Endocrinology Month in Review: February 2024

Developments in the world of endocrinology and diabetes management have been a topic of discussion within medical circles and beyond in recent years. This trend has continued into 2024 and has been a prevalent theme during February as well. In our endocrinology month in review for February 2024, we are spotlighting trending studies and new data in endocrinology, the latest news surrounding tirzepatide, and a recap of the 4 episodes of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives launched during the month.

Trending Studies and New Data in Endocrinology

Survodutide, a Glucagon/GLP-1 RA, Reduces MASH in Phase 2 Trial

On February 26, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim announced topline results from their phase 2 trial of survodutide in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and overweight or obesity. Results of the trial, which the company intends to present at a meeting later this year, indicate use of the dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist survodutide contributed to improvement of MASH without worsening fibrosis in 83% of patients with this difficult-to-treat metabolic condition.

Evidence Supports Genetic Link Between Hypothyroidism, Rheumatoid Arthritis

One of our most popular pieces of content in the last month, this analysis of genome-wide association studies purported evidence of a genetic correlation, identified shared loci, and suggested a causal relationship between hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis.

“In our exploratory MR analyses, we found evidence of a causal effect of hypothyroidism on RA, aligning with recent study findings,” investigators wrote. “The findings of our study suggest that hypothyroid patients can be monitored for [rheumatoid arthritis] risk, which will aid in early detection."

Many US Adults Unaware of Critical Cardiovascular Risk Factors

A new survey suggests US adults were more likely to know their childhood address and best friend’s birthday than they were to recognize their ideal blood pressure or body weight, with fewer than 1 in 5 being knowledgeable of their cholesterol or glucose levels.

Coming on the heels of the American Heart Association’s annual heart disease and stroke statistics report, which found more than 50% of US adults failed to recognize cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the US, results of the survey highlight the need for greater patient education to improve outcomes on a population level.

Dizziness Linked to Mortality Risk for Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer

A new study found symptomatic dizziness was linked to an increased risk for cause-specific mortality from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer—but not unintentional injuries. An analysis of NHANES data, results of the study suggest symptomatic dizziness was linked to an increase in cause-mortality from diabetes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 – 2.25), cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12 – 1.55), and cancer (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.99 – 1.47).

Tirzepatide in the Spotlight

Throughout 2023, semaglutide and tirzepatide competed for the spotlight in cardiometabolic health circles. This has continued into 2024 as more and more data has emerged regarding the effects of incretin therapies on various aspects of health. As part of the February month in review, we are spotlighting a pair of studies related to use of tirzepatide in

New Study Finds Tirzepatide Use Lowered Blood Pressure in Patients with Obesity

A substudy of the pivotal SURMOUNT-1 trial suggests use of tirzepatide was associated with significant reductions in systolic blood pressure in adult patients with obesity, with results pointing to mean reductions of 7.4 mmHg with tirzepatide 5 mg, 10.6 mmHg with tirzepatide 10 mg, and 8.0 mmHg with tirzepatide 15 mg.

Tirzepatide Significantly Reduces HbA1c, Body Weight in Type 1 Diabetes

A proof-of-concept study brought forth data suggesting tirzepatide could prove useful in the management of adults with type 1 diabetes. A single-center, retrospective observational study of 26 patients, investigators found a significant reduction in HbA1c with tirzepatide, by 0.45% at 3 months and 0.59% at 8 months. The findings also showed a significant reduction in body weight by 3.4%, 10.5%, and 10.1% at 3, 6, and 8 months after initiating tirzepatide treatment.

Related: Diabetes Dialogue: Tirzepatide in Type 1 Diabetes, with Viral Shah, MD

Diabetes Dialogue

Our flagship endocrinology podcast is off to a record pace in 2024, with a total of 9 episodes released through the first 2 months of the year, including 4 new episodes in the month of February. These episodes touch upon an array of topics including optimal leveraging of continuous glucose monitoring technology and metrics, the role of tirzepatide in type 1 diabetes, and a preview of the upcoming 17th International Conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes.

Understanding MARD, Comparing Popular CGM Sensors

Hosts tackle a pair of recent publications related to leveraging diabetes technology.

The first study, which is part of a special edition of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, provides a review of mean absolute relative difference as well as how and why understanding its limitations is important to optimizing the benefit of continuous glucose monitoring technology. An appropriate topic, as it leads into the second study of interest for the episode, which is a January 2024 publication pitting the Dexcom G7 against the FreeStyle Libre 3.

ATTD 2024 Preview

Leading into the premier diabetes technology meeting of the year, Isaacs and Bellini sat down for a special episode. In the episode, hosts provide insight into sessions to watch, device news they are excited for, what makes ATTD a unique and valuable experience for the diabetes care team, and how the meeting’s annual yearbook session encapsulates the exciting developments within the field.

Time in Range, CGM Metrics for Predicting Outcomes in Diabetes

Viral Shah, MD, joins Diabetes Dialogue to discuss a recent study examining associations between time in range and other advanced CGM metrics with diabetic retinopathy and the implications for use in predicting other microvascular outcomes.

Tirzepatide in Type 1 Diabetes, with Viral Shah, MD

After publishing a single-center retrospective observation study of adults with type 1 diabetes purported benefit with use of tirzepatide, Shah joined the podcast for a discussion on this study, the prospect of GLP-1 RA-based therapies in type 1 diabetes, and the potential role of tirzepatide in type 1 diabetes.