Development of Quality Measures for Inpatient Diabetes Care and Education Specialists: A Call to Action.

Diabetes and hyperglycemia are associated with an increased risk of in-hospital complications that lead to longer lengths of stay, increased morbidity, higher mortality, and risk of readmission. Diabetes care and education specialists (DCESs) working in hospital settings are uniquely prepared and credentialed to serve as content experts to facilitate change and implement processes and programs to improve glycemic-related outcomes. A recent survey of DCESs explored the topic of productivity and clinical metrics.

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).

Diabetes: how to manage chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent and progressive condition worldwide, and diabetes is a leading risk factor of this renal disorder. People with diabetes and CKD are at high risk of complications such as cardiovascular events and death. CKD is often unrecognized and undiagnosed amongst people with diabetes.

Development and Current Role of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter Inhibition in Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors were approved as adjunct therapy for the management of type 2 diabetes and have become a high-level recommendation for this population with cardiorenal metabolic syndrome. In addition, evidence continues to grow supporting this class of medications for people with heart failure and chronic kidney disease, regardless of diabetes status. This narrative review summarizes the sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors for cardiorenal metabolic syndrome.

The Effects of Diabetes Self-Management Education on Quality of Life for Persons With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: It is well documented that chronic conditions, such as diabetes, impact quality of life (QoL). QoL assessment is essential when developing and evaluating diabetes self-management education support interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence and gaps in the research and the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on QoL outcomes in persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Clinical review of subcutaneous semaglutide for obesity.

What Is Known And Objective: The purpose of this review paper is to review the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for obesity management.

Methods: A MEDLINE search (1970 to June 2021) was conducted to identify Phase 3 trials of subcutaneous semaglutide for obesity management. Published Phase 3 trials from The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity (STEP) program were reviewed and summarized.

A cross-sectional study of student pharmacists' attitudes and self-awareness towards obesity and weight.

Introduction: Neutral attitudes towards people with obesity is a necessity among student pharmacists entering the workforce and caring for this patient population. The purpose of the study was to investigate the perception towards people with obesity among student pharmacists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 237 student pharmacists.

Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Implications of Oral Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Since the approval of subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, this therapeutic class has become a preferred choice for the management of type 2 diabetes due to A1C reduction, minimal risk of hypoglycemia, weight loss, and cardiovascular benefit. An oral option, with gastrointestinal absorption, would overcome any potential fear of injection among patients. Oral semaglutide has been studied in randomized controlled trials within the PIONEER program.

Clinical potential of liraglutide in cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence to date.

Metformin is the first-line therapy for the management of type 2 diabetes. After 3 months of metformin, add-on therapy can be considered if an individual's glycemic control has not been achieved for hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose levels, and postprandial blood glucose levels. Liraglutide is a potential second-line option for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly for those who are or may be at a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Abaloparatide: A new pharmacological option for osteoporosis.

Purpose: The efficacy and safety of abaloparatide, a parathyroid hormone-related protein analog for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high fracture risk, is reviewed.

Summary: A MEDLINE search was conducted for full text English-language articles, using the terms abaloparatide, parathyroid hormone, and osteoporosis. Published articles pertinent to the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of abaloparatide among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were reviewed and summarized.

Faster Insulin Aspart: A New Bolus Option for Diabetes Mellitus.

Since the approval of bolus insulin, it has been used frequently in clinical practice for the management of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus for postprandial control. Another new product is faster insulin aspart (Fiasp, Novo Nordisk), a fast-acting insulin with 100 units/mL. Several studies have been conducted evaluating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of faster insulin aspart, compared with insulin aspart.

What's new in multiple sclerosis?

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease state that affects and disables many people each year. The most common clinical presentation is relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). In the past 7 years, new medications have been approved for the treatment of RRMS, thereby providing more treatment options for patients and providers.

Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Implications of Semaglutide: A New Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP)-1 Receptor Agonist.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) came to market in the year 2005, as a new therapeutic classification, for clinical use in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since 2005, there have been six approved products on the market, with the newest product being semaglutide (Novo Nordisk). Several studies have been conducted and completed evaluating its pharmacokinetics as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.

Flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.

Flibanserin is a mixed 5-HT1A agonist and 5-HT2A antagonist for treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. It is the first FDA-approved treatment for this disorder and can improve the number of satisfying sexual events. The drug has been associated with hypotension and syncope.

Ivabradine for systolic heart failure.

Ivabradine works in the sinoatrial node to prolong diastolic depolarization and reduce heart rate. In patients with chronic systolic heart failure, this drug has reduced the risk of hospitalization when used in combination with other optimal pharmacotherapy.

Lesinurad, a Selective URAT-1 Inhibitor With a Novel Mechanism in Combination With a Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor, for Hyperuricemia Associated With Gout.

Objective: To review the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, and role of lesinurad for the management of hyperuricemia associated with gout.

Data Selection: A MEDLINE search (2000 to April 2017) was conducted using the terms hyperuricemia, gout, URAT-1, URAT-1 transporter, and lesinurad. Published articles and scientific posters relevant to the efficacy and safety of lesinurad were reviewed and summarized.

Naloxegol for managing opioid-induced constipation.

Naloxegol is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist for opioid-induced constipation in adults with chronic noncancer pain. This drug's once-daily oral formulation can be used as monotherapy and helps to decrease the constipating effects of opioid therapy; however, it has been associated with abdominal pain.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL.

Concentrated insulin analogs have recently been approved and are available for clinical use in the management of diabetes mellitus. One new product is insulin glargine U-300 (Sanofi), a basal concentrated insulin of 300 U/mL. Several studies have been conducted and completed evaluating blood samples for the pharmacokinetics of insulin glargine U-300 and euglycemic clamp procedures for the pharmacodynamics.

Liraglutide, GLP-1 receptor agonist, for chronic weight loss.

Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing in the United States. Over the past four years, new medications have become approved and available, allowing for more options in the management of chronic weight loss among overweight or obese patients. This review article summarizes the efficacy, safety, and clinical attributes of liraglutide among overweight or obese patients with or without comorbidities.

Drug-Induced Vitamin B Deficiency: A Focus on Proton Pump Inhibitors and Histamine-2 Antagonists.

Objective: To review primary literature of gastric acid suppressive agents and vitamin B deficiency.

Data Synthesis: From the published articles, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with a higher risk of inducing vitamin B deficiency than histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). Literature suggests that there is an increased risk of developing vitamin B deficiency in patients who are exposed to extended durations of therapy with PPIs.

Role of Bupropion Plus Naltrexone for the Management of Obesity.

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of bupropion plus naltrexone for weight loss were reviewed. A MEDLINE search (1970 to November 2015) was conducted for English-language articles using specific MESH terms. Published Phase 3 clinical trials with primary endpoints related to weight loss were included and critiqued in this review.