Improving the Quality of Outpatient Diabetes Care Using an Information Management System: Results From the Observational VISION Study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of information management system (IMS) use with individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who were treated in outpatient settings.

Methods: In this 7-month, prospective, observational study, 965 adults with diabetes, mean (SD) baseline HbA1c 8.61(1.

Use of an integrated strip-free blood glucose monitoring system increases frequency of self-monitoring and improves glycemic control: Results from the ExAct study.

Aims: We investigated the impact of using an integrated, strip-free system compared to the use of single-strip systems on testing frequency and glycemic control in individuals with insulin-treated diabetes.

Methods: This multinational, comparative, cluster-randomized, observational study included 311 patients with type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes who were performing SMBG at suboptimal frequencies. Sites were cluster-randomized to "integrated strip-free" system (EXP group) or any "single-strip" system (CNL group).

Adiponectin in coronary heart disease and newly diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance.

Objective: Adiponectin is produced by adipose tissue and regarded as protective hormone for diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). Its role in heart failure is discussed controversially.

Methods: In this study, 1015 consecutive patients admitted for acute (n = 149) or elective (n = 866) coronary angiography were enrolled.

Changes in A1C levels are significantly associated with changes in levels of the cardiovascular risk biomarker hs-CRP: results from the SteP study.

Objective: The effect of therapeutic strategies on cardiovascular (CV) disease can be evaluated by monitoring changes in CV risk biomarkers. This study investigated the effect of a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) protocol and the resulting improvements in glycemic control on changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: The Structured Testing Program (STeP) study was a prospective, cluster-randomized, multicenter trial in which 483 poorly controlled, insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to active control (ACG) or structured testing (STG) that included quarterly structured SMBG.

Value and utility of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose in real world clinical practice: findings from a multinational observational study.

Background: The Structured Testing Program (STeP) study, a cluster-randomized, controlled trial, showed that a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)-based intervention improves clinical outcomes. It is important to determine whether this intervention can be adapted for use in general medical practice. This study examined the feasibility and effects of a modified version of the STeP intervention on clinical and attitudinal outcomes in real world clinical settings.

Evaluation of dexterity in insulin-treated patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Daily routine for insulin-treated patients with diabetes mellitus requires correct performance of self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin injections several times a day. Dexterity skills may play an important role in the performance efficacy of these procedures.

Methods: We collected data of insulin-treated (>10 years) patients with different age ranges [healthy controls, 14 female/11 male, age (mean ± standard deviation) 55 ± 7 years; type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients, 12/13, 45 ± 9 years, disease duration 23.

Prognostic impact of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in severe chronic congestive heart failure: a substudy of the Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) trial.

Background: The utility of N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) to predict the occurrence of death and hospitalization was prospectively evaluated in the COPERNICUS study, which enrolled patients with an ejection fraction <25% and symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure at rest or on minimal exertion.

Methods And Results: Baseline plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP were measured in a subgroup of 814 men and 197 women with symptoms at rest or on minimal exertion who were enrolled in the COPERNICUS study and were randomized to placebo (n=506) or carvedilol (n=505). Values of NT-proBNP were markedly increased despite the requirement that patients be euvolemic before the start of treatment (mean+/-SD, 3235+/-4392 pg/mL; median, 1767 pg/mL).

NT-proBNP in severe chronic heart failure: rationale, design and preliminary results of the COPERNICUS NT-proBNP substudy.

Background: Neither profiles nor prognostic value of cardiac N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) have been prospectively evaluated in a sufficient number of patients with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) treated with carvedilol or placebo.

Methods: Baseline and follow-up plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP were measured in the European part of the COPERNICUS Trial. This study enrolled patients with an ejection fraction <25% and symptoms of CHF at rest or on minimal exertion, equally randomized to placebo or carvedilol.

Effect of carvedilol on the morbidity of patients with severe chronic heart failure: results of the carvedilol prospective randomized cumulative survival (COPERNICUS) study.

Background: Beta-blocking agents improve functional status and reduce morbidity in mild-to-moderate heart failure, but it is not known whether they produce such benefits in severe heart failure.

Methods And Results: We randomly assigned 2289 patients with symptoms of heart failure at rest or on minimal exertion and with an ejection fraction <25% (but not volume-overloaded) to double-blind treatment with either placebo (n=1133) or carvedilol (n=1156) for an average of 10.4 months.