To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Experts Recommend Lifestyle, Medication Intervention to Treat Prediabetes URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/226442.htm Doctor's Guide July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC -- July 24, 2008 -- A consensus statement released by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) focuses on comprehensive treatment regimens for patients with prediabetes. The recommendations call for specific guidelines on both lifestyle and pharmaceutical intervention where appropriate. There are no pharmacologic therapies that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of the conversion of prediabetes to diabetes. Therefore, the expert panel has recommended a 2-pronged approach to treating prediabetes. The first is intensive lifestyle management. "As individuals and as a society, we need to address those forces that are creating the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and prediabetes," said Yehuda Handlesman MD, Metabolic Institute of America, Tarzana, California. "We understand the difficulties in implementing solutions, but as an association of endocrinologists we are committed to supporting community and national efforts in every way we can." The recommendation calls for patients to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Diabetes Prevention Program, established by the US government. "Although lifestyle can clearly modify the progression of patients towards overt diabetes, it may not be sufficient," said Alan J. Garber, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. "Medications may well be required, particularly in high-risk groups." The second approach is to prevent the development of cardiovascular complications and to help those patients where lifestyle modifications have been insufficient to modify cardiovascular risk factors. This requires cardiovascular risk-reduction medications for abnormal blood pressure and cholesterol independent of glucose-control medications. "The data show that there is a spectrum of severity, with the most severely affected approaching the risks of people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes," said Daniel Einhorn, MD, Scripps Whittier Institute for Diabetes, La Jolla, California. "In these highest risk individuals, who represent a minority, pharmacologic strategies may be appropriate if intensive lifestyle therapies fail. Regardless, all individuals at risk for diabetes should be aware of the level of their risk factors and be prepared to take action." The preliminary publication of the Consensus Statement is available at media.aace.com. The final document will be published later this year in Endocrine Practice. SOURCE: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.