Diabetes News You Can Use
Weight loss’s cardio benefits independent of fat changes
Weight loss may lead to better cardiometabolic health regardless of changes in body fat percentage or fat distribution, researchers reported in the journal Obesity. The study was based on data from two weight-loss interventions: a one-year lifestyle intervention for adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes and a 12-week hypocaloric diet for adults with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes.
Full Story: Medscape (2/5)
Early prediabetes in pregnancy tied to higher risk later
A study in Diabetes Care found early antenatal prediabetes is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes within six years postpartum compared with gestational diabetes without early antenatal prediabetes. “Intervening during early pregnancy provides a unique opportunity to potentially improve maternal and offspring health outcomes and to reduce health inequities,” the study team wrote.
Full Story: Medscape (2/4)
Revised obesity definition reveals increased cardiac risks
The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Commission’s new obesity definition focuses on functional consequences rather than BMI, revealing hidden cardiac risks. A UK Biobank study involving 502,233 adults published in Obesity found that clinical obesity, characterized by physical impairment or organ dysfunction, significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarction. The study underscores the importance of thorough obesity evaluations but notes challenges such as reliance on electronic health records and limited demographic diversity.
Full Story: Medscape (2/4)
GLP-1 RAs tied to slightly higher depression risk
A study in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found a modest increase in risk of new-onset depression for people with type 2 diabetes who were taking GLP-1 receptor agonists compared with people who continued taking SGLT2 inhibitors or sulfonylureas. The retrospective study involved multiple cohorts and compared various glucose-lowering medications. GLP-1 RAs and DPP4 inhibitors were associated with the highest risk of depression, while SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with the lowest risk.
Full Story: Medscape (2/3)
Oral semaglutide shows heart benefits in some patients
A secondary analysis of the SOUL trial found that oral semaglutide reduced heart failure events by 22% in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the study found no benefit for patients with reduced ejection fraction or those without heart failure.
Full Story: MedPage Today (free registration) (2/2)
Danish study compares SGLT2, GLP-1 benefits
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine based on Danish health registry data found that adults with type 2 diabetes who started treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of peripheral neuropathy and foot disease compared with those on GLP-1 receptor agonists. No significant difference was seen in lower-limb amputation risk.
Full Story: Medscape (1/25)
Blood vessel risk may increase with diabetes duration
A study in the journal Diabetes indicated that damage to blood vessels may increase over time for patients with diabetes, increasing cardiovascular risk. Researchers found red blood cells develop properties that disrupt the lining of blood vessel after several years with the condition, a change not observed in the red blood cells of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes. MicroRNA-210 was identified as a potential biomarker.
Full Story: Diabetes (UK) (1/25)
Study examines GLP-1 use in kids with food insecurity
A study in JAMA Network Open examined the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in treating pediatric obesity in food-insecure populations, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making. Caregivers’ experiences and trust in medical interventions influence treatment choices, with many reporting that lifestyle changes have limited effectiveness, researchers said.
Full Story: Contemporary Pediatrics (1/21)
Deaths from heart disease, stroke have declined
Heart disease and stroke remained the leading cause of death in the US, accounting for about a quarter of all deaths in the nation. But heart disease-related deaths fell by 2.73% from 2022 to 2023, while deaths due to stroke were down 1.7%, according to a report in the journal Circulation.
Some risk factors on the rise: While heart disease deaths fell, cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and inadequate physical activity and sleep grew more common. But cigarette smoking continued its decline.
Full Story: Healio (free registration)/Cardiology today (1/21)
UK study supports type 1 diabetes risk screening
Routine childhood screening for type 1 diabetes is feasible, according to the ELSA study, which involved 17,283 children ages 3 to 13. In The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, researchers said finger-prick blood tests for diabetes-related autoantibodies could identify at-risk children before symptoms appear. The second phase of the study will expand screening to children ages 2 to 17.
Full Story: Medscape (1/21)
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DRC Affiliate Ian de Boer to Give Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship
DRC affiliate Ian de Boer, professor (Nephrology) will present the Garabed Eknoyan Endowed Lectureship, “KDIGO Guidelines Decoded: What They Mean for CKD Management in Practice” at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. Named in honor of Garabed Eknoyan, MD, an esteemed researcher, educator, and clinician, the lecture recognizes individuals who have made an impact on or dedicated their lives to the kidney community. More information here.
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees
Congratulations to this year’s funding awardees: Dr. Nicholas Chavkin and Dr. Stephen McCartney have been awarded Pilot and Feasibility awards and Ms. Jocelyn Cervantes has been awarded the Stroum Graduate Fellowship award.
NIDDK 75th Anniversary
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of NIDDK, Diabetes Care and Diabetes have published a compendium of ten articles that highlight just a few of the major contributions NIIDK has fostered through its support of research. These articles provide a broad, but clearly not complete, view of the results that have been achieved through their fostering of science across the country. Included amongst these is a paper by members of NIDDK about the research centers including the Diabetes Research Centers Program. There is also an editorial that celebrates NIDDK and at the same times raises concerns about the future of research and public health related to diabetes given the current discussion about the funding and restructuring of NIDDK and CDC.
DRC Affiliate Edward Boyko is Co-Chair of New Diabetes Atlas
DRC affiliate, Edward Boyko, professor (General Internal Medicine) is co-chair of the new edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas. As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the latest IDF Diabetes Atlas emphasizes the urgent need for improved prevention, early detection and intervention to tackle the burden diabetes places on individuals, communities, health systems and economies.
Learn more on our news site.
CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt Announced as 2025 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Fellow
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) announced that CVTMC Director Karin Bornfeldt, professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition), has been named among its 2025 class of fellows. Designation as a fellow recognizes commitment to the ASBMB through a history of exceptional and sustained service to the society as well as impactful accomplishments in research, education, mentorship, and service to the scientific community. Twenty-four fellows were selected this year. Read more here.