New research, co-authored by a UAB researcher, has shown that intensive lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, have the potential to put Type 2 diabetes into remission and eliminate the need for medication in some cases.
“Since so much of Type 2 diabetes is related to lifestyle, the idea of reversibility is plausible,” said study co-author Monika Safford, MD, professor in the UAB Division of Preventative Medicine.
Using data from the Look AHEAD (Action for Health for Diabetes) trial, which originally was designed to study the effect of long-term weight loss on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in individuals living with Type 2 diabetes, Safford and colleagues examined the effect of long-term weight-loss on reversal of Type 2 diabetes to pre-diabetes or normal blood sugar levels.
Look AHEAD recruited 5,145 overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomized to either an intensive weight-loss, lifestyle intervention or to a diabetes support and education intervention. The intensive lifestyle intervention aimed to reduce total caloric intake to between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day, to reduce total fat intake and to increase physical activity levels.
The intensive lifestyle intervention cohort also had weekly counseling in the first six months, followed by three sessions per month for the second six months. Years two to four included twice-monthly contact. Participants in the diabetes support and education group were offered three group counseling sessions each year focusing on diet, physical activity and support.
After one year, 11.5 percent of the intensive lifestyle intervention participants experienced remission, compared to 2 percent in the diabetes support and education group. At four years, 7.3 percent of the intervention group experienced remission, compared to 2 percent in the support and education group.
“It’s good news that we have shown diabetes is something that can be reversed,” Safford said. “However, when you look at the entire study period, many participants who initially showed a reversal did eventually require diabetes medications again.”
Nevertheless, these findings are important, Safford said. They show that reversal of diabetes is a goal that can be reached for some people living with Type 2 diabetes – and stopping medication even for a few years can have a major positive impact on quality of life.
Integrated Solutions Names Sales Director
Jeremy Beck has joined Integrated Solutions as Director of Sales and Business Development. Beck, who brings years of medical technology sales experience, will focus on driving expansion into new markets and territories. He also serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Gadsden and graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary with a MA in Biblical Studies. He earned his BA from the University of Memphis.
Medical West Chest Pain Center is Accredited
Medical West has received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC).
Hospitals that have received SCPC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with heart attack symptoms. To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Medical West engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Medical West has put processes are in place aimed at:
Reducing the time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment
Treating patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved
Monitoring patients when it is not certain that they are having a heart attack to ensure that they are not sent home too quickly or needlessly admitted to the hospital
“People tend to wait when they think they might be having a heart attack, and that’s a mistake,” says David Denney, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Medical West. “The average patient arrives in the emergency department more than two hours after the onset of symptoms, but what they don’t realize is that the sooner a heart attack is treated, the less damage to the heart.”
Carlo Receives Pediatrics Award
The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Perinatal Pediatrics recently presented Waldemar Carlo, MD with the 2012 Virginia Apgar Award, which is given annually to an individual whose career has had a continuing influence on the well-being of newborn infants.
Carlo is director of the UAB Division of Neonatology and director of UAB’s newborn nurseries. He also is director of neonatology at Children’s of Alabama. Working in conjunction, UAB and Children’s of Alabama are classified as a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, the highest level possible and the only one in the state. It is also the largest neonatal intensive care service in the United States.
In the 20-plus years Carlo has been with UAB, he has helped make UAB a worldwide leader in neonatology education and leadership. He has published more than 250 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has served on many university, hospital and national professional boards and committees and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society for Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society.
Dugas Completes 100th Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Earlier this fall, Jeffrey Dugas, MD of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center completed his 100th autologous chrondrocyte implantation surgery at St. Vincent’s Birmingham. The procedure is one in which the patient’s own cells are implanted to help repair knee cartilage injuries. The cells can help create new cartilage which may provide more cushion to the knee, potentially alleviating pain and increasing mobility. St. Vincent’s Birmingham is the only area hospital where this technique is being used. To mark the occasion, Dr. Dugas was presented with an award from Jim Gilmartin with Genzyme Corporation.
“St. Vincent’s Birmingham congratulates Dr. Dugas on his 100th autologous chrondrocyte implantation procedure,” said Andy Davis, president and COO of St. Vincent’s Birmingham. “We feel that this milestone is a testament to the surgical expertise and innovative orthopedic care that can be found here at St. Vincent’s Birmingham.”
North Alabama Hospital Heroes Awarded
Five north Alabama hospital employees and one area physician were honored for their dedication to the health care field recently at a luncheon hosted by the North Alabama Regional Council of the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA).
The luncheon is one of seven regional awards presentations being held as part of AlaHA’s 10th annual statewide Hospital Hero award contest, which honors hospital employees who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the health care field.
Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is proud to announce that the Hospital Hero Physician Honoree is Jeremy Stidham, MD, chair of the medicine department and chief of internal medicine at CRMC.
Stidham is the newly appointed medical director for North Alabama Community Care, which seeks to improve primary care provided to patients covered by Medicaid. The senior leadership team at CRMC has credited Stidham with leading the cause to open a clinic focused on providing care to Medicaid patients.
D1Sports Medicine Named Top Sports Medicine Practices to Know
D1 Sports Medicine, owned by Geoffrey Connor, MD, was named one of Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine, and Pain Management Review’s Top 55 Sports Medicine Practices to Know in the U.S.
“It is an honor to be named,” Connor said. “We strive to provide the best service to our clients, while still providing quality healthcare.”
Connor is acknowledged for his work with the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Thrashers. In 2012, Connor was named among Top 125 Outstanding Knee Surgeons in the U.S. He also received a place on the list of Top 67 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons in 2011.
According to Becker’s Review, the selection of Top 55 Sports Medicine Practices to Know are based on the awards they have received from major organizations in the field, leadership in those organizations, work on professional publications and positions of service held at hospitals and practices.
UAB Hematology Oncology now offers cancer care in Bessemer
UAB Medicine has expanded its medical oncology services to the Bessemer area with the opening of the Hematology Oncology West clinic, which offers state-of-the-art infusion therapy with personal care provided to each patient.
Two supervising UAB physicians are available at the location. Guru Sonpavde, MD, is medical director of the clinic and an associate professor of medicine who specializes in prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. Susmitha Nimmagadda, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine with a clinical interest in breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lymphoma.
“This clinic offers patients from Tuscaloosa and Bessemer the same innovative care they would get in downtown Birmingham,” said Boris Pasche, MD, PhD, director of the UAB Division of Hematology and Oncology. “Our outstanding medical team brings a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer and bridges the gap between advanced technology and compassionate care. Convenience is a big part of that, because during a difficult time patients want to be close to home and near their families.”
