* Panel of Canadian experts recommend new ways to overcome
barriers Canadians face when trying to achieving their target
glucose (blood sugar) levels.1
LAVAL, QC, April 12, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Faced with the
knowledge that an estimated 1.5 million Canadians living with
diabetes2 are not able to achieve their glycemic
targets3, a panel of Canadian Experts was brought
together by sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (Sanofi Canada) to address
the common barriers people face in reaching their target glucose
levels. The recommendations can be found in the newly published
article in the Diabetes Therapy Journal4 entitled
"INSULIN MATTERS: A practical approach to Basal Insulin
Management in Type 2 Diabetes regarding Basal Insulin
Management". The panel of experts includes general
practitioners (GPs), nurses, nurse practitioners, endocrinologists,
dietitians, pharmacists and a psychologist.
The newly published article outlines insights from the panel's
multidisciplinary expertise in diabetes management with advice and
solutions to address barriers many Canadians face when trying to
achieving their target glucose levels. These new tools and
resources found in the recommendations showcase the panel's
in-depth understanding of the Type 2 diabetes (T2D) management and
demystify insulin and its use. From fear of needles and potential
undesirable effects, the recommendations highlight how insulin
initiation can help patients lead a healthy life along with the
help of their Health Care Team.
Why insulin matters
Canadians with T2D may need to take insulin to achieve their
target glucose levels and to reduce their risks of complications
such as heart disease, kidney disease, loss of vision and
amputation of the lower limbs.
Since insulin introduction (initiation) and dose increase
(intensification) are important factors in the management of
diabetes5,6,7,8, the panel's goal was to help break down
and address barriers that people living with T2D may face regarding
insulin.
"We identified some barriers from patients that might
contribute to delaying the initiation and intensification of
insulin in people living with T2D, which could explain why some
Canadians are not achieving their target glucose levels. Healthcare
professionals will now have more tools and resources to address
these barriers in order to better help their patients manage their
condition," says Dr. Michael
Vallis, Clinical Psychologist, Diabetes Management Centre,
Capital Health and Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada.
Health Care Team key to success
Health care teams are a vital resource for Canadians to learn
about the tools available for managing their diabetes. Canadians
can learn about their target glucose levels, healthy eating and
exercise plans and the best treatment options including their
insulin initiation plan.
"It is important to encourage and to educate people living
with T2D on self-management with the help of their Health Care Team
who can demonstrate how the pens and needles work, to self-monitor
blood glucose and to prevent and treat hypoglycemia. Reinforcing a
healthy lifestyle is also imperative," mentions Sarah Blunden, Certified Diabetes Educator and
Professional Dietitian, LMC Diabetes and Endocrinology,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insulin initiation
Insulin is a natural replacement hormone therapy9
that can be used when the pancreas is unable to produce enough on
its own, due to the progressive nature of
T2D.10,11,12,13,14
A new generation of long-acting basal insulins such as insulin
glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300), marketed under the name
Toujeo®, approved by Health Canada in 2015, and which
has been studied in a large clinical program15, makes it
possible to lower the amount of glucose in the blood. Since this
basal insulin is long-acting, it only needs to be taken once a day,
helping Canadians maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, not
limited by their medication.
"We are confident that these new resources will help
Canadians to achieve their target glucose levels and in turn,
improve their quality of life", commented Dr. Upender
Mehan, FCFP, Waterloo Wellington LHIN, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
"We at Sanofi Canada are convinced that the energy and
efforts invested by health care professionals and our teams can
contribute to helping patients receive the best care they need
according to the available treatments stemming from the latest
advances in diabetes management research," concluded Dr.
Hisham A.S. Mahmoud, Medical
Director at Sanofi Canada.
To access the "INSULIN MATTERS: A practical approach to Basal
Insulin Management in Type 2 Diabetes regarding Basal Insulin
Management" article, please click here.
About Sanofi Diabetes and Cardiovascular
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease affect millions of people
worldwide, with many managing the complex challenges of both.
Building on its portfolio evolution, heritage and expertise, Sanofi
has implemented a focused business unit dedicated to delivering
innovative, value-based medicines and integrated solutions in these
therapeutic areas. It is committed to a collaborative approach that
involves strategic alliances with professional and patient
associations, research institutions and leaders in healthcare and
other industries, with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge,
driving the convergence of science and technology, helping to
improve outcomes and inspiring an evolution in care.
About Sanofi www.sanofi.ca
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and
distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs.
Sanofi is organized into five global business units: Diabetes and
Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi
Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare. Sanofi is listed
in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in
New York (NYSE: SNY).
Together, Sanofi entities in Canada employ close to 1,900 people. In 2016,
Sanofi companies invested $130
million in research and development in Canada, creating jobs, economic activity and
opportunity throughout the country.
Follow us on Twitter @SanofiCanada and on YouTube.
____________________________________
|
1Leiter,
L.A., et al., Type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Canada: is
it improving? Can J Diabetes, 2013. 37(2): p. 82-9.
|
2https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes.
|
3Leiter,
L.A., et al., Type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Canada: is
it improving? Can J Diabetes, 2013. 37(2): p. 82-9.
|
4https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-018-0375-7.
|
5Khunti,
K., et al., Clinical inertia with regard to intensifying therapy
in people with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin.
Diabetes Obes Metab, 2016. 18(4): p. 401-9.
|
6Paul,
S.K., et al., Delay in treatment intensification increases the
risks of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2
diabetes. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 2015. 14(1): p.
100.
|
7Khunti,
K., Clinical inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes
mellitus: a focused literature review. The British Journal of
Diabetes, 2015. 15(2): p. 65-69.
|
8Khunti,
K., et al., Clinical inertia in people with type 2 diabetes: a
retrospective cohort study of more than 80,000 people. Diabetes
Care, 2013. 36(11): p. 3411-7. doi: 10.2337/dc13-0331. Epub 2013
Jul 22.
|
9Polonsky, W.H. and R.A. Jackson, What's So Tough
About Taking Insulin? Addressing the Problem of Psychological
Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes. Clinical Diabetes, 2004.
22(3): p. 147-150.
|
10DeFronzo, R.A., R. Eldor, and M. Abdul-Ghani,
Pathophysiologic approach to therapy in patients with newly
diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2013. 36 Suppl 2: p.
S127-38.
|
11Pratley, R.E., The early treatment of type 2
diabetes. Am J Med, 2013. 126(9 Suppl 1): p. S2-9.
|
12Barag,
S.H., Insulin therapy for management of type 2 diabetes
mellitus: strategies for initiation and long-term patient
adherence. J Am Osteopath Assoc, 2011. 111(7 Suppl 5): p.
S13-9.
|
13Ross,
S.A., Breaking down patient and physician barriers to optimize
glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Am J Med, 2013.
126(9 Suppl 1): p. 012.
|
14Palumbo, P.J., The case for insulin treatment
early in type 2 diabetes. Cleve Clin J Med, 2004. 71(5): p.
385-6.
|
15Ritzel,
R., Roussel, R., Bolli, G. B., Vinet, L., Brulle-Wohlhueter, C.,
Glezer, S., & Yki-Järvinen, H., Patient-level meta-analysis
of the EDITION 1, 2 and 3 studies: glycaemic control and
hypoglycaemia with new insulin glargine 300 U/ml versus glargine
100 U/ml in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity
and Metabolism, 2015. 17(9), 859-867.
|
SOURCE Sanofi Canada