Endocrinology Month in Review: September 2023

Like never before in US history, cardiometabolic health, specifically diabetes mellitus, has taken center stage in discussions around public health. This revolution is reflected in our endocrinology month in review for September 2023, which spotlights 4 pieces of content and a pair of articles offering a deep dive into comorbidities in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Semaglutide Grabs Headlines

A leading agent in the management of type2 diabetes as well as overweight and obesity, semaglutide has been no stranger to the spotlight in recent years and 2023 has been no exception. During the month of September 2023, semaglutide continued to make headlines. QAs part of our month in review, we are highlighting multiple pieces of content related to the GLP-1 receptor agonist taking top spots in our list of most popular content from the month.

FDA Adds New Warning for Ileus to Semaglutide (Ozempic) Label

In the latter half of September, the FDA added a new warning for an increased risk of ileus, a blockage in the colon, and hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin secretagogues to the prescribing information for semaglutide (Ozempic). This update follows a surge in adverse events associated with Ozempic in recent years, with over 2,951 cases reported in 2023 as of June 30, 2023. This comes in the wake of ongoing semaglutide shortages and legal actions taken against unauthorized compounded semaglutide products.

Semaglutide Could Eliminate Need for Insulin in Type 1 Diabetes

A single-arm study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provided evidence of the potential benefits of semaglutide use in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Led by Paresh Dandona, MD, PhD and published on September 6, 2023, the study examined use of semaglutide through a case series of 10 patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes aged 21-39 years, Findings from the study indicate semaglutide use can significantly decrease insulin requirements in patients with type 1 diabetes, with use allowing 70% to eliminate basal insulin use within 6 months and the mean HbA1c decreasing from 11.7% at baseline to 5.9% and 5.7% at 6 and 12 months, respectively.

Diabetes Dialogue: Making Sense of Semaglutide in Type 1 Diabetes

The semaglutide in type 1 diabetes study in NEJM is rooted in a previous report examining use of dulaglutide in people with type 1 diabetes. Among the leaders of that research endeavor was HCPLive advisory board member Natalie Bellini, DNP. In this special edition episode, Bellini leverages this unique perspective in a discussion around the latest data on semaglutide in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in a conversation with cohost Diana Isaacs, PharmD.

Tirzepatide Bests Semaglutide For A1c, Weight Loss in Indirect Comparison of Clinical Trial Data

Closing out the month of September, as it pertains to semaglutide-centric news featured in our most popular content, is an indirect comparison spotlighted as an early release from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2023 annual meeting, which is scheduled to take place from October 2-6, 2023. Released on September 22, 2023, the network meta-analysis of nearly 2 dozen trials examining semaglutide and tirzepatide led by Thomas Karagiannis, MD, PhD, MSc, concluded suggest tirzepatide could provide more efficacious reductions in HbA1c and superior reductions in body weight relative to semaglutide, but this improvement in HbA1c could come with increased risk of gastrointestinal events, particularly with elevated doses of tirzepatide.

Comorbidities in Diabetes Mellitus

In addition to our coverage of semaglutide throughout the month, 2 pieces of content related to comorbidity management in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively, made their way into our 5 most popular endocrinology-specific content for September 2023. These focused on risk of adverse renal outcomes among people with types 1 diabetes and application of new guidance for the optimal management of nonalcoholic fatty. Liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes.

Endotrophin Levels Could Signal Elevated Kidney Risk in Type 1 Diabetes

A new analysis suggests serum endotrophin levels could prove useful as a predictor of negative kidney outcomes in people with type 1 diabetes. Using data from a cohort of more than 1400 people with type 1 diabetes, results of the study indicate a doubling of serum endorphin was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and more than 3-fold increase in risk of kidney disease progression, but no increase in risk for either outcome was observed for increased levels of urinary endotrophin.

Applying New NAFLD Recommendations in Type 2 Diabetes, with Sarah Wheeler, PharmD, and John Bucheit, PharmD

Although advances in pharmacotherapy for heart failure and chronic kidney disease have dominated conversation in recent years, management of NAFLD and NASH has become a greater focal point within the community, which is reflected in the American Diabetes Association’s latest updates to its Standards of Care. This article features an interview with Sarah Wheeler, PharmD, and John Bucheit, PharmD, from around the ADCES 2023 where the duo led a discussion around application of new NAFLD recommendations in people with type 2 diabetes.