To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: New International Consensus Guidelines Call For Improved Management Of New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/233BEA.htm Doctor's Guide May 29, 2003
LOS ANGELES, CA -- May 29, 2003 -- A panel of leading experts from Europe, the USA and Canada today published the first international consensus guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment and management of new-onset diabetes after transplantation. The publication of the guidelines in Transplantation represent an important step forward in ensuring that patients are appropriately screened and treated to minimize the risks of developing this under-recognized and serious post-transplant complication, which currently affects up to 53% of transplant patients. Compared to patients that do not develop diabetes there are considerable increases in the medical costs for these patients. According to the guidelines an important step towards minimizing the risk of developing new-onset diabetes after transplantation is the close monitoring of the two modifiable risk factors for new-onset diabetes, obesity and immunosuppressive therapy. In addition to counseling patients on the importance of weight control and physical activity, the guidelines recommend that clinicians carefully consider the selection of immunosuppressive agents, at the time of the introduction of immunosuppression and at any time thereafter that diabetes develops. They should assess the individual's diabetes and cardiovascular risk profile in conjunction with the diabetes risk and immunosuppressive efficacy associated with each agent. Studies show that of the immunosuppressive drugs available, corticosteroids and tacrolimus have the greatest impact on the development of new-onset diabetes. Clinicians are also advised to actively assess risk factors such as: patient age, ethnic background, family or gestational history of diabetes, and hepatitis C infection when making these decisions and advising patients of their risk of becoming diabetic. New-onset diabetes after transplantation increases the risk of organ failure by 63%, increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and increases the risk of death by 87%. The prevalence has been largely underestimated due to the lack of consensus regarding the definition and management of the condition. Furthermore, patients are not routinely screened for hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) post transplantation. To assist clinicians in the diagnosis and management of new-onset diabetes after transplantation the guidelines offer a number of management and treatment algorithms. They advocate the standardization of the definition of new-onset diabetes after transplant by adopting the currently accepted definition for diabetes mellitus that has recently been defined by WHO, IDF, ADA, and ACE. "The new guidelines meet a real need amongst the medical community", commented Professor Jaime Davidson, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Texas, USA, and co-chair of the consensus guidelines expert panel. "It is vital that transplant recipients at risk of developing diabetes are appropriately monitored and managed - undergoing a transplant is a huge emotional and physical investment for the patient and it is essential that we do everything we can to ensure the survival of the organ and the patient." "New-onset diabetes after transplantation is a serious complication which needs to be effectively controlled from the outset." commented Dr Wilkinson, Director of the UCLA Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Programs, LA, USA, and also co-chair of the consensus guidelines expert panel. "It is one of the complications most feared by patients contemplating transplantation. I strongly urge transplant clinicians to adopt the management strategies that these guidelines recommend. Effective management could reduce the numbers of patients affected and proper care of diabetes can significantly help to ensure that the transplant is a success in the long term, that the patient's quality of life is maintained and that healthcare management costs are kept down. It is also important that the ADA/WHO guidelines are used in clinical research studies when reporting the incidence of new onset diabetes." Contributors to the New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation International Consensus Guidelines include: Prof J Davidson (Chair) Endocrine & Diabetes Association of Texas, University ofTexas Southwestern Medical School USA Prof A Wilkinson (Chair) UCLA School of Medicine, USA Prof B KiberdProf M Markell Dalhousie University, CanadaSUNY Downstate Medical Centre, USA Prof B Kasiske University of Minnesota Medical School, USA Dr P Marchetti University of Pisa, Italy Prof F Dotta University of Rome, Italy Prof C Legendre Hopital Saint Louis, France Prof J Dantal Hopital Hotel Dieu, France Dr H Haller Kliniken der Med Hochschule Nephrologie, Germany Prof F Van der Woude Klinikum Mannheim, Germany Dr A Krentz Southampton General Hospital, UK Dr D Wheeler Centre of Nephrology, UK Dr D Hernández Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Spain The New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation International Consensus Guidelines were sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Novartis Pharma AG SOURCE: Shire Health --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.