CPE
Susan Cornell, PharmD, CDCES, FAPhA, FADCES
Every January, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) publishes its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Health care professionals with an interest in diabetes anxiously await this publication to learn of updates and changes in the management and care for people with diabetes. This year, the updates and changes are minimal for most sections of the Standards. However, several changes are significant; specifically, the updates to the pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment section. No longer is metformin the sole option for first-line therapy. Instead, diabetes treatment needs to focus beyond the solitary goal of glucose lowering.
In 2021, insulin celebrated its 100th anniversary. Yet, a century after the discovery of insulin, the U.S. is experiencing an escalation in the number of diabetes cases.
CDC reported that 37.3 million Americans (11.3% of the U.S. population) have diabetes and 96 million American adults (38% of the U.S. adult population) have prediabetes.
Coupled with this is the obesity epidemic, in which obesity is defined as a BMI greater or equal to 30 kg/m2 and severe obesity as a BMI greater or equal to 40 kg/m2. In the U.S., obesity in adults was reported at 42.4% in 2017– 2018 and is anticipated to rise over the next few years.2 The relationship between diabetes and obesity is notorious and is commonly referred to as “diabesity.” Although not all obese people will develop diabetes, more than 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.
Additionally, obesity is associated with coronary heart disease and endstage kidney disease, which are common complications related to diabetes. Therefore, when treating people with diabetes, looking at more than just glycemic measures is imperative to the overall health and management of this disease. Weight management, cardiovascular (CV) and kidney disease must be addressed along with glucose lowering. It is well-known that people who manage their diabetes can prevent or minimize related complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
Despite the advancement of drugs and technology to treat diabetes, many people still struggle to reach the ADA recommended goals: an A1C < 7%, a blood pressure < 140 mm Hg/90 mm Hg, and/or their lipid and weight goals.
CPE assessment
This assessment must be taken online; please see “CPE information” below for further instructions. The online system will present these questions in random order to help reinforce the learning opportunity. There is only one correct answer to each question.
CPE information
To obtain 1 hour of CPE credit for this activity, complete the CPE exam and submit it online at www.pharmacist.com/education. A Statement of Credit will be awarded for a passing grade of 70% or better. You have two opportunities to successfully complete the CPE exam. Pharmacists and technicians who successfully complete this activity before October 1, 2027, can receive credit. Your Statement of Credit will be available online immediately upon successful completion of the CPE exam.
This policy is intended to maintain the integrity of the CPE activity. Learners who successfully complete this activity by the expiration date can receive CPE credit. Please visit CPE Monitor for your statement of credit/transcript.
To claim credit
1. Go to http://apha.us/CPE.
2. Log in to your APhA account, or register as a new user.
3. Select “Enroll Now” or “Add to Cart” (click “View Cart” and “Check Out”).
4. Complete the assessment and evaluation.
5. Click “Claim Credit.” You will need to provide your NABP e-profile ID number to obtain and print your statement of credit.
Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm ET at APhA InfoCenter by calling 800-237-APhA (2742)
or by e-mailing infocenter@aphanet.org.