MORGANTOWN, WV—Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors appear to be associated with joint pain in older veterans who receive care at the VHA but also are Medicare beneficiaries, according to a new study. The report in American Health Drug Benefits pointed out that...
With Obesity, Moderate Hyperglycemia Hastens Cognitive Decline
PITTSBURGH —What precisely is the relationship between cognitive decline in patients with both diabetes and obesity? Researchers from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the University of Pittsburgh sought to investigate the potential mechanisms leading to those...
VA Steps Up Foot Mat Program to Prevent Diabetic Foot Amputations
WASHINGTON—For diabetic veterans, a new device available through the VA may prevent foot ulcers—and possibly amputations. The VA treated more than 75,000 diabetic foot ulcers last year at a median cost of $47,000. That’s more than $3.5 billion just for foot care....
Common Blood Test Identifies Veterans at High Risk of Diabetes
ATLANTA—A test included in nearly all routine blood chemistry panels provides a surprising window on a patient’s future health. The random plasma glucose test—at levels previously considered unremarkable—can predict whether a patient is likely to develop diabetes in...
PTSD Increases Risk of Early Stroke, TIA in Young Veterans
More Significant Risk Factor than Diabetes, Sleep Apnea CHAPEL HILL, NC—Developing posttraumatic stress disorder as a young adult doubles a veteran’s risk of a transient ischemic attack before middle age, according to a new study. The research, published in the Stroke...
Intensifying Diabetes Treatment Increases Short-Term Mortality for Veterans
NASHVILLE, TN—Adding insulin or sulphonylurea to metformin increased the risk of death among veterans with diabetes in the initial six- and 12-month period, according to a recent study. Insulin increased the risk of death 66% more than sulfonylurea at six months, but...
Metformin Linked to Reduced Cardiovascular Events in Certain Veterans
Compared to Sulfonylureas in Patients with Impaired Kidney Function NASHVILLE, TN—It wasn’t that many years ago that prescribing metformin for Type 2 diabetes patients with impaired kidney function was discouraged for safety reasons. Now, in an about-face, a new VA...
Successful PTSD Treatment Halves Diabetes Risk for Veterans
LOUIS—Improving post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, a laudable goal itself, has the added benefit of lowering patients’ risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new report. A cohort study by Jeffrey Scherrer, PhD, professor of family and community...
Pharmacist Medication Management Helps Diabetic Veterans, Physicians
Older age, obesity and Agent Orange exposure create a trifecta of diabetes risk for the VA.
Metformin Reduces Dementia Risk in Black Veterans With T2D
ST. LOUIS—Use of metformin for Type 2 diabetes significantly reduces the risk of dementia among African American male veterans older than 50, according to a large observational cohort study.
Tight Glycemic Control Increases Fracture Risk in Veterans with Diabetes
DURHAM, NC — Diabetes mellitus among older men has been associated with increased bone mineral density but paradoxically increased fracture risk, according to a study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.1
Decompensated Diabetes More Common in Certain Racial, Age Groups
ATLANTA—Which diabetes patients are most likely to have decompensated diabetes, defined as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state?
Metformin Halves All-Cause Mortality in Frail Older Veterans
Other Important VA Studies at the American Diabetes Association 79th Scientific Sessions MIAMI—The first-line drug of choice for Type 2 diabetes, metformin has long been known to effectively reduce blood glucose levels and substantially cut the risk of cardiovascular...
Greatest VA Weight Gains in Women Veterans Without Diabetes
ATLANTA—How does a diagnosis of diabetes affect weight management among U.S. veterans? A study in the journal Obesity (Silver Spring) sought to assess weight trends and diabetes prevalence among U.S. veterans.1 Atlanta VAMC researchers and colleagues used Information...
Diabetes Patients Do Well in Military Healthcare-to-VA Transition
SAN DIEGO—When service members leave active duty and receive healthcare in a different setting, care for conditions such as diabetes can suffer. A study in Military Medicine pointed out that changes in healthcare have been shown to decrease diabetes care compliance...
NPs, PAs Have as Good Diabetes Outcomes as Physicians
DURHAM, NC—So-called physician extenders do as good a job as physicians at the VA in helping to achieve good outcomes in diabetes patients, according to a new study. The report in Annals of Internal Medicine focused on primary care provided by nurse practitioners and...
Veterans on Standard Diabetes Care Face Dangers from Hypoglycemia Subhead: Post-hoc VADT Analysis Links Low Blood Sugar to CV Events
BALTIMORE, MD—A post-hoc analysis of the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT) once again shines a spotlight on the dangers of hypoglycemia in veterans treated for Type 2 diabetes. The study published in Diabetes Care found that severe hypoglycemic episodes within...
Preventing, Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers Are Complex Challenges at VA
Some of the risks of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are well-known, including infection and, in the most severe cases, amputation.
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