Up to 10% of Americans older than 20 years have type 2 diabetes, and more than 20% have the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of both diseases has risen by 33% over the past decade as a result of an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, the obesity epidemic, the growth of ethnic groups at risk for the disease, and the aging of the population. More »
Researchers in the Netherlands investigating the relative risks of common infections in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM1 or DM2, respectively) determined that both groups are at increased risk for lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and skin and mucous membrane infection. More »
The growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes makes it imperative to identify persons at risk, screen for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and treat to prevent progression. Calculation of body mass index (BMI) is an appropriate starting point for identification of patients with possible IGT. More »
Diabetes mellitus recently had been diagnosed in a 58-year-old woman. The patient claims that her skin had darkened significantly over the past 5 years. More »
A 32-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes noted a painful erosion at the site of "the rose tattoo," which she had gotten 5 days before. More »
Although lithium is still a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder, many psychiatrists are reluctant to use it due to blood monitoring requirements. The FDA has approved an in-office blood test that allows lithium blood levels to be obtained in minutes. The test is similar to glucose monitoring devices used for diabetes, and experts on BD are hoping it will increase the use of lithium, which has also been shown to lower the suicide rate among patients with this disorder. More »
Multiple studies show that diabetes approximately doubles the risk of comorbid depression. Furthermore, major depressive disorder is a risk factor for the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatments for depression in the setting of diabetes must be evaluated for their effects on blood glucose levels, propensity for weight gain, possible concomitant use for diabetic neuropathy and potential drug interactions. More »
This special “annual highlights” supplement to Oncology News International (ONI)
is a compilation of selected news on important advances in the management of
gastrointestinal cancers over the past year, as reported in ONI. Guest Editor, Dr.
James L. Abbruzzese, comments on the reports included herein and discusses
developments in the clinical management of GI cancers, with a look at the impact
of targeted agents with cytotoxic chemotherapy, first-line and adjuvant therapies for
advanced disease,... More »
In their article, “Diabetes: How Early—and Aggressively—to Intervene?”
(CONSULTANT, November 2005, page 1416), Drs Thomas Clark and John R.
Holman discussed the results of the lifestyle intervention and metformin arms
of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study. However, the authors neglected
to include data from the troglitazone arm of the DPP study. More »
Although previous findings have suggested that certain gait impairments in patients with diabetes are specifically linked to neuropathy, researchers from Loma Linda University in California also have found gait abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes who did not have neuropathy. More »
A 53-year-old man with a 20-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (for which he required insulin) sought evaluation of a hot, swollen right foot that seemed to have become “flat.” He had no pain, fever, or chills.
The patient’s metatarsal bones were readily movable, consistent with Charcot joint. Further workup ruled out osteomyelitis. Plain films demonstrated extensive deformity of the tarsal and metatarsal bones with Lisfranc fracture/dislocation through the base aspects of all 5... More »
A 67-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus and uncontrolled hyperglycemia complained of
fatigue and malaise. For 2 years, a draining ulcer had
been present on the bottom of her left foot. More »
High-grade fever, chills, fatigue, malaise, and anorexia developed in a 35-year-old man following subclavian catheterization because of chronic renal failure of unknown cause. The patient, who had long-standing diabetes mellitus, was admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of possible sepsis. The next day, he was found to have a grade 2/6 systolic murmur compatible with tricuspid regurgitation. This was confirmed when a
4-chamber echocardiogram (A) revealed a large single piece of vegetation (2... More »
Your patient with type 2 diabetes wants to take a step exercise class. What recommendations will you offer? Another patient has diabetic retinopathy; which exercises are safest for her? More »
Diabetes mellitus recently had been diagnosed in a 58-year-old woman. The patient claims that her skin had darkened significantly over the past 5 years.
A 32-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes noted a painful erosion at the site of "the rose tattoo," which she had gotten 5 days before.