Significant publications in diabetes pharmacotherapy and technology in 2020.

Introduction: The most significant articles on diabetes pharmacotherapy and technology in the peer-reviewed literature from 2020, as determined by a panel of pharmacists with expertise in diabetes care and education, are summarized.

Areas Covered: Members of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists Pharmacy Community of Interest were selected to review articles published in prominent peer-reviewed journals in 2020 that most impacted diabetes pharmacotherapy and technology. A list of 37 nominated articles were compiled (22 in diabetes pharmacotherapy and 15 in diabetes technology).

Evaluating patient knowledge and use of medication disposal in a Chinatown community pharmacy.

Background: Drug take-back programs (TBPs) provide the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired medications (UEMs), potentially reducing the risk of environmental harm and morbidity. Data on patient perceptions and participation are limited, especially in underserved Asian populations.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate medication disposal perceptions and behaviors through a free mail-in medication disposal program among patients in a Chinatown community pharmacy.

Real-world impact on monthly glucose-lowering medication cost, HbA, weight, and polytherapy after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are preferred injectable therapies for type 2 diabetes, but their high cost is an area of concern. This study evaluated monthly glucose-lowering medication cost and clinical impact after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Design: A retrospective, pre-post cohort study evaluated monthly glucose-lowering medication cost, glycated hemoglobin (HbA), weight, and polytherapy impact (name, dose, and number of daily doses or injections) when a GLP-1 receptor agonist was initiated (baseline) and after 6-12 months (follow-up).

Evaluation of vitamin B12 monitoring in patients on metformin in urban ambulatory care settings.

Background: Previous studies linked metformin use to vitamin B12 deficiency and demonstrated that the prevalence of vitamin B12 monitoring remains low.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of monitoring vitamin B12 levels in a diverse population.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin doses ≥ 1000 mg for ≥ 6 months at five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and one Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

The stats are in: an update on statin use in COPD.

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs associated with an abnormal inflammatory response to noxious particles, the most prevalent of which is cigarette smoke. Studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoking is associated with activation of the bone marrow, and chronic smoking can lead to the inflammatory changes seen in COPD. Due to the inflammatory nature of the disease, medications affecting the inflammatory pathway may have clinical benefit and are being evaluated.

Clinical use of aclidinium in patients with COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the sixth-leading cause of death in the US. The Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the clinical management of chronic COPD. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators continue to be the mainstay of current management.

The 2014 Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations for blood pressure measurement, diagnosis, assessment of risk, prevention, and treatment of hypertension.

Herein, updated evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in Canadian adults are detailed. For 2014, 3 existing recommendations were modified and 2 new recommendations were added. The following recommendations were modified: (1) the recommended sodium intake threshold was changed from ≤ 1500 mg (3.

Emerging Therapeutic Options for the Management of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and is projected to be the third by 2020. COPD is characterized by chronic airflow limitation caused by airway inflammation and parenchymal destruction that is usually progressive. Inhaled bronchodilators continue to be the mainstay of the current management of COPD.

The 2013 Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations for blood pressure measurement, diagnosis, assessment of risk, prevention, and treatment of hypertension.

We updated the evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults for 2013. This year's update includes 2 new recommendations. First, among nonhypertensive or stage 1 hypertensive individuals, the use of resistance or weight training exercise does not adversely influence blood pressure (BP) (Grade D).

Roflumilast: a novel treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of roflumilast, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2011 as a treatment to reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.

Data Sources: Literature was retrieved through MEDLINE (1977-December 2011), using the terms roflumilast and COPD. In addition, US government Web sites, including clinicaltrials.

Vegetable and fruit food frequency questionnaire serves as a proxy for quantified intake.

Background: Public health practitioners need valid tools to survey trends in dietary intake. The Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) includes an optional six-item vegetable and fruit intake food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) module. Our objectives were 1) to compare reported vegetable and fruit consumption from the FFQ to quantified servings (portions) defined by Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating and ascertained by a reference method, and 2) to compare the FFQ with the reference method for their classification of the proportion of respondents consuming five or more servings of vegetables and fruit per day.