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Harris Communications Harris Communications Embargoed by The Journal of the American Medical Associatio until
November 3rd, 5:00 p.m. ET Contact: (xxx) xxx-xxxx Quality of Life Benefits for Type 2 Diabetics JAMA Study Links Good Glucose Control
with Improved Well Being and Work Productivity BOSTON, November 3, 1998--Results of a novel clinical study
published in the November 4 issue of The Journal of the American Medical
Association show that improving glycemic (blood sugar) control in persons with type 2
diabetes can significantly enhance the patient's mental and physical health leading to
fewer days missed from work, decreased physician visits and overall economic savings.
Ninety to 95 percent of the estimated 16 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes have
type 2, or adult onset diabetes. "For the first time, we can demonstrate that even moderately
more effective glycemic control can decrease a broad array of commonly overlooked symptoms
of high blood glucose including fatigue, weariness and problems in thinking. Relief from
these 'silent symptoms of diabetes' were shown to dramatically improve the patient's
overall quality of life. ," says study co-author, Marcia A. Testa, M.P.H., Ph.D.,
Harvard School of Public Health. Researchers found that after 12 weeks of therapy, patients
treated with Glucotrol XLâ (glipizide GITS), a once-daily oral sulfonylurea,
reported better physical, mental and emotional health, better cognitive function and fewer
days absent from work (due to health problems) than those treated by diet only. Due to the
improved productivity and less absenteeism, Glucotrol XLâ patients had a higher
employment retention rate. The study also indicates that as quality of life improved with better
glycemic control, overall use of health care services such as physician office and
emergency room visits decreased. ""Historically, the health care community has focused
on long-term benefits of glycemic control " says study co-author, Donald C. Simonson,
M.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard
Medical School. "Both physicians and HMO's have typically assumed that more
intensive treatment for type 2 diabetes is primarily preventative --
reducing the future complications of diabetes such as kidney disease and
blindness. The results of this study should influence both physicians and
managed care organizations to recognize the importance of the more immediate
benefits. The key finding here involves not only direct benefits to the
patient, but to his or her employer as well. Often it is the employer who
pays for both sick days absent from work and health care insurance.
Employers need to select health plans for their employees that are committed
to better diabetes management " Study Design and Results The double-blind, dose-titration study involved 594 patients at
62 centers across the United States. After a three-week placebo run-in period, patients
were randomized to receive either placebo and diet management (201 persons) or 5-20 mg of
Glucotrol XLâ and diet management (393 persons). Glucose levels, symptoms, quality-of-life and health economic
indicators were measured at screening, randomization and then at weeks four, eight and 12
post-randomization. Quality-of-life factors measured included perceived physical and
mental health, cognitive functioning and symptom distress. Days worked and absent (due to
health problems), restricted activity days and health care utilization were also
evaluated. After 12 weeks of treatment, hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma
glucose were significantly lower with Glucotrol XLâ vs. placebo (7.5 % vs. 9.3% and 126
mg/dL vs. 168md/dL, respectively). Glucotrol XLâ patients had more favorable
changes for the major quality-of-life scales, and health economic outcomes including
higher retained employment and greater productive capacity , less absenteeism (production
losses =$24 vs. $115 per worker per month), bed days (losses=$1,415 vs. $1,843 per 1,000
person-days) and restricted activity days (losses=$2,660 vs. $4,275 per 1,000
person-days). The costs associated with the value of lost earnings were based upon the
average annual wages of male and female workers by age as reported by the Bureau of
Census. According to Richard Kahn, Ph.D. Chief Medical and Scientific
Officer (CHECK EXACT TITLE) , American Diabetes Association (ADA), PLEASE INSERT A CRITCAL
COMMENT FROM DR. KAHN EXAMPLE ONLY GIVEN BELOW "This study has critical ramifications on how the medical
community should work with patients to better understand and manage this disease. I urge
the health care profession, during National Diabetes Awareness Month and throughout the
year, to emphasize day-to-day patient satisfaction when implementing disease management
programs and estimating the costs and benefits of therapeutic regimens and prevention
programs." Type 2 diabetes results when the body is unable to make a
sufficient amount of insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it does produce. Unlike
type 1, type 2 diabetes can often be managed for many years without regular insulin
injections using a combination of diet, exercise and oral medications. The study analysis, titled "Health Economic Benefits and
Quality of Life During Improved Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus" was funded by research grants to the Harvard School of Public Health from
the Agency for Health Care Policy Research, Department of Health Human Services and the
American Diabetes Association. The clinical trial was funded separately by Pfizer Inc.,
manufacturer of Glucotrol XLâ . [insert Harvard boilerplate] # # |