‘Diabetic foot’ is a term used to describe a group of syndromes in which neuropathy and/or ischaemia lead to tissue breakdown and reduced resistance to infection in a patient with diabetes mellitus. Foot ulceration is a serious and potentially limb-threatening complication of diabetes that can lead to pain, tissue necrosis and amputation, and may significantly affect an individual’s well-being and mobility. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details.
Health systems invest in diabetes quality improvement (QI) programmes to reduce the gap between research evidence of optimal care and current care.1 Examples of commonly used QI strategies in diabetes include programmes to measure and report quality of care (ie, audit and feedback initiatives), implementation of clinician and patient education, and reminder systems. A recent systematic review of randomised trials of QI programmes indicates that they can successfully improve quality of diabetes care and patient outcomes.2 Changes in surrogate markers such as blood glucose control, blood pressure or cholesterol levels are used to measure QI intervention effectiveness.2
However, investments in QI strategies are only worthwhile if the programmes that effectively improve care are sustained after trial completion.3. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
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'What this study adds A substantial positive association was seen between use of warfarin with glipizide/glimepiride and hospital admission/emergency department visits for hypoglycemia and related diagnoses, particularly in patients starting warfarin. The findings suggest the possibility of a significant drug interaction between these medications.'
This study explored the annual occurrence/incidence of bacterial infections, and their association with chronic hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy, in patients with type 1 diabetes. Open Access Article
The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on diabetes recommends at least annual monitoring of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for proteinuria. To date, little has been published on the frequency of proteinuria monitoring in T2DM, and its association with risk factors for renal complications. We aimed to describe proteinuria monitoring in patients with T2DM. Open Access Article
Objective Type I and II diabetes are associated with a greater relative risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in women than in men. Sex differences in adiposity storage may explain these findings. Open Access Article
Our aim was to assess the impact of an educational initiative for non-specialist, healthcare professionals in the community on the process and quality measures of diabetes care delivered, and changes in their learning experiences and clinical management behaviour in the short and long term. Open Access Article
Musculoskeletal symptoms limit adherence to exercise interventions for individuals with type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes may be susceptible to tendinopathy due to chronically elevated blood glucose levels. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this potential association by systematically reviewing and meta-analysing case–control, cross-sectional, and studies that considered both of these conditions. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has published a number of recommendations today (15 January 2015) following its meeting on 19 November 2015.
The independent expert committee made 11 recommendations in total, which included improvements to existing screening programmes for Down’s syndrome and other related conditions, cervical cancer, bowel cancer and eye screening for people with diabetes.
Evidence shows the longer between appointments the higher the chance of a young person developing psychosocial issues such as anxiety and depression and increased HbA1c. Diabetes is also linked to higher rates of eating disorders.
The Diabetes Transition Service Specification is designed to inform commissioners’ development of a clear specification based on local context.
Commentary on:
Malanda UL, Bot SD, Kostense PJ, et al. Effects of self-monitoring of glucose on distress and self-efficacy in people with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Diabet Med 2015. Published Online First.
Context
While it is generally accepted that blood glucose monitoring is an important component of treatment in the management of insulin-treated diabetes (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes), the role of blood glucose monitoring in those with type 2 diabetes treated by oral agents remains uncertain. Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials have persistently failed to find benefits on blood glucose control or hypoglycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes.1 ,2 This emphasises the methodological challenges of establishing the value of self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes on oral agents, who are at … To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Commentary on:
Balk EM, Earley A, Raman G, et al. Combined diet and physical activity promotion programs to prevent type 2 diabetes among persons at increased risk: a systematic review for the community preventive services task force. Ann Intern Med 2015;163:437–51.
Context
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant and growing medical problem affecting close to 400 million people worldwide1 and almost 10% of the US population2 while imposing a major financial burden on society.3 Furthermore, an estimated 37% of the US adult population is at risk of T2DM, making primary prevention of T2DM a critical public health objective. Large clinical trials have shown that combined diet and physical activity promotion programmes … To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Difficulty in sleeping is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a study published in Diabetologia has found. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
P. Royle, L. Bain, and N. Waugh. BMC medical research methodology, 5 (1):
2(January 2005)LR: 20061115; PUBM: Electronic; DEP: 20050108; JID: 100968545; 2004/08/11 received; 2005/01/08 accepted; 2005/01/08 aheadofprint; epublish.