The American journal of medicine
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Review
Injecting New Ideas Into Managing Type 2 Diabetes: Evolving Roles of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that often requires therapeutic intensification. Patients with type 2 diabetes frequently experience complications related to hyperglycemia, treatment-induced hypoglycemia, and comorbidities. Management of patients with type 2 diabetes is complicated and must be individualized, though guidelines from both the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology provide treatment algorithms detailing therapeutic escalation with both oral and injectable therapies according to glycated hemoglobin (A1c) level. ⋯ These incretin-based therapies, available in both daily and weekly formulations, have been shown to significantly reduce A1c levels, body weight, and cardiovascular risk factors. In this 4-part series, 2 expert physicians discuss clinical profiles of GLP-1 receptor agonists, strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, barriers to the use of injectable noninsulin therapies, and practical recommendations for noninsulin injectable therapies. These accredited educational programs are available online at https://glp1cme.elsevierresource.com/.
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A significant proportion of COVID survivors experience lingering and debilitating symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection. According to the national research plan on long COVID, it is a national priority to identify the prevalence of post-COVID conditions and their associated factors. ⋯ Our findings indicate a notable prevalence of post-COVID conditions, particularly among middle-aged women and individuals with comorbidities or adverse lifestyles. This high-risk demographic may require long-term follow-up and support. Further investigations are essential to facilitate the development of specified healthcare and therapeutic strategies for those suffering from post-COVID conditions.
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COVID-19 is associated with increased risk of post-acute cardiovascular outcomes. Population-based evidence for long periods of observation is still limited. ⋯ SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with higher cardiovascular risk, with graded increase across the acute COVID-19 severity, contributing to 7% of incident major adverse cardiovascular events. These findings suggest that long-term monitoring of cardiovascular risk is required in COVID-19 survivors.
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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of considering social determinants of health in health outcomes. Within this spectrum of determinants, social networks garnered attention as the pandemic highlighted the negative effects of social isolation in the context of social distancing measures. Postpandemic, examining the role social networks play in COVID-19 recovery can help guide patient care and shape future health policies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social networks and self-rated health change, as well as physical function, in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia. ⋯ This study emphasized the importance of social networks as a social determinant of health among patients recovering from COVID-19 hospitalization. Targeted interventions to enhance social networks may benefit not only COVID-19 patients but also individuals recovering from other acute illnesses.