Healthy Outcomes through Peer Educators: Feasibility of a peer support diabetes prevention programme for African-American grandmother caregivers.

AIM: To assess the protocol feasibility and intervention acceptability of a community-based, peer support diabetes prevention programme (DPP) for African-American (AA) grandmother caregivers at risk for diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Grandmother caregivers were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to DPP (active comparator) or DPP plus HOPE (Healthy Outcomes through Peer Educators; intervention). DPP + HOPE incorporated support from a peer educator who met with participants in person or by telephone every week during the 1-year intervention. Outcomes included: (1) recruitment rates, outcome assessment, and participation adherence rates assessed quantitatively; and (2) acceptability of the programme assessed through end-of-programme focus groups. RESULTS: We successfully consented and enrolled 78% (n = 35) of the 45 AA grandmothers screened for eligibility. Eighty percent of participants (aged 64.4 ± 5.7 years) were retained up to Week 48 (74% for DPP [n = 17] and 92% for DPP + HOPE [n = 11]). All grandmothers identified social support, neighbourhood safety, and access to grocery stores as influences on their health behaviours. At Month 12, the active comparator (DPP) group and the intervention group (DPP + HOPE) had a mean change in body weight from baseline of -3.5 ± 5.5 (-0.68, -6.29) kg and - 4.4 ± 5.7 (-0.59, -8.2) kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This viable study met the aim of educating and equipping AA grandmothers with the practical and sustained support needed to work toward better health for themselves and their grandchildren, who may be at risk for diabetes. The intervention was both feasible and acceptable to participating grandmothers and their organizations.

Chasing a dream against all odds.

BACKGROUND: Youth of color growing up in poverty face many challenges that children from more affluent families never experience. These children often reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods with substandard housing, inadequate medical care, and under resourced schools. This places these children at risk for poor academic achievement, school dropout, abuse and neglect, behavioral and socioemotional problems, and physical health problems. In spite of these risks, some children "beat the odds" and overcome the challenges and adversities in their external contexts. The paper reports the findings of a draw-and-write activity designed to learn the processes whereby protective factors promote resilience from a child's point of view. METHODS: In this qualitative study, a draw-and-write activity was conducted with a convenience sample of 33 children, (23 females and 10 males of which 10 were Hmong, 11 were Middle Eastern, and 12 were African Americans) .The children were asked to make visual representations of resources (persons or things that, in their view, contribute to their wellbeing.) In depth interviews with a subset of 15 of the children was conducted to discuss the meaning of the images in their drawings. A summative content analysis of the visual and narrative data was performed using a resilience framework. RESULTS: Regardless of racial/ethnic background, parents, and especially mothers, were the main "person or thing" identified by these children living in poverty as helping them "make it thus far in life." Ninety seven percent of the participants in this study described their parent(s) as nurturing and supportive, enabling them to overcome obstacles and adversities within their environment. Forty five percent of participants identified their mother as a key anchor in their life Fifty eight percent of the African American children indicated that their parent(s) encouraged education to escape poverty. CONCLUSION: The findings support that families, particularly parents have the strongest influence on supporting the resilience process in a child. These findings were consistent across ethnicity and gender. Families, particularly parents, should be the target of future interventions designed to produce resilient behaviors in youth of color living in poverty.

Peers empowering peers-feasibility of a peer educator training program to prevent diabetes.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the Healthy Outcomes through Peer Educators (HOPE) training program designed to train African American (AA) grandmothers to serve as peer educators for other AA grandmothers who are at risk for diabetes. The newly trained peer educators will provide the needed encouragement and positive reinforcement essential for successful sustainable health behaviors to grandmothers enrolled in a subsequent Diabetes Prevention Program. METHODS: Thirty AA women between the ages of 49-72 were enrolled in the pre-post single group study. The participants were required to attend a 2-h Diabetes Prevention Program session every week for 16 weeks. The sessions covered the role of the peer educator and encouraged participants to increase their physical activity and consume more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. We noted the number of participants who successfully completed the training and solicited their perspective regarding the strengths of the program and suggestions to improve the program. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was performed to evaluate changes in body weight, self-reported physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake from baseline to week 16. RESULTS: Ninety three percent (n = 28) of enrollees completed the training program. All (n = 28) the peer educator trainees indicated that they would recommend the program to a friend and 93% (n = 26) reported that the program met their needs. The participants (n = 28) felt that the training prepared them to offer support to other grandmothers in their community. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test revealed that participants body weights were significantly lower after completion of the 16 week training program (median = 156.5 lbs., n = 28) compared to baseline (median = 163.0, n = 28), Z = - 4.43, p < 0.05. Fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly (median = 5, n = 28) at week 16 compared to week one, (median = 2, n = 28) Z = 4.46, p < 0.05. Participants were more physically active at week 16 (median = 150 min per week, n = 28) compared to week 1, (median = 30 min per week, n = 28) Z = 4.62, p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The peer educator training component of HOPE was found to be feasible and acceptable as evidenced by our successful recruitment and retention of participants. Participation in the peer educator training program also resulted in improvement in health behaviors.

Hear Our Voice: Insights from Children of Different Cultural Backgrounds Living in Low-Income Housing.

BACKGROUND: Children who experience poverty early in life or for an extended period of time become susceptible to chronic diseases like asthma and obesity during their life course. Intervening early in the life of children living in poverty could alter these trajectories. OBJECTIVES: This study used a Photovoice method to examine how children from different ethnic/racial backgrounds frame the social and environmental factors that influence their physical and mental health. METHODS: We recruited a convenience sample of 13 children, aged from 9 to 14 years of age (4 African Americans, 4 Middle Eastern/Arabic, 4 Asian [Hmong] and 1 White). Each child was provided a camera and was asked to take pictures of things within their environment that influenced their health. RESULTS: Results were obtained by photo sorting activities and analysis of the interview transcripts. The children's photographs stimulated individual and group discussions which yielded five themes confirmed by conventional content analysis: bullying, family, nature, food and public spaces. CONCLUSIONS: The photovoice method was a successful way to provide a direct account of what the children think affects their health, engage various individuals from the community in the research process, and inspire social change and advocacy projects. The children's concepts of factors in their communities that influence their health will be the target of future interventions designed to improve the health and well-being of children of color living in poverty.

Pediatric Obesity: Pharmacokinetic Alterations and Effects on Antimicrobial Dosing.

Limited data exist for appropriate drug dosing in obese children. This comprehensive review summarizes pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations that occur with age and obesity, and these effects on antimicrobial dosing. A thorough comparison of different measures of body weight and specific antimicrobial agents including cefazolin, cefepime, ceftazidime, daptomycin, doripenem, gentamicin, linezolid, meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, tobramycin, vancomycin, and voriconazole is presented. PubMed (1966-July 2015) and Cochrane Library searches were performed using these key terms: children, pharmacokinetic, obesity, overweight, body mass index, ideal body weight, lean body weight, body composition, and specific antimicrobial drugs. PK studies in obese children and, if necessary, data from adult studies were summarized. Knowledge of PK alterations stemming from physiologic changes that occur with age from the neonate to adolescent, as well as those that result from increased body fat, become an essential first step toward optimizing drug dosing in obese children. Excessive amounts of adipose tissue contribute significantly to body size, total body water content, and organ size and function that may modify drug distribution and clearance. PK studies that evaluated antimicrobial dosing primarily used total (or actual) body weight (TBW) for loading doses and TBW or adjusted body weight for maintenance doses, depending on the drugs' properties and dosing units. PK studies in obese children are imperative to elucidate drug distribution, clearance, and, consequently, the dose required for effective therapy in these children. Future studies should evaluate the effects of both age and obesity on drug dosing because the incidence of obesity is increasing in pediatric patients.

Patient considerations in type 2 diabetes - role of combination dapagliflozin-metformin XR.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review article is to provide guidance to health care providers regarding the use of dapagliflozin-metformin XR (extended release) as a therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The PubMed database was searched through August 2015 to identify clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating the use of the sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin administered as monotherapy or in combination with metformin. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included for this review, six of which evaluated dapagliflozin in combination with metformin, one of which evaluated dapagliflozin monotherapy, and four of which evaluated dapagliflozin as an add-on therapy to other antidiabetic agents. The combination of dapagliflozin and metformin resulted in an A1C decrease of up to 2%, weight loss of 2-3 kg, and modest systolic blood pressure decrease of 3-5 mmHg. However, long-term effects on cancer and cardiovascular health are still being investigated. Providing patients with a fixed-dose combination therapy such as dapagliflozin-metformin XR can increase medication adherence and patient satisfaction, and improve glycemic control. Dapagliflozin-metformin XR is ideal because it can be administered orally once a day, is associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia, and provides the added benefit of weight reduction and modest blood pressure lowering. CONCLUSION: The unique combined mechanism of action and favorable efficacy and safety profile of dapagliflozin-metformin XR support consideration of this fixed-dose combination as a treatment option for patients with T2DM.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review article is to provide guidance to clinicians and diabetes educators regarding the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors as a therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The PubMed database was searched through February 2015 to identify clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating the use of the SGLT2 inhibitors canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin administered as monotherapy or in combination with other oral antidiabetes drugs or with insulin. RESULTS: SGLT2 inhibitors reduce hyperglycemia in an insulin-independent manner by inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose into the systemic circulation by the kidneys. In patients with T2DM, SGLT2 inhibitors provide consistent reductions in glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma and postprandial glucose, body weight, and blood pressure when used as monotherapy or in combination with other oral antidiabetes agents or with insulin. SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia, except when used with agents known to be associated with a higher risk of hypoglycemia, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. CONCLUSIONS: The unique renal-specific mechanism of action and favorable efficacy and safety profile of SGLT2 inhibitors support consideration of these antidiabetes agents as a treatment option for patients with T2DM.

Dapagliflozin: a new sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: The pharmacologic properties and clinical efficacy of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, are reviewed. SUMMARY: Dapagliflozin (Farxiga, AstraZeneca) is a selective SGLT2 inhibitor approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin lowers blood glucose independent of insulin secretion and action by inhibiting renal reabsorption of glucose, thus promoting increased urinary excretion of glucose. Dapagliflozin has been shown to improve glycemic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes when used as monotherapy or in combination with metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, sitagliptin, or insulin. Dapagliflozin treatment is associated with weight reduction, it has a low intrinsic propensity to cause hypoglycemia, and it may offer the advantage of a complementary mechanism of action when added to other therapies. During Phase III clinical trials, dapagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with an overall frequency of adverse events similar to that reported with placebo use. However, increased rates of genital and, in some trials, urinary tract infections have been reported in dapagliflozin-treated groups relative to placebo groups. Pooled data from clinical trials indicated an imbalance in bladder cancer cases between dapagliflozin-treated and placebo groups; however, most cases were diagnosed within one year of exposure. Ongoing research is expected to further delineate the effects of dapagliflozin on bladder cancer risk and cardiovascular safety measures. CONCLUSION: Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, offers a novel treatment option for type 2 diabetes that is independent of insulin secretion or action.

Identifying knowledge deficits of food insecure patients with diabetes.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this project was to identify the self-care needs of adults with diabetes who experience food insecurity. A cross-sectional study design and methodology were used to attain the study data. We invited 153 adults with diabetes who utilized the St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry to complete the diabetes knowledge test. The reliability of the sample was calculated using Cronbach's coefficient α. To determine validity, differences in test scores were examined by diabetes type and treatment, educational attainment, and receipt of diabetes education. RESULTS: The coefficient α for the general test and the insulin-use subscale indicated that both were moderately reliable, α> 0.60. General test scores were significantly associated with educational attainment (p<0.01) and prior diabetes education (p<0.05). We found that participants who attained education beyond high school or previously received diabetes education scored significantly higher on the test compared to those with less than high school education or not receiving diabetes education (p<0.05). Adults with type 1 diabetes had higher general and insulin use scores compared to adults with type 2 diabetes, however the difference was not statistically significant. While general knowledge about diabetes is not a predictor of self-care behavior, it is needed to perform daily self-care activities. Health care providers should assess diabetes knowledge in low income patients who experience food insecurity regularly to identify any gaps in knowledge that can compromise self-care behaviors.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: a growing class of antidiabetic agents.

Although several treatment options are available to reduce hyperglycemia, only about half of individuals with diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) achieve recommended glycemic targets. New agents that reduce blood glucose concentrations by novel mechanisms and have acceptable safety profiles are needed to improve glycemic control and reduce the complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The renal sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) is responsible for reabsorption of most of the glucose filtered by the kidney. Inhibitors of SGLT2 lower blood glucose independent of the secretion and action of insulin by inhibiting renal reabsorption of glucose, thereby promoting the increased urinary excretion of excess glucose. Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin are SGLT2 inhibitors approved as treatments for T2DM in the United States, Europe, and other countries. Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin increase renal excretion of glucose and improve glycemic parameters in patients with T2DM when used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihyperglycemic agents. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors is associated with weight reduction, lowered blood pressure, and a low intrinsic propensity to cause hypoglycemia. Overall, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin are well tolerated. Cases of genital infections and, in some studies, urinary tract infections have been more frequent in canagliflozin-, dapagliflozin-, and empagliflozin-treated patients compared with those receiving placebo. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors are a promising new treatment option for T2DM.

Lessons Learned from a Community Based Lifestyle Intervention for Youth at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

PURPOSE: This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a peer led diabetes prevention intervention for youth in an underserved community. METHODS: Children and adolescents randomized to the intervention group participated in a one year program which included peer support, physical activity, and family nutrition, and behavior modification sessions. Participants were asked about their satisfaction with the study and possible benefits, what they learned, and whether they would recommend participation to a friend. Youth randomized to the control group received monthly healthy lifestyle educational materials through the mail. RESULTS: Children and adolescents (n=67) with an average age of 12.5 years and BMI greater than or equal to 85 percentile for age and sex were enrolled in the study. The average monthly participation rate varied between 90 and 50 percent with a mean rate of 82 percent. Ninety four percent of parents reported being very satisfied with the program and all (100%) reported they would recommend the program to a friend. All the children and adolescents (100%) reported that they enjoyed working with the youth peer coaches and 94% felt their assigned coach was a good role model. The observed changes in BMI z-score trended towards improvement in the intervention group, but this study was underpowered to detect differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The peer led diabetes prevention program was feasible and acceptable and demonstrated potential for improving health behaviors.

Improving refill adherence and hypertension control in black patients: Wisconsin TEAM trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and sustainability of a 6-month Team Education and Adherence Monitoring (TEAM) intervention for black patients with hypertension in community chain pharmacies. DESIGN: Cluster randomized trial. SETTING: 28 chain pharmacies (14 TEAM and 14 control) in five Wisconsin cities from December 2006 to February 2009. PARTICIPANTS: 576 black patients with hypertension. INTERVENTION: Trained pharmacist-technician teams implemented a 6-month intervention using scheduled visits, Brief Medication Questionnaires (BMQs), and novel toolkits for facilitating medication adherence and pharmacist feedback to patients and physicians. Control participants received patient information only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Refill adherence (≥80% days covered) and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, and blood pressure control using blinded assessments at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: At baseline, all patients had blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or more. Of those eligible, 79% activated the intervention (mean 4.25 visits). Compared with control participants at 6 months, TEAM participants achieved greater improvements in refill adherence (60% vs. 34%, P < 0.001), SBP (-12.62 vs. -5.31 mm Hg, P < 0.001), and blood pressure control (50% vs. 36%, P = 0.01). Six months after intervention discontinuation, TEAM participants showed sustained improvements in refill adherence ( P < 0.001) and SBP ( P = 0.004), though the difference in blood pressure control was not significant ( P < 0.05) compared with control participants. Analysis of intervention fidelity showed that patients who received the full intervention during months 1 through 6 achieved significantly greater 6- and 12-month improvements in refill adherence and blood pressure control compared with control participants. CONCLUSION: A team-based intervention involving community chain pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and novel toolkits led to significant and sustained improvements in refill adherence and SBP in black patients with hypertension.

Therapeutic approaches to slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy - is less best?

OBJECTIVE: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to reduce proteinuria and have been the first-line agents in the management of diabetic nephropathy for the past 20 years. This review covers recent studies that compare the benefit of additional blockage of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system through combination therapy with an ACE inhibitor and ARB, or a direct renin inhibitor (DRI), to monotherapy. DESIGN: Primary and review articles that addressed the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic options for attenuating the progression of diabetic nephropathy were retrieved through a MEDLINE search (January 1990 to December 2012) and the bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed. English language sources were searched using the following search terms: diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, proteinuria, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and DRIs. SETTING: Randomized, placebo-controlled, short- and long-term studies published in peer-reviewed journals that were determined to be methodologically sound, with appropriate statistical analysis of the results, were selected for inclusion in this review. PARTICIPANTS: Adult (≥18 years) patients with diabetic nephropathy. MEASUREMENTS: Serum creatinine level was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR was calculated using the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was measured at baseline and at the conclusion of each study. A value between 3.4 mg/mmol and below 33.9 mg/mmol was defined as microalbuminuria. A value of 33.9 mg/mmol or more (approximately 300 mg/g creatinine) was defined as macroalbuminuria. RESULTS: ACE inhibitors and ARBs are now the mainstay of treatment for diabetic nephropathy. However, combination therapy with an ACE inhibitor and an ARB, or DRI, has not been found to be more effective than monotherapy with an ACE inhibitor or ARB, and may increase the risk of hyperkalemia or acute kidney injury. CONCLUSION: Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs remain the first-line agents in attenuating the progression of diabetic nephropathy; however, recent studies suggest that combining an ACE inhibitor with an ARB, or combining a DRI with an ACE inhibitor or ARB, may increase adverse events without clinical benefits to offset them.

Weight perceptions of parents with children at risk for diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes among African American, Latino American, and Native American children in the United States has led to increasing focus on strategies for prevention. However, little is known about the perceptions toward weight, nutrition, and physical activity among these youth. This pilot study explored the perceptions of body weight among overweight and obese children and their parents. RESULTS: Thirty eight children, ages 8-16 years who were enrolled in a diabetes prevention study were surveyed to assess their perception of their weight. Nearly all (84%) of the children were obese. When asked whether they considered themselves to be overweight, African-American children were less likely to report that they were overweight than other children (33% vs. 80% of other children, p = 0.01). The parents of these children (n = 29) were also surveyed to assess their perception of their child's weight. The parents of two-thirds (65%) of the children reported that the child was overweight, while the rest reported their child was underweight or the right weight. African-American parents were less likely to report that their child's weight was unhealthy compared to other parents (46% vs. 77%, p = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings indicate that future intervention efforts should assess children's and parents' awareness of obesity and diabetes risk and these factors should be considered when developing prevention interventions for families with youth at risk for diabetes in underserved communities.