Abstract Diabetes is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases, and its therapy and management have become increasingly complex. The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a multiorgan disorder, is increasing at an epidemic rate in the United States and worldwide. Despite numerous scientific and medical advances, less than half of the population with T2DM has achieved the American Diabetes Association–recommended glycated hemoglobin level goal of < 7%, which is necessary to optimally manage the disease to prevent and minimize complications. There are many patient– and clinician–determined barriers that hinder patients from achieving target blood glucose levels. Therefore, it is imperative for health care professionals who treat patients with T2DM (and those at risk for developing T2DM) to have an enhanced knowledge base of the current pathophysiology, treatment options, and clinical guidelines for T2DM and its related conditions.

Newer Treatment Strategies for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Summary What is known and Objective:  Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive multisystem disease, and less than half the population with T2DM has achieved the recommended glycosylated haemoglobin A1c goal. We aim to present key points to consider when selecting pharmacotherapy for the management of T2DM. The selection of pharmacotherapy is discussed within the context of the underlying pathophysiology of T2DM, currently available treatment options highlighting newer agents and current clinical guidelines. Comment:  Combination therapy regimens that target the multiple organ systems involved in the pathophysiology of T2DM can be developed based on the mechanism of action (MOA) of each class of agents. We compare the pathophysiology of T2DM with the MOA of the currently available non-insulin therapeutic options. What is new and Conclusion:  Combination therapy that efficiently and effectively targets multiorgan correction with the least risk for serious adverse events, such as hypoglycaemia and drug interactions, is needed when initial treatment fails to achieve the desired clinical outcomes. Newer agents, now incorporated in treatment guidelines, increase the range of options available to the clinician.What is known and Objective:  Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive multisystem disease, and less than half the population with T2DM has achieved the recommended glycosylated haemoglobin A1c goal. We aim to present key points to consider when selecting pharmacotherapy for the management of T2DM. The selection of pharmacotherapy is discussed within the context of the underlying pathophysiology of T2DM, currently available treatment options highlighting newer agents and current clinical guidelines.

Managing diabetes-related costs and quality of life issues: Value of insulin analogs and pens for inpatient use

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multiorgan, metabolic disease associated with multiple microvascular and macrovascular complications. The incidence of type 2 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate. Achieving and maintaining near-normal blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (A1C) are of the utmost importance. Existing treatment options for managing type 2 diabetes, which have primarily included sulfonylureas and biguanides, are insufficient at achieving these treatment goals alone, particularly if used long term. The need to explore newer and better treatment options that provide longer lasting glucose control and at the same time focus on targeting cardiovascular risk factors to minimize and prevent the serious complications associated with this multifaceted disease becomes quite obvious.

Pharmacotherapy considerations in diabetes and obesity: setting patients up for success.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that is growing at an epidemic rate, yet it can be managed and controlled with appropriate individualized therapy. In the hospital, costs can be reduced and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) improved by optimal glycemic and blood pressure control, minimal or no hypoglycemia, minimal glucose fluctuations, fewer or no complications, and a shorter length of stay. Insulin analogs and pens are tools that have been used successfully to manage hyperglycemia in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Limited evidence suggests that these advances in insulin therapy may increase HRQOL and improve cost-effectiveness in hospitalized patients compared with regular and NPH insulin and vial/syringe administration of insulin, although additional data are needed to confirm these findings. Most insulin algorithms used in hospitals rely on analogs for basal and prandial glucose control; however, analogs have not been extensively evaluated in clinical trials in this patient population. More studies are needed to evaluate the impact of insulin pen and analog use on HRQOL and costs in hospitalized patients.

A patient-centred approach to treatment with incretin-based agents in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract The causal relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been acknowledged over the past few decades and is frequently expressed by the term diabesity. It is predicted that the number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes will continue to rise, with obesity placing people at increased risk for diabetic complications and comorbidities. Therefore, an individualized, patient-centered care approach is needed to optimally treat and manage the obese patient with DM. With 11 classes of medications available to lower blood glucose levels, 2 new agents for weight loss, and various surgical procedures, the clinician and the patient have numerous options from which to choose. In an effort to promote optimal disease management, clinicians should work with their obese patients to select appropriate pharmacotherapy combinations that will enable the patients to successfully manage DM. The current clinical recommendations and guidelines emphasize the need to consider the weight effects of the various DM agents as monotherapy and in combination. Additionally, with the approval of 2 new weight loss medications, the clinician must be aware of the place of the medications in therapy and their appropriate use in combination with DM pharmacotherapy.