Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) introduced updated recommendations for diabetes treatment standards in 2024, considering expert conclusions and new scientific discoveries.
Last year, the standards focused on an individualized approach and advanced technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring. However, 2024 brought breakthrough changes, emphasizing the importance of screening and prevention to prevent diabetes complications. This significant shift in focus highlights the importance not only of treatment but also of preventing disease progression.
The updated ADA recommendations emphasize the importance of screening for stress and anxiety among patients with diabetes. Ukrainians should pay special attention to this, as life in stress and anxiety due to war conditions can increase the risks of developing diabetes. Stress and anxiety directly affect glucose metabolism and overall self-esteem. Therefore, it is essential to include screening for these factors in the treatment and support plan for diabetes patients.
According to the new guidelines, psychosocial screening should include an assessment of stress and anxiety levels, as well as reactions to them in the context of life circumstances and treatment. It will help identify patients who need additional support and psychological assistance. Ukrainian medical professionals must develop and implement protocols for psychosocial screening for general and diabetes-related moods, as well as other topics such as stress, quality of life, available resources (financial, social, family, and emotional), and psychiatric history.
Additionally, Ukrainians need to pay attention to recommendations regarding sleep as an essential aspect of diabetes care and screening for sleep problems that night combat actions and air sirens may cause. There is also a noticeable increase in attention to screening for diabetes in patients with a history of acute or chronic pancreatitis, as well as those with cardiovascular diseases.
Furthermore, the new guidelines identify the need for screening for patients taking medications that may increase the risk of developing diabetes, such as second-generation antipsychotic drugs.
Moreover, the ADA emphasizes the importance of screening and preventive measures in identifying the risk of type 1 diabetes development. According to the standards, individuals aged 8 and older with stage 2 type 1 diabetes are recommended to consider the possibility of using Tzield, a drug that has been a focal point since 2022. Its use allows delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.
Overall, the updated treatment standards demonstrate the increasing importance of screening and prevention in the modern approach to managing diabetes. It reflects not only changes in medical practice but also increased attention to preventing complications, which is a critical aspect of improving the quality of life for patients with diabetes.
Initiatives such as CheckEye, which provides a screening platform based on artificial intelligence (AI) for identifying risks and complications of diabetes, become even more relevant in the context of these updated standards. AI allows for effectively identifying risks and timely intervention in treatment, which is critical to preventing serious diabetes complications.
Additionally, it is essential to note that eye screening also plays a significant role in detecting diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy. CheckEye hopes that the screening methodology will continue to evolve, and next year, eye screening for early detection of diseases will be added to the existing screening recommendations.
Source:
Diabetes care. American Diabetes Association. (2024, January 1). https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/47/Supplement_1