American Diabetes Association Releases New Disease Guidelines, Focus on Patient-centered Care

When it comes to diabetes care and management, patients are at the center of the equation. 

That’s the message behind the annual guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), its “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” document. 

“The latest evidence-based research continues to provide critical information that can optimize treatment options and improve patient outcomes and quality of life,” said William T. Cefalu, MD, chief scientific, medical and mission officer for ADA, in a press release. “The new 2019 ‘Standards of Care’ emphasize a patient-centered approach that considers the multiple health and life factors of each person living with diabetes.” 

The #ADA is out with their standard-of-care guidelines for 2019 putting GLP-1 ahead of insulin a “first-line treatment.” #diabetes #T2diabetes

Here is the latest: https://t.co/d2p7yELAyO pic.twitter.com/SO1zYw2mkI

— MDEdge (@MDEdgeTweets) December 17, 2018

Some of the newest highlights include: 

• A new Goals of Care graphic decision cycle, which emphasizes why continued assessment and joint decision-making is crucial to achieve care goals, decrease therapeutic inertia, and provide patients with the tools to manage their disease 
• A guide to assist healthcare professionals when discussing diabetes with patients and fellow professionals 
• Nutrition and exercise guidelines for adults aged older than 65 years 

• Recommendations for children with type 2 diabetes, including “screening and diagnosis, lifestyle management, pharmacologic treatment, psychosocial factors for consideration, cardiac function and more” 
• Reinforcement of the ADA’s statement on the rising cost of insulin 

Additionally, among its newest recommendations, the guidelines say that glucagonlike peptide–1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists should be the first-in-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, even before insulin. This applies to most type 2 diabetes patients “who need the greater efficacy of an injectable medication.” The document also acknowledges potential barriers to this treatment, including high prices and intolerability. 

2019 Diabetes Guidelines are out. What are your thoughts #PharmacyFutureLeaders? https://t.co/A9cHakRuCx pic.twitter.com/eqxmGqBIHg

— Pharmacy Future Leaders (@LeadersPharmacy) December 18, 2018

Also new this year is a collaborative effort between the ADA and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA). For the first time, the ACC endorsed the ADA’s guidance. 

For those who treat #diabetes, the 2019 annual standard guidelines are finally released and include info on tech, updates on meds, and even CV risks #endotwitter https://t.co/OTUUVDhIaa

— Stacy Goldbaum, DO (@WhiteCoatDiary) December 18, 2018

“The American College of Cardiology and the American Diabetes Association share a goal to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease that too often follows a diabetes diagnosis,” said Richard Kovacs, MD, FACC, vice president of ACC. “ACC is proud to stand behind this important document that will provide a roadmap for clinicians to effectively assess and manage cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes and, in turn, save lives.” 

Study Forecasts Increase in Insulin Use for Type 2 Diabetes by 2030 

Coffee Consumption Associated with Reduced Type 2 Diabetes Risk 

Incidence of Hospitalisation for Heart Failure and Case-Fatality Among 3.25 Million People with and without Diabetes 

Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Patients with Diabetes and Acromegaly or Cushing’s Disease – Analysis from the DPV Database 

Sources: Clinical Endocrinology News, ADA