(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Patients with type 2 diabetes generally receive the
same treatment, despite the fact that they may have underlying differences that
could affect their therapeutic response.
Treatment for diabetes is aimed at lowering glycemic levels to as close to the
non-diabetic range as is safely possible. Only slightly more than half of
diabetes patients reach their glycemic targets, however, leaving a substantial
population exposed to prolonged periods of damaging hyperglycemia.
Seeking to address this critical health issue, an international
multidisciplinary group of experts has issued a consensus statement of
recommendations for individualized treatment. The experts believe further
insight into the differences among diabetes patients, both physiologic and
genetic, should enable physicians to improve glycemic control, maximize
individual benefit, minimize risk, reduce diabetes complications and ultimately
provide reductions in global health cost.
"Recent advances in genetics, such as the identification of the responsible
genes for several forms of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), have
established precedents linking specific drug therapies to defined subtypes of
diabetes patients," co-author Robert Smith, M.D., of Brown University, was
quoted as saying. "As more genetic factors related to type 2 diabetes are
identified and as our understanding of the progression of the disease evolves,
we can expect to gain precision in identifying the best drug choices for
individual patients and to more effectively halt the progression of diabetes."
"The progress already seen has stemmed from combining discoveries of specific
genetic susceptibilities with clinical observations," Robert A. Vigersky, M.D.,
president of The Endocrine Society, was quoted as saying. "As we move forward,
we should continue to incorporate these and additional clinical observations
with new data on the physiology and genetics of diabetes to assess which
patients will benefit most from specific treatments. The recommendations in this
consensus statement highlight the need for the research community and industry
to each play their part in improving our ability to individualize therapy so
that patients can get the most accurate and appropriate treatment."
The consensus statement includes a series of recommendations for increasing
understanding of diabetes and achieving the goal of individualizing therapy and
improving treatment response. Recommendations included extending analysis of
existing data and data sources, expanding existing data registries or develop
new ones, developing new clinical trials and developing new technologies.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), April 2010
