New studies review updated guidelines for metformin use, an examination of all-cause mortality in T2DM, and continuous glucose monitoring for T1DM.
Highlights of three new studies in diabetes include how using continuous glucose monitoring improves hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels compared with self-monitoring blood glucose levels for adults with T1DM who are using multiple daily insulin injections; T2DM patients who use metformin can improve key clinical outcomes if they have moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), congestive heart failure (CHF), or chronic liver disease (CLD) with hepatic impairment; patients with T2DM should receive first-line therapy with metformin when medication is needed to improve high blood sugar, according to  updated guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Endocrinology News Roundup: CGM & Metformin Use. February 2017
CGM improves glycemic control in patients with T1DM who still use multiple daily insulin injections.
CGM appears to have a clear benefit compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose for patients with T1DM who inject insulin, although more clinical studies are needed to assess longer-term effectiveness, clinical outcomes, and adverse events.
Metformin is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in patients with T2DM with chronic kidney disease (CKD), congestive heart failure (CHF), or chronic liver disease (CLD) with hepatic impairment.
Metformin is a low-cost therapy that could provide some of the same mortality benefits as newer, more expensive drugs.
A new evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends the use of metformin as first-line therapy for T2DM.
Metformin as first-line treatment for T2DM in conjunction with lifestyle modification is effective in reducing blood glucose levels, is associated with weight loss and fewer hypoglycemic episodes, and is less expensive than other diabetes medications.
