Metabolic syndrome is common among patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy or stenting, and it is associated with increased perioperative morbidity as well as the risks of stroke and MI during follow-up, according to findings presented last weekend at the Vascular Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Reuters Health Information
The safety of the insulin analog glargine (Lantus, Sanofi-Aventis, Paris) was demonstrated in a 5-year post-marketing evaluation of the drug, in which there was no evidence of an increased risk of retinopathy with long-term glargine use. Reuters Health Information
A meta-analysis shows that children who consume sweet drinks do not have an increased risk for obesity; the association between sweet drink intake and body mass index was near zero. Medscape Medical News
An elevated level of plasma connective tissue growth factor is an independent predictor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality in patients with type 1 diabetic nephropathy, researchers report in the June issue of Diabetes Care. Reuters Health Information
Diabetes in adults appears to be an independent risk factor for hearing loss, according to the findings from a large, population-based study reported in the July 1st issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, posted online on June 17th. Reuters Health Information
The combination of a potent specific anti-inflammatory agent plus an islet regeneration protein appears to cause formerly inactive islet cells, or perhaps new beta cells, to again produce insulin, researchers reported here this week during the 68th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association. Reuters Health Information
In a meta-analysis, glycemic index and glycemic load were directly linked with an increased risk for colorectal and endometrial cancer. Medscape Medical News
Type 2 diabetes is becoming a pandemic. Maintaining effective glycemic control is important in all age groups to minimize the microvascular and macrovascular comorbidities associated with diabetes. The Medscape Journal of Medicine
Hypogonadal men had more than double the risk for death compared with men whose testosterone levels were 8.7 nmol/L or higher; a commentator recommends treating even asymptomatic hypogonadal men. Medscape Medical News