Pregnant women with type 2 diabetes face higher risks for neonatal and perinatal mortality compared to those with type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and no diabetes, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 studies published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study highlighted increased odds of delivering small or large for gestational age infants, congenital anomalies, stillbirths and perinatal mortality.

A retrospective study in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that higher estimated glucose disposal rates may be protective against cardiovascular and all-cause mortality across various glycemic states. The analysis of data for 46,016 adults found that higher eGDR levels were associated with reduced mortality rates, with the strongest effects seen in individuals with normal fasting glucose and prediabetes.

Researchers have identified a gut bacterium, Bacteroides vulgatus, that may reduce sugar cravings by interacting with the gut-liver-brain axis. A study in Nature Microbiology showed the bacterium and its metabolite, pantothenate, were found to increase the secretion of hormones that regulate appetite.

A study in Metabolites found a ketogenic diet can offer short-term benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, outperforming a Mediterranean diet in blood sugar control, gut health and weight loss during the first six months. However, the keto diet's advantages diminished after six months.

A retrospective study in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that obesity, fibromyalgia, the presence of erosions at diagnosis and longer disease duration were linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. The 458-patient study found that difficult-to-treat RA was associated with higher disease activity and more frequent use of Janus kinase inhibitors.

A study found that elderberry juice can improve weight management and metabolic health. The clinical trial, published in the journal Nutrients, involved 18 adults with overweight who consumed 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily. Results showed enhanced gut microbiome, improved glucose tolerance and increased fat oxidation.

A study in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can significantly reduce complications for patients with obesity undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Patients with a body mass index of 40 or higher who used GLP-1 RAs for three months before and after surgery had lower rates of periprosthetic joint infection, medical complications and readmissions.

Researchers have identified the protein MCJ as a key player in converting brown fat to heat, a process that can protect against obesity and related metabolic diseases. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that removing MCJ from obese mice increased heat production and weight loss.

A retrospective study in the Journal of Pain Research has shown the potential of a fully remote digital health program in managing musculoskeletal conditions among patients with and without obesity. The study found high completion rates and clinical improvements across all body mass index groups, with those with obesity showing comparable engagement and outcomes to those without obesity.

The projected number of US adults developing dementia annually will nearly double from 514,000 in 2020 to 1 million by 2060, with Black individuals experiencing a particularly pronounced increase, according to research published in Nature Medicine. The study, based on diverse data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, reveals a lifetime dementia risk of 42% after age 55, highlighting the need for policies promoting healthy aging and health equity.

Join your colleagues for the hybrid Clinical Update Conference (CUC) of the American Diabetes Association® from January 31-February 2, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. This three-day event promises a wealth of education focusing on team-based diabetes care, the clinical impact of the newly updated Standards of Care in Diabetes--2025, and networking opportunities you won't want to miss. Register early and save!