Preventing and Managing Diabetes in Older Adults
Diabetes among older adults is common (22%-33% of US adults >65 years old) and remains undiagnosed in an estimated one-third of patients. The incidence of diabetes rises with age until about 65 years old, when it levels off. Many diabetes complications are more common in older than younger adults (eg, myocardial infarction [MI], major lower extremity amputations, visual impairment, and end-stage renal disease).1,2 Adults aged 75 years and older have the highest rate of emergency department visits for hypoglycemia of all adults with diabetes—roughly double the rate of visits for adults 45 to 74yearsold.3
Treatment goals. Guidelines for glycemic control, blood pressure (BP), and statin therapy depend on the patient’s health status and life expectancy, eg, presence, number,
and severity of chronic conditions, as well as level of cognitive and functional status (Table).1 Glycated hemoglobin (A1C), glucose, and BP targets rise as health status falls. Those with more complicated health issues may face a higher risk of hypoglycemia and falls. The advisability of intensive glycemic control is questionable for frail adults in long-term care or with end-stage chronic illness. These individuals may not live long enough to derive benefit from such therapy and may be more vulnerable to adverse events.1 Intensive glycemic control in middle-aged and older patients has been associated with a higher rate of death,4 hypoglycemia, and serious adverse events.5
Highlights and Insights from the Metabolic and Endocrine Disease Summit
This supplement is intended for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, CDEs, and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Supported by an educational grant from:
Merck & Co., Inc.
Activity Information
EXPIRED
Original Release Date: May 31, 2017
Expiration Date: May 31, 2018
Estimated Time to Complete Activity: 2.0 hours
EXPIRED
Target Audience
This supplement is intended for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, CDEs, and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Faculty
 | DONNA L. JORNSAY, MS, CPNP, CDE, CDTC |
 | CHRISTINE KESSLER, CNS, ANP, BC-ADM, CDTC, FAANP |
 | DAVIDA F. KRUGER, MSN, APRN-BC, BC-ADM |
 | ELLEN D. MANDEL, DMH, MPA, PA-C, RDN, CDE |
 | LUCIA M. NOVAK, MSN, ANP-BC, BC-ADM, CDTC |
 | JOYCE ROSS, MSN, ANP, CRNP, FPCNA, FNLA |
 | SCOTT URQUHART, PA-C, DFAAPA |
 | KIM ZUBER, PA-C |
Method of Participation
Participants should read the activity information, review the activity in its entirety, and complete the online post-test and evaluation. Upon completing this activity as designed and achieving a passing score on the post-test, you will be directed to a webpage that will allow you to receive your certificate of credit via email or you may print it out at that time.
The online post-test and evaluation can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/meds16suppl
Inquiries may be directed to Global Academy for Medical Education info@globlacademycme.com or (973) 290-8225.
Accreditation Statements
Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Cincinnati and Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation Statement
The University of Cincinnati designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Credit
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This educational activity for 1.3 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. Pharmacotherapy contact hours are .4 for Advance Practice Registered Nurses and will be designated on your certificate.
Educational Needs
Primary care providers are often the first point of care for diabetes and kidney disease. The Metabolic & Endocrine Disease Summit 2016, a CME/CE conference, explored the latest advances in the management of these conditions. Obesity raises the risk of many other conditions. Providers would benefit from a discussion of how to address this frequently encountered problem in clinical practice. Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) is an inherited, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. New therapies show some promise for addressing this form of dyslipidemia. Diabetes raises the risk of major depressive disorder, and depression increases the risk of diabetic complications. Psychosocial intervention can improve glycemic control and symptoms of diabetes-related distress. Nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes but glycemic control, careful choice of medications, and regular monitoring can promote renoprotection.
Diabetes presents issues throughout a patient’s life; three touchpoints are the transition of a young adult from pediatrics to adult care, the detection and management of diabetes during pregnancy, and diabetes in the older adult. Anticipation of the relevant issues and implementation of a transition program can contribute to retaining young adults in care. Preconception counseling and early detection of diabetes can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Clinicians must be knowledgeable about how to balance the many complex issues to consider when establishing glycemic targets and selecting a treatment plan for an older adult with diabetes. At this writing, four new insulin-only preparations have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since February 2015. The ability to differentiate these options is important for clinicians.
Learning Objectives
After reading and studying this journal supplement, participants should be better able to:
- Differentiate the many insulin options available to treat people with diabetes, and their applications in clinical practice
- Display an understanding of the contributors to and consequences of obesity, and interventions to address unhealthy weight
- Evaluate the contribution of elevated Lp (a) to vascular risk and its influence on treatment
- Apply the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) glycemic goals and pharmacologic recommendations in the context of individual patient concerns and practical limitations.
- Incorporate consideration of renal function in monitoring, medication choice, and general management of diabetes
- Understand common errors in medication choice and dosing that are associated with kidney injury, and plan how to avoid them
- Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of depression—and its treatment—on diabetes
- List tools to assess and manage depression in patients with diabetes
- Identify risks of transition of young adults with diabetes from pediatric to adult services, and list elements of successful transition
- Demonstrate familiarity with assessment and treatment recommendations for older adults with diabetes
- Detect and manage pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus to reduce risk of complications for the mother and child during and after pregnancy
Disclosure
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support of CME, the speakers for this course have been asked to disclose to participants the existence of any financial interest and/or relationship(s) (e.g., paid speaker, employee, paid consultant on a board and/or committee for a commercial company) that would potentially affect the objectivity of his/her presentation or whose products or services may be mentioned during their presentation. The following disclosures were made:
Planning Committee Members
Susan P. Tyler No Relevant Relationships
Rick Ricer, MD No Relevant Relationships
Eileen McCaffrey No Relevant Relationships
Sylvia Reitman No Relevant Relationships
Shirley Jones No Relevant Relationships
The following PIM planners and managers, Judi Smelker-Mitchek, RN, BSN, Trace Hutchison, PharmD, Samantha Mattiucci, PharmD, CHCP, and Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, CHCP, hereby state that they or their spouse/ life partner do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.
Donna L. Jornsay, MS, CPNP, CDE, CDTC, has indicated that she is a Consultant for Becton, Dickinson and Company and Eli Lilly; a Shareholder of Medtronic Diabetes; and is on the Speaker’s Bureau for Insulet.
Christine Kessler, CNS, ANP, BC-ADM, CDTC, FAANP, is a Consultant for AstraZeneca, Medtronic, and Novo Nordisk; and is on the Speaker’s Bureau for Novo Nordisk.
Davida F. Kruger, MSN, APRN-BC, BC-ADM, has indicated that she is on the Advisory Board of Abbott, Dexcom, Eli Lilly, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk; and Intarcia; on the Speaker’s Bureau for Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dexcom, Eli Lilly, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Valeritas; has stock in Dexcom; and received grants/research support from Astra Zeneca, Dexcom, Eli Lilly, Helmsley Foundation, Lexicon, and Novo Nordisk, and receives research support of 40% salary from NIH.
Ellen D. Mandel, DMH, MPA, PA-C, RDN, CDE, has nothing to disclose.
Lucia M. Novak, MSN, ANP-BC, BC-ADM, CDTC, has indicated that she is on the Speaker’s Bureau for AstraZeneca, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Novo Nordisk.
Joyce Ross, MSN, ANP, CLS, CRNP, FPCNA, FNLA, has indicated that she is a on the Advisory Board for Akcea Therapeutics, Kaneka America, Kastle Pharma; and on the Speaker’s Bureau for AbbVie, Amarin, Amgen, Kaneka America, KOWA, and Sanofi/Regeneron.
Scott Urquhart, PA-C, DFAAPA, has indicated that he is on the Advisory Board for AstraZeneca and Shire; a Consultant for Abbott and Acella Pharma; and on the Speaker’s Bureau for Abbott and AstraZeneca.
Kim Zuber, PA-C, has indicated that she is on the Speaker’s Bureau for Amgen and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
All information provided by program participants is confidential and will not be shared with any other parties for any reason without permission.
Contact Information for Technical Questions
Please technical questions or concerns to Global Academy for Medical Education at 973-290-8225 or email info@globalacademycme.com.
Copyright
The faculty acknowledge the editorial assistance of Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC, and Eileen McCaffrey, medical writer, in the development of this supplement. It has been reviewed and approved by the faculty as well as the editors of Clinical Endocrinology News.
Neither the editors of Clinical Endocrinology News nor the Editorial Advisory Board nor the reporting staff contributed to its content. The opinions expressed are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the views of the supporter or of the Publisher.
Copyright © 2017 by Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., and its Licensors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC, will not assume responsibility for damages, loss, or claims of any kind arising from or related to the information contained in this publication, including any claims related to the products, drugs, or services mentioned This continuing medical education (CME) supplement was developed from faculty presentations at the Metabolic & Endocrine Disease Summit October 5 - 8, 2016.
References
1. Kirkman MS, Briscoe VJ, Clark N, et al. Diabetes in older adults:
A consensus report. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60(12):2342-2356. doi: 10.1111/ jgs.12035.
2. Huang ES, Laiteerapong N, Liu JY, John PM, Moffet HH, Karter AJ. Rates of complications and mortality in older diabetes patients: The diabetes and aging study. JAMA Internal Med. 2014;174(2):251-258. doi: 10.1001/ jamainternmed.2013.12956.
3. Wang J, Geiss LS, Williams DE, Gregg EW. Trends in emergency department visit rates for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemic crisis among adults with diabetes, United States, 2006-2011. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(8):e0134917. doi: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0134917.
4. Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study Group. Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(24):2545- 2559. doi: doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0802743.
5. Duckworth W, Abraira C, Moritz T, et al. Glucose control and vascular complications in veterans with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(2):129- 139. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0808431.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report: Estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States, 2014. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2014. https://www.cdc. gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf. Accessed April 19, 2017.
7. 2. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(Suppl 1):S11-S24. doi: 10.2337/dc17-S005.
8. FDA drug safety communication. FDA revises warnings regarding use of the diabetes medicine metformin in certain patients with reduced kidney function. April 8, 2016. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ UCM494140.pdf. Accessed March 30, 2017.
9. UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group. Tight blood pressure control and risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: UKPDS 38. BMJ. 1998;317(7160):703-713.