Effect of Internet Therapeutic Intervention on A1C Levels in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Insulin

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of an Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS) on A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This trial involved 50 patients randomly assigned to receive either conventional treatment alone or with additional follow-up through an IBGMS for 6 months. Patients randomized to the intervention group uploaded blood glucose readings every 2 weeks to a secure Web site for review and receipt of feedback from their endocrinologist. A1C and laboratory test results were collected at 0, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

The baseline parameters were not significantly different. Over a 6-month follow-up, A1C dropped from 8.8 to 7.6% (P < 0.001) in the intervention group compared with 8.5 to 8.4% (P = 0.51) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of IBGMS significantly improved A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.In the management of diabetes, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is performed as an adjunct to A1C measurements in order to assess and modify treatment (1–3); however, it often requires healthcare professionals to help interpret the results to refine treatment (4–6). The Internet provides a readily accessible platform for communication and remote health monitoring (7). In this study, we evaluated whether the use of an IBGMS would improve the outcome of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a comparison of pantoprazole once versus twice daily

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy is recommended as treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication. The proton pump inhibitor may be given once or twice daily. However, little information is available on how these two treatment strategies compare. METHODS: H. pylori-positive patients (two positive test results) with endoscopy-proven healed duodenal ulcer or non-ulcer dyspesia were randomly allocated to 1 week of double-blind treatment with pantoprazole 40 mg once or twice daily, plus clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 400 mg twice daily. Eradication was defined as a negative 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) and histology, 4-5 weeks post-treatment. The follow-up phase comprised 12 months off therapy, with 13C-UBT at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and four patients received treatment: pantoprazole once daily (x1), n=104; twice daily (x2), n=100. Eradication rates were 84% in both the pantoprazole x1 and pantoprazole x2 groups by modified intention-to-treat analysis and 89% and 87%, respectively, by per protocol analysis. Metronidazole resistance was found in 44% of pre-treatment cultures of H. pylori. Eradication rates were similar in susceptible (72%) and resistant (75%) strains. During follow-up, recrudescence of infection occurred in 3/118 patients. CONCLUSION: When using pantoprazole plus clarithromycin and metronidazole, the proton pump inhibitor can be used once daily without loss of efficacy.     

Omeprazole is more effective than cimetidine in the prevention of recurrence of GERD-associated heartburn and the occurrence of underlying oesophagitis

Background:

There is documentation of the long-term use of omeprazole 10 mg o.d. in patients with reflux oesophagitis but not in the large number of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients without oesophagitis. There is also a paucity of data on the long-term use of cimetidine in GERD patients.

Methods:

One hundred and fifty-six patients (100 male) who previously had symptomatic non-ulcerative oesophagitis (81%) or symptoms without oesophagitis (19%), were recruited. All patients were in symptomatic remission following 4 weeks of omeprazole 20 mg o.d. or cimetidine 400 mg q.d.s. and, if required, a further 4 weeks of omeprazole 20 mg o.d. Patients were randomized to receive, double-blind, either omeprazole 10 mg o.m. (n = 77) or cimetidine 800 mg nocte (n = 79) for 24 weeks.

Results:

A greater proportion of patients receiving omeprazole, compared with cimetidine, were in symptomatic remission after 12 (69 vs. 27%) and 24 weeks (60 vs. 24%) (each P < 0.0001). The median time to symptomatic relapse was longer for patients receiving omeprazole (169 vs. 15 days) (P = 0.0001). Of patients leaving the study in symptomatic remission, a greater proportion receiving omeprazole, compared with cimetidine, was free of oesophagitis (84 vs. 53%) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Omeprazole 10 mg o.m. is more effective than cimetidine 800 mg nocte in the prevention of recurrence of GERD-associated heartburn and the occurrence of underlying oesophagitis.

     

Paediatric tuberculosis in a Pacific Islands community in New Zealand

OBJECTIVES: To describe the demographic, clinical and management aspects of an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) within a paediatric Pacific Island community in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2002-2003. METHODS: The index and source case are described along with details of the extensive contact tracing that was undertaken in this community. RESULTS: A total of 24 children were diagnosed with TB over an 11-month period. All cases were found to be epidemiologically linked to the one source case, mother of the index case. This total included 22 children with pulmonary disease, 1 case of miliary disease (index case) and 1 of cervical adenitis. Only 58% had symptoms at diagnosis and only 5 presented to medical attention with symptoms, the remainder had symptoms disclosed after contact tracing occurred. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate was fully sensitive and all children (excluding the child with miliary disease) received short course directly observed therapy. One child developed hepatotoxicity requiring modification of his drug regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Children are at high risk of developing active disease after exposure to TB. The study describes the minimal symptoms manifested in many of the children with significant radiological changes consistent with pulmonary TB. This highlights the need to consider Mantoux testing and chest X-rays for children presenting with persistent respiratory symptoms in high-risk populations. Issues of contact tracing and adherence were also a problem in this population.