Endocrine Month in Review: September 2022

Our endocrinology month in review spotlights the most popular content from the past month. Our top content from September 2022 includes new guideline recommendations from the ADA/EASD, new data on semaglutide 2.4 mg and tirzepatide, a label update for finerenone, & more!

1. American Diabetes Association, EASD Update Recommendations on Hyperglycemia Management in Type 2 Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) have announced the release of a new consensus update on the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Released on September 23, the 42-page document has a target audience described as the “full spectrum of professional healthcare team providing diabetes care” and provides updates to recommendations made in previous consensus reports from the organizations released in 2018 and 2019.

2. Studies Debate Link Between COVID-19 and Increased Type 1 Diabetes Diagnoses

A pair of studies released within days of one another have produced conflicting reports related to the apparent increase in type 1 diabetes diagnoses following a COVID-19 infection in younger patients.

Although one of the studies suggests a COVID-19 infection was associated with up to a 72% increase in new diagnoses of type 1 diabetes, the second, which was presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 2022 annual meeting, purports that while overall rates of diagnoses may be elevated, COVID-19 may not be the cause of increased prevalence.

3. Real-World Data Backs 2.4 mg Semaglutide (Wegovy) for Weight Management in Obesity

A retrospective analysis of EMR data from Mayo Clinic referral centers provides an overview of the effects of 2.4 mg semaglutide on weight loss in populations outside of clinical trial settings.

With data from more than 150 patients treated at a referral center for weight management prescribed semaglutide for 3 months or more between January 1, 2021-March 15, 2022, results of the study suggest the mean weight loss achieved at 3 months was 5.9% of body weight, with this improving to 10.9% at 6 months and further analysis indicating more than 50% of semaglutide users achieving weight loss of 10% or more at 6 months.

4. Declining Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic Linked to Worsening Obesity

In his most recent column, Gregory Weiss, MD, provides perspective on new research from a team at University of Texas Southwestern describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and subsequent increases in body weight among people with obesity.

5. High HbA1c Linked to Increased Risk of Trigger Finger in Both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

New research from an analysis of a national diabetes register in Europe suggests inadequate glycemic control was linked to an increased risk of developing stenosing tenosynovitis, more commonly known as trigger finger, for people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

An analysis of data from more than 95,000 individuals with diabetes from the Swedish National Diabetes Register, results of the study suggest elevated HbA1c levels were associated with an increase in risk of trigger finger of 26% or more in type 1 diabetes and 12% or more in type 2 diabetes in analyses adjusting for sex, age, duration of diabetes, and other clinical factors.

6. Tirzepatide Cuts Time to Glycemic Targets by 4-12 Weeks vs Other Diabetes Therapies

A new analysis of data from the SURPASS program suggests use of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) could help people with diabetes reach glycemic targets in a fraction of the time as other medications.

Results of the analysis, which were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting, indicate a weekly injection of tirzepatide helped adults with type 2 diabetes reach glycemic targets 4-12 weeks sooner than those receiving semaglutide 1 mg and long-acting insulin degludec.

7. FDA Updates Finerenone Label to Reflect Cardiovascular Outcomes Data

On September 1, Bayer announced the US FDA had approved a label update for finerenone (Kerendia), which received initial approval in July 2021 for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes, to include cardiovascular outcomes data from the FIGARO-DKD trial.