Diabetes

In a Journal of Advanced Nursing study of 90 adults with type 2 diabetes published last week, female gender, elevated blood sugar levels, neuropathic pain, and fatigue were related to sleep disturbance, even after controlling for factors such as age, diabetes duration, depressive symptoms and distress.

The findings suggest that clinicians should pay extra attention to females when conducting sleep-related assessments. A comprehensive sleep evaluation should also include diabetes-related symptoms such as neuropathic pain and fatigue.

Ascensia Diabetes Care, based out of Basel, Switzerland, is showing its support for World Diabetes Day 2017 by publishing 30 portraits of inspiring women who are making significant contributions to advancing diabetes care. The theme of World Diabetes Day is Women and Diabetes, and through this initiative, Ascensia aims to raise global awareness of diabetes and help to amplify the messages of the International Diabetes Federation.

Five companies are close to winning $75,000 from the 2017 HITLAB World Cup of Voice-Activated Technology in Diabetes presented by Novo Nordisk. The Plainsboro, N.J.-based Novo Nordisk and innovation and teaching lab HITLAB launched the competition on Aug. 25, looking to find the best original ideas to help patients with Type 2 diabetes through improved healthcare access, delivery and outcomes, the companies said.

Atlanta-based Pursuant Health is ready to roll out new retinal screening capabilities into its self-service kiosks with the goal of preventing 95% of avoidable vision loss cases with early detection.

The Merck Foundation is undertaking an effort that it says will improve diabetes outcomes among underserved U.S. populations. The Kenilworth, N.J.-based foundation has committed $16 million in funding over five years for its Bridging the Gap: Reducing Disparities in Diabetes Care initiative.

The program, according to the foundation, will bring high-quality medical care with services and resources from outside the health system to address such factors influence diabetes outcomes as healthy food access and spaces for physical activity.

Smartphones may be smart, but sometimes they still are not always accessible.

Enter Smart Meter, a Tampa, Fl.-based company that has recently gained FDA approval for its iGlucose blood glucose meter, which eliminates syncing or paring complications when trying to share blood glucose test results.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Major portions of the American population with diabetes believe that their care requires much more than medicine, including emotional support and lifestyle management, and that diabetes care reimbursement needs to be broadened, according to a Novo Nordisk survey published Wednesday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is marking American Diabetes Month by emphasizing efforts patients can undertake to manage their conditions, as well as the services the company offers to make diabetes management easier.

The company said patients with diabetes should manage their diet and engage in a healthy lifestyle — including at least 30 minutes of exercise daily — in an effort to manage their blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. CVS pharmacists also can offer information and product suggestions to aid lifestyle management, CVS Health said.